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Posted on the 9th January 2025 in PHTM News
GREAT YARMOUTH TAXI DRIVERS GRUMBLE OVER LOSING RANK OVER BUS STATION REVAMP
Taxi drivers in Great Yarmouth are expressing frustration over being displaced from their long-standing rank as part of a £2 million revamp of the Market Gates bus station.
The project, spearheaded by Norfolk County Council, involves creating a new bus lane, necessitating the removal of the taxi rank outside The Troll Cart pub, a fixture for nearly three decades.
While a larger rank is planned for Theatre Plain, drivers are already experiencing "chaos" with the current disruption.
One driver, a veteran of almost 30 years, criticised the "childish" signage directing passengers to the alternative rank.
"The situation is an absolute mess," he lamented. "They can spend £2 million on buses, but the signs are embarrassingly bad. It shows disrespect to us."
Once the groundwork is complete in May, taxis will be restricted to the Temple Road rank, outside the Wetherspoon pub, between 11pm and 5pm.
"The Troll Cart was the best location," explained another driver with a decade of experience.
"It was a popular meeting point, especially for those heading to the dog races or banger racing. It was convenient for customers, and now it's dangerous for people leaving the pub to find us tucked away."
Despite initial complaints, another driver acknowledged that "people just complain about change."
He expressed hope that once the work is finished and people adapt, the situation will improve.
The county council maintains that the project will enhance transport infrastructure, improve bus journey times, and boost the local economy.
This disruption coincides with a potential fare increase for taxi journeys in Great Yarmouth.
The borough council is considering raising the standard fare from £7.40 to £8, with night-time rates starting an hour earlier at 9pm and fares to increase by 10p to £9.30.
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