Taxi Driver Online

HACKNEY cab drivers in North East Lincolnshire will have to prove they are smart – in more ways that one – if they are to keep their licence.

North East Lincolnshire Council's (NELC) Community Protection Committee has given the go-ahead to new compulsory qualifications, and a dress code for taxi drivers.

As reported, the proposals were in a report drawn up for the committee by a working party, set up to look specifically at taxi services following protests from drivers about the number of new Hackney Carriage licences being handed out in the borough.

Although the group set out to check the number of Hackney drivers was not getting out of hand, it also pledged to look at other measures to improve taxi services in North East Lincolnshire.

The committee has now agreed that from next year, all new applicants should have a Level Two BTEC Award in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire.

Meanwhile a dress code banning things such as t-shirts with logos, baseball caps and track suits will be put in place.

Chairing the meeting, Cllr John Fenty said: "I am delighted to say they are going to be implemented, and that should improve the service."

Chair of the Hackney Carriage Association, Dave Atkin said: "I think the measures are reasonable – they are not over the top, and will undoubtedly go some way to improving standards."

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin