DRIVERS with convictions for serious criminal offences will never be allowed to have a taxi licence if new Bradford Council proposals are approved.

The local authority hopes to take the steps to improve security and safety of passengers in the city, along with councils in Calderdale, Leeds, Kirklees, Wakefield and York.

The policy will also look to reduce the number of penalty points a driver may have on their licence for motoring convictions.

Members of the public will be asked to have their say on the new legislation, which will be applied to both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensed drivers who have been convicted of offences.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are working closely with our neighbouring Local Authorities to ensure a common standard for drivers across West Yorkshire.

"We believe that the introduction of a new policy will provide greater confidence for those who use hackney carriage (Taxi) and private hire vehicles and will also ensure that our passengers are as safe as possible, which is the number one priority for Bradford Council.

Licensed Operators may contract work across Council boundaries and it is therefore important we all work to the same, or similar standards, when licensing drivers in order to protect the public."

Mazar Iqbal, chairman of Bradford's Hackney Carriage Owners and Drivers Association, said he agreed with some aspects of the changes.

He said: "If someone has a criminal record for something like rape or drug dealing, which are dangerous to the public, they should not be driving a taxi."

Mr Iqbal says he does not agree with the council's proposals to ban a driver from holding a taxi licence for five years if they are caught driving while using a mobile phone.

He said this penalty is more severe than the police hand out to other motorists and called on the council to re-think their plans.

He added: "If the council says someone cannot have a licence for five years because they are caught using a mobile phone, that's someone livelihood they are taking away.

"It's very dangerous and a strict procedure.

"I'm totally against that."

https://goo.gl/emKY5P

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WEDNESBURY

 A taxi company expansion will allow them to ‘take the fight’ to Uber – and bring 100 jobs.

247 Cars’ takeover of Link Up Cars, which covers Darlaston and Wednesbury, will see the creation of new jobs up for grabs as the company pledges to take on the taxi giant.

Company director of 247 Cars, Shahzad Ali, said the company was now the ‘largest’ taxi company in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Wednesbury thanks to the deal with more than 450 vehicles.

Mr Ali, aged 41, from Birchills in Walsall, said the company was the ‘only one’ that could realistically compete in Walsall and Wolverhampton with the ‘taxi titan’ Uber.

He said: “We’ve got operations in Wolverhampton, Bilston and the rest of Black Country. We cover everywhere from Wolverhampton to Walsall.

"The job boost will result in more drivers and so if you call for a taxi, it will get to you quicker than you picking up your own car keys.

“We’re looking to take on another 100 drivers in total. Cars and help can be provided.

"If you’re employed and looking for a new challenge we will contribute towards that. I’ve been in this trade for 21 years and I’ve seen that the high street is taking a battering now.

"We can provide an affordable and reliable form of transport for people in the high street and town centres.”

Mr Ali said the company had ‘everything’ Uber had – and stressed the service was ‘more convenient’.

“We take card payments and we’ve got the driving app. And even if you don’t use the app, we text your details on the booking,” he said. 

https://goo.gl/vCv3Pd
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 RICKMANSWORTH

 Would-be taxi driver caught cheating in exam after phone blurted out directions

A prospective taxi driver was caught cheating in his exam.

A trainee taxi driver was caught cheating in an exam after his mobile phone blurted out directions.

The applicant was taking part in a knowledge test in Rickmansworth last Monday when he got stuck on the first question.

Bizarrely, he wasn’t actually caught looking at his phone.

Instead, he was rumbled because when he used his Android phone to type in an address to help him answer the question, his mobile gave him a voice instruction, which was heard by the examiner and the two other candidates.

The man was applying to become a Three Rivers District Council taxi driver.

Following the incident, his application has been refused by the council and he has been banned from sitting the knowledge test and reapplying for a driver’s licence for 12 months.

Councillor Steve Drury, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “Before people are granted a licence, they go through a rigorous screening process, which includes criminal and driving checks. They also have to show basic communication and language skills, literacy, the ability to give the correct change and their local route knowledge.

“These checks are in place to make sure people are who they say they are and so that we know when you get into a taxi, the person sitting in front of you is able to drive you to your destination safely.“

 https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/17233561.budding-three-rivers-taxi-driver-caught-cheating-in-exam/
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