LEEDS CABBIES WIN A YEAR CUT IN CAR AGE LIMIT
An 11th hour U-turn by licensing bosses means the new age limit on Leeds taxis will drop to seven years rather than the expected six.
Hundreds of drivers packed into Leeds City Council’s main chamber last month to hear the controver- sial proposals debated.
After two hours of heated discussions the panel voted by a majority to change the limit to seven from eight years.
Controversy has raged over the proposals which would have meant rigorous addi- tional tests for cars over the new limit. Many drivers said the policy would lead to additional costs, and said too many of the
Leeds taxi drivers show their feelings against the age limit before the council meeting
test criteria were unnecessary.
The tightening of the rules came after tests of hundreds of Leeds taxis found only 27 out of 115 hackney carriages were fit for service and just 138 of 740 private hire cars passed a council MoT test.
The now seven year rule was tentatively
welcomed by some drivers but many insisted the new policy was unnecessary. Bill Chard, from the GMB Leeds Private Hire Association, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “People are not over the moon but it’s a compromise and it’s welcome. They lis- tened to the peoples’
voice and that voice has been chanelled.” Paul Landau, who chairs the Unite Leeds Hackney Badge Holders’ Asso- ciation, said the council should return to doing its own annual MoT-style tests at its own vehi- cle licensing section. During the meeting, Mr Chard told the licensing panel they were at risk of using “extreme measures to combat minor faults”. “It’s classic overregu- lation, like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut,” he said. However Des Broster, head of the council’s Taxi and Private Hire Licensing section, said the policy was about “sensible risk management” and “ensuring both the
WANTED EXECUTIVE CHAUFFEURS, FLEETS, PRIVATE HIRE & HACKNEY CARRIAGE DRIVERS
WE GUARANTEE Competitive Rates Nationwide for 12 Month Policies
Access to a Large Panel of Taxi Specialist Insurers
Quotes on All Types of Cover Flexible Payment Options Drivers Under 25 years Welcome/New Ventures
Exclusive Scheme Currently Available for CB, PE, IP & NR Post Codes (EAST ANGLIA)
CALL
ELSTREE INSURANCE SERVICES NOW
0870 750 1445 FSA
®
public and drivers are protected”.
Khaliq Ahmed, who represents the City Cabs Association and the Joint Taxi Council, said they still rejected the policy. “There is no compelling evi-
FOR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE ON:
Elstree Insurance Services is authorised and regulated by The Financial Services Authority. All Calls are Recorded.
dence in this report that the safety of the public is at risk.” After the meeting, driv- ers said It had been a “small victory” for the trade and “lessons should be learned” for the future.
Problem recruiting Taxi drivers? UK TAXI HAVE THE SOLUTION
TAXI READY
TO USE
Everyone knows what its like trying to recruit taxi drivers to meet demand in the UK. The two avenues generally employed in the taxi industry are of attracting drivers from other offices or training local applicants from scratch. More often than not they do not fulfil the demands you need to meet in an appropriate timescale. So much of your time and money is wasted and often your recruits fail to recognize your efforts.
It’s a nightmare for you. But it need not be anymore. The office hopping driver can become an experience of the past. Let us supply you with a stable rent income and the all important business growth factor.
UK TAXI have established a unique and very successful taxi training school in the Czech Republic. For over 4 years we have been hand picking and vetting top quality drivers who are keen to work in the UK. With hundreds already working in the UK, our recruits have excellent skills, speak good English and above all, have ‘staying power’.
Locate candidates to suit your needs
Interviewing / referencing / translation and certification of all your required documentation.
Police checks and Medical records supplied for your recruits
Classroom training in our dedicated taxi training school in Prague.
We guarantee your recruits will pass your local council knowledge test
Driver assessment in our Prague driving centre
All applications and documentation completed
On going guidance for you and recruits when necessary.
Our prices are extremely competitive and are time guaranteed for 3 months
For more details, telephone 00 420 731 445 258 or email
derek.merry@
taxifast.co.uk PAGE 60 PHTM AUGUST 2009
DRIVER
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112
