TAXI drivers fearing for their livelihood have vowed to petition both city and county councils over plans to implement 53-seater buses on late-night services through Worcester.

Worcester Taxi Association committee members, meeting last night, agreed to launch a public petition against the scheme, due to start on Friday, December 6. The plan will see late-night buses running from 11.45pm to 3.45pm, with passengers charged £1.50.

Urban Bus Challenge

The £40,000 scheme, which has been funded from the Government's Urban Bus Challenge Fund, could jeopardise the livelihood of many of the city's estimated 250 taxi drivers, said Lesley Borthwick, secretary of Worcester Taxi Association.

"We are small business people and we just feel we are being kicked," she said. "We want the public to support us in fighting this idea. The public have not been asked at all for their opinions."

She added that taxi bosses will also be requesting further meetings with council chiefs to solve the problem.

Mrs Borthwick was keen to add that, at the meeting, committee members also expressed fears for the safety of the public.

"These buses will encourage use by people who will then have to walk the rest of the way home. This may pose a danger, especially for young girls. What has to be remembered is that taxis are a door-to-door service."

Noise emanating from members of the public using any late-night service would also pose a nuisance to those living alongside the routes.

"I know I would not like to have a bus stop outside my home. The public already complains about the noise some people make when they leave a taxi. It will be a lot worse with more people getting off a bus."

Worcestershire County Council has already made its decision and a report is currently being prepared to take in the view of drivers.

The first route is expected to run from Dines Green to Warndon and back.