Demonstrating taxi drivers apologise over ambulance delay

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Taxi drivers have apologised after yesterday’s strike appeared to slow down an ambulance trying to get to an accident – but they say that they had to take action against changes that threaten their livelihoods.

The President of the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association, Mick Tostevin, says that any disruption to the emergency services was the last thing that they wanted to do, but says that it only happened for a moment because the drivers got out of the way as quickly as they could.

Yesterday’s demonstration by taxi drivers was over reforms to rules aimed at making fares more transparent, resetting maximum fares and improving disabled access.

But public rank drivers say that the proposals could cost them money, and add to the number of drivers on the ranks, which would threaten their livelihoods.

Mr Tostevin said: “It is regrettable if an ambulance was held up – that’s the last thing that we would want. I do know that the drivers were doing their utmost to get out of the way and that is what was going out over the airwaves.”

He said that after yesterday’s action a meeting had been set up for the drivers with Transport Minister Eddie Noel and Chief Minister Ian Gorst – and hoped that they would be able to get their message across.

“We don’t enjoy coming out on strike,” said Mr Tostevin.

“Yesterday’s action cost the guys money, this is the best time of year for us. But we just felt so frustrated.”

A witness who saw the ambulance held up confirmed that the drivers had tried to get out of the way, but that the traffic had delayed the emergency services.

The witness said: “It was very concerning to see the emergency services disrupted by the strike action. The roads outside our offices had been gridlocked for some time and I was alerted by the sirens and horn of the ambulance which sounded for several minutes.

“Whilst the taxis drivers did move out of the way, it was clear the Ambulance had a delay getting to the aid of an injured individual on King Street.”