IN THE NEWS
BRACKNELL FOREST DRIVER KNOWLEDGE TEST TO STAY, SAYS COUNCIL
Drivers will still have to pass knowledge tests before getting their licences, Bracknell Forest Council decided at a licensing committee meeting on 19 October. HC and PH drivers in Bracknell must sit geographical exams, but some had argued that sat-navs meant in-depth knowledge of the area was no longer needed. The council voted to keep the tests following a consultation with drivers expressing divided opinions on the matter. Council documents say that 65% agreed the test should be kept, while 28% disagreed, adding there was a “clear divide” between HC drivers who wanted to keep it and
PH drivers who thought it should go. Some taxi drivers thought the test should stay, arguing that sat-navs can be unreliable. One driver said: “I feel very strongly that all licensed drivers should have knowledge of the local area as we are obliged to take the shortest route and sat- navs are not that accurate.” But another said sat-navs meant the test was no longer needed - and having to pass it can stop many aspiring drivers from getting a job. It stated: “This requirement dis- courages potential drivers from joining the PH industry, limiting the opportunities for operators to recruit drivers.” Other responses argued that the
knowledge test should stay for HC drivers, but should not be compulsory for PH drivers. One person said: “I would agree that hackney drivers should have a good level of knowledge of the local area as they are hailed by customers. I don’t think that private hire drivers would need to necessarily retain this element for the nature of the business, being on advance booking only there is an element of preparation of route for the driver before [they are] dispatched.” The test will remain in place for both hackney and private hire drivers, but officers were asked to review the format of the exam.
VEEZU GRANTED EXEMPTION FROM BRANDING RESTRICTION IN CARDIFF DESPITE CONCERNS
Veezu will be allowed to display its branding in Cardiff despite the concerns of competitors in the city. The Newport-based company was granted permission by Cardiff Council on October 25 to be exempt from a condition restricting the size of livery PHVs can display. Exterior advertising is permitted on the outside rear door panels of PHVs in Cardiff provided it does not exceed the dimensions of the panel and is restricted to one advert- isement only. Veezu, which owns Cardiff-based Dragon Taxis, made a proposal for the livery on its Cardiff vehicles to cover a larger proportion of the vehicle than the rear door. Unite’s Cardiff representatives com- mittee wrote to the council saying
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that allowing exceptions to uniformity among taxis in the city may lead to a “fragmented and confusing experience for passengers” The committee also raised con- cerns of a potential unfair econ- omic advantage being given to Veezu and for a precedent to be set. A letter from the committee states: “This could lead to an array of different vehicle appearances, potentially complicating enforce- ment and oversight for the council.” In response to queries about the potential for unfair advantages, members of Cardiff Council’s public protection committee were told that other operators are free to make the same application to the council that Veezu did. Explaining the benefit of having
vehicles wrapped in the Veezu livery, company representative Katie Oram told the meeting: “Cardiff is popular for customers to come to on a night out... wrapped vehicles will provide assurances they are going into a licensed vehicle” Market evaluation of the proposed wrapping was carried out, using Veezu’s passenger base and other passengers from the same area. In a letter to the council Veezu said: “We believe that [the] higher the instant recognition of a pre-booked vehicle is, safeguarding and general standards of personal safety, particularly for women, vulnerable groups, and people with visual impairments are significantly enhanced.”
NOVEMBER 2023 PHTM
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