74 PRIVATE HIRE AND TAXI MONTHLY


JANUARY 2009 DRIVER PROFILE


LONG TIME LEEDS TRADE MEMBER BOWS OUT AFTER 45 YEARS


Last month we profiled possibly the youngest driver to qualify for a badge; this time we’re saying a fond fare-well to one of the longest serving licence holders in the business.


After a career in the Leeds taxi trade span- ning 45 years, Brian Heptinstall is finally tak- ing a back seat. The 73-year old, who gained his first hackney carriage licence from Leeds City Council in 1963 and became a director of Telecabs two years later, is stepping down from the new company formed last year when Telecabs and Streamline merged.


Brian has also attended his last meeting as a hackney carriage trade representative on the council’s Licensing Panel.


Looking back on his life behind the wheel, Brian told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I have enjoyed it all. Taxiing isn’t a job; it’s a way of life.


“It’s got great variety because you can’t pick and choose who you pick up. You get all sorts in the back of your cab so it makes for an interesting life.” Through the window of his cab he has seen Leeds change from a grimy indus trial city to a modern financial and retail centre and, con- trary to many people’s opinion, he thinks driv- ing around Leeds has got easier.


“When I started we had only just got rid of the trams and the roads were certainly narrow- er,” he said.


“All that


has changed for the better.”


back in convoy to City.” At his final licensing panel meeting, Brian was presented with a certificate of recogni- tion for his “loyal and outstanding service to the hackney carriage service in Leeds.” His contributions to the panel were praised as “fair,


frank and


Brian Heptinstall HISTORY


Brian was training as a painter and decorator in 1955 when he decid- ed to join the Army. He served until 1958 and worked as a taxi driver in Surrey before return- ing to his native Leeds. He said: “The job has certainly changed. With all the clubs and bars it’s now something of a nighttime job. When I started there weren’t so many clubs and not that much late- night business. Only


about six drivers worked through the night.


“I can remember the days when Leeds had two railway stations. After the Kings Cross train had arrived at City Station, and whatever fares were going had been picked up, a con- voy of taxis would head down Wellington Street to Central Station to wait for the train com- ing in from St Pancras. “Those who didn’t get a fare would then drive


informed.” Colleagues there praised his plain speaking and the fact that “he always willing to tell it like it is. Well, what else would you expect from a cabbie?” Des Broster, the coun- cil’s taxi and private hire licensing section head, said that Brian had an unblemished driver and proprietor history and was a great credit to the trade. Mr Broster told PHTM that when Brian was pre- sented with his loyal service certificate, the council also presented


him with a framed copy of his original 1963 licence.


Cllr Jack Dunn (Lab, Ardsley and Robin Hood), a long serving licensing panel mem- ber, said: “I have always respected Brian’s plain speaking. He is someone who tells it as it is.”


The National Associa- tion has enjoyed many dealings with Brian Heptinstall over the years - sometimes from different sides of the table - and we have always found him to be fair, honest and objec- tive. We are sure those who know and have worked with Brian will agree that his absence from the trade scene in Leeds will leave a void that will be difficult to fill.


PHTM wish Brian a long, happy and healthy retirement.


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