Cabbies slam 'unfair' levy; TRANSPORT: Anger over airport ranks demand.

Byline: By Edward Chadwick

TAXI drivers were today operating as normal from Birmingham International Airport but there was no end in sight to a feud sparked when trade bosses threatened to ban them unless they paid pounds 540.

Cabbies claim the terms of a new contract negotiated by Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Association (BASTA) to operate from ranks at the airport are unfair.

They have been asked for a one-off payment of pounds 540 and have seen the barrier fee to enter the compound soar from 75p to pounds 2.10.

Most drivers have now paid a nominal pounds 100 of the levy and are being allowed to continue picking up air passengers.

They had previously been set a deadline of Tuesday to pay pounds 200.

Spokesman Paul King, aged 57, from Castle Bromwich, said: "The only reason drivers have paid this money is so they can stay part of the association and have the right to vote off the current committee.

"We have started the ball rolling to get an extraordinary general meeting scheduled and the vast majority of drivers don't want them in charge.

"This is the latest in a series of events which has undermined any trust in the committee.

"The barrier fee was introduced without any consultation with members."

Licensing chiefs in Birmingham have admitted that the new charges appear unfair but are powerless to intervene.

Coun Bruce Lines, vicechairman of Birmingham City Council's licensing committee, said: "It does seem unfair but because this is a private negotiation it's not something we have much influence over.

"There has been some talk about the running of the association and perhaps the drivers will make their feelings known at the EGM.

"In hard times like these you would have thought that the association would have wanted to make things as easy as possible for its drivers."

The dispute follows a similar row last year over a demand for pounds 200 from BASTA for the right to operate from the NEC.

Solihull councillor Alan Nash (Lab, Fordbridge and Kingshurst), who works parttime as a taxi driver from the airport, said: "I have been informed about threats made to drivers and it is unacceptable."

No-one was immediately available for comment from BASTA.

CAPTION(S):

Transfers: Buses and taxis outside Birmingham International Airport. Inset, our story on Tuesday.