Legislation Has Not Kept Up For Electronic Hiring Of Taxis And Private Hire Services GMB Drivers Tell London Assembly Transport Committee 

Fares for some operators are too low leading to a churn of drivers who cannot make ends meet so a minimum living fare for London needs to be part of new legislation GMB tells committee.

GMB Professional Driver’s Branch on 17th September submitted at presentation to the London Assembly Transport Committee which is investigating how taxi and private hire services help moving passengers around the capital, how they mesh with other forms of transport, and how they might change to provide a better service in the future. See notes to editors for copy of full GMB written presentation.

Some of the points Steve Garelick, Branch Secretary Professional Driver’s branch, will cover at the Committee hearing are as follows: “On technology legislation has not really kept up and as a result the law is unclear for hiring and provision of passenger transportation electronically. 

As things now stand it is possible to sign up as a driver without any real checks. This is not only dangerous it is disastrous. 

We believe that all legitimate London licensees should be provided with an annual licence logo for their website or app to not only endorse that they are legitimate but to help the public make an informed decision. 

We propose that all Operators are able to show clear proof of contributing to or paying appropriate UK taxes. 

On fares those of some operators are ridiculously low. This leads to a churn of drivers as many cannot make ends meet. A minimum living fare for London needs to be implemented and be part of legislation.”


http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/update-taxi-and-private-hire-laws-for-public-safety

--------------------------------------------
FIFE.

Taxi operators in Fife have been warned of severe repercussions if they fail to keep their vehicles up to standard.

Members of Fife Council’s regulation and licensing committee say further random testing and the possibility of stripping licences could be pursued if taxis in the region are not maintained properly.

It follows the publication of two reports, one showing that 6% of taxis in the Kirkcaldy area failed initial mechanical tests, while another revealed 10 out of 14 taxis in Levenmouth and west Fife failed random inspections.

Meeting in Glenrothes this week, Councillor Bob Young, chairman of the committee, said he is concerned by the findings. 

“When I read the report I was really disappointed,” he said. “It is a significant number of failures and the type of them is also worrying. 

“I think that one vehicle had seven faults and when it was retested it failed again.

“When you look at the figures I know that it is nine vehicles out of 142 but it is the kind of failures that concern me.”

A major effort to improve vehicle standards in East Fife this year resulted in a substantial hike in retest costs — up to £100 from £26.
A strict retesting regime was also approved, in a bid to improve standards throughout the region.

Among the faults found on taxis in west Fife were an inoperable horn, poorly performing handbrakes and worn components. 

In Kirkcaldy, one vehicle had as many as nine faults, while issues included chipped windscreens, oil leaks and missing fire extinguishers.

It was agreed by members to allow the committee chairman, Mr Young, and vice-chairman, Councillor Tom Adams, to speak to operators in the Kirkcaldy area, instead of bringing them before the full committee.

Mr Adams said: “What do we do here? I think that retesting in north-east Fife had the desired effect.

“We need to get the message across but this is not north-east Fife, which has been bad. In Kirkcaldy things have normally been a lot better.”

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/fife-s-taxi-operators-told-to-improve-standards-1.581565
------------------------------------------------

Warwick University’s Student’s Union has expressed its anger that students’ safety is being put at risk due to them being regularly refused taxi journeys. 

The union recently undertook a study following a series of reports that students were being refused taxi journeys - the practice of which is illegal.

Of the 492 students who responded to the survey, 59 per cent said they had been refused with half of them saying this had taken place in Leamington.

This often leaves them to walk home in the early hours of the morning.

Rob Ankcorn, the sabbatical officer leading the campaign, said: “These shocking results reveal that some taxis are regularly breaking the law. By refusing short journeys, taxis are putting young people in danger. 

“This is not just a problem for our students, but for young people in general. 

“While we appreciate that not all taxi companies are to be tarnished with the same brush, we are working closely with councils and local politicians to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour.”

Marianne Rolfe, the regulatory manager for Warwick District Council, has said the authority is extremely concerned about the results of the survey and does not condone the “unfair practices” described.

She said when such behaviour is reported to the council it is fully investigated and the appropriate action is taken.

She added: “We have created a Driver and Operator Forum where the representatives of the regulatory section, the police, taxi trade and the public are working together to improve standards. We’re working together to ensure that these kinds of practises do not take place.”


http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/news/local-news/warwick-student-union-s-anger-at-taxi-drivers-who-refuse-journeys-to-students-1-6307332