Bradford Cabbies win licence fee reductionThe cost of cab licensing is set to come back down after complaints that a free MoT scheme promised to drivers has not been forthcoming.
A decision was taken to hike charges more than three years ago by councillors after it emerged Bradford Council’s Hackney Carriage Unit, which deals with licensing taxis and private hire vehicles, was expected to be cost neutral but was in fact running at a loss of more than £250,000 a year.
The fees, which cover vehicle testing and licensing as well as drivers’ badges, had not increased for ten years, so a 35 per cent hike was brought in.
However, drivers were told they would receive a free MOT for their vehicles after completing the Council’s own inspection, which would save them the cost of having the check done elsewhere.
It was also agreed that the fees would increase by inflation every April.
But Conservative councillor for Heaton Sajid Akhtar said he hoped the drivers would “receive action that reflects the fact that since the original price increase occurred, they have not received the service level that was promised and there has been a prolonged delay in looking at the matter”.
He questioned Ian Greenwood, leader of the Council, about the delay and was told that details of a proposed reduction in charges for the licences is expected to be tabled at a meeting of the Council’s regulatory and appeals committee on March 8.
Coun Greenwood added that the report would not only deal with revised prices, but also a whole new handbook of vehicle and driver conditions and procedures, as well as operator conditions and procedures and licensing standards.
In 2008, the licence fees increased by £50 a year for hire vehicles under six years old and by £100 for those over six years old. But drivers were promised that MOT inspections at the Council depot would be included within the price.
Coun Akhtar said: “In effect, fees increased by 40 per cent and the drivers received nothing additional in return. I have spoken with the drivers and they fully recognise that an extra £100 per year may not sound like a great amount to many people, but it needs to be remembered that many private hire and hackney carriage drivers are living hand-to-mouth, whilst working long hours in an occupation that has its fair share of challenges.”
Carol Stos, the Council’s fleet and licensing manager, said: “Providing MOT certificates as part of our licensed taxi fleet inspections became impractical and was discontinued following consultations with drivers and owners.
“This allowed more flexible working arrangements for everyone concerned.
“We are proposing further changes to the inspection regime as part of a review of the conditions of licence which is being submitted to committee in March. This includes financial savings for a number of owners and drivers.”
source:
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
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