Taxi Driver Online

We can’t say we’re taxis


CAB drivers in Lancaster have been forced to move the word ‘Taxi’ from their vehicles due to council red tape.

In a move branded ‘just silly’ by the National Private Hire Association (NPHA), Lancaster Council even revoked the license of one driver after she refused.

The driver, who does not wish to be named, then launched a Judicial Review against the council.

It is thought her vehicle had been checked at least five times in the past and the council identified no problems and re-issued her license on each 
occasion.

Within two hours of the Judicial 
Review application, a judge removed the injunction on her car, allowing her to work again. The council now has until today, Thursday, to lodge a defence.

Andy Kay, chair of the Lancaster Hackney Proprietors Association (HPA) said: “For the last three years the licensing team has been using a 
Section 68 notice for everything.

“Section 68 only applies to serious vehicle defects and the only way you can appeal it is with a Judicial Review.

“A couple of the cars put the word taxi on their vehicle, which in my view increases public safety as it makes the public aware of what it is.

“But if the word appears in a certain place on the car, this doesn’t conform with the council’s rules and regulations.

“For signs, the council should be issuing an alternative notice, which gives a right of appeal to the licensing committee and 
Magistrates Court.

“The council is using excessive powers in order to bully people to do what they want them to, whether it is right or wrong.”

Bryan Rowlands, general secretary for the National Private Hire 
Association said: “The council has for some time now been making inappropriate use of a section of the legislation.

“We’ve written to them on numerous occasions over the last 12 months and we’ve been ignored. We warned them about the Judicial Review, but they took no notice.

“They’ve licensed these vehicles time and time again, and now all of a sudden it’s not acceptable. All we’re trying to do is evoke some common sense in the situation. It’s just silly.”

Mark Cullinan, chief executive of Lancaster City Council said the council had not changed its policy on signs and did not comment on individual cases.

He added: “It is vitally important that the public is able to recognise that a taxi is licensed and legal so they can be sure that it has undergone the necessary stringent tests that all drivers and their vehicles have to go through.

“Unlicensed taxis do not go through these safety tests and are dangerous.

“In the event of an accident they are not insured and their drivers do not undergo DVLA or CRB checks, as all licensed drivers have to.

“One way to ensure that people know the taxi they are climbing into is licensed is to ensure that they only carry authorised signage.

“This is prescribed by the council and is limited to the council’s sign on the driver and front passenger doors and one other sign on each side of the vehicle. No additional signs are permitted. In this way people can then tell, at a glance, that the taxi is licensed.”

source: http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news ... -1-5178243

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I'd have thought a licence plate would have done that

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

if it hackney it can say taxi, if it private hire it can't it doent get much simpler than that dos it

I think that depends on the by-laws of the specific area in question



That's a strange thing for a hackney proprietor to say

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

It also seems to be the positioning of the signs that is wrong.

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Grandad,

Looks like another council that hasn't a clue about the trade, manned by jobs-worth buffoons.

The more signage a licensed vehicle has the better.

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IDFIMH

So you think it is alright for a PH to put the words taxi in large letters on the car and attract flagdowns/rank jobs ?

The article does not seem too clear as to what the licensed vehicle is so it is not only the council that is being unduly draconian but bad journalism !

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

UNLESS the firm/base also has a Hack working and the company name includes "taxi".....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

That wouldn't be allowed here under the CGSA

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

and that is why there should be ONE set of rules nationwide, not something 100+ LA's could ever agree on

what about......(Hull private hire?)

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

As Hull isn't covered by the CGSA, it wouldn't count

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Punters flag down anything.

I'm with the LC when they mention Private Hire Taxis.

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IDFIMH

Strange that your happy being ph, and doing ok in your own words,yet you want a slice of street/ hackney work.Bit of the green eyed monster sussex

Theres no great distinction, its all punters wanting a vehicle, everyone has a mobile phone and can ring a base...PH or HC...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Other than the reg, that's my motor.

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IDFIMH