Taxi Driver Online

Three-quarters of taxis unfit for road’

A SURVEY of taxis in Hyndburn found more than three quarters of vehicles tested were unfit for the road.

The results have been described as "extremely disappointing" by council leaders and police, who said "irresponsible" taxi drivers could be putting lives at risk.

But Mohammed Arif, of the Hyndburn Taxi Association, said the "vast majority" of taxis in the area were in a good condition.

Advertisement continued...The council's vehicle maintenance team and police officers carried out safety checks on 14 private hire taxis in the borough. Just four were found to be without any mechanical defects.

Five of the vehicles (36 per cent) were in such a poor state that the operators were served with a statutory notice for the car to be removed from the road.

A further five cars were served with a default notice, which means minor faults must be rectified before further tests take place.

PC Aidan Broughton said: "We were disappointed by the high percentage of vehicles taken off the road, and feel many of the minor defects could have been easily rectified by drivers carrying out simple checks before starting their shifts."

Deputy leader Coun Brian Roberts, said: "Taxis are an important part of the public transport system and the council takes passenger safety very seriously.

"We are disappointed by the number of vehicles checked that were found defective.

"The public are putting their trust in the operators, and we hope that those concerned will take notice of this wake up call."

But Mr Arif said passen-gers need not worry about using taxis in the borough.

He added: "The vast majority of taxis are kept in an excellent condition."

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Hyndburn is restricted and as far as I understand has never had a survey?

Therefore those who say restricted councils provide better-maintained vehicles than unrestricted councils should take notice of Hyndburn and one or two other authorities?

In respect of vehicles failing, we all know that they could have failed on the slightest minor technicality and on the other hand that may not be the case. However, quality control of vehicles is down to each individual council and it is they who should shoulder a major part of the blame along with the vehicle owner for letting these vehicles lose on the public.

Regards

JD

JD,

I've been agreeing with you all week and then you go and do this post that I partially agree with

Its strange its Hyndburn, because last week I asked you to put up Hyndburn vs. Rauf & Kasim, scary really. Especially considering the people were appealing in the case because the LA wanted to improve standards

regards

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I think Peter Henderson of Burnley used to be at Hyndburn but I could be mistaken? Peter Henderson just introduced a policy based on quality controls at Burnley, as you are aware but it may be that local councillors in Hyndburn are set in their ways and are not on top of the taxi licensing situation.

We don't know the extent of the condition of these vehicles that were deemed unfit? We can imagine that at least some may have been taken off the road for having no first aid kit or fire extinguisher? However 75% is one of the highest numbers I've ever come across? lol

Regards

JD

Yes JD,

but I hardly think three quarters of the 14 tested is quite as alarming as we would be led to be believed, I can only imagine they could only be bothered to stop 14 licensed vehicles

regards

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I see? I wasn't paying attention.

For some reason I got the impression it was 75% of the whole hackney fleet? Thank you for pointing out my mistake.

Hyndburn cant have that many cabs but I know when they addressed the Government guidance they said they were adding five cabs per year for the next three years.

Here's the reference in the quota list. Good job we have this info? lol

34. Hyndburn. Issuing 5 licenses per annum over 3 years. Wav only, age limit of one year, Policy review in 2008, No Survey. Open to legal challenge.

Regards

JD

Dont worry about the not paying attention bit JD, neither was I, reading the report it appears they were private hire 'taxis'

Now what were we saying about taxis in regulated and deregulated areas?

hehe

regards

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

lol I think we better read it again. Thats what you get when you don't payattention lol

I must admit I only really read the first few lines and when I saw the word Taxis I assumed it was accurate? Anyone reading this would probably get a similar impression.

Three-quarters of taxis unfit for road’

A SURVEY of taxis in Hyndburn found more than three quarters of vehicles tested were unfit for the road.

The results have been described as "extremely disappointing" by council leaders and police, who said "irresponsible" taxi drivers could be putting lives at risk.

Regards

JD

Ditto, I was doing exactly the same.

regards

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Has this got anything to do with LOW fares??????????????????
DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY THOSE THAT TURN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

JD being polite?

No he has been in Scotland and the drinks a lot stronger here