This is precisely why we kicked off our driver safety campaign last year, and it is continuing apace with more councils asking for our “No Excuse for Abuse” car stickers to distribute to their drivers. Why should they put up with the constant fear of verbal abuse, damage to their vehicle, physical attacks, stealing their vehicle and money… when they are the only people who clear the streets of the drunks at 3am when no other form of transport is available?


I’ll say it again: Let’s give more thought to those hundreds – nay, thousands – of drivers out there who really do look after their pas- sengers, who give freely of their time during emergency situations such as terror attacks, who save people from house fires, who stop people from jumping off bridges, who genuinely care for the chil- dren and vulnerable adults they transport every day. That doesn’t make the headlines nearly enough.


The entire purpose behind the setting up of the Task and Finish group, and the Government’s response to their 34 recommenda- tions for taxi and private hire reform, and the Statutory Guidance for licensing authorities, is passenger safety. Obviously that must be the primary remit of every council in the land, and the central government that oversees those councils. But what about the safe- ty of the driver? What about the thousands of unreported attacks they must sustain, which remain unreported because they’ve given up on their local police turning up to do anything about it? These drivers shouldn’t have to put up with this daily/nightly risk, yet the night time economy of our towns and cities would be in a damned difficult state without them.


Anyway, while we’re doling out praise, let’s look at the operator as well. Yes, the Big Bad Wolf. Boo-hiss! All he’s concerned about is getting his weekly settle. If I go off-plot for whatever reason, even if it’s a medical emergency, I’m put in the “sin bin” for (however long). His controllers are bent: they give all the good jobs to their cousins/brothers/uncles. He’s nothing but a bully: one word from me and it’s “Bring your radio [nowadays PDA] in.”


Any other cliché-ridden images here? OK, now that’s out of the way, let’s look at the reality of the situation. At a recent trade event several speakers were asked to talk about workers’ rights, the gig economy, and exploitation of drivers. When it was my turn, I said that there are hundreds of operators out there whose drivers don’t suffer with the difficulties surrounding workers’ rights – simply because those companies are run by a management team who respect their drivers.


Yes, respect. And that respect is mutual, because communication is maintained between the drivers and the management. Drivers are afforded as much opportunity as possible to contribute to the ‘ideas bank’ of the firm. Their hours are sorted amicably through a shift system that benefits company and drivers alike. They are pro- vided with uniforms – no, not white tie and peaked cap, but company-specific kit that they wear with pride. They are either pro- vided with, or encouraged to maintain their own, clean roadworthy vehicles that represent a quality service.


And of course this type of company manages job allocation fairly and efficiently, with which today’s technological developments are geared to cope admirably. Needless to say, this company invests wisely and continuously in both technology and training at every level.


My point of all this is that it is the latter type of individual, in both the driver and company management categories, who deserves far more praise than they get. And also it is a gathering of these good guys who are both willing and able to chat to PHTM Expo visitors next month, about how they started, how they got where they are, and where they’re going in the future.


Just another of about a few dozen reasons why you should sup- port your national PHTM Expo: come and meet some seriously keen licence holders, who are equally keen to meet you and listen to your problems and points of view.


Until next time, sayonara.


MAY 2019


9


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