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NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL TAXI LICENSING AND TEST CENTRE REOPENS WITH DISCOUNTS FOR EXISTING DRIVERS
Taxi drivers can again apply for new permits and from 1 June get vehicles MoT tested in a safe and socially dis- tanced way – with discounts to help cabbies hit by Covid-19. Newcastle City Council’s licencing office at Newington Road East, was closed on March 23 but now, with nearly 1,000 licences re- quiring action, it has reopened for online applications, with hands on testing now operating. Drivers affected will be contacted with an appointment
time for them to visit the office. And in recognition of the significant loss the trade has suffered due to the pandem- ic existing drivers will receive a 12 per cent discount on their licence fees. Cllr Nick Kemp, the council’s cabinet member for environ- ment and regulatory services, said: “Our number one priority is to make sure that the travelling public are safe. With minis- ters
actively
encouraging alter- native ways of getting to and from work, rather than public transport,
that will likely see an increased demand for taxis. “We know drivers are putting social distancing measures in cabs to enable them to start back to work in a safe manner, and that is great to see. Howev- er, we also know that normally nearly
three in ten taxis fail their interim tests. While the govern- ment has waived certain MoT require- ments, with almost 1,000 licence appli- cations requiring action now, we must ensure vehicles and drivers are fit and proper, so passen- gers can have
continued confi- dence in the service they provide.” To allow the reopen- ing of the licensing office and test cen- tre the council is putting in place a number of measures to protect both staff and drivers. These include: • Electronic forms - to minimise con- tact and to enable staff working from home to process applications.
• An appointment system – to control when people attempt to visit
• Limits on vehicle and site occupan- cy - one person
will be allowed per car, and cars on site at one time will be capped at 14 vehicles.
• Enhanced cleaning – with new disin- fection procedures for mechanics testing vehicles.
• Social distancing – Including separate reception areas for vehicle and driver licence applica- tions, into which only one driver will be allowed at any given time.
For more informa- tion about taxi licensing please visit our Taxi and Private Hire page on:
www.newcastle.gov.uk
JUNE 2020
23
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