Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly new here, either in the context of Portsmouth, or the national picture as a whole.

But certainly quite lurid language in the headline.

And spot the remark by the daftie councillor about charging. I mean, he's a member of the licensing committee?

Great photo, though


Portsmouth overrun with 'out of control' Wolverhampton taxis

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/258736 ... ton-taxis/

Wolverhampton-plated taxis are "out of control" in a Hampshire city.


Image: Daily Echo

Concerns have been raised by Portsmouth City Council about the presence of Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles operating in Portsmouth, citing differences in safety standards and the lack of local authority control.

The issue was discussed at a recent licensing committee meeting, where councillors described the out-of-town taxis as beyond their regulatory control.

Councillor Lee Hunt, cabinet lead for community safety, said as far as the council is concerned "they’re out of control."

The chair of the licensing committee, Cllr Emily Strudwick, added: "If it’s not Portsmouth, don’t get in it.”

The concern stems from Wolverhampton’s reputation for offering a quicker and cheaper licensing process.

In their system taxis are not required to be fitted with interior CCTV, a safety measure that is compulsory in all Portsmouth-licensed vehicles.

Councillor Abdul Kadir raised the economic impact of the issue, asking whether the council could impose charges on Wolverhampton-licensed taxis operating in the city, as "they’re taking jobs from our taxi drivers."

Council officers clarified that Portsmouth has no legal authority to charge drivers it has not licensed.

Nickii Humphreys, the council’s licensing manager, said cross border licensing is a “national problem” emerging in line with new technologies for private hire vehicle operators.

She told the committee that the government is currently reviewing the issue through a select committee and has launched a public consultation aimed at creating a "modern, consistent and passenger-focused licensing framework that supports both public safety and the needs of the sector."

Calling for greater public awareness of the issue, Cllr George Madgwick said: "People in Wolverhampton taxis are simply not protected as much as Portsmouth taxis."

Concerns have also been raised about passenger safety.

It was reported in July last year that a driver from a Wolverhampton plated vehicle allegedly made sexual advances to a woman on her way home from visiting family in hospital.

Viv Young, the council’s hackney carriage trade representative, criticised the driving standards of some out-of-town drivers.

Viv said a Wolverhampton-licensed driver was "totally clueless as to where they’re going" and "their driving standards are abysmal."

Skimmed that, and for a second thought she/he was part of the council, as opposed to a trade rep. Not the best way to phrase that, at least as regards the average reader of the Daily Echo.

The thing is, Uber doesn't use Wolverhampton cars in Portsmouth; it's some of the local firms that do.

I suppose they were the same firms who opposed Uber getting licensed down there.

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