Salamanca taxi storm

Drivers say they are feeling the pinch over rank switch

A TEMPORARY Salamanca cab rank relocation during waterfront roadworks is causing frustration for a number of taxi drivers, with some saying the Hobart City Council has kept them in the dark over the infrastructure upgrades.

But the HCC said drivers have been made aware of the changes and adequate signage was being erected.

The longstanding Salamanca taxi rank on Castray Esplanade, located near the entrance to Princess Wharf No. 1, has been moved back about 100m while roadworks are under way. Some cab drivers told the

Mercury they’d received “far less fares” from the new site — which drivers say sees less foot traffic than the previous rank before it moved four months ago.

Taxi driver Rajinder Singh said he was frustrated over a lack of consultation from HCC.

“We don’t know anything about what’s happening. We haven’t received any word from council on future plans of the site nor how long the cab rank relocation will last,” he said.

Jim Thompson said he wasn’t noticing the same number of fares he received from Castray Esplanade.

“There’s less walk-up traffic at the new Salamanca site. Once they [passengers] realise we’re here they do come this way, but there’s just a lot less,” he said.

Tasmanian Taxi Council president Roger Burdon said the industry faced a tough time.

“With all the changes that have come in, in recent times, what can we do?” he said.

“It’s a tough environment with so much ride sharing happening around the waterfront.”

Mr Burdon said he had been in talks with the council over setting up some smaller ranks around the waterfront.

A council spokeswoman yesterday said the HCC was working to set up another rank during busy times.

“To reduce the impact during the weekend peak times, taxis will have access to a temporary rank via Gladstone St this Friday from 6pm-4am and Saturday 6pm-6am,” the spokeswoman said.

The permanent taxi rank next to the Salamanca Lawns is expected to reopen by the end of November.