Taxi Driver Online

Pendle: Frustration over lack of progress on taxi safety checks

Pendle’s taxi trade has been accused of dragging its feet over ideas to improve vehicle safety, after numerous risks were found in spot-checks.

Conservative Coun Kieran McGladdery has made the allegations after a series of council taxi safety meetings in which, he claims, the trade has made no positive suggestions.

Councillors at this month’s Pendle Taxi Licensing Committee recently gave the trade ‘one more chance’ to put forward proposals for change. An extraordinary meeting is to be held soon to look again at the issues.

Coun McGladdery referred to that committee and another task-and-finish group which has been dealing with taxi safety. He said some meetings were effectively ‘pointless’ because of the lack of progress. Last year, he chaired a number of taxi meetings and the taxi trade was given three extra months to come up with ideas, new policies or solutions.

Earlier this year, it was reported that 15 out of 16 taxis stopped in Pendle during a safety spot-check failed to meet the required standards. Vehicle problems included oil leaks, which could have burst into flames, and missing wheel nuts.

Suggestions have included requiring taxi drivers to use a mobile phone app to ensure they carry out routine car checks. But the app idea has been queried by some in the trade, according to council reports. There is also disagreement about what type of taxi inspections should be done, such as MOT-type tests or other types of compliance tests.

Coun McGladdery told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ” I am passionate about improving public safety and am increasingly extremely concerned that a major incident is around the corner.

“At one Task & Finish Group, the taxi trade quite literally had nothing to suggest, other than to blame potholes and ‘excessively aggressive’ council officers for everything. Neither are true nor contribute to the situation.”

Official council records for the September 11 taxi licensing meeting state: “At the time this meeting was called, no written proposals had been received. They were since submitted and circulated prior to it.

“The trade was questioned about their opposition to an app to record daily vehicle checks, which would cost around £1 a week per vehicle, compared to £1.50 or £2 per vehicle recording the check on paper. The trade asked that, if the app was introduced, it should be up to individual drivers to decide whether the daily check was recorded on an app or paper.”

The minutes add: “There was broad agreement amongst councillors that the trade’s proposals were not sufficient to improve the significant failure rates of taxis. It was suggested that they be given one last chance to recommend measures that would improve the road-worthiness of vehicles and public safety at a further Task & Finish Group meeting.

“Any proposed changes to policy would need to be agreed at a further licensing committee meeting and then the council.

“Coun McGladdery also claimed no invitation was sent to different councillors to ensure a bi-party attendance of a recent taxi meeting before the September 11 licensing committee meeting."

Taxi licensing committee chairman Labour Coun Faraz Ahmad and the council’s communications office were contacted for comment.

An official Pendle Council spokesperson said the council acknowledged there is an unacceptable level of failure rates when taxis and private hire cars are spot-checked.

Neil Watson, the council’s assistant director of planning, building control and regulatory services, said: “We’re working hard with all parties to ensure that significant improvements are made to ensure the public can travel in taxis safely.”

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IDFIMH

Let's hope this isn't all based on that recent TaxiPoint article which made it look like it was all about the trade, but was actually about motorists, van drivers and the public more generally. Presumably.

Of course, to be fair there's plenty stuff on here about such issues specific to the trade, but can't be bothered looking back now.

Think those councillors need to work out which end of the dog they are.

And maybe read up on such issues as 'regulatory capture'.

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IDFIMH

While since I've heard the term 'regulatory capture'

But first read this in another source, and it includes an instructive quote from the *current* licensing chair:


So, like the recent stuff in Harlow about the Wolves cars, more than a hint of Labour v Conservative politicking in evidence

But I suspect it's a culture of elderly, clapped-out and neglected cars, possibly made to look worse with on-ramp spot checks, with the worst of the cars chosen for testing, or whatever, which will always show up the odd issue, but which maybe makes things look worse than they actually are.

And the council probably just don't have the backbone to introduce the necessary higher standards, and instead it's all about posturing and politicking. Or regulatory capture

how many times has pendle appeared in the news in relation to taxis failing safety checks ? I think there is a culture of risk amongst the trade and the only way that will change is an improve or else ultimatum.

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This makes it sound like it's *all* about taxis/HCs and nothing to do with private hire (except to the extent that HCDs are re-plating as PHDs). But past articles have mentioned both, so I'd guess this is just a tad misleading, and that 'taxi' should be read generically


New Pendle taxi safety bid after latest spot-check failures

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... -failures/

New steps to improve taxi safety in Pendle are being recommended, after more spot-checks revealed problems including mechanical faults.

A new report to the borough's taxi licensing committee describes ‘unacceptably high failure rates’ in recent cab checks.

Councillors are being advised to back 13 recommendations, including a mobile phone app for checks when they start a shift, vehicle maintenance training, penalty points and licence reviews for breaches and extra facilities to check taxis to cut waiting times for drivers.

Any taxi driver who has lied or been ‘untruthful ‘about checks will have their licence reviewed by the committee. Council officers believe the recommendations will reward good drivers and reduce failings.

Taxi safety checks have been the focus of debate at recent meetings. Previous safety spot-checks have resulted in high failure rates. More than 90 per cent of taxis failed in one past session.

Conservative Cllr Kieran McGladdery, a former committee chairman, has accused the taxi trade of being reluctant to adopt new ways of checking vehicles using an app.

