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WOLVERHAMPTON: TIGHTEN UP RULES CALL OVER CABBIES
The head of a taxi driv- ers’ group in Wolverhampton has called for rules to be tightened to ban for- eigners from getting licences for at least five years.
Nasim Ullah, chairman of NPHA affiliated Wolverhampton Hack- ney Carriage Drivers’ Association, said he did not believe recent arrivals in Britain should be able to pass criminal background checks without having lived in the country for a long time.
He also wants people coming to Britain on student visas to be banned.
His comments come after it was revealed that 209 cabbies across the West Mid- lands were given licences despite hav- ing previous con- victions.
The 39-year-old said: “You will often find that people who have recently arrived in the country apply to be taxi drivers. That means that the Criminal Records Bureau does not have all their details and you won’t know what they may have been doing before they came here.”
Mr Ullah, who has been in the taxi trade for 15 years, also
revealed that he wants to give university stu- dents discounts and encourage them to use licensed taxis. He said: “This is something we will be discussing with the University of Wolver- hampton. We are hoping to give a small discount so we can get the students used to using vehi- cles they know to be safe. “A lot of young ladies will be coming to Wolverhampton from other areas to study and they won’t know the city. We want them to feel safe and enjoy being here.”
EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE: DRIVERS SEE RED OVER MOVES TO COLOURCODE
A council’s plan to completely revamp Ely’s taxi industry is being blasted by cab drivers in the city. Taxi firms and private hire companies fear East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) could kill off their trade over the next few years.
The outcry comes after a recommenda- tion to make using taxis in the district “safer and easier” was approved following a six-month consulta- tion.
Bosses at the authority claim the consultation involved a “huge amount” of input from the taxi drivers them- selves, but they claim otherwise. Taxi firms have also branded the industry shake-up “completely unnecessary” and a huge waste of money. John Skipper, joint owner of A10 Taxis, one of Ely’s biggest operators, told the Cambridge News: “The council has big ideas but they just are not necessary.
“The taxi industry is PAGE 78
struggling enough as it is through these tough times and the last thing we can afford is forking out on thousands of pounds to make the changes. “If these new licensing laws are passed in the next few years, it liter- ally could kill off the whole of East Cam- bridgeshire’s taxi industry.”
One of the main changes ECDC wants to make is to introduce a single colour for hackney carriages, which would be intro- duced when current vehicles are replaced. Even though a suit- able colour has not yet been determined, it could mean all firms would have to change their vehicles to com- ply with the new law. The council also wants carriages to carry the district council logo on the front doors, either on the new vehicles or on replacement ones. And with PHVs, the authority wants them to carry the marking “Advance bookings only” with the district council logo also on
the front doors.
Philip Davis, owner of Anglia Taxis of Little- port, said: “In these times, these changes are the last things we need and I think the effects on the taxi industry could be cat- astrophic.” However, the chair- man of the council’s licensing committee, Cllr Ron Bradney, insisted the changes would be beneficial to everyone.
He said: “We have worked hard to come up with solutions with the taxi trade to make sure everyone who uses either hackney carriages or PHVs in East Cambridgeshire can do so in safety. “We believe introduc- ing measures such as a single colour for hackney carriages and ensuring vehicles have the district coun- cil logos on their doors will deter rogue taxis picking up fares.” The authority insisted there would be contin- ued discussions with taxi firms before any measures are put in place.
CABBIES’ JOYASCAMPAIGN IS SUCCESSFUL
The opening of the bus lane by Trostre Retail Park for taxis has been given the thumbs up by cabbies.
After a long campaign by taxi drivers, who had even been consid- ering a boycott of the area unless the coun- cil allowed them to use the route, a sign has gone up confirming they can now do so. Previously, taxi drivers had been forced to travel around the park rather than cut through the bus lane near the entrance to McDonalds.
It meant passengers were reportedly pay- ing up to £1 more on their journey, or up to £2 on weekends or on match days.
But, since the change came into effect on December 11, it’s been good news for cabbies and their cus- tomers.
Lilian Rees, of Le Femm Cabs, said: “Every- where else in the country taxis are allowed to use bus lanes. We just could not believe that the bus lane in Trostre was created without including taxis. “All we needed was a sign. Everyone knows what the queues at Trostre can be like, and we need this route in.” Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said the sign was a simple change that made a big difference. She said: “When nag- ging the highways department over the
past few months, I have been telling them they had better get it sorted out in time for Christmas shopping, and so I was glad to see the sign go up in early December. “It’s just one part of my campaign to make Trostre and Pemberton more pedestrian friend- ly. The retail park owners have helped by putting taxi drop-off points in front of M&S, but I want to see progress from the high- ways department on making it safer to cross from Pemberton to Trostre - every day you see pedestrians taking their lives in their hands on this road, and we badly need a proper crossing.”
STOKE ON TRENT: TAXI EXAMA TESTING TIME
Every taxi driver in Stoke-on-Trent may have to take an advanced test as part of plans to raise driv- ing standards.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) wants to introduce a specific driving test for taxi and private hire drivers. The test would be mandatory for all new and existing drivers - with current cabbies required to take the test within five years. It also means that driv- ers could be forced to re-take the test if they breach any conditions of their licence. Taxi drivers will have to pay for the test themselves. It costs £78 if taken on a week- days or £94 on a weekend and a week- day evening.
Drivers with vehicles that carry wheelchairs will be charged £91 to take the test on a weekday or £110 on a weekend and week- day evening.
Cabbie Dave Burgess- Pearson, from Bucknall, the former
chairman of Stoke-on- Trent Hackney Carriage Association, told The Stoke on Trent Sentinel: “I’m all for new drivers having to take new tests, and drivers who have been before the licensing panel, but I don’t think existing good quality drivers who have been driving for years should have to take another test to prove they are a good taxi driver. This Christmas has been the hardest for years. Some driv- ers are on their knees. They shouldn’t have to fork out £80-100 to take another test. Peo- ple just can’t afford it.” He added: “Another test won’t stop people overcharging or being rude to customers. A test does not change a person.” Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s licensing and consumer protec- tion committee was to meet last month to dis- cuss the recom- mendations.
There is currently no DSA testing centre in
Stoke-on-Trent which carries out this type of test. The nearest is in Derby.
Committee chairman Councillor Joy Garner aid: “We got quite a lot of complaints from people who don’t feel safe in taxis. Our aim is to help drivers in whatever way we can and clear out those who are doing the pro- fession a disservice. “I think that the DSA test should be brought in as an option to the licensing panel for drivers who regularly appear before the panel.
“Then once the DSA establishes a base in Stoke-on-Trent further consideration should be given as to whether to make the test mandatory to all new and existing drivers.” Abdul Rauf, chairman of the Hackney Car- riage Association, said: “If the council does decide to imple- ment the DSA test for all new and existing drivers, then it should provide the funding.”
PHTM FEBRUARY 2010
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