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EPPING FOREST: Cabbie knowledge test 'too little too late'
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Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  EPPING FOREST: Cabbie knowledge test 'too little too late'
EPPING FOREST: Cabbie knowledge test 'too little too late' say drivers

Monday 12th April 2010

Plans to make aspiring taxi drivers in the district sit a knowledge test do not go far enough in tackling the region's “cab crisis”, drivers have said.

Epping Forest District Council hopes to introduce the computer-based exam later this year, which will force new drivers to pass a test on the geography of the area before they can get a licence.

But drivers say the number of cabs in the area is already at saturation point, and have called on the authority to freeze new applications and focus instead on improving the regulation and service of taxis already operating.

Independent cabbie Jamie Goodman, 30, said: “It's a good idea and it would have been great if they'd done this five years ago, but this is all just too little too late.

“There's just no room for any more cabs here, and that's not even including illegal cabs. It's creating a lot of tensions and it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt in a fight over competition.

“They should be trying to sort out and help the drivers that already have licences. But the council are doing nothing towards introducing independent taxi ranks and nothing towards metres. They've got their priorities seriously wrong.”

Fellow driver Hasam Hayirli, 45, said: “It is a good idea to have a knowledge test, but they should have done it a long time ago.

“You get a lot of drivers who don't even know the way from Buckhurst Hill to Chigwell. It's ridiculous.

“But if they want to improve the service from cabs they should install metres – every other council around here has metres so why not here?”

Gerald Nathanson, 75, who has been a cab driver in Chigwell for more than 40 years, said: “I am very surprised that the council hasn't done this before. A knowledge of the local area is one of the most essential things you need as a driver.

“There are problems with Sat Nav systems – they don't show you where buildings are, and if you know the area you can avoid traffic jams and the like.

"But the problem is that the council is issuing licences like confetti."

A spokeswoman for Epping Forest District Council said: "The council is seeking to improve accessibility of the taxi service to all users in the area and to improve the standard and quality of the service being offered.

"It has joined the Quality Taxi Partnership which has been set up by the Essex County Council to share good practice among the district councils.

"The Quality Partnership has given advice and enabled the district to purchase software which will allow it to conduct a knowledge test for all new applicants for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licence and to purchase a training video giving guidance to new taxi drivers as to the needs of passengers who may have different disabilities.

"This test will include questions on the highway code, the whereabouts of well known landmarks and disability awareness."

Source; guardian-series.co.uk
Author:  ralphburton [ Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:26 am ]
Post subject: 
that's necessary is to check your driving skills and related some kind of its knowledge . . it is firs post , just joined this site to discuss about the markets of taxi transfer services across this forums . .
Author:  Sussex [ Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
ralphburton wrote:
just joined this site to discuss about the markets of taxi transfer services across this forums . .

Are you buying? :?
Author:  ralphburton [ Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:54 am ]
Post subject: 
NOT. .
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