Taxi drivers protest over raised fees

Saf Khan said drivers were being charged "excessive" rent

About 100 Telford taxi drivers have protested, after they said the rent they pay to a private hire company increased without consultation.

The drivers, who are self-employed driver partners of Veezu, gathered outside the firm's headquarters in Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

They claimed fees had increased by about £40 per week, and fares were going up for passengers.

Veezu said it was aware of the concerns and feedback was being reviewed, adding that the changes reflected its commitment to providing a safe and efficient booking service for driver partners and passengers in Telford and Shrewsbury.

"They emailed us saying that the rent's going to go up… we sent them a formal complaint and asked to hold a meeting but they've refused to engage with us," said Saf Khan, a driver and one of the protest's organisers.

"We don't want to be charged excessive fees for rent, and we don't want passengers to suffer as well.

"We want a fair fare for passengers and we want drivers to be treated fair as well."

Drivers gathered outside Veezu's headquarters in Shrewsbury on Tuesday

"Drivers are spending more time behind the steering wheel to earn more money for their kids and their families," said driver Abdul Rehman.

He said drivers doing fewer journeys still had to pay more rent, which he believed was a "penalty" to those working part-time or at the weekend.

"It's too much for us," added Michael Adofo.

"We pay more money - I pay around £200 every week from what I do."

Mr Khan added: "It's a massive company, I don't think they have time for us small drivers - we're just seen as another number."

A spokesperson for the company said: "We value the relationships we have built with self-employed driver-partners.

"We recognise that a small number of drivers-partners have raised concerns about recent changes, and this feedback is being reviewed."