There is over 3000 private hire taxis in Manchester serving the local community 24/7 - year on year we carry over 37 million passengers, thats more than black cabs and busses.   Bus lanes in Manchester are increasing year on year - often running along shops, opticians, dentists and doctors! all vital shops customers need to stop outside and get picked up from.   Private hire pick up many elderly and disabled customers most cannot use busses or get in black cabs (because they can only get in a vehicle bum first then swing legs in) don't forget it is also customers choice what form of transport they use - how often do you see a bus or black cab on a council estate!   Nationally 43 other councils allow private hire in bus lanes the nearest being Warrington and Liverpool - Manchester council state - allowing private hire in bus lanes will congest and slow bus schedules (NOT TRUE no other council allowing P/H in bus lanes reports this) they also state other road users can not distinguish between a normal car and P/H so they will follow P/H in to the lane, again NOT TRUE! Manchester P/H have bright yellow plates and stickers on them.   When a driver passes his taxi badge he/she is told to go the shortest route - with there being so many bus lanes in Manchester P/H have to use an alternative route costing YOU! an extra £2-3 on your fare! not to mention slowing customer pick up times and dropping you where you want to be dropped!   Bus lanes are part of a programme of measures to reduce congestion and pollution, and to improve the reliability and punctuality of public transport, how so if you have a major contributor to transport stuck in traffic polluting and congesting the roads further.   All we ask is a fair level playing field, same as black cabs, we do the same job and we are the only public transport system running 24/7.   Please sign our petition and stop this discrimination against our customers and also our disabled customers.   You may email me with any questions or private comments you have with this issue at [email protected]    May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy Xmas and new year. Derek Brocklehurst Secretary of MPHA www.mpha.info