Public asked for views on taxi and private hire vehicles
A public consultation has been launched to gather views about the standards for licensed vehicles in the Borough.
Licensed vehicles include taxis and private hire cars. The licence to operate one of these vehicles is awarded by Bedford Borough Council’s Licensing Committee. Currently licences are issued according to guidance provided in the councils Manual of Inspection in addition to a valid MoT test. The manual was last reviewed 17 years ago and now the committee wants to hear local views about what should be added to it and what can be removed.
Current standards include:
• Only light tinting of windows
• Maintaining a fully roadworthy spare tyre to be carried
• Providing passengers direct access to an external door that can be opened by them, in vehicles with three or more rows of seats
The review kicked off on July 19 and will run until September 6.
The Licensing Committee will then consider all the views submitted and propose a possible revised Manual of Inspection at its meeting on September 15. Views will then be sought on the revised manual so people will have a second chance to have their say before the new manual is adopted on November 10.
Cllr Will Hunt, chairman of the Licensing Committee said: “We’ve launched this review so that we can check we have the most relevant, up to date and appropriate standards for our taxi’s and private hire vehicles. For visitors these vehicles often provide the first impression they will have of the Borough so it’s important we get it right. We’re asking all parties to let us have their views by September 6 so that we can put together a new list of standards to keep vehicles safe and meet passenger’s expectations.”
To take part in the consultation visit
www.bedford.gov.uk/vehiclestandards
source:
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/
Login
Register
FAQ
