ROUND THE COUNCILS GLASGOW:
PARTS AND DRIVER WARNING TO COUNCIL
Taxi firms in Glasgow have warned the trade is struggling as it faces difficulties sourcing vehicle parts and finding drivers. Three operators appeared before the city’s licensing committee on , January 11, after missing annual vehicle inspections and they reported a drop in available drivers, financial concerns for firms and issues securing parts to get cars back on the road. Samantha Clark, of Bank Taxi Service, said: “The effects of covid have been detrimental to the trade, we haven’t been able to source parts for the vehicles. You’re paying more, a lot of the parts for vehicles have been on backorder. In addition, because I’m a operator not a driver, I employ a driver to make revenue to pay for the vehicle to be on the road and there are no drivers coming through.” The operator also claimed a customer service course for drivers was “difficult to pass” and the topographical tests, required to be completed by hackney drivers but not private hires, was stopping drivers coming through the system. Glasgow’s topographical test aims to ensure drivers have a knowledge of the city, including road layouts and the location of landmarks. Cllr Alex Wilson, who chairs the licensing committee, said he disagreed with some of Ms Clark’s points, as he believes the customer service course isn’t difficult and has been a “welcome addition” as some drivers weren’t reading the terms of their licence. However, he added: “I agree the topographical test, especially now we’ve got SatNavs, is probably not fit for purpose. That’s something we will look at.” Ms Clark said she had not presented one of her vehicles for inspection as it was waiting on parts, and she was happy for her licence to be suspended until “something can be done regarding the issue”. “I want to be creating jobs for the city, providing the public with transport home from their nights out and contributing to the Scottish economy,” she added. The committee suspended the licence for the unexpired portion of its duration. A representative from Lees Taxi Service, who said he had been in control of the business since 1979, said it was “the first time we've been in this situation”. He said covid had put the firm “right under the cosh” and “getting parts and the price of parts has gone through the roof”. “Getting garages to sort cars is getting trickier because a lot of garages gave up, so
PHTM FEBRUARY 2023
we’re in a situation I never envisaged and I’ve been in the taxi business my whole life.” One of his vehicles hadn’t been presented for inspection as it required a new engine. His licence was suspended for the unexpired portion of its duration. Cllr Wilson said: “I completely understand the pressures, finances, parts. My own car has been off the road since November and it’s down to parts and people trying to fit those parts.” Frank Kelly, of Calton Taxi Co, said he had returned the vehicle which had been due for inspection during the pandemic, when there were no drivers, as it was on finance. He said he’s planning to put the taxi back on the road but doesn’t currently have a vehicle. The committee noted his licence has ceased to have effect.
NORTH YORKSHIRE: FEES TO BE ALIGNED ACROSS COUNTY
Plans have been backed to align taxi licensing fees across the whole of North Yorkshire. The plans bring together hackney carriage and private hire licensing fees ahead of the launch of the new North Yorkshire Council – which will become the sole licensing authority when it comes to power on April 1. Currently, the existing seven borough and district councils in North Yorkshire set their own hackney carriage and private hire licensing fees. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) said the decision meets national legislation, which states “local authorities should not make a profit and demonstrate the charges have been sufficiently set to cover associated costs.” The proposed fee for a 12-month HC licence is £350 or £280 for a renewal; a PHV is £330 or £265 for a renewal. Drivers can still apply for a three-year licence for a HC, a PHV or both, which provides financial savings. These fees would only apply when applying for a new licence or renewing an existing licence after April 1. Drivers with an existing licence that is still valid will not need to renew until the expiry date shown. NYCC’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman, said the proposed fees will ensure that passengers can “continue to travel safely and maintain hackney carriage stands, as well as the enforcement of the licences, without creating an additional cost to the taxpayer.” The proposed fees will be subject to a statutory 28-day notice period and the outcome will be presented to NYCC’s executive in February.
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