'Frustrated' taxi drivers in Jersey strike over new rules

Jersey has two types of taxi operators: private hire and rank cabs

Taxi drivers have gone on strike over government proposals to reform taxi rank services in Jersey.

Transport Minister Deputy Eddie Noel announced the measures in September, which included requiring all taxis to be wheelchair friendly by 2019.

The Public Rank Taxi Service stopped operating on Monday morning, but will resume at 13:45 GMT.

Mick Tostevin, President of the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association, said drivers felt "frustrated and cornered".

The proposed reforms will require taxis which use the ranks to be the same colour, charge the same standard fares and have wheelchair access.

Deputy Eddie Noel said the scheme would be phased in over three years to give drivers and cab firms time to switch over vehicles.

'Dictated to'

Mr Noel said: "The initial reaction is of disappointment, because we've been having an ongoing dialogue with both the Taxi Drivers Association and representatives from the private hire industry."

However, Mr Tostevin said the taxi drivers, who are self-employed, were not striking, but were withdrawing their services because they felt they were "being dictated to by Deputy Eddie Noel".

He said while the Association agreed with many of the reforms, it was "unreasonable" to expect drivers who had just bought eco-friendly cars to buy new models from the UK.

A protest will also take place at 12:30 GMT in St Helier, where taxis will circle Conway Street, Library Place, Church Street, and Mulcaster Street.

There are currently just over 300 taxis in Jersey, of which only 10% have wheelchair access

Taxi service reform

• Maximum fares will be set by the government, with fixed off and on-peak prices

• Drivers will have to have criminal record and health checks, and undergo extra training

• All taxis will have to carry a child booster seat

• All taxis will have to accept credit card payments, regardless of whether they use the rank or not