Published: Wednesday, 30th June, 2010 1:46pm

'Row is damaging business'

Comments (0) | Print | Email

Exclusive by Ewan McInnes

A GROUP of unhappy taxi drivers have told how an ongoing row between East Renfrewshire Council and Strathclyde Police is affecting their livelihoods.

The drivers are concerned that residents think Compass Cars has closed its doors because of recent reports concerning the licensing dispute between cops and the council.

It is claimed that fares are down with the drivers insisting the licensing disagreement is the root of their problems - causing bad publicity for the cab firm.

And the longer it continues the more worried they become for their future as the company employs more than 60 people and is one of the town's biggest firms.

Speaking as a collective, the drivers told the Barrhead News: "A lot of people are sceptical about what's going on.

"One woman who contacted us said she almost didn't phone us because she thought we were out of business.

"It is because the police are not getting their own way with the council that this is dragging on.

"We have 65 drivers and we have a lot of loyal customers who want to know what is happening.

"The council is saying that Compass is complying with the law - so what's the problem?

"When Compass moved to Paisley, people were waiting over an hour for a taxi and now it is probably the largest employer in Barrhead outside of Tesco.

"Compass has given people jobs who wouldn't otherwise have the chance of driving a taxi and it is taking other drivers off the dole."

The drivers say they fail to understand why the police have issues with Compass Cars' operating director, Derek Mullaney.

Strathclyde Police are appealing through the sheriff courts that the company in its present form should NOT be licensed to operate as a taxi firm in Barrrhead over alleged criminal links.

It follows East Renfrewshire Council rejecting several attempts by the police to revoke the licences in place.

Drivers point to the fact Compass Cars sponsor various community events in the town and how they were all proud to work for the company when Mr Mullaney paid for teenager Debbie Allison to have a new wheelchair after her previous one was stolen.

One driver said: "They say Derek is unfit to operate the company but we know otherwise.

"My mother died at Christmas just there and Compass couldn't have been any better with me.

"To help me out, Derek told me I wouldn't need to pay my radio money that week and he gave me as much time off as I wanted."

The driver added: "People want to know what's going on, the bad publicity hasn't helped us and we are losing customers because of it."

Strathclyde Police were unable to comment on the story as the licensing case is still being appealed

As it stands Compass Cars is a fully licensed taxi business.