Taxi Driver Online

This time they are "partnering" with one of Peterboroughs larger p^*ate hire operations
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g2l9lx949o

charity that trains and recruits women into the taxi trade is bringing its campaign to Peterborough.

The Rosie May foundation has teamed up with a taxi firm in the city and is holding a recruitment drive on Tuesday.

Mary Storrie, the charity founder, previously set up female-only tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka.

She said the team was "excited" to get to work.

"It has always been my vision to do the same in the UK, with less than 3% of taxi drivers being women," Ms Storrie said.

"The ultimate aim is for women passengers to request a female driver, an option they don't have at the minute."

She said Goldstar Cabs - the partner taxi firm - had been "very supportive" of her "mission".

Mary Storrie co-founded the Rosie May Foundation and launched the Think Pink tuk-tuks in Sri Lank

So far, eight women have registered their interest in the taxi driving scheme, Ms Storrie said.

"We are looking at the next steps and will be supporting these women with their relevant licences."

Ms Storrie and her husband set up the foundation following their daughter's murder at Christmas in 2003, and as a result of the money that was subsequently donated in her memory.

The family travelled to Sri Lanka the following year, and went on to run charity projects in the country.


Deborah Goodwin said she was "excited" to start her new career as a "taxi driver"

Deborah Goodwin, from Deeping St James near Peterborough, was one of the first prospective drivers to get on board.

"I am excited and eager to get going. It will be better pay and flexible hours, which had a huge appeal for me as a single mum," said the 40-year-old, who currently works as a delivery driver.

"I think it is great that women are being given an opportunity like this.

"And also for female passengers - it will make them feel safer."

Peterborough city councillors are due to vote on Wednesday as to whether CCTV should be mandatory in both private hire and hackney taxis.

Ms Goodwin said: "I think it offers extra safety, but we should be allowed to turn it off when the vehicle is being used for personal journeys and I don't think the cost to install [the CCTV] should fall on us drivers." so safety is foremost as long as youre not paying the cost

Goldstar Cabs, based in Fengate, said it was "proud" to be part of the new female-taxi scheme.

A recruitment event was due to be held on Tuesday at its office.

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Meanwhile the rest of the P'boro trade are worried about the CCTV vote

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4lgvgky92o

Taxi drivers were apprehensive ahead of a council vote on the introduction of CCTV in their vehicles, a federation said.

In September, Peterborough City Council's licensing committee voted to make cameras mandatory in all taxis for the safety of passengers and drivers.

Ali Haider from the Peterborough Taxi Hire Federation, called it an "intrusion of privacy" that would cause "a financial burden" to drivers.

The final decision was recommended to be put to a full council vote, which is due to take place on Wednesday.

More than 100 operators and 1,800 taxi drivers across Peterborough would have to implement the rules within18 months.

The policy was first recommended in 2022 and the council subsequently carried out a consultation between November last year and February.

It received more than 600 responses, including 288 from people in the trade.

Ali Haider and Nawab Khan both said the decision had left taxi drivers angry

Concerns raised by taxi drivers included the cost of installing CCTV and fears it could "undermine client confidentiality".

Other responses were more positive, including passengers who said they felt "vulnerable" in taxis.

Peterborough Private Hire Association chairman Nawab Khan said: "We are happy with the voluntary take-up of the CCTV but are against the mandatory rule.

"If it was introduced nationally we would oblige but find it unfair that only Peterborough is being made to follow this rule.

"They [taxi drivers] are apprehensive about what will happen.

"But they are looking at other options or maybe moving to another licensing authority that doesn't operate the CCTV rule if it goes ahead."

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I fail to see where the "better pay and flexible hours" comes into it especially as the woman is a delivery driver. CCTV has never prevented a crime, it just means you can sit and watch a replay of it in your own front room or on the internet. In my view there's far too much surveillance in this country.

Maybe if there were more police out and about that would be a better idea.

Why is a charity getting involved with driver recruitment?

If the firm wants/needs more lady drivers let them fund their recruitment.

_________________
IDFIMH