TELL THEM HOW THINGS REALLY WORK!
K.I.S.S. (KEEP IT STUPIDLY SIMPLE) SPELL IT OUT, DUMB IT DOWN
We are all guilty of over complicating matters, assuming others understand the point we are making. It isn’t a criti- cism, in fact, far from it. We are passionate, motivated, committed and enthusiastic about the point we are making - in fact we have spent years being angry and frustrated about it, so when we get the chance, you better believe we want everyone to know exactly how we feel, and why; like the pringles advert, “once you pop, you just can’t stop”!
The only problem with that is that by the time we have finished trying to explain it to them, we have lost them. WHY? Quite simply because as I said at the start, they actu- ally do not understand what we are talking about, so we have to dumb it down and spell it out to them.
The number of times I start to draft articles like this, then glance down at the word count, and have to cut it right back from 18 pages down to 2!! So I feel your pain, I really do! (Actually, this article is only supposed to be about the very latest DfT consultation….oops)
OK, BACK ON TOPIC, NATIONAL CONSULTATION!
Last year at the PHTM EXPO, we had Paul Elliot from the DfT, Sam Harrison from the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) and var- ious other panellists attending a seminar to answer your questions. During the seminar Paul Elliot mentioned that there was to be a consultation on a new version of govern- ment Best Practice Guidance, to update the 2010 version, and we expressed how important it was to take part, have a say, express yourself; it is NOW LIVE! The closing date is Monday 20 June and with that in mind, I include the link here for your convenience:
https://bit.ly/39mwNwD And by way of a snapshot include some elements of the con- sultation with the text highlighted in red showing that the DfT is recognising many of the concerns we have raised - there are lots more examples.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, click the link, open the browser, take some time, get involved, answer the questions! HAVE YOUR SAY!
This is about your livelihood, your industry, the way in which you work, the way in which councils consider licensing, the way in which enforcement is taken and the type of vehicles you should have. It really is one of the most important con- sultations for you, as a driver, as a vehicle owner, as an
MAY 2022
operator, as a vehicle supplier, as a licensing officer or as a licensing committee member (councillor). This one really does affect all aspects of the taxi and private hire industry, right down to card payment machines, tinted windows, penalty points schemes, CCTV and age of vehicles.
Given the number of topics being addressed here, it is a lengthy piece of work and will take some time to complete, but it is in YOUR best interest, ALL OF YOU, licensing officers, drivers, operators, EVERYONE.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INDUSTRY!
It is clear from the introduction below, that there is recogni- tion by the DfT of the significance of our role and the services that we provide, as well as the importance of keep- ing the guidance updated to keep up with the way in which the industry is evolving with recent technologies. As I said last month, “finally, some recognition”.
“Taxis and PHVs play a critical role in keeping our country moving, allowing people to travel safely and easily.
Whether those taxi and private hire vehicle journeys are for leisure, work or to go to the shops, many people in our com- munities, particularly those who are disabled and vulnerable, rely upon them.”
A constant message I hear from stakeholders is the need for consistency in standards across licensing authorities.
I know that in respect of safeguarding issues, which are cov- ered by the government’s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, there was a great consensus around what those standards should be.
I am aware that this is not necessarily the case in respect of some of the issues covered in the Best Practice Guidance. I appreciate that, with over 270 licensing authorities in Eng- land, there are going to be significant variations, and, because of this, the recommendations are unlikely to be welcomed by all, but I am keen that we try and reach a con- sensus where possible.
In developing the consultation on Best Practice Guidance, DfT has carefully considered the views expressed by a wide variety of stakeholders, through ongoing engagement with the sector, about what will make services even better than they are today.
A key message is that the government needs to take a posi- tion on the important issues in the guidance, and the consultation reflects this.
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