bus lanes

[derekb]

im a private hire taxi driver working in manchester - does anyone know the regs for using bus lanes - traffic signs say bus cycle taxi can use lanes as im classed as private hire taxi would that entitle me to use lanes - as im sick of getting tickets for dropping elderley and disabled people off outside there destination which could involve pulling in bus lane to drop them as most elderley and disabled cant walk far im not going to drop them hundreds of yards away causing discomfort and possible harm to them

[derekb]

thanks docspock - i only intend to drop customers off not drive in bus lane + there is only few of us considerate taxi drivers left

[bednobs]

if you keep getting tickets for it and your appeals fail, it would suggest you are not allowed to use them, dont you think?

[derekb]

had 2 tickets so far won both on other technicalitys other than the possibility the sign (taxi) is both misleading and wrong - no doubt the time will come i cant rely on technicalities but this wont stop me from dropping elderley and disabled passengers at the door of there destination - my question is the word TAXI located on bus lane signs what is a TAXI ? this sign needs to be more specific dont you think as both hackney and private hire are taxi's - i know its easy to make the wise cracks why should a taxi use bus lane as i cant and if you keep getting a ticket then you must not be able to use them - but is there anyone out there who actually can tell me if the wording of TAXI on bus signs can be legally challenged as its a generic word not defining hackney or private hire (bus and cycle are self explanatary and there's no confussion) you dont believe me check the dictionary. Most traffic signs are not really open for discussion they only have one meaning.

[bednobs]

fro looking around the internet, it depends where your taxi is liscensed
according to this site http://www.salfordlabour.org.uk/?p=167 it was not allowed in greater manchester (last year) can your employers not clear it up for you?
and seriously, how many times do people ACTUALLY need dropping off in the bus lanes?

[derekb]

its gone mad more and longer bus lanes are now in force in manchetser and with private hire mainly dealing with the local community - most of our customers are elderley and disabled - speaking from my company i drop regulary in town centre and these bus routes run side by side with shops ie dentists opticians hairdressers all shops the two passenger groups use - even if you get say two of these groups a week how can you expect say your grandma who can hardly walk and has breathing problems walk 100 yrds to there appointment when they clearly have problems walking - i just cant make them do it would you ??

[bednobs]

i'm afraid you are rantig at the rong person derek, i AM disabled and wouldnt even walk 100 yards. However, i have no power to change the bus lane laws in manchester. where i liv in berkshire there is an adapted bus service for free for disabled people, and it wuld seem rather mean of manchester not to provide one. Alternitavely, the people you mention could get a taxi (rather than PH) or use shop mobility. you make yourself sound like a charitible community service!

[bednobs]

http://www.ringandride.info/
there you go