Wigan Council could face scrutiny from a national watchdog after a taxi organisation slammed the slow pace of bringing in fare rises.

Charles Oakes, a director of the Hackney Drivers’ Association, has prepared a report for the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) over how charging more for black cab journeys has been handled in the borough.

Mr Oakes said it was “ridiculous” that it is now almost a year since the HDA applied to the authority for the 20p increase on all trips following years of fare freezes.

He claimed drivers are still some way off seeing the necessary increases in their bank accounts as, despite the licensing committee’s approving the move, any further objections may still need scrutinising.

The council has apologised for the delays but says things were now moving forward.

Mr Oakes, however, said he also intended to seek financial redress for drivers who could have received extra money already had the town hall acted more speedily.

He said: “We applied back in autumn 2017 to slightly increase the rates in Wigan because the drivers haven’t had a fare rise for a number of years. It is absolutely ridiculous that this has still not gone through. These are people’s livelihoods.

“I don’t think waiting nearly 12 months for a fare increase is reasonable. We’ve had all sorts of excuses, including report deadlines being missed and staff being off.

“It has now been sanctioned by the committee but they are duty-bound to advertise a fare increase and I’m told that hasn’t happened yet. If there are objections they then have to be heard. Meters will also have to be changed and we will have to arrange that.

“I’m also asking the ombudsman to consider compensation for drivers’ potential loss of earnings. The council wants more and more from them in terms of better-maintained vehicles, and councils and the Government want to introduce electric vehicles which are expensive and have little infrastructure for charging.

“Meanwhile the price of fuel is creeping up again as is the cost of tyres, insurance and maintenance. The council has acted totally wrongly and needs to be taken to task.”

Mark Tilley, assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services, said: “We have apologised for the slight delay in starting the consultation which ended in April.

"A report was considered by the regulation committee in June but it was felt necessary to defer the decision as representations were made at the hearing.

"At a further committee hearing in August the committee decided to approve the proposed increases and we are now moving ahead.”
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 CLEVELAND

 More than 400 instances of non-payment have been reported to Cleveland Police over the last 12 months.

On average, taxi drivers lose between £30 and £55 per week, with most fares lost on weekends when dealing with drunk or abusive customers.

Cleveland Police is now launching an initiative whereby passengers pay in advance for their journey.

The force's Assistant Chief Constable Jason Harwin said: “We’ve been working with our partners across the Cleveland Police area and identified that taxi drivers are victims of crime, including assault, racial abuse and making off without payment.

“We will treat all investigations of crime seriously and we have been talking to local taxi firms to minimise disputes and altercations.

"Taxi drivers from across our area have been encouraged to take payment up front and there will be information inside their vehicles to highlight Cleveland Police fully supports this – if you don’t want to pay up front, don’t be surprised if your journey doesn’t start.

“Under Operation Deal, we will also deliver training to our officers, so they can deal with offences against taxi drivers or companies.”

For more information on the scheme, contact council taxi licensing teams.

https://goo.gl/HHbkhJ 
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 WEST YORKSHIRE

Councils have joined forces to launch a new enforcement scheme to make taxi journeys safer by making it harder for drivers to break the law.

Six local authorities in Yorkshire will be able to take action against taxi and private hire drivers licensed in neighbouring council areas as part of the scheme.

Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale and York councils are part of the cross-border enforcement initiative to clamp down on illegal and unsafe driving.

The move means it will be easier to take action against those who operate without insurance or a licence, pick up passengers on the street who have not pre-booked and drive with vehicle defects, council bosses said.

Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, Coun Sarah Ferriby, said: “It makes absolute sense to carry out cross-border enforcement. When we travel by private hire or taxi we do not restrict our journeys to one area, so licensing authorities shouldn’t restrict how we enforce the rules around driving those vehicles.”

The six councils said they were drawing up further policies to improve driver training and make sure drivers are suitable to hold a licence.

Coun Ferriby added: “It is worth saying that the majority of taxi and private hire drivers and their vehicles are safe and comply with the law. For them this change will have no impact.

“It is those who believe that the law doesn’t apply to them, who selfishly drive without considering the safety of their passengers, who will notice a change.”
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   https://goo.gl/GNm5GH
 
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