LONDON TfL Crackdown

Interesting comments from Carles Walker (Cons) M.P. I missed this, somehow, on July 15.

Throughout the first 21 days of TfL’s ongoing crackdown, it has advised 2,625 private hire vehicle drivers to move on and keep the roads clear; reported 151 for not having a badge; reported a further 999 for not wearing their badge; issued 439 parking tickets; reported 15 private hire vehicle drivers for plying for hire; and reported 210 for parking on taxi ranks.

Those are impressive numbers, but I am afraid they are not backed up by impressive sanctions. For example, the 151 drivers reported for not having a badge were prevented from working for the remainder of the evening. Did they stop? I doubt it. Are the sanctions I have just listed a deterrent to illegality? Of course not. In New York just a few weeks ago, they seized 500 Uber vehicles for breaking the law, but that does not happen in London.

Into this maelstrom of collective regulatory failure rides Uber. Of course, a lot of PR nonsense is being talked about Uber and its “disruptive” technology changing the face of travel in London. 
Disruptive technology sounds glamorous and exciting, and if I had a choice I would always prefer to have my activities identified as being disruptive, as opposed to borderline illegal. In reality, all Uber is doing is equipping another fleet of barely regulated and unqualified drivers to ply their trade in the capital, with little or no thought given to how the drivers it enables conduct themselves.

To be fair, who can blame Uber’s savvy business leaders for recognising lax to non-existent regulatory enforcement and then exploiting it? What is the downside? There is none, because the rules are not enforced, but they should be because they say that only licensed black cabs can operate a meter. “To hell with that,” says Uber: “We’ll operate a meter but cunningly, like Baldrick, not call it a meter.” The rules say that private hire firms must have physical premises. “We’ll ignore that rule, too,” says Uber. The rules say cars for private hire must be pre-booked via an office. “No, that’s one not for us either,” says Uber. The rules say that private hire firms must have systems in place to protect customer and driver data. “So what?” says Uber, “Who’s going to check up on that?”

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2015-07-15a.1051.0
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 RIBBLE VALLEYTAXI drivers would see changes to gaining a licence under new plans being debated by Ribble Valley Borough Council.

The new rules would mean drivers of private and hackney cabs would no longer have to pass a Steering To Success course before a licence is granted.

Instead all drivers would have to pass the DVSA taxi-driving test before being given a licence and must pass a Level 2 NVQ in road passenger vehicle driving within 12 months of the licence being granted.

Marshall Scott, chief executive at the council, said the new requirements would improve a significant amount of areas.

He said: “It would provide a practical driving and wheelchair assessment prior to issue of a licence and they would require a higher level of maths and English. It includes more detailed knowledge of disability issues.

“It will contain assessment on safety requirements and maintenance of the vehicle and assessment on knowledge of the legislation applicable to private-hire and hackney-carriage drivers, operators and vehicles.”

In a letter submitted to the council about changes to taxi licences following a consultation, one respondent said there had been critical responses to the current course.

He said: “Any new applicant currently wishing to apply for a private-hire badge cannot commence a Steering To Success course until early September.

“The course will complete in December meaning that they will have to wait months to commence employment.”

Jason Walker, manager at Tiger Taxis, said that the new changes might not solve all the problems. He said: “It takes two to three months to book the taxi test because the waiting list is so big. They should bring back the temporary licences which allowed drivers to work while getting their proper licences.

“They still have the regular driving licences. They are allowed to drive on the road. They should be able to earn money sooner than they are now. I agree with having some form of test. Language and area knowledge are important to the job but having to wait so long can put people off.”

The DVSA test would cost approximately £75 and the NVQ test £150, both having to be paid for by the driver. The council’s decision will be made tomorrow.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/13718801.Ribble_Valley_taxi_drivers____to_improve_thanks_to_new_tests___/?ref=rss
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