Taxi Driver Online

Nothing much in the way of concrete examples from the association here - most obviously, that drivers are actually out of work because of delays.

On the other hand, very crude PR statement from the council at the end, which comprehensively avoids saying anything specific, other than what the kind of stuff you might read in a commercial advert - what we hope to do, as opposed to what we actually do.

(Except that the council specifically denies the claim that staff verbally abused licence holders. Which certainly seems a bit odd, but again it would be interesting to read what precisely the association is claiming here.)


Dudley Taxi Association threaten strike action over council treatment

https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/ ... treatment/


Chairman of the Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association, Imran Shafiq, outside Dudley Council House with Vice Chairmen, Mohammed Ali and Abdul Qadus (Image: Abdul Qadus/Stourbridge News)

THE VICE Chairman of a taxi driver’s association has warned that drivers are considering strike action over “horrendous” treatment from the local authority.

Abdual Qadus from the Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association has slammed Dudley Council over the treatment of taxi drivers across the borough.

The former Chairman of the association said drivers have reported being “verbally abused” by members of the council’s Licensing Department and are facing “unacceptable” waiting times for applications.

Dudley Council said it has not received any reports of verbal abuse by staff members.

“The department is understaffed, it’s in chaos”, Mr Qadus said. “It’s horrendously low quality.

“We expect a professional service to be provided from the fees we pay, but it’s become very hostile.

“Professional standards are not being met.”

Mr Qadus said the council is “making promises it isn't honouring”, referring to an online portal that would streamline the process of applying for, paying for and renewing taxi licenses that he says was promised “years ago”.

He said no reasons have been given as to the project’s delay.

Despite having requested meetings with the Head of the Licensing Department, Leader of the Council and the council’s CEO for “months”, he said he has had nothing confirmed.

“We’ve pleaded for help, but now we’re demanding,” Mr Qadus said.

“We’re considering starting a petition and balloting for strike action.

“Applications are taking months to process when they should be taking seven days.

“It’s having a massive impact on the livelihoods of drivers – this is their bread and butter.

“They can’t work without a licence.

“Drivers’ voices are not being listened to, and the council are grinding their teeth and dragging their feet.”

In response to the claims, Councillor Phil Atkins, Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure at Dudley Council, said: “We are not aware of any accusations of verbal abuse by staff and would always investigate if we received any such reports.

“We have seen an increase in applications for both licensed private hire and hackney carriage hire over the last year and are working as hard as possible to process these.

"We acknowledge that the process is not always as quick as we'd like and we are working to address this, however, driver and vehicle licence expiries have and will always remain our priority as we believe that drivers who rely on their licence as an income should not be disadvantaged.

“We are currently piloting a new computer system which will allow applicants and licence holders to upload documents, submit renewal requests and applications, and manage their licences remotely. We hope to launch this in the spring.

“We try and give drivers the best possible access to our services and have several contact methods from telephone (including a separate vehicle booking line), voicemail, email and in person at our offices at Lister Road, where during office hours no appointments are necessary.”