Taxi Driver Online

July 2008 Nick Jones talks about shaking up Buses and cracking down on the stretch Limo industry.

Traffic plans target bus and stretch limo issues

Jul 8 2008 by Ben Glaze, Western Mail

THE man charged with keeping Wales’ buses running on time today sets out his plans for improving reliability and safety on the network.

In an interview with the Western Mail, Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones says:

One of the reasons buses run late is Wales’ mountains; he supports bus lanes and other traffic management schemes; he is cracking down on the stretch limousine industry.

Mr Jones was appointed 14 months ago to ensure buses in Wales are safe, on time and there is fair competition in the market,

He said one of the reasons services ran late in rural areas was geography.

“Wales is a beautiful country but the fact that it has got hills and its topography clearly make transport difficult,” said the Commissioner.

“Because of the nature of the Valleys there are some instances where there may be roadworks which are more difficult to bypass and it’s difficult sometimes to configure the buses.

“In a city it’s easier to bring in extra buses to cater for a bus falling behind. But then cities have their own problems.

“My role is to understand some of the problems and to listen.”

He said the issue was highlighted in the “huge geographical area” of Mid Wales, which was sometimes omitted from bus monitoring because of its sparse population and few services.”

Mr Jones added: “In parts of Wales we have operators who have gone a number of years without coming across Vosa (Vehicle Operator and Standards Agency), so there has been no form of regulatory action for some time.”

He believed some firms may have been untested for more than a decade, adding: “In my view the public needs to be satisfied that vehicles are safe.”

He admitted maintaining buses to a high standard was “expensive” and that there was “a significant competitive advantage in breaking the rules”.

But Mr Jones promised: “I’m here to ensure there’s a level playing field and I will take action against those who flout the law and in doing so I will protect those who comply with the rules.”

He said the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision to fund extra officials to help monitor bus reliability meant the situation was better in Wales than the other area for which Mr Jones has responsibility, the West Midlands.

“Those that are unreliable (in the West Midlands) aren’t being brought to task because they haven’t had bus monitors,” said Mr Jones.

“In Wales they aren’t able to get away with it. If an operator isn’t complying with the timetable they will be caught out.”

A Transport Bill being debated in Westminster is likely to give Transport Commissioners extra powers if it becomes law.

Mr Jones supports traffic management schemes, including bus lanes on certain routes, some of which cross several local authority boundaries.

He said: “This (Bill) will enable it to come further up the agenda because in many instances if people put their minds to it, if a bus lane is needed, they will put one in.”

He said the new legislation could include a power for Traffic Commissioners to advise councils on major road schemes, such as installing bus lanes, but described it as the “ultimate sanction” which would be used “very, very rarely”.

He said: “I could use that power if there is a desperate need for some sort of traffic management measure.”

But he stressed elected representatives would have the final say.

Mr Jones is also spearheading a crackdown on unlicensed stretch limousines.

He said a safety campaign in the US five years ago, which included tighter regulation and safety checks, forced many of the vehicles off American roads.

He fears some were shipped to Britain where the novelty value of hiring a limousine for the night was just taking off.

“A lot of vehicles are inherently dangerous. Many people have chosen to operate outside the law,” said Mr Jones.

“Across England and Wales 10 years ago there were four stretch limousines.

“Now one senior policeman has told me there are 40,000. A lot are unregulated and illegal.

“A large number are here because they were deemed unsafe to run in America.”
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How did we miss this?

Limo firm fined for serving booze

Jan 24 2008 by Wayne Nowaczyk, Pontypridd Observer

OFFICIALS turned “party-poopers” when they became the first council in Wales to sue a limousine firm for serving alcohol to revellers without a licence.

They acted after a tip-off from their counterparts in Cardiff about the trips from Rhondda Cynon Taff to the capital.

In November 2006, they covertly booked their own night out – and it cost Judges bar, and stretch limo boss, Mario Polledri, a six month conditional discharge and £550 in court costs.

Mr Polledri, who owns Marpol Vehicles of Cwmbach and Judges in Aberdare, admitted the offence but insisted he had not received the council’s warning letter about alcohol provision on such trips.

He pointed out alcohol – like the three bottles of Perry given on the test purchase – was strictly for consumption inside the vehicle.

The businessman’s solicitor said the booze supplied was an infrequent courtesy gesture rather than supply for profit under what was a grey area in the law.

Aberdare court heard that the huge stretch vehicles with their bright lights and enthusiastic customers are becoming an increasingly regular site on the county’s roads.

An excellent way to celebrate a special occasion, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council remains committed to supporting such firms as they provide services to the community.

However, the only way such businesses can provide a valuable service to residents is if they are operating in a safe, legal and licensed way.

As such, the prosecution said, it was important the authority stepped into action after the tip off and sent a letter to the owners of all such businesses informing them of the law, why it was so important, how they could fulfil their responsibilities and the assistance on hand from specialist licensing officers.

At the time of booking, officers were informed alcohol would be supplied during the journey and that arrangements needed to be made with the firm in advance if more was needed.

They also signed an agreement featuring a clause that made it clear the alcohol supplied in the limo could not be consumed outside the vehicle or removed from it.

Magistrates focused on the length of time it had taken for the case to come to court before considering sentencing.

Councillor Paul Cannon, cabinet member for communities, said: “This is an important case and, once again, Rhondda Cynon Taf is leading the way when it comes to protecting residents by being the first to secure a conviction.

“These vehicles are very popular, great fun and provide a welcome service to the community. Licensing officers are not here to spoil fun but to ensure residents are protected and those who are in a position of authority are aware of their legal responsibilities and what they need to do to prevent offending.

“In this case, we had no choice but to prosecute, but maintain our stance that prevention is better than cure and we urge anyone, who needs a licence, to work with our expert office to ensure their business is safe, legal and licensed.

“If you can attain those three things, you become a credit to the community, a firm of standing and your trade will grow as a result.”
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I did a funeral with another operator last week. He asked me about alcohol and I said that a license was required. He then told me that his licensing officer told him that provided the customer paid seperatly for any alcohol and he didn't make a profit then he didn't need a license. I think he either misunderstood or the licensing officer was wrong.

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Grandad,