Taxi War

TAXI drivers in Canterbury are fighting for customers as more Eastern European taxi drivers have joined the competition. The English drivers are complaining that they should not receive a license in the first place.

While other markets and businesses have had a lower income in the past year because of the recession, taxi drivers say the credit crunch has nothing to do with it. A local taxi driver, Chris Olding, said: “It’s not the recession, it’s the new drivers. There are more and more drivers coming from Eastern Europe.”

It appears people have always had the money to travel using taxis, but their choice of drivers has changed. However, there is no evidence to suggest that people ask for the passport of a driver before getting into a taxi.

Colin Mitchell, another taxi driver, said: “There have been too many new East Europeans coming and immigrating into the country.” Mr Mitchell added: “I blame Robert Johnson and Cab Co for giving them a job. I also blame the council for approving their license.” Robert Johnson is the director of Cab Co, a taxi driver firm.

On the other side of the fence, Mustafa Ustabas, is a local taxi driver originally from Turkey. Mr Ustabas said: “It’s an open market. If you are willing to work and can work legally then nobody has the right to stop you. Robert Johnson is only looking out for himself. I can understand from his point of view why he is bringing more drivers. He makes more money.”

People from the EU have the legal right to work as self-employed with just a work permit, but non- EU countries require a visa. Another taxi driver, of Turkish origin, who has been living in England for 20 years, said: “It is a competitive market, just like in any other domain. If you have the skills, the legal right and the car then it’s up to you to make the money.” Mr Mitchell argued that: “I am also talking about people from Albania, Latvia, Turkey. They are not in the EU and they still have a license.”

Mr Mitchell also complained regarding the decrease in his income. “I used to make 900 pounds per week about two years ago, now I make £600 to £700.”

Mr Sezar said: “They should work more like us. I make between 800 to 1000 pounds per week, but I work about 70 hours.”

It is clear that the war between the different nationalities is only dividing the people in a multi-cultural town like Canterbury. Whether the taxi drivers will reach an agreement or find a solution depends on chance. A customer will probably take the first taxi in a taxi station, without a glance at the driver’s name.