This is unfair to East Bank short-drop hire car drivers

Dear Editor, 

We the short-drop hire car drivers who used to operate at the East Bank short-drop car park are facing another challenging situation today. Some 49 cars used to operate in the car park and two years ago the then town clerk Royston King removed us and replaced the car park with vendors who unto this day have failed to occupy those stands.

We operate on the road which was provided to us by the council for the past two years. Our park used to be from Brickdam to Lombard Street holding approximately 12 cars. We operate in cohesion with a turn system. 

Yesterday morning when the drivers returned to work we were greeted with our line cut by almost ¾, holding only five cars. 

This is so unfair to us. Where will we go now to operate for our daily living seeing the country is going through a Covid-19 crisis? 

We the drivers ate pleading with the minister, the mayor, the town clerk and those responsible for the reduction of the car park to review the decision taken. We are elderly drivers who will not be employed by any company at this time of the year. We have bills to pay, instalments and  rent. 

We ask the relevant authorities to look into the matter urgently. 

Yours faithfully,

(Name and address supplied)