Testing time for city taxi drivers
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardi ... -25096039/
TAXI drivers will get a lesson in good manners as part of a new scheme to improve customer service.
Newly licensed Cardiff cabbies will be assessed on their courtesy, kindness and how to plan a route.
Following consultation with hackney carriage drivers, Cardiff council’s public protection committee introduced 70-hour compulsory training courses yesterday.
Plagued by rising public complaints about cabbies, the authority has adopted the £270 Btec vocational qualification to ensure professionalism.
The courses are compulsory and taxi firms will be expected to foot the bill.
Cardiff’s Hackney Carriage Association claimed the proposal was a gimmick and a waste of money but committee chairman, Councillor Ed Bridges, said the majority of city drivers backed the move.
He said feedback forms were sent to all registered Hackney carriages and, of 237 respondents, two thirds approved the new regime.
Coun Bridges said: “The committee believe the benefits will be felt by drivers and passengers alike, and will help to ensure Cardiff drivers continue to act as excellent ambassadors for the city in the way the public would expect.”
The qualification has already been adopted by several local authorities across the UK – to glowing reports.
Potential drivers are marked on seven modules, from disability awareness to carrying luggage.
Finer details include possible risks, transporting children, communication and dealing with “difficult” passengers. Trainees are given expert tutorage and a range of textbooks to pass their final exams.
The certificate is designed to ensure all applicants are trained in the requirements of the job and are in every way “fit and proper” to provide a high quality service to the public.
The news was welcomed by city firm Dragon Taxis, which has been promoting the Btec course and is already set up to provide the training.
Company spokeswoman Fiona Parker said the advanced qualification puts drivers through their paces.
“It goes all the way from start to stop,” she said. “We knew it was going to come into legislation at some point, and it was something we needed to be involved with. Our courses are full time, part time or flexible, and cost £150 to new drivers.”
Mathab Khan, chairman of Cardiff’s Hackney Carriage Association, criticised the council proposal as a gimmick.
He said: “The training is not going to make any difference whatsoever with regards to the quality of drivers. The vast majority stick to the rules and will work genuinely hard to make a living. What we need is more business, and the council should be managing licensing rules that are already in place.”
Mr Khan said the course would cost drivers hundreds of pounds in lost earnings and travel costs.
“We will take advice from our lawyer and do everything we can to stop the council implementing this proposal,” he added.
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