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Dial-a-Cab drivers - and other cab drivers come to that - have had
problems for some time with the forbidden usage of the northbound
Bishopsgate bus lane. Many drivers have received tickets after being videoed
in the lane, some just out of forgetfulness, while others have either set
down or picked up there. Tony Guerrier (L28) is one of them, but he was
determined to stick to his guns in that he demanded the right to set down
and pick-up within the lane's boundary. The affair started when Tony received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) on April 12 for the alleged contravention of being in the Bishopsgate bus lane. He could pay £50 or £100 if he did not pay within 14 days. Tony refused and wrote to TfL in Croydon explaining that he was setting down a passenger outside 155 and that as he was a taxicab driver carrying out his job, they should withdraw the fine. TfL came back saying that they would "investigate" and followed this with another letter two days later saying that they would not be cancelling the fine. They went on to add "...the Bishopsgate bus lane has ALWAYS been for buses and cycles only since 1998." Tony replied that he was a taxi driver and had to set down his passenger as safely and as close to the passengers address as possible. He also explained |
THE DAC DRIVER AND THE MYSTERY OF THE BISHOPSGATE BUS LANE |
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 politely that they were wrong about the lane always being for buses only. Apologising for "being a pain," Tony added that he would not be paying the fine. TfL replied that notice had been given to the PCO in February 2003 about the bus lane (what happened to 1998?). They offered him the opportunity of appealing. Tony again replied citing poor positioning of the bus lane signs, explaining that some were hidden behind phone boxes and one had magically appeared since he first received the PCN. TfL again came back with the same waffle as on their original rejection of Tony's claim. Tony responded yet again asking for a disclosure of their evidence and enquiring when the PCO informed the trade press about the lane's prohibition. TfL then wrote to Tony giving him a date for an |
appeal. It was now June 13 and two months after the original offence. Then, 12 days before the appeal was due to be heard, TfL wrote to Tony saying that they would NOT be contesting his evidence and he now no longer needed to attend or pay this PCN. Tony wrote back asking for the reason the matter had been dropped. He also asked for costs to which TfL said that they would refund any amounts already paid. But Tony hadn't paid the fine; he wanted costs for the inconvenience, wasted time and stress. He wrote to the Appeals clerk and explained the situation and said that TfL hadn't even apologised but had rather acted in a threatening manner even after dropping the fine. On July 15, three months on, they replied with some waffle but the bottom line is that Tony seems to have set a precedent re setting down and picking up in that particular lane. Regardless of that, he has also shown TfL enforcement division to be totally lacking in any sensitivity or common sense. Hopefully, the Mayor will soon see the folly of the situation and open ALL lanes to ALL licensed taxi drivers. But the question is, so far as Tony Guerrier is concerned: WHY have TfL suddenly backed down with no explanation? |
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