But others like Labour Cllr Faraz Ahmad, have said the council must avoid an ‘aggressive’ approach and instead work with taxi drivers and firms to encourage changes. Income from taxi licensing is important to council finances, so the industry needs to be nurtured, he said.

Some cabbies say more people are becoming private-hire drivers because of economic pressures. But there are too many private hire cars, not enough customers and perhaps pressures to save money or delay car repairs, some drivers believe.

In checks last November in Nelson five cabs passed the test but 11 failed. The taxis which failed were taken off the road and had to have four-monthly safety tests.

A second day of checks was held in January. Ten taxis passed but another 10 failed. Problems included tyre problems, an axle issue and other mechanical failings.

A traditional system requiring drivers to record safety checks on paper forms is open to abuse and does not ensure vehicles are physically checked, some councillors have argued. Instead mobile phone apps would force the driver to physically check different parts, it is said.

Taxi trader members have disagreed over prospective changes. Issues have included who represents local drivers and claims council officers or safety inspectors are over-officious. But these accusations has been rejected by others.

Wonder what this app stuff is all about, precisely? Video evidence that the checks have been performed, or something like that?

But I suspect an app would no more guarantee vehicle safety checks are carried out than a booking app 'ensures' passenger safety

Really?

About as much use as a chocolate teapot.

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IDFIMH

This Council will purchase and pay the bills for mobile phones for people to do the checks I think not.

This is an extended version of yesterday's piece. Nothing new that's required reading, but there's a list of of some of the faults during the two checks

But no more light shed on how this app thingy would work, and 'ensure' safety, or whatever


Taxi safety spot checks in Lancashire town had 'unnacceptably high failure rates'

https://www.lancs.live/news/taxi-safety ... e-28664008

Out of 20 vehicles examined in January, only 10 passed the tests

New steps to improve taxi safety in Pendle are being recommended, after more spot-checks revealed problems including faults with vehicle tyres, wheel nuts, breaks, shock absorbers, oil leaks, indicators and mirrors.

A new report to councillors on Pendle Council's Taxi Licensing Committee describes 'unnacceptably high failure rates' in recent taxi safety checks. Out of 20 vehicles examined in January, only 10 passed the tests.

Councillors are now being advised to back 13 recommendations. These include taxi drivers being required to use a mobile phone app for checks when they start a shift, app and vehicle maintenance training, a review of penalty points and license reviews for breaches, and extra facilities to check taxis to cut waiting times for drivers.

And taxi driver who has lied or been 'untruthful 'about checks will have their licence reviewed by the Taxi Licensing Committee, under the recommendations. Overall, council officers believe the 13 recommendations are fair, will reward good drivers and reduce failings.

Issuing four-monthly taxi licenses is not supported because of the administration workload for the council and taxi trade. Twelve-month licences are recommended.

Taxi safety checks have been the focus of debate, and disagreement, at a series of Pendle licensing meetings and working groups in the past year or two. Previous safety spot-checks have resulted in high failure rates. Over 90 per cent of taxis failed in one past session.

Some people, including Conservative Coun Kieran McGladdery, a former licensing committee chairman, have accused the taxi trade of being reluctant to adopt new ways of checking vehicles using an app. They have said passenger safety should be paramount and Pendle's licensing committee must enforce high standards. Coun McGladdery said taxis are 'like the fourth emergency service', relied on by many people for safe travel.

However, others including Labour Coun Faraz Ahmad, have said the council must avoid an 'aggressive' approach and instead work with taxi drivers and firms to encourage changes. Income from taxi licensing is important to council finances, so the industry needs to be nurtured, he said.

On the streets, some taxi drivers have said more people are becoming private-hire drivers because of economic pressures. But there are too many private hire cars, not enough customers and perhaps pressures to save money or delay car repairs, some drivers believe.

A new report for councillors has the results of two days of spot-checks over the winter. The first was in November when taxis were checked at Norfolk Street Garage, Nelson.

Five taxis passed the test but 11 failed. Faults included a missing wheel nut, an excessively-worn anti-roll bar joint, a broken side light, a broken spring, tyres on two taxis being being below the legal limits, a leaking shocker, front brake pads below the limit, an insecure boot, an excessive oil leak and an inoperative hand brake. The taxis which failed were taken off the road and had to have four-monthly safety tests.

A second day of checks were held in January. Ten taxis passed but another ten failed. Problems included tyre problems on different vehicles, an axle issue, an insecure CV gaiter on one taxi, a split outer gaiter on another, a seatbelt which could not be used, side indicators not working on two taxis, fluid leaking from an engine, a tampered diesel particulate filter, a taxi with an engine management light on, a broken mirror, a jammed door and broken handle, meaning the door could not be be opened from outside; and an axle issue.

A traditional system requiring drivers to record safety checks on paper forms is open to abuse and does not ensure vehicles are physically checked, some councillors have argued. Instead, mobile phone apps would force the driver to physically check different parts, it is argued.

In addition to different views of councillors, there has been disagreement in the taxi trade. Issues have included who represents local drivers and claims that council officers or safety inspectors are heavy-handed or over-officious. But these accusations has been rejected by others.

Can't they just require periodic MoTs during the currency of the licence, or something like that?

Naive or what of course an app can be circumvented from the comfort of your settee!

the solution is simple regular checks and a 3 strikes rule for failures once revocation is a real threat they'll make sure their vehicles are up to scratch. That said things like a loose boot can't be seen unless you get right under the vehicle but tyres and bulbs etc. can.

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