Gangster fear over changes to taxi rules

TAXI drivers in West Lothian have raised fears that gangsters could swamp the market with more cars if the council remove restrictions on the number of licences it hands out.

The issue of deregulation is under review by councillors and could mean no limits on the number of taxis operating in the county.

But members of the West Lothian Taxi Owners' Association (TOA) say restrictions on the number of licences are necessary to safeguard drivers' livelihoods and the quality of service.

They also believe it would open the door for organised crime gangs to use the profession by flooding the local taxi ranks with cars to help launder money.

William Hewit, secretary of TOA, said: "There is an element of organised crime within the trade already and opening it up more would make it an easier avenue for them to move into.

"These safeguards are there for a reason and standards will drop as there will not be enough business for everyone."

The council says that additional taxis may lead to more employment prospects for taxi drivers and analysis from a survey clearly demonstrated a lack of available taxis at peak times and in particular areas.