| Taxi Driver Online http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/ |
|
| Taxi tests set to be tougher http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15487 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Taxi tests set to be tougher |
Tests for taxis across South Ribble look set to be toughened up to make journeys safer for passengers. South Ribble Council’s licensing committee wants to introduce more rigorous roadworthiness tests to ensure cabs and private hire vehicles are fit for business. The committee is also looking at scrapping or restructuring the age limits for when taxis can be licensed as part of an overhaul of local laws. At the moment, a car has to be aged four years or under when first licensed and cannot do business past the age of eight. The ideas have been welcomed by local taxi firms. Chris Swarbrick, owner of Premier Taxis in Leyland, said: “You can go out and buy a five-year-old car with 30,000 miles on it that is a lot nicer than 90% of taxis with 300,000 miles on them, but you’re not allowed to licence anything (for the first time) which is more than four-years-old. “I understand the council taking them off the road at eight years though. “The taxi test at the moment is pretty much like an MoT and they should make it more strict.” Council bosses say toughening up the roadworthiness test would bring the borough into line with neighbouring councils. The current certificate tests 53 criteria, compared with 94 checks cabs must undergo if licensed by Preston Council. A new report by licensing officer Andrew Smith says: “The current harsh economic climate means that it is difficult to ask proprietors to purchase new vehicles that conform with the policy on age limits, when the vehicle they have may be perfectly roadworthy and serviceable. “In certain cases, proprietors may licence their existing vehicles in other boroughs where age limits are less restrictive. “By removing the age limit, proprietors are not forced to outlay unnecessarily high costs to replace licensed vehicles. Indeed, a vehicle that is two years old can easily be in a worse state and have higher mileage than one that is five years old. “However, one would be licensable, the other not. “It is also conceivable that a proprietor would consider spending more on the upkeep of a vehicle if they are aware that the vehicle will continue to be licensed, rather than concede the vehicle licence must be surrendered once the vehicle reaches a certain age.“ Test garages will be consulted for their views on the proposals, which will be discussed by the licensing committee on Tuesday. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/local_in ... _1_2827362 |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC [ DST ] |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|