LAST WEEK IN PALIAMENT
Diana R. Johnson Labour, Kingston upon Hull North
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2020 to Question 90961 on Cars: Hire Services, and the Prime Minister's statement on covid-19 measures on 22 September 2020, whether it is now mandatory for private hire and taxi drivers to wear face coverings at all times when working.
Rachel Maclean Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Face coverings are now mandatory for customers using taxi and private hire vehicle services, unless they are exempt from wearing one. Face coverings are not mandatory for drivers.
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3rd SEISS Grant
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A man who trains city cabbies has hit out at Glasgow City Council’s decision to delay the introduction of a mandatory driver certificate by seven months, describing it as as “seriously flawed”.
Ross Blyth, head of Roadtrain Glasgow, is warning the authority will receive an influx of Taxi complaints as he fears drivers will fail to meet professional standards having not sat mandatory exams.
A committee held on Wednesday ruled that the certificate - named the introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver at SCQF level five - will be delayed until April due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The professional certificate examines drivers on nine mandatory units, including workplace health and safety, safety in transportation of passengers, professional customer service, maintenance and safety of the licensed vehicle, mobility and wheelchair assistance, routes and fares, transportation of luggage and parcels, safe transportation of school age children and licensing regulations.
Anyone wishing to become a taxi driver for the first time can still access the £400 qualification. But the issue has arisen for existing taxi drivers – who are obliged to sit the exam every three years with the renewal of their license badge.
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A NUMBER of Oldham taxi drivers are breaching regulations to combat coronavirus by gathering and socialising near a secondary school.
The Oldham Times was informed of the activities of the taxi drivers by a resident near to Oasis Academy in Hollins Road.
The drivers, from different local taxi firms, are parking in Mill Gate near to the rear goods entrance to the school, where restricted parking for two hours is permitted.
The Oldham Times observed three men in one of the vehicles with a Z Cars logo on the door. After approaching the driver, we asked him if they were from the same household and he said they were not.
He was then asked if he was aware that what they were doing was against the Covid regulations. He just shrugged and said: "We're just talking."
We understand there has been a longstanding tendency for taxi drivers to congregate at that location.
An Oldham Council spokesman said: “Everyone needs to follow the Coronavirus guidance that has been put in place to stop the spread, stay safe and save lives.
“You cannot socialise with anyone who does not live in your house, unless they are part of your support bubble.
“Oldham Council Licensing Team will investigate this incident.”
The Oldham Times has forward images taken at the scene to the town hall's licensing department as requested by the authority.
No-one was available for comment at Z Cars.
https_www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk
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