York taxi drivers were planning to strike today (Thursday) – but have postponed the action after train company LNER agreed to talks.
LNER manages York Station. Drivers that service the station’s taxi rank were preparing to walk out to signal their anger about Uber effectively being allowed to steal their fares.
The strike was timed to coincide with Ladies Day at the Ebor Festival, one of the busiest days in York’s racing calendar.
Only taxi drivers with a special permit are allowed to pick up customers waiting at the station rank.
Now those drivers have formed the York Station Permit Holders Alliance to fight back against the alleged encroachment of Uber onto the station.
They told LNER they would strike unless action was taken against Uber out-of-town drivers:
- waiting and picking up passengers from the station’s drop-off point next to the taxi rank;
- doing the same at the loading bay in Tea Room Square, next to the station near the Principal Hotel.
Only licensed taxis are allowed to wait in ranks to pick up fares. Under the rules, Ubers are not allowed to pick up someone unless they have been hailed via the company’s phone app.
The Alliance said: “Uber drivers have been allowed to wait and pick up passengers from the drop-off point without facing any consequences – and LNER has failed to enforce it.”
It added that Ubers in Tea Room Square were obstructing taxis who were trying to exit the station – delaying journeys and pushing up fares.
“Despite raising these concerns repeatedly, no effective measures have been taken,” the Alliance said in a statement.
“We believe that LNER has failed to take adequate steps to address these concerns, prompting the decision to stage this protest.”
Yesterday evening, however, they called off the strike. Arshad Mahmood of the alliance told YorkMix: “York Station Permit Holders Alliance has postponed the strike as LNER has agreed to one of our demands regarding Uber and private hire pickup from the portico drop-off point.”
He said LNER were also promising to look into the Tea Room Square problem, as well as an issue over how and when taxi drivers are allowed to move from the car park into the taxi rank.
Arshad added: “We look forward to resolving the remaining issues in the face to face meeting next week.”
An LNER spokesperson said “We will continue our regular discussions with York City Taxi Association and remain committed to working with them to find a resolution.”