I can assure Steve (Letters, February 25) there is no plot by Brighton and Hove City Council to stop taxis picking up from the streets.

I drive a taxi and for me the first hand up is the winner, be it off the ranks or a member of the public flagging me down.

I get paid by the fares I pick up so it would be plain daft to drive by people.

I don't pick up in sight of a rank because it would be unfair on the guys that have queued and waited.

Many visitors to our city compliment me on the local taxi service, a service that I'm proud to be part of and, hopefully, a service the people of the city deserve.

I don't know where Steve got his information from or if he's just making it up.

-Sammy the cabbie, by email