Posted on the 4th November 2025 in PHTM News

STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE: BRACKNELL CAB DRIVER'S PLEA FOR COUNCIL HELP AMID TRADE DECLINE

The hackney carriage trade in Bracknell is “struggling to survive,” according to local drivers who are urging Bracknell Forest Council to take immediate action to save the trade.

Addressing the council’s Licensing and Safety Committee on October 23, Manoj Lacximicant of the Bracknell Hackney Taxi Association painted a bleak picture of the industry.

“We urgently need to find a practical solution and take action before it’s too late. Our trade cannot afford to stand still any longer,” he warned. “For decades, many drivers have proudly served our community, and today they are struggling to survive.”

Mr. Lacximicant reported that the number of active hackney drivers in Bracknell has dropped from 80-87 pre-pandemic to just 42 today. He attributed the decline to financial strain.

“Hardly any new drivers are joining. The truth is, it’s no longer financially viable... Three drivers have left already to drive for Uber. Not because they wanted to, but because they had no choice. If things don’t change soon, this local trade will vanish.”

To ease the financial pressure, he requested the council make several adjustments, including:

  • Extending the age limit for hackney carriage vehicles from five years old to nine years old. (He noted that a second-hand cab costs a minimum of £25,000, while new ones are £35,000 and more.)

  • Capping vehicle licence and renewal fees for one year.

  • Allowing a mixed fleet of wheelchair-accessible cabs and saloon cars, similar to West Berkshire.

Mr. Lacximicant admitted he could not recall serving a wheelchair-user customer "in recent memory," but Council Nick Allen strongly resisted the idea of introducing saloon cars.

“The issue here is not the mixed vehicles, that isn’t something which we would consider,” Councillor Allen stated, adding that the mixed vehicle approach is “something which West Berkshire is thinking about removing.”

Mr. Lacximicant concluded with a strong appeal to the council: “We are being pushed to the edge. We need Bracknell council to take action to protect the local drivers, restore fairness and ensure our community has a sustainable, competitive taxi service for the future.”


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