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Council licenses vehicles not fit for purpose!!
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Author:  Fae Fife [ Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Council licenses vehicles not fit for purpose!!
TAXI BOSSES SLAMMED OVER CAB STANDARDS

A LOCAL councillor has slammed two local taxi operators whom she feels has tarnished the reputation of Levenmouth cab drivers.

David Goodsir, operating A1 Coaches and Mohammed Khalid, operating as Murray's Taxis, both had a number of vehicles fail the annual taxi-private hire car inspections.

At last week's central Fife area regulation sub-committee meeting, outgoing Methilhill councillor Joyce Smith was left reeling by the results.
She said: "I want to express my utter disgust.

"I have proudly boasted in the past that Levenmouth taxis are the best in Fife. I'm incandescent with rage.

"We need to take action and suspend their licences."

Fife Council's fleet maintenance manager Phil Grubb was disheartened by the test results and believes the system may have to be tightened.

He said: "I'd like to express my disappointment in the down turn in passes this year.

"We may have to look at removing the eight-year rule exemption for mini-buses.

"Some of the vehicles being used by taxi operators are old Fife Council vehicles which were deemed not fit for purpose.

"The exemption was put in place because newer mini-buses can cost as much as £20-30,000.

"The other thing we're looking at is whether taxis should be no older than three to five years."

On punishments, Mr Grubb doesn't believe suspending or revoking a licence will necessarily work.

He explained: "If we suspend or revoke the licence, the operator can appeal that decision, which can take a long time, and they can carry on their business as normal.

"We can carry out random tests up to five times a year to keep them on their toes and they have to pay for the tests, so it's in their interest to keep their vehicles in check."

Departing Leven councillor Harry Blyth also expressed his disappointment and successfully moved that Mr Goodsir and Mr Khalid appear before the committee to explain themselves.

He said: "I am fairly dismayed by this. They should appear before the committee so we have an opportunity to let them know how serious we feel this is."

After, one of Levenmouth's main taxi operators, Pete Meldrum, hoped there would be adequate consultation before any proposed changes.

He said: "If they are proposing to change the age limit on cars, I hope they have some consultation with owners about that.

"I'm not saying I'm for or against it. It is not really down to the age of the vehicle but how the operator services it.

"Perhaps the council needs to look at operators who don't have proper facilities for servicing their vehicles. These are the people they should come down hard on.

"I am disappointed this could have an effect on the image of Levenmouth taxi operators.

"The council comes out to see some of these operators every three or four months but it isn't working. But I don't know what the answer is."
Author:  TDO [ Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Council licenses vehicles not fit for purpose!!
Fae Fife wrote:
We may have to look at removing the eight-year rule exemption for mini-buses.

"Some of the vehicles being used by taxi operators are old Fife Council vehicles which were deemed not fit for purpose.


And after the Fife taxi trade has finished with them they're sent to Lewes, licensed as PH and used to do school contracts in Brighton :badgrin:



Quote:
"Perhaps the council needs to look at operators who don't have proper facilities for servicing their vehicles. These are the people they should come down hard on.


Yes, all taxi drivers should have a garage in their back garden :roll:

What do you bet this guy has some sort of garage?

Maybe a Scottish version of Mr T? :shock:
Author:  Sussex [ Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well at least it looks like in some small part of the UK councillors have made the LO wake up and do his job.

Let's hope that particular virus spreads. :-s
Author:  Fae Fife [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
I take it you're being sarcastic Sussex?

As the article says, minibuses were exempted from the age rule and the council allowed their old "not fit for purpose" minibuses be relicensed as taxis - councillors decide policy, so I would blame them rather than council employees.

In my book it's coucillors who cause most of the problems, and even assuming they do anything about them then they shouldn't be given credit for cleaning up a mess of their own making.

Obviously they'll always try to spin it to make it look as if they're riding to the rescue, but since you seem quite cyncical about the powers that be then presumably you see through all this?
Author:  gusmac [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fae Fife wrote:
In my book it's coucillors who cause most of the problems


Same everywhere. :sad: Industry controlled by people who dont work in it or understand it. and for the most part dont give a sh*t about it.
Author:  Fae Fife [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
Unless it's a way for them to get good newspaper headlines.

For example, one ex-licensing councillor seemed to have her head in the clouds and was preoccupied with other things such as a rail link for St Andrews (there's no rail station) and blabbering on about a "world class" service.

Meanwhile, they're allowing "unfit for purpose" minibuses to be relicensed as taxis :x
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fae Fife wrote:
I take it you're being sarcastic Sussex?

As if. :roll: :roll:
Author:  JD [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:49 am ]
Post subject: 
gusmac wrote:
Fae Fife wrote:
In my book it's coucillors who cause most of the problems


Same everywhere. :sad: Industry controlled by people who dont work in it or understand it. and for the most part dont give a sh*t about it.


Theres a great deal of truth in that statement. You make a good case for change but you're pizzing against the wind telling that to the likes of the NTA GMBU and the T&G.

Regards

JD
Author:  JD [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Council licenses vehicles not fit for purpose!!
[quote="Fae Fife"]TAXI BOSSES SLAMMED OVER CAB STANDARDS

A LOCAL councillor has slammed two local taxi operators whom she feels has tarnished the reputation of Levenmouth cab drivers.

David Goodsir, operating A1 Coaches and Mohammed Khalid, operating as Murray's Taxis, both had a number of vehicles fail the annual taxi-private hire car inspections.
______________________________

Is every cab expected to pass first time in Fife? Unlike every other licesning authority perhaps they don't have re-tests up there?

Regards

JD
Author:  Fae Fife [ Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Council licenses vehicles not fit for purpose!!
JD wrote:
Is every cab expected to pass first time in Fife? Unlike every other licesning authority perhaps they don't have re-tests up there?



The article is about another part of Fife, but I suspect the owners both have a small fleet - 5 to 10 cars or so - and quite a few of them failed.

Dundee revoked quite a few plates from individual owners who failed the test badly, but it would have to be a few serious faults, and not just some dodgy paintwork or whatever.
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