20 Mar 2008
Bramley cabbie angry at disability training fee
Angry Bramley cabbie Harry Broxholme has blasted the council after being
forced to fork out for a training course – or face losing his licence.
Mr Broxholme, 63, says taxi drivers across Leeds are furious after being
told to pay £40 for a Disability Discrimination Awareness Training course,
which could also mean losing a day's work.
But Leeds City Council say they are legally required to provide the
training, adding that anyone who fails to turn up without good reason faces
losing their licence.
Mr Broxholme, who has been in the trade for 28 years, said: "We are all
really mad. I will do my bit, but why should I have to pay?"
The Hackney Carriage driver added: "We have been told that committees
have agreed it. But who? I have never been asked about this."
The course runs from 10am to 12 noon, then from 1pm to 3pm.
"I will have to have a day off work for this so I will lose about £120 as a
day driver. I don't know how the night lads will do it because if they have
to be up all day, they won't be able to work a night shift as well."
A Leeds City Council spokesman said: "The Disability Discrimination Act
requires councils to provide awareness training to anyone who provides a
service to disabled users and by their very nature, private hire and taxi
drivers are at the forefront of service provision.
"The training is also vital if we are to improve what we do.
"The course was designed with input from the taxi associations who
represent all drivers in Leeds and is being provided at cost. The original
charge of £80 has also been lowered.
"We regard a cost of £40 to be perfectly reasonable for a full day's
training which will give drivers additional and valuable skills.
"Drivers were given a choice of dates to attend to allow them to fit in the
training around their own work schedules.
"Those who don't show up or decline without good reason may have their
licence revoked, but we believe this is a reasonable and proportional
measure to enforce the legal requirements of the Act.
"We are pleased that the vast majority of licenced drivers and operators
have signed up to the training."
Source: Bramley Today
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