Taxi Driver Online

Ban on jeans: 'I wouldn't care if my taxi driver wore a dinosaur onesie'

Herald readers have rounded on Plymouth City Council after it was revealed that the local authority wants to ban taxi drivers from wearing casual clothes. Plymouth's taxi drivers could soon be stopped from wearing jeans, football tops, hoodies and trainers in a bid to “enhance the professionalism” of the trade.

The new dress code forms part of the new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy set out by the council. If the new rules are passed, taxi drivers employed by the council will no longer be able to wear casual clothes on the job. But many readers have disagreed with the new policies, saying that they couldn’t understand what the problem was.

On Facebook, Alexandra Baranova said that she didn’t care what a taxi driver wore to work, as long as they did their job properly. She said that she wouldn’t even mind if her driver was wearing a “villa shirt, dinosaur onesie, Star Trek uniform or a bin liner” – as long as the fare was reasonable and the driver didn’t take any necessary detours. Ms Baranova added: “How exactly does a pair of jeans or a footie shirt affect their driving skills? “Idiotic at best!”

But local taxi driver David Chapman, who doesn’t drive a Hackney cab, disagreed, saying: “We and other drivers do for other companies so why not Hackney?” Hackney cab driver Mike Wyatt replied: “Because Hackney are independent and if they aren’t paying for it and washing it I am not wearing it!” He added: “If they want us too wear uniform so should they!”

Rob Scott agreed, saying: “It's just corporate nonsense. The Tory - UKIP Council alliance have no idea of the real world.” Coinneach Gobha added: “All the traffic problems, homeless, empty buildings, shops closing and a not very good transport network and lack of decent sights in city centre and the council are bothered about what taxi drivers wear...get a grip PCC.”

The Herald spoke to taxi drivers at the Derry’s Cross rank to gauge their feelings about the proposed clothing changes. Mark Down, who has been a taxi driver for 20 years and a Hackney cab driver for seven, said: “It’s disgusting. “I’m paying £550 a month for the cab, then I’ve got my insurance, wear and tear, servicing – they want me to wear a uniform as well? I’m struggling as it is. “My clothes are smart, not dirty, it doesn’t need changing at all. I’d feel more uncomfortable in a uniform. “If they’re [the council] insisting on it, then they’ve got to pay for it, or I want holiday pay. Self-employed drivers can wear what they want.”

Shaun Blackwell, 52, said: “I think I’m smart enough to be honest with you. “I just think they’re [the council] costing us more money - the licensing fees - everything is so expensive and now they’re making us pay more out for clothing. “To be honest with you, it’s alright if they’re going to pay the bill. I’d rather not fork out for it – we don’t earn enough money as it is – thing are very quiet now compared to what it used to be like.”

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: “The spoken English test and new dress code are among a number of proposed changes to our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy that we consulted on in October and November. “The proposed new policy, which takes into account feedback received during the consultation, will be considered by Scrutiny next week, before being considered by Cabinet and then Full Council.

“It aims to enhance the professionalism of the service and ensure drivers are ambassadors for the city, presenting a positive image to the public and our visitors. “There is already a dress code but it is voluntary and not followed by all drivers. “If approved, the new policy will set clearer standards that we will expect all licensed drivers to meet.

“Similarly, while we assess general communication skills informally during the application process, a spoken English test would ensure new drivers are able to communicate properly with their passengers. “Existing drivers and those who can clearly speak English well would not be required to take the test.”

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IDFIMH

And in respect of the proposed English test.

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/pl ... rs-1120829

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IDFIMH

Bet this guy's NOT in favour of the dress code

I never understand why many cabbies feel that dressing smart is an assault on their liberties it isn't it is trying to present the public with a face of respectability

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

Join the campaign to get April fools jokes banned for 364 days a year !

I never really considered a dress code as being that important.

But when I go to Gatwick or Heathrow to pick up punters, I do feel like I look like Stig of the Dump.

