The reforms are included in the Government’s Deregulation Bill, which will be voted on by MPs on June 23.
The Government’s proposed reforms to the taxi and minicab trade will enable people without a minicab license drive one when it is “off duty”, end annual checks on drivers’ licences, and allow minicab operators to subcontract bookings to firms in other areas.
Campaigners, industry bodies and unions are among those who have warned the proposed changes could have “severe safety implications”.
Coventry South MP Mr Cunningham said: “At present minicabs in Coventry are driven by people who have undergone criminal, medical and background checks with Coventry City Council.
"But the Government are threatening to remove these safeguards, and let anyone drive an off duty minicab.
“I know many people in my constituency, particularly women and those with impaired mobility, rely on taxis and minicabs to get home safely.
"I’m worried the plans will increase the number of rogue drivers on the city’s roads. I’m calling on the Government to abandon these proposals and put passenger safety first.”
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which campaigns for better personal safety, has also raised concerns that enabling anyone to drive a licensed minicab will provide “greater opportunity for those intent on preying on women”, while the Local Government Association has also called for the plans to be scrapped.
Shadow roads minister Richard Burden added: “The Government’s changes to taxi and minicab law are poorly drafted, badly consulted on and could result in real risks to safety.”
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-mp-says-taxi-reforms-7278097
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BLACKBURN
A TAXI boss has failed in his legal bid to force Blackburn with Darwen council to licence his white car as a hackney taxi which can pick up customers from the street.
Charles Oakes was furious the borough would not approve his white ‘Eurocab’ Peugeot E7 unless it was repainted, or licensed as a private hire vehicle only entitled to carry pre-booked fares.
Before the case, the council’s licensing committee confirmed its policy that all hackney carriages, other than two specified ‘London taxi cab’ designs, must be black.
Last week Judge Anthony Russell at Preston Crown Court dismissed Mr Oakes appeal.
Now the chairman of the Bolton-based Hackney Carriage Association is considering taking the council to the High Court in Manchester asking for a judicial review.
Council environment boss Jim Smith said: “We are very pleased the court agreed with the licensing sub-committee’s decision to refuse this application to licence a white, non-London style hackney carriage”.
Now the council faces further legal action from Mr Oakes and anger from Blackburn Taxi Association over new bodywork standards for the borough’s black cabs being debated tonight.
Blackburn with Darwen’s licensing committee will discuss the proposed regulations when it meets in the town hall. Taxi association vice-chairman Mohammed Mangera said: “We are pleased at the court decision on the taxi colour rules.
“However we are concerned at the proposed new bodywork regulations. They seem to be based on London taxis which cover many more miles. They would be unnecessary and too expensive from Blackburn drivers to afford.”
Licensing committee chairman John Wright said: “Everybody is unhappy at the current bodywork regulations which are difficult to administer.
“We have consulted the taxi trade and will debate new proposals before making a recommendation to coun Smith.” Mr Oakes said: “I am very disappointed about the court decision on my white taxi. Other councils approve different colours.
“Blackburn with Darwen council is stuck in the past. I am taking legal advice on a judicial review.
“This is not finished.
“The borough needs new bodywork standards but not ones based on London.”
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NOTTINGHAM
A demonstration by around 400 Hackney carriage drivers in Nottingham this morning caused chaos during the rush hour.
The drivers were protesting about a row over private hire vehicles picking up passengers in the street.
They say the number of unbooked private cars picking up passengers is growing, which the council disputes.
Many people tweeted their frustration about the delays.
http://www.itv.com/news/central/2014-06-17/taxi-strike-causes-delays-in-nottingham/
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