Taxi Driver Online

Seaforth Radio Cars boss Terry Evason calls for register of drivers removed [from] firm’s systems

February 9, 2012

A private hire firm boss believes more must be done to tackle complaints from customers about drivers.

Terry Evason, proprietor of Seaforth Radio Cars (SRC), made the comments to Sefton Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee spokespersons meeting.

He told members the firm has always believed that it should take on the role of reporting complaints received by customers about drivers to Sefton Council to act upon.

He added: “We have been in the trade since 1964 and have always dealt with complaints from customers internally."

“If SRC taxis decide the amount of complaints received from the customers is too high, or the driver’s record shows a pattern of complaints, we can remove the driver from our system."

“The problem now only passes onto the next firm the driver starts with, and in no way protects the public from a possible unfit and proper person."

“Sefton Council’s view is unless they receive a complaint from the customer no action can be taken."

“We find this very strange in this day and age that the council is not prepared to act on letters and verbal complaints received by SRC Taxis.

“We feel that the council is ignoring the possible situation of having an unfit and proper person