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Compromise is reached on cabbies' code
Extreme ideas for a taxi drivers' code of practice have been scrapped
Several "over the top" commandments have been dropped from a new licensing policy for cabbies after a town hall U-turn.
Last year, the Lancashire Evening Post revealed how taxi drivers were set to be banned from getting out of their cabs and made to take NVQ courses on personal hygiene and speaking to passengers.
The requirements, part of a draft policy drawn up by Preston Council, led to a backlash from cabbies.
But transport chiefs have backtracked and the requirements have been scaled down. A ban on using horns outside homes and a stricter dress code, however, will remain.
Council head of licensing Mike Thorpe said: "With some of the proposals, following representations from the trade and discussions, we have looked at alternative measures to produce the same result."
He added: "They are not allowed to honk their horns at certain times anyway. It is polite to get out of vehicles and knock on the door.
"If they are in an area where they can't get out, there are other ways of contacting people."
Asked about the proposed ban on leaving vehicles, he said: "We have reworded it to say they must remain in attendance at the vehicle."
The NVQ course will not be mandatory for existing drivers, but they will be "encouraged" to take it. The draft policy also included a requirement that all cabs be under 10 years old by 2014.
They will instead be inspected every six months and council monitoring of approved vehicle testing stations will be tightened up.
Secretary of Preston Hackney Carriage Association Mark Selley, said: "We are happy the council has sat down with us and we have come to a compromise."
The new policy will be considered next month before being forwarded to the cabinet for approval.
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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
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