Cabbies call for fare play

May 1 2008 by Samantha Mendez, Rhymney Valley Express

DESPITE being told they’re not allowed to park outside their office, a taxi firm in Bargoed have had enough of one rule for them and another for everyone else.

Alan Roberts, a driver for Bargoed Taxis said they can’t even stop outside their office on Cardiff Road because of the amount of cars and vans parked along the road.

But he said these vehicles are allowed to park there without being moved on by the traffic warden, unlike their cars.

And the final nail in the coffin came when Mr Roberts’ taxi got broken into when he parked it out the back to avoid further problems with the traffic warden.

He said: “The police and traffic warden are always on at us not to park out the front so I put the car out the back.

“My window got smashed and £80 from my takings was stolen. The people who did it were arrested but it wouldn’t have happened out the front.”

Mr Robert, who’s worked for the firm for 12 years, said the situation is getting ridiculous.

“After 12pm we are allowed to park outside for 15 minutes but even when we’re only stopping to pick up a fare, the traffic warden is stopping us,” he said.

“It’s a total joke. She’s told us now that we’re not allowed to pick up by the Spar, we can’t get in there because there’s always vans there.”

Mr Roberts, aged 59, was appalled when fellow driver Phil was made to pick up an elderly lady about 150 yards from where she was.

“Phil wanted to pick up an old woman by the Spar but the traffic warden told him to pick her up from the nearest pub.

“So she had to walk there with all her bags, and it’s about 150 yards away. It’s getting stupid now. We can’t have old dears walking to get a taxi.”

The pair say they also have a lot of women with shopping and prams walking into the office for a taxi, but Mr Roberts has said they can’t stop outside anymore to pick them up.

However, Pc Steve Williams a Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer said the taxi firm is being treated no differently to anyone else.

He said: “Two incidents involving this firm have taken place in the middle of the town.

“One taxi stopped in the middle of the road causing traffic chaos and the other parked in between no parking cones causing an obstruction.

“They are not allowed to park outside, and five people were arrested and released on bail over the theft.

“Anyone who parks illegally gets asked politely to move or gets a fixed penalty notice.”