Taxi drivers agree Marketgait 'boycott' in response to police action
Dundee taxis will "boycott" Marketgait this weekend as part of a protest about cabs stopping on the clearway.
- By Andrew Argo
- Published in the Courier : 20.04.11
- Published online : 20.04.11 @ 12.52pm
Dundee Taxi Association chairman Graeme Stephen said passengers seeking a lift after a night out over the Easter holiday will have to walk away from the inner ring road.
Over 100 taxi drivers met in the Dee Club on Tuesday night to work out a response to what they regard as heavy-handed policing.
Feelings are running high after officers booked taxis picking up fares outside the G Casino where no vehicles are allowed to stop.
Mr Stephen said there was an area behind the casino where taxis could wait for customers but it was on private ground and there were insurance implications about operating on the land.
He went on, "There is a rank for six taxis at the nightclub on the other side of the road from the casino but it's difficult to get into it, and it's a game of cat and mouse to find a space.
"The casino is popular but the issue of taxis getting access to it wasn't thought through at the outset and this is why there is a problem now.
"We thought it would be okay to pick up passengers on Marketgait but police won't allow this, so this weekend we won't be on Marketgait at all. We'll go somewhere else.
Unanimous agreement
"Anyone coming out of the G Casino or the other places in that area will have to walk to find us. We won't be waiting in Marketgait."
Association secretary Tony Waters said, "The taxi trade agreed unanimously to boycott the area around the nightclubs and the G Casino at the weekend.
"The taxi drivers would like the public to know that because of police restrictions they have decided to take this action.
"We would like the public to know that they will have to make their way to the official taxi ranks for a taxi home — Nethergate, Ward Road or walk up the Hawkhill or Lochee Road.
"No taxi will stop in Marketgait because the police have said they will book us, so we say to customers 'please do not be offended when the taxis do not stop to pick you up'."
Dundee City Council and Tayside Police will meet next Tuesday to discuss the problem. Police say their actions are in the interests of public safety and are asking taxi drivers for co-operation.
01.22pm - 20.04.2011 Law Abider - Dundee, UK Report This
So taxi drivers have unamiously agreed to boycott the Marketgait and obey the laws of the land instead of the blatant disregard they have so far shown. Bravo, I say
01.38pm - 20.04.2011 David - Dundee, Scotland Report This
i have no sympathy, taxi drivers bring it on themselves. They park where they want, double park blocking others path despite a space 2/3 cars further down and they have the cheek to moan about parking illegally on west marketgait. While your at it, boycott nethergate at south tay st! Also illegal.
01.41pm - 20.04.2011 David - Dundee, Scotland Report This
and if you really want the G Casino customers, park in Brown Street. Plenty room there!
02.14pm - 20.04.2011 Kev Reilly - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
Finally! Those of us who drive there at that time of night won't be forced to move into the right hand lane (hen we're wanting to turn left at the roundabout). Now I'll be able to do this without having to avoid taxis for actions & parking that would be considered illegal if I did them.
02.38pm - 20.04.2011 Becky - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Great news for those of us who are sick of taxi drivers' blatant disregard for the Highway Code! Can I request that they continue this "boycott" indefinitely?
03.23pm - 20.04.2011 Dave P - Dundee, UK Report This
think of the weary miles to trudge looking for a taxi ... oh look there's one across the road
03.35pm - 20.04.2011 Al - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Why don't the taxi drivers lobby Dundee City Council or whoever is responsible for the pavement area around the G Casino to get a taxi rank put there or nearby? Are they too busy moaning? Perhaps they should try actually doing something constructive to sort the problem....
04.52pm - 20.04.2011 Jim Wallace - Dundee, Angus Report This
So let’s see if I have this right, by `Boycott` it will mean the Taxis will sit in the correct `taxi `ranks and not block the carriageway in an illegal manner? Sounds great i will just phone a private hire company until this `situation` improves. hopefully never.
05.36pm - 20.04.2011 Bemused - Dundee, Tayside Report This
I had to check the date and it wasn't the first of April. Let me see if I have this right...Dundee taxi driver's are going in the huff because they have to comply with the law. Erm, am I missing something here? This is the best laugh I have had in ages
07.32pm - 20.04.2011 paul - dundee, uk Report This
lol. It makes it all the worse because they feel justified. Childish and pointless just call a private hire as they will probably just be waiting 30 secs away in Brown street anyway.
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