Taxi Driver Online

Conduct code for cabbies



CABBIES aren’t renowned for their timekeeping or dress sense, but new guidelines are trying to stop customers being taken for a ride.

Barrow Borough Council has prepared a draft code of conduct for taxi drivers.

The code aims to address issues such as behaviour, keeping vehicles safe, conduct on the road and even dress code.

Cabbies in the borough are being consulted on the plans, and are split on whether or not its introduction would be positive.

Stephen Haines, owner of 1st Choice Cabs, said he felt the code was pointless. He said: “It’s a complete load of rubbish. I’ve been doing this job for 30 years and don’t need somebody to tell me how I should dress.

“We use our common sense when we decide what to wear. The people making these rules have never even done the job. Is this what our license fee goes to? It seems like a waste of money.”

But Robert Mullen, from Furness Tours, said he would welcome a code of conduct.

He said: “Personally I agree with all of it and it seems to me to be all common sense.

“I know of some local drivers who are whingeing about it but the local trade desperately needs to improve standards of both cars and drivers.

“It doesn’t take more than a quick look around our local ranks and driver hangouts to spot a minority of drivers who fail to keep themselves and the cars which earn them a living clean and tidy.”

Gary Ormondroyd, chief environ-mental health officer at Barrow Borough Council said the idea for the code was based on equalities legislation that all passengers should receive the same service.

He said: “The idea of a draft code of good conduct for taxis came out of an Equalities Impact Assessment that we ran looking at all our regulatory services.

“The principle being that we can ask for consistent customer service from taxi drivers if they have a standard to work to.

“We are consulting taxi drivers on their views about the code at present with an intention to go back to our licensing committee to report on the consultation in a couple of months.

“The code is based on one that is currently used by Preston City Council so we are content that we aren’t asking drivers to meet extraordinary standards.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

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

I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard this said by taxi/ph drivers dressed in their flip flops and bermudas

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

There's dressing casual then dressing like a scrap yard dog. Me I dress casual with the look of a scrap yard dog.

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

Might have a case in respect of dress-codes, but I think our trade is about the best there is in respect of timekeeping.

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IDFIMH

I'll agree drivers shouldn't turn out looking like tramps, but what other self-employed persons are told by the LA what they should or should not wear to work, except for hygiene or health and safety issues of course ?

I can think of pubs, clubs, off licences, strip clubs, takeaways, sex shops, all of which require a licence to operate, but none of these have to abide by a 'code of conduct' regarding dress.