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IDFIMH

As it is implied in the post "the Council employ Taxi drivers" one would think the brains of the Plymouth trade will already have opened discussions with the Council for holiday pay,sickness benefit and minimum wage
benefit conditions to be included the policy,unless they are brain dead in Plymouth.

If they are employed, they should be issued council uniforms boots high viz jackets and vests, and any other safety equipment issued.

I will stick with my shoes jeans and polo shirts

Do you think the Council got it wrong, or the Journalist?

Think you will also find that the PLTA are in discussion, as I am currently not a member I can't say for certain.

I know that I and 94 others made responses to the consultation.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Must admit, I used to wear trousers and shirt and tie when I was mini cabbing.
Most punters liked it.

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stressed controller!!!

Taxi drivers ordered to smarten up by council after fellow cabbies complain they are letting the side down

Hackney taxi drivers have been banned from wearing jeans and t-shirts after a local council received complaints from cabbies “that other drivers were letting them down.” Cab drivers in Plymouth are now banned from wearing denim jeans, football tops, hoodies and flip flops following a public consultation and council meeting on the issue.

Councillors agreed on Monday that the new guidelines should be enforced to “professionalise the trade” following complaints from fellow drivers.

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: “There was already a dress code but it was voluntary and not followed by all drivers. Our licensing officers would regularly find this during their patrols and often received complaints from drivers that other drivers were letting them down. “Officers and councillors agreed to include a new dress code within the proposals to set clearer standards on this.”

The dress code ban is less restrictive than one originally proposed which could have forced drivers to wear uniform colours laid out by the council. The decision to ban jeans has however received mixed reviews from local cab drivers, with some raising concerns over the cost of new clothing, but others agreed that some drivers looked “awful” at work.

Shane Jacobs, director of Plymouth hackney cab company Tri-star taxis, said: “I think some drivers are bringing down the reputation of the industry and they look like they’ve just crawled out of bed and it looks awful. “But I do think there needs to be a balance, I have been a taxi driver for 18 years and wear black jeans because they are practical, I don’t want to change a tire in smart trousers.”

Councillor Sally Bowie said: “This change in regulations was brought in by the council as a way to smarten the appearance of taxi drivers before the Mayflower 400. “We felt it was the right time to bring in these changes and I think most people do feel safer and prefer to have a taxi driver who is wearing trousers and a polo shirt rather than shorts and flip-flops. “The Mayflower is a big event in Plymouth and we want to ensure Plymouth is looking its best.”

Councillor Ian Bowyer added: “We [councillors] had noticed a change in the appearance of drivers and I think it is important to professionalise the trade and strike a balance. “We want to put forward a good image of Plymouth and this is a step towards achieving this. Especially with the Mayflower 400 in 2020 these drivers will be at the forefront of welcoming visitors and we want to ensure the right image is put forward.”

In addition to the new dress code each driver must attend an ambassador course as well as complete a spoken English test and are also banned from using e-cigarettes while they have passengers on board. A Council spokesperson added: “The new policy aims to enhance the professionalism of the service and ensure drivers are ambassadors for Plymouth, presenting a positive image to the public and our visitors.”

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IDFIMH

New Plymouth cabby dress code | Hackney drivers should adhere to the following 'as a minimum standard':

Collared shirt, collared polo shirt or collared blouse which has a full body and short or long sleeves

Smart long-legged trousers (no denim), knee-length tailored shorts, knee-length skirt or dress

Footwear for all drivers shall fit around the heel of the foot

Drivers should not wear or display any clothing, logos, badges or any other image that implies a political, sporting, national or similar allegiance which could cause offence, discriminate or enflame sections of the community

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IDFIMH

One of my drivers sometimes wears an England Rugby shirt never had a complaint and what's wrong with lady drivers wearing a dress ?

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

Join the campaign to get April fools jokes banned for 364 days a year !

Have you seen the ladies from Plymouth?

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IDFIMH

Yes!

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related