Taxi Driver Online

One in four airport taxis unfit for the road

ONE in four taxis checked at Bristol airport were found to be unfit to be on the road. Defects included worn tyres, defective seat belts, a fuel leak, cracked and obscured windscreens and defective braking systems.

The defects were discovered during spot checks carried out on taxis at Bristol International Airport (BIA) to make sure they were in a safe condition and properly licensed. Investigations were also made to ensure that individuals were not fraudulently claiming benefits while working as taxis drivers.

The checks were carried out by officers from North Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Sedgemoor District Council, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

In total 55 vehicles including taxis and mini buses, were inspected and 15 prohibition notices were issued by VOSA for vehicles with defects. Vehicles with problems were stopped from being used for carrying passengers until the defects had been rectified.

The checks also revealed two unlicensed vehicles in use as taxis and two unlicensed taxi drivers. Legal action is being considered in relation to the unlicensed vehicles and drivers. Vehicles being operated by nearby off site car park businesses had a higher rate of defects. Of the nine vehicles inspected, six received prohibition notices.

Cllr Felicity Baker, North Somerset Council's executive member with responsibility for licensing said: "These worrying figures, along with the presence of unlicensed vehicles and drivers, raises serious concerns in terms of the safety of people using taxis and courtesy vehicles at the airport.

"In view of the results, further vehicle checks will be carried out at the airport to ensure that standards are raised. This is essential to ensure public safety."

Ian Hiles, Ground Transportation General Manager at Bristol International Airport, added: "Bristol International is committed to initiatives aimed at ensuring passenger safety and we regularly support the authorities in enforcement exercises such as this. Taxi journeys play a key role in transporting passengers to and from the airport so it is vital that the highest standards are maintained.

"Our fleet of on-site car park buses is rigorously serviced and fully licensed. The same can be said for CheckerCars, the dedicated on-site private-hire taxi operator.

"However, we have no control over the safety and licensing of independent taxis and off-site minibuses which are also able to drop off and pick up at the airport. Well co-ordinated spot checks such as this can help to safeguard all passengers and so have our full support.

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