VULNERABLE OUT THERE?


checks them, but everyone is quick to believe every word they say.


When an Uber driver is accused of something then the driver is deactivated pending investigation - at least with local operators there is the ability to discuss and decide whether the allegation is right or wrong. When a customer makes a complaint to the council, the drivers gets suspended or worse, when the customer complains to the police, the driver is arrested pending investigation. That arrest must then be reported to the council, which then, yep, you guessed it, leads to suspension.


But when the driver reports a serious attack to the police, it can take two weeks or more, if they bother at all, to even attend to have a friendly chat with them at home. Not very often do we see any arrests, and far less often we see any action taken.


WHO IS VULNERABLE?


The attackers are not the vulnerable people out there in the early hours of the morning, all alone with no support at all. They


are the ones


committing these horrendous attacks on you, the drivers - the hard working individuals providing such a vital public transport service to the elderly, the infirm, the special education needs children, the nurses who do not drive, the police officers going to work, the drunks, the council staff, heck, we even pick up gritter wagon drivers and take them to their depots as well as bus drivers to take them to their depots, pick up those going on holidays to airports, train stations, bus stations, ferries... the list of those using our services is endless!!


HOW DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?


Even door staff and police officers have openly stated they could not do your job. For them, if there is any trouble, they have support and back up, they are never alone. But once a doorman (or woman of course) has evicted a fighter from a nightclub, they might kick off outside, but then there are lots of police around to break it up, but then where do they go? That’s right, to you, in your car, in a group where you are alone with them.


PHTM MARCH 2023


It takes a very special type of person to be able to provide this level of service, regardless of the needs at the time, blind, disabled, suicidal, physical needs, mental needs, blind drunk, or high in spirits on their way to or from a holiday.


The range and variation of moods we have to tolerate from passengers is unbelievable. You guys deserve a medal of recognition from those who have the ability to protect you: the police, councils, goverment, CPS, courts and your operators!


SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE!


The public image must change NOW! The message we see everywhere: “Abuse will not be tolerated”, needs to be reinforced for the taxi and private hire industry and its workforce. When things go wrong, there needs to be a very clear and strong message: abusers WILL BE LOCKED UP - no excuses, no soft measures, no mitigation.


“NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE”


This message needs to start from the lower levels at councils, then go up the chain to the police, the CPS, the courts, the government and everyone else who can make a difference. For years the message has been out there that a taxi or private hire driver is an easy target and nothing will happen if they are attacked. This is why many drivers don’t bother reporting assaults to the authorities as it is seen to be a waste of their time, this opinion has been forced upon them for many years.


PROTECT IT OR LOSE IT – YOUR CHOICE


If those institutions with the ability to act and protect our drivers do not act right now, then there will be no trade left. We have already seen many drivers leave the industry due to the cost-of- living crisis, fuel prices, being pushed out of bus lanes around cities, being pushed into £70k WAVs and the introduction of Clean Air Zones, many more are leaving simply due to the risk to their lives aspect.


YOU MUST CHANGE NOW!! 19


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