Timing of taxi checks is criticised
A transport union official has criticised the council's decision to perform spot checks on taxis, causing chaos for people on nights out.
Leicester City Council and police pulled over 35 black cabs and private hire vehicles last Friday night to check they were road-worthy.
It was suggested that some black cabs left the city after hearing of the checks, leaving party-goers struggling to find a way home.
Gurpal Singh, vice chairman of the Leicester and Rutland Branch of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) said the spot checks, should not have been performed on such a busy night of the year.
He said: "We at the RMT are very sorry to the general public for the situations they had to face during the weekend.
"All our drivers were operating as normal but due to the busy weekend and enforcement checks, it gives very unsatisfying results to the taxi trade in Leicester."
Mr Singh suggested the checks should have been carried out during the week to cause less disruption and have a less negative effect on trade.
Adrian Russell, director of environmental services for the city council, defended the timing, saying it was necessary to do it at busy periods when the most taxis were in operation.
The council would not say if it plans to carry out similar checks this weekend.
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