De-restriction or de-regulation of taxis (Hackney carriages) in Oxford would not just allow people to drive their own Hackney carriage instead of driving for an owner as you state (Oxford Mail, April 22).

This is normal practice now.

What it will do is put even more taxis into an over-saturated market, resulting in bankruptcies in the trade and, in the long term, a worse service for the customer.

As far as I am aware, Hackney carriages have been sold with their plates for substantial sums for at least 25 years.

This has been a wonderful example of the council ignoring its own rules.

I have been told that when finished with, plates should be handed back to the council for re-allocation, not sold on.

I would not dare suggest this came about because, in the past, some hackney carriages were owned by councillors and this was allowed to become the custom.

Councillor Craig Simmons asks why more of the existing cabs are not out every night (presumably that includes private hire, which I drive).

I can tell him - basic economics.

There is not enough work pre-booked or on the street, apart from a very rare flurry, to keep owners or drivers busy enough to earn a living wage.

Yes, taxi driving can be a tad risky - so is crossing the road.

Given a polite and helpful manner, few taxi drivers have many problems (I speak from personal experience).

The public will always say more cabs are needed, as the rare flurries of demand exceeding supply are noticeable.

Even buses are rarely full, even at peak times, and certainly not at pub/club closing time.

SEUMAS LEAHY Jerome Way Shipton-on-Cherwell