Reading taxi driver's humongous thanks for bus lane change

Taxi drivers in Reading are divided between cab hackney carriage drivers, which passengers can use on the spot, and private hire drivers, who have to be booked in advance.

Cab drivers have been allowed to use both the inbound and outbound bus lanes in Kings Road for years, but private hire drivers have only been allowed to use the inbound lane.

But now private hire drivers will get access to the outbound bus lane following a decision by Reading Borough Council’s traffic management sub-committee on Wednesday, March 6.

READ MORE: Private hire taxi drivers win access to bus lane on busy Reading road

Celebrating the decision, Kamran Saddiq, the chairman of the Reading Private Hire Association said:  “It’s fantastic, I’m really happy with the outcome considering the long struggle it’s been.

“Bus lane access will be useful for our customers, special needs children who need to get to school, people trying to get to the airport for their holidays and more.

“We also serve people with health issues getting to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and those with mental health issues as well.

“It’s a massive relief for everyone, including myself, as the campaign has been going on for 16 months.

“One of the councillors said that it’s been going on for a significant amount of time, and they don’t want to come back with the situation not being resolved later on.”

The decision means the outbound bus lane will be accessible for Reading cab and private hire drivers only.

A new sign will be installed to legally enforce the rule change, with estimated costs of up to £15,000.

The sign showing what vehicles are allowed to use the outbound Kings Road bus lane in Reading. This sign will need to be changed now private hire drivers have been given access. Credit: Google Maps

Mr Saddiq explained: “It needs to have funds released from somewhere. The council staff will go back and talk amongst themselves about the funding.

“Luckily it’s not how it’s when.

“The councillors want it done as soon as possible.”

Mr Saddiq has raised the issue of drivers choosing to be licenced with other councils such as South Oxfordshire and the New Forest, which he argues is ‘taking away trade’ from drivers licenced with Reading council.

He hopes more drivers will register with Reading council to get access to the bus lane.

Members of the Reading Private Hire Association and council officers. L to R: Pervaz Akhtar, Manzoor Hussain, licensing officer Clyde Mason, chairman Kamran Saddiq, Sikandar Hayat, Aqeel Kayani, licensing officer Anthony Chawama and Salman Kayani.

Mr Saddiq said: “Drivers who have gone out of borough to get registered may now realise what they are missing!

“Drivers licenced with other boroughs are taking our trade away, these people come in and don’t pay a single penny to Reading Borough.

“Some of those drivers will come back to Reading to get their licenses, which will generate licensing income for the council, so the sign will pay for itself.

“This is a massive victory.

“We want to work with the council and Thames Valley Police on road safety, moving forward we’ll be working closely with the council and make sure our customers are happy as well.

“Humongous thanks to the councillors who voted unanimously.

“We appreciate the support from the bottom of our hearts!”