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Inverness cab drivers submit complaint


By Val Sweeney

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Andrew Macdonald.
Andrew Macdonald.

TAXI drivers in Inverness have submitted a formal complaint against Highland Council amid plans to close a city centre taxi rank.

The Inverness Taxi Alliance (ITA), which has written to the Scottish Ombudsman, maintains there has been a historical lack of consultation on various issues including tariffs and the planned closure of the Castle Wynd taxi rank on January 6.

It comes as the Highland licensing committee will today discusss proposed fare increases which many taxi drivers oppose.

Alliance chairman Andrew MacDonald said no feasible or safe alternative to Castle Wynd had been agreed and members had been told unless they withdrew their objections, “all offers would be off the table”. He added: “This statement, witnessed by all present, is now denied but has nevertheless come to pass.

“The minutes produced on this matter did not truly reflect the level of consternation.”

Mr MacDonald also disputed assertions that taxi working group meetings provided an open forum for all parties to discuss taxi fares and and other issues.

Mr MacDonald said their regularity was “woefully inadequate,” with no time to discuss pressing grievances.

“Sadly, high handedness. lack of information and indifference are the hallmarks of the deteriorating relationship between the trade and the council,” he said.

A council spokeswoman said the local authority was aware of a formal complaint and awaited the ombudsman’s decision.

“The proposals for Castle Wynd were agreed through the city of Inverness area committee after several meetings with taxi trade representatives at which all options were discussed.

“The solution found provides taxi operators with alternative reasonable rank space within the city centre.”

Meanwhile, Mr MacDonald said drivers trading as part of Caley Taxis and Black Mercedes Taxis were offering a deal to passengers who regularly used taxis as a lifeline, for instance to travel to work.

They could take a free journey to decide the best price at existing tariffs and this would be guaranteed until the next review.


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