Scunthorpe taxi drivers who turn down fares will now be punished SCUNTHORPE cabbies have cautiously accepted a new points system that will punish them for refusing to take fares.
The new rules were prompted by claims some drivers were refusing to take people on short fares.
North Lincolnshire Council's Licensing Taxi Policy suggests drivers could receive eight to 12 points on their Hackney licence if they refuse fares "without a reasonable excuse" – with 12 points meaning they could lose their licence.
Cabbies previously raised concerns in the Telegraph that the system would put them in danger as they would be forced to take customers who were verbally or physically threatening.
John Fleming, owner of Triple A Taxis and chairman of the Scunthorpe branch of the National Taxi Association, said: "The council has taken the decision that they will implement the points system irrespective.
"We reiterated if our members end up getting points we will end up appealing the decision.
"We want to make sure that the appeal process is fair and independent.
"We are worried that if there is an appeal, it will be heard by the same panel that implemented the points in the first place.
"I think we are going to see what happens and keep a close eye on it. If it turns out the appeal mechanism is unreasonable, a judgement will be made on that."
Mr Fleming also said he was pleased that his association is represented on North Lincolnshire Council's taxi forum with three of its members sitting on the panel.
"My main objective is to get more taxi drivers into our organisation so we will have a bigger sphere of influence," he said.
"Our new association has over 100 members, that's about 50 per cent of Hackney drivers in the area and we hope to have more."
Councillor Keith Vickers, who chairs the licensing committee, said the rules were fair.
He said: "The important thing is we can work together with the drivers.
"If somebody does something wrong they get so many points and it will come before the committee.
"We don't want to suspend somebody for a small misdemeanour as it's their livelihood.
"I can understand the drivers will be worried, but nobody should be frightened.
"They will have chance to appeal in front of members of the committee. It's a fair system and raises standards.
"This came about because drivers were refusing short fares. It's better for the people who are using the taxis."
Mr Vickers added that the points will stay on a driver's licence for three years and as it's a new system there may be a few difficulties to iron out.
No driver has at this stage been prosecuted using the new system.
National legislation states that it is an offence to refuse to carry a passenger unless they have an infectious disease, have an animal with them (except if it is a service or assistance animal) or if someone is deceased.
Read more:
http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Ta ... z3EdQb6uyD
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