Taxi Driver Online

August 4, 2007 Saturday

New code for cabbies

TAXI drivers in Blaenau Gwent must comply with strict new rules on dress, music and use of car horns from 5/8/07.

The first shake-up in almost 30 years to the area's licensing conditions for Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles aims to produce a smarter, less noise polluting service.

New conditions include a dress code and specify minimum standards expected from drivers.

A code of conduct includes a condition that drivers will be expected to behave in a civil and orderly manner at all times, perform routine daily vehicle checks, and not cause a nuisance to passengers by playing loud music.

The sounding of car horns when picking up passengers is now a breach of licence conditions.

The conditions have been amended following consultation with the taxi trade.

Leigh James, who owns Ebbw Vale-based Opel Taxis and Jet Cars in Tredegar, said the new code is "a good idea" though he and his staff would not have to make any changes.

"If people hear there's a dress code they might get a little bit frightened, and think they have to spend money on new clothes," he said.

"But my drivers wear jeans and T-shirt, or a long-sleeved shirt, and you're still allowed to wear those items.

"I've never had any complaints about my drivers using the horn excessively or playing loud music either.

"It's a good idea to bring out the rulebook.

Every taxi driver has terms and conditions set out when he gets the badge, but whether everyone reads them well enough I don't know."

The old conditions were introduced in 1978 and were only periodically modified.

"These new conditions will raise standards within the taxi trade. Introduction of a dress code will ensure all taxi drivers portray a better image of the valuable service they provide for the public," said licensing committee chairman councillor Derek Morris.

Anyone concerned taxi drivers may not be complying with conditions may contact the licensing team in confidence on 01495 355059.
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Sounds a bit like the one the other day who was moaning about the knowledge test.



So what aren't you allowed to wear then?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

a number of years ago a taxi driver in York, know as uncle Albert now deceased, a little accentric but a good laugh, in the days before GNER imposed a dress code, uniform was to be worn was being discussed and that it would be part of the railway rank conditions, so uncle Albert came to work in full army combat dress and balaclava, another driver came in York City football kit

Uncle Albert also did a fry up every Fri and Saturday night, in the early hours in Stn Taxis cabin, a quid for egg and bacon sambo done on a portable stove, eventually he got stopped cos they was sick of cleaning the grease from the windows of the cabin

just a day or so before he died i was round at his house having a chat, he said with dry humour i have something for you, take it home and read it, i did, it was a pamplet with the heading, "a thousand ways to cheat on income tax"