A new union for taxi drivers in Reading has launched after drivers accused the council of ‘fobbing them off’.
The Reading Private Hire Association was formed amid driver frustration that their concerns are not being listened to.
Last month, private hire drivers asked to be allowed to use the eastbound bus lane in Kings Road, in the same way that they are allowed to westbound bus lane.
But their request was put on hold during a meeting of the council’s traffic management sub-committee.
During the meeting Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey), lead councillor for transport, said private taxis are not public and therefore do not form part of the strategic network.
Kamran Saddiq, the chairman of the Reading Private Hire Association, said: “We feel insulted, embarrassed, disgraced, the list goes on.
“They’re happy to take our badges and licence fees, they’re happy to take all that money, we’re good enough for that, but we’re not good enough to be considered part of the strategic travel network.”
The committee decided to wait for a strategic review of the potential alterations to the bus lane network in Reading before any changes are made.
Mr Saddiq said there had been a long delay in Kings Road while driving a radiotherapy patient from the Royal Berkshire Hospital to their home in Slough: “I was stuck in traffic for 22 minutes, and in that time, three buses went past. How is Tony Page backing his comments at the end of the day?”
Mr Saddiq has also argued that private hire drivers have been taken for granted, and did vital work during the pandemic, with the company Premier Cars serving hospital patients and staff undertaken in a contract with the Royal Berkshire Hospital and South Central Ambulance Service.
He said: “If you’re going out and it’s pouring rain, are you going to walk to the bus stop? No, you’re going to get a taxi.
“When the pandemic hit, private hire drivers spent £300 putting plastic shields in our cars so we could serve hospital patients safely.
“If private hire is not part of the strategic transport system, what is?”
According to Mr Saddiq, the Reading Private Hire Association already has “215 plus” members, with more drivers to join soon.
The union is led by Mr Saddiq, vice chairman Saeed Iqbal, general secretary Salman Kayani and Shakeel Ahmed.
The appointed executive members are Sikandar Hayat, Aqeel Kayani, Manzoor Hussain, Malik Mahfooz Ahmed and Pervaz Akhtar.
Mr Saddiq said the group wanted to work with the council, but the feeling was not mutual.
“We’ve tried our level best to be reasonable with Reading Borough Council, but they’re so slow with our licenses, their reviews, it’s a nightmare,” he added.
A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council chose not to comment as it has not received official notification of the formation of the group yet.
