Taxi drivers highlight anger at liberal licensing

Taxi drivers say they are in favour of all-out strike action unless restrictions are introduced on the amount of licences being issued in the industry.

Thousands of drivers turned up at ranks around the country this morning as part of a protest aimed at highlighting the huge number of taxis on the roads.

Their unions say the number of registered taxis has increased from 3,900 to more than 20,000 since the industry was liberalised in 2000.

Drivers taking part in today's protest say a shortage of taxis several years has now become a massive surplus and they are finding it tough to earn a decent living and keep up mortgage payments.