IN THE NEWS
ABERDEEN TAXI BOSSES WARN PLAN TO OVERHAUL KNOWLEDGE TEST WILL DAMAGE STANDARDS
Taxi bosses warn new plans to increase driver numbers in Aberdeen threaten to “seriously damage” standards built up over decades. AberdeenLive reports that councillors are pondering an over- haul of the street knowledge requirements for private hire drivers, despite claims the change could have a “catastrophic impact”. Drivers must pass the test before get- ting their licences and candidates have to pass four sections – streets, places, routes and signs – so they can carry out jobs if they come across any issues such as roadworks or sat nav failures. It is hoped that the changes could encourage more people to join Aberdeen’s private hire fleet following concerns of driver shortages. The city council has four options put
forward for public consultation following agreement by the licensing committee. • Amended general test given to PH drivers which would ensure they had enough knowledge to carry out jobs for bookings made at short notice.
• Street knowledge test axed for PH drivers altogether.
• Drivers can resit failed sections of the test only and not the entire test again.
• Drivers to gain an SQA qualification on taxi and PH alongside the street knowledge test.
However, three Aberdeen taxi firms joined forces to put forward an alterna- tive proposal. ComCab Aberdeen, Rainbow City Taxis and Aberdeen Taxis suggested that PH drivers continue to sit the street knowledge test. They said that all drivers are “doing the same job”
and allowing PH drivers to skip the test would “seriously damage standards”. The firms also asked that the test pass rate be reduced and for applicants to get two chances to resit failed modules. Rainbow City Taxis MD, Russell McLeod, said: “We should not forget that we have standards that have been built over the past 40 plus years that should not be disregarded because we have a shortage of taxis at some peak times.” He added that a decision to stop drivers from taking the test could have a “catastrophic impact on our trade”. But despite the argument put forward by the three firms, councillors agreed to move forward with the council’s recom- mended proposals and the consultation results will be considered by the licens- ing committee in September.
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