Taxi Driver Online

Taxi plan met with driver fears

TAXI drivers in Redditch fear they could be forced out of business after the borough council agreed to change their vehicle licensing regulations.

At a meeting of the social overview and scrutiny committee on Monday (July 5) councillors recommended imposing age limits on taxis licensed for the first time, and additional safety checks for older vehicles.

The proposed changes mean hackney carriage or private hire taxis must be under five years old when they are first registered. Vehicles more than eight years old will be subject to two safety checks a year with those more than ten years old requiring three tests every 12 months. Taxis more than 12 years old will no longer be licensed.

The move follows a random inspection by police and council officials in February which revealed 16 of the 20 vehicles tested were found to have safety faults.

The proposed guidelines will come into effect at the start of next year if approved by the full council. A review of the scheme will take place in January 2006.

But chairman of the Redditch Taxi Association Araf Mohammad warned the changes could see many drivers lose their livelihood.

"Most drivers have recently updated their vehicles without knowing about these restrictions," he said.

"If they face having to upgrade again they won't be able to afford it."

Mr Mohammad said while he supported moves to make the fleet safer, revoking the licence of drivers who failed to maintain their cars would be more effective.

Council leader David Cartwright said the safety of passengers was paramount in any decision taken, but there was time for drivers to voice their concerns.

"What we don't want to do is jeopardise the livelihood of drivers - age is one way of ensuring the vehicle is safe, but if there are others they clearly need to be looked at," he said.

Must be less than five years, is that so bad?
If they can only afford sheds, then they should up their prices, or sweep the streets.

See no problems with the new restrictions,more councils going along these lines,and why not.
Safer for the customers and the drivers/operators.
The ones that think they cannot afford this,should not be in the business.
Business will find a level playing field,regarding the new procedures.
Businesses that look tatty,lose their customers,businesses that take a pride in their appearances,keep and expand their custom base.

Logic prevails.

Rich Bitch.

Oh dear me Rich Bitch.

Since when has logic ever prevailed in this trade. There is always some prat prepared to cut his own throat just to spite his competitors.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

As far as I can tell they'll only have to 'upgrade' if their car is over 12 years old!

And I thought my manor was bad

Now if the gov acted and gave us a set of proper national minimum standards, then we wouldn't have idiots trying to defend s*** heaps.

It reminds me of other sections of our trade, that take and take out of it, but fight, moan and sulk when they have to put back in.

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IDFIMH

they want to try here 5 year age limit if exceptional condition 6year, minium of 14'6'' long and various other e.g length from backseat to dashboard, width of back seat

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magic on the pitch (hhmm)

In Swansea and Birmingham, all newly licensed cars must be brand new.