(Dress code aspect of this piece was posted previously, but this from last month is mostly about vaping.)
Plymouth cabbies banned from wearing jeans - but they're still allowed to 'vape'https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/p ... ns-1388869E-cigarettes decision aims to encourage drivers to kick nicotine habit, says conservative councillorPlymouth cabbies have been banned from wearing jeans, football tops, hoodies and flip flops - but they will be still be allowed to 'vape'.
The clothing rule changes have been approved to bring in minimum standards of dress for taxi drivers.
But Plymouth City Council’s Conservatives rejected a proposal to ban e-cigarettes, which means drivers will be able to vape in their vehicles - but not when carrying passengers.
The new guidance says: "In order to maintain a pleasant environment for all passengers, the use of e-cigarettes or similar devices within the vehicle is prohibited while driving with a passenger."
abour’s Eddie Rennie told a meeting of the full council that studies had shown smoke from e-cigarettes was harmful, and the devices should be banned from the city’s Hackney carriages and private hire taxis.
He said: “I really believe it makes sense to ban all forms of cigarette smoking.”
But his amendment was defeated as the council voted to approve a new licensing policy, which also includes a dress code for drivers, training on how to be an ambassador for Plymouth, and tests in spoken English.
The ruling Conservatives said they wanted to help drivers improve their health, in a debate that was dominated by the argument over smoking e-cigarettes.
Cllr Nick Kelly said it would be “remiss” to stop drivers from vaping, adding: “Our target is very much to encourage those drivers who have a nicotine habit to try to kick it”.
Tory leader Ian Bowyer said smoke from the devices carried an extremely low risk, describing Labour’s bid to ban them at all times as “prescriptive” and “draconian”.
“At the end of the day customers can decide and they will,” he said.
Labour’s Bill Stevens said he was old enough to remember when smoking was common on all forms of public transport and how harmful that had been, adding: “I don’t want to be part of a council that puts any part of the travelling public at risk.”
His Labour colleague Christopher Mavin, meanwhile, said: “We will be exposing members of the public to these fumes. I think we should send a clear message out that this authority does not support vaping at any time, in any vehicle.”
The dress code ban is less restrictive than one originally proposed, but will still include a ban on denim trousers, open sandals and T-shirts.
Each driver must also complete a spoken English test and a safeguarding workshop before April 2019.
The new dress code includes collared shirts, collared polo shirts, collared blouses which has a full body and short or long sleeves.
Smart long-legged trousers are also permitted, alongside knee-length tailored shorts, knee-length skirt or dresses.
Additionally, taxi drivers could have their licence reviewed if they accumulate 12 penalty points or more within a rolling period of 36 months.
Hackney driver Kevin Mann said he totally agreed with the spoken English test and most of the dress code.
"Driving in flip-flops is absolutely ridiculous and I agree with the ban on hoodies," he said.
"I'm not so sure with the ban on jeans - if the taxi breaks down or you've got to change a tyre you could ruin a good pair of trousers."
The new dress code forms part of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
Unacceptable standards of clothing or footwear also includes items which are unclean or damaged.
When the new dress code was first proposed many cabbies expressed their about the changes.
Speaking at the time, Mark Down, who has been a taxi driver for 20 years and a Hackney cab driver for seven, said: "It's disgusting.
"I'm paying £550 a month for the cab, then I've got my insurance, wear and tear, servicing - they want me to wear a uniform as well? I'm struggling as it is.
"My clothes are smart, not dirty, it doesn't need changing at all. I'd feel more uncomfortable in a uniform.
"If they're [the council] insisting on it, then they've got to pay for it, or I want holiday pay. Self employed drivers can wear what they want."
Another driver Shaun Blackwell, 52, said: "I think I'm smart enough to be honest with you.
"I just think they're [the council] costing us more money - the licensing fees - everything is so expensive and now they're making us pay more out for clothing.
"To be honest with you, it's alright if they're going to pay the bill.
"I'd rather not fork out for it - we don't earn enough money as it is - thing are very quiet now compared to what it used to be like."
But John Smith, 73, who has been a cabby for 45 years on and off, thinks the dress code changes would be a positive move.
He said: "Some of the guys - I get the feedback they're not keen.
"I wear trousers rather than jeans and shirts rather than t-shirts. There are some guys saying [that] under any circumstances they wouldn't wear any kind of uniform.
Unfortunately there are a few guys out here who are distinctly scruffy and they don't reflect well on the trade or even on Plymouth."
Part of the new policy sets out that joining drivers will now undergo a spoken English test, for those whose who have difficulty understanding spoken advice.
Plymouth City Council said: "The spoken English test and new dress code are among a number of proposed changes to our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy that we consulted on in October and November.
"The proposed new policy takes into account feedback received during the consultation.
"It aims to enhance the professionalism of the service and ensure drivers are ambassadors for the city, presenting a positive image to the public and our visitors.
"There is already a dress code but it is voluntary and not followed by all drivers. If approved, the new policy will set clearer standards that we will expect all licensed drivers to meet.
"Similarly, while we assess general communication skills informally during the application process, a spoken English test would ensure new drivers are able to communicate properly with their passengers.
"Existing drivers and those who can clearly speak English well would not be required to take the test."
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