ACHIEVEMENTS AND


Article by Dave Lawrie, Director NPHTA 0161 280 2800


info@nphta.co.uk


The NPHTA has been extremely active for the last two months and we have seen results from our campaigning to ensure that drivers, and of course their vehicles and their passengers, are protected from attack and abuse.


THE RESULTS - SUCCESS


Bury Council has announced a consultation to remove the huge TfGM bonnet sticker requirement on PHVs - which we aimed for at the launch of the minimum licensing standard (MLS) - together with the modification of operator signage; effectively achieving exactly what we aimed for: a reduction in the risk of being targeted by vandals from a great distance.


The council has also removed the entry age limit for new vehicles, allowing drivers or indeed vehicle buyers, the time to wait for the Clean Air Zone funding to be released.


And the local area knowledge test element has also been dropped from the application procedure for new drivers and of course renewals, which will reduce the failure rate, increase driver numbers to help operators in the recruitment of new drivers.


Oldham Council has announced a similar approach, showing great support for the industry.


Manchester City Council held a licensing committee meeting where the same has been approved by members.


We have to say this is a huge achievement, something we have been lobbying for and working towards since the initial launch of the Transport for Greater Manchester proposals.


We have responded to several consultation reports, attended multiple meetings, in person and remotely, and have kept up the pressure alongside various other stakeholders such as Habib Rehman.


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Karen, our wonderful administrator and assistant, our right-hand lady, is tremendous in her work and her dedication to you all. There is absolutely no one better at what she does. We genuinely could not achieve as much as we do without her unwavering support and dedication - so a massive thank you!


PRESS AND INTERVIEWS


I have been interviewed by the BBC regarding public safety messaging following the 18-year prison sentence which was handed down to a predator fake taxi driver. He was caught pretending to be one of you wonderful people who devote your careers to helping those in need and less able, making sure they have safe transport home. I made it very clear that the public must be made aware of what to look for, and that publicity must be much clearer about the identifiers to verify that a vehicle is correctly licensed as a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle, and the difference between the two licence types.


BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO – WE ARE


You people out there truly are an inspiration. You go above and beyond the call of duty, taking the elderly and infirm to their destinations, whether that be family, friends, doctors, hospitals, day care, shopping, or even to the hairdressers.


You take special education needs kids to and from school where their parents may not have their own transport, or may have to take other children to school, or indeed do not have the facilities, medical or otherwise, to be able to provide such valuable transport themselves.


AUGUST 2023 PHTM NO TIME TO RELAX


At the same time, we have remained very active for members: answering enquiries, responding to nationwide consultations, supporting and assisting with individual emails, dealing with FoI requests, challenges or indeed queries regarding policies and criterion, as well as supporting drivers not just locally, but nationally.


TAKING A MOMENT FOR APPRECIATION:


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