Taxi Driver Online

Burnley taxi drivers must pass customer service course

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/burnley/3699049.Burnley_taxi_drivers_must_pass_customer_service_course/


TAXI drivers have been told to put customers first after a controversial scheme to put cabbies on a course was approved.

Furious Burnley drivers have been protesting against plans to force them to take a BTEC course teaching them how to be ‘better’ at their jobs, including opening doors and helping passengers with their shopping.

However, senior councillors in Burnley Council’s executive ignored the pleas and have approved the proposals.

It means all cabbies in the borough will have to pass the test by October 2011 - and some will even begin training in November.

Coun Roger Frost, who has responsibility for taxi licencing, said: “These new measures are about customer safety and service - it is as simple as that.

“This council wants to ensure our taxi drivers are aware of how they can improve their service through the correct treatment of their customers, from helping with bags to giving the best value route to the customer’s destination.

“This council will support taxi drivers through these changes. We have said this all along and even negotiated a free, locally delivered training course, as we were listening to taxi drivers’ concerns.

“However, it seems perfectly reasonable to expect all drivers to know where key destinations are and how best to get to them, and for them to be professional and help passengers who need help.”

However, angry cabbies continue to disagree with tough-talking councillors over the proposals.

Last month, taxi drivers invaded Burnley Town Hall during a full council meeting to protest about the course.

Mohammed Arif, chairman of Burnley’s private hire association, said: “Clearly to fail this test would lead to loss of earnings and hardship.”

Taxi drivers will now undertake the training through a consultancy contracted by Burnley Council.

It follows opposition to plans to send cabbies to Runshaw College, in Leyland, to take the course and the refusal of Burnley College to offer the training.

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