Dundee West Labour parliamentary candidate Jim McGovern insists he does not support the introduction of congestion charges in the city.
Mr McGovern’s comments came after a taxi driver got in touch with The Courier to vent his anger over views aired at a hustings event we ran on Friday.
During the debate at the Apex Hotel, Tony Waters, who is also secretary of the Dundee Taxi Association (DTA), asked the panel of prospective MPs what could be done about the “fuel rip-off.”
Mr McGovern began by saying he did not think there was a fuel rip-off.
He also said he would try to get people to use public transport as much as possible and made the point that when fares for public transport were cut in London, that did not encourage people to use it more it was the introduction of a congestion charge.
In a letter to The Courier, Mr Waters said, “I asked Mr McGovern about the price of fuel at the hustings at the Apex Hotel and I am furious about his reply.
“It is getting very hard to make a living as a taxi driver at the moment and Mr McGovern just does not seem to be on the same planet as the rest of us.
“I think his policy of congestion charges is outrageous, especially when the price of fuel is so high.
“We have just got rid of bridge tolls and he wants to bring in more charges. It has certainly helped me to decide who I will be voting for and it will not be him.Not happy”I know some other DTA members feel the same way. Graeme Stephen, chairman of the DTA, is not happy about Mr McGovern telling everyone at the hustings to use buses.
“What he forgot to mention is that buses are subsidised and taxi drivers do not get a penny.”
Mr McGovern said he was sorry if he had not made himself clear during Friday’s debate.
He said, “I do not support a congestion charge for Dundee, as that would penalise drivers here.
“I do think it has worked well in London, but London and Dundee are very different places. I am certainly not proposing or advocating that.
“I want to see better public transport in Dundee including taxis and better buses.
“Fuel prices is a big issue for many people, and I am glad that Labour has staggered the increase in duty as that will help the pumps, but I want to see international agreements to cut the price of oil so we pay even less.
“Sadly, the SNP plan for a fuel duty adjustor means that when oil prices are low, motorists would be forced to pay extra.”