ROUND THE COUNCILS PLYMOUTH: CABBIES FIGHT TO KEEP CABS BLACK
Plymouth’s taxi drivers have written to all city councillors asking them to drop a ban on jeans and scrap plans to turn taxis green and white. The Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association has penned the strongly worded letter claiming there has not been a proper consultation on the new taxi licensing policy and has listed a range of grievances it says need addressing including the unpopular dress code which bans jeans, sandals and t-shirts. The letter said: “While licensees agree that drivers’ dress should be of a certain standard, they strongly object to not being permitted to wear jeans that are in a good condition.” The letter, signed by PLTA secretary Marin Leaves, also asks for a rethink on moves to order all cabbies to change the colour of black hackney carriages to green and white by 2027. Mr Leaves’ letter said: “Rather than imposing a costly livery with consequences not considered an alternative is the Plymouth City Council coat of arms on the two front doors for which we are seeking permission through the correct channels for up to five vehicles to test public reactions and seek licensing authority approval. Additionally, the LA taxi Licence number could be placed upon the roof for easy identification by safety cameras.” In April, Plymouth City Council approved the hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2022, which stipulated the famous black cabs must change hue. The council said the new livery will improve the visibility of cabs and reassure passengers that they are travelling in a licensed vehicle. But hackney drivers have never been happy with this and the letter says it has caused a “great deal of anguish” within the trade. Mr Leaves’ letter states legislation says licensing authorities should consult on proposed changes in licensing rules that may have significant impact on passengers and/or the trade and claims the council only carried out a survey and not a full consultation. It was reported that the changes went out for consultation in November 2021 but Mr Leaves disputes this. He claimed that no councillor, or committee, has “sought information or advice, discussed or jointly considered, any detail with a single licensee”. Among other issues raised in Mr Leaves’ letter, the PLTA is asking for card readers and CCTV in cabs to be optional.
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The association also wants PHVs to have neither roof signs or the work taxi number on them, saying that it confuses the public. It wants PHVs to have their licence number written on the roof so it can be seen by safety cameras, and for the operator’s name to be on the rear door. Mr Leaves said the PLTA wants a meeting with the portfolio holder and the taxi licensing committee, and to be consulted on the current policy and its suggestions “for an amicable solution to the current unrest of licensees”.
WATFORD: CONSULTATION ON CARD PAYMENTS
Watford Borough Council has sought people’s views on whether it should be mandatory for all town- licensed hackneys and PHVs to offer card payments. A positive response may result in changes to the council’s policy and the inclusion of a mandatory condition on licences that mean all licensed vehicles must have a card reader machine. Cllr Ian Stotesbury, who is responsible for transport, said: “For a large percentage of the population card payments have become the norm, and we realise that there is a growing demand to extend this form of payment to all taxis and PHVs. The consultation will help us understand how great that demand is.” Zaheer Ahmed from the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers Association said his organisation was in support of the move. He said: “Its something we’ve been pushing and recommended it to the council.” He estimated that around 60-70% of taxis already accept cards, but some drivers still avoid card payments, which is “why we want to make it mandatory”. He added that since customers already know rideshare apps will take cashless payments, guaranteeing taxis do too should make them more competitive.
Residents and the licensed trade were also asked about driver medical requirements. To ensure taxi drivers are safe to drive, currently new applicants must take a medical with their GP before a driver licence is issued. Licensed drivers must then submit satisfactory medicals every five years from age 55, then every year from age 70. Under the new proposal medicals would be submitted upon initial application, then every five years from age 45, and every year from age 65. The survey closed on 30 November.
DECEMBER 2022 PHTM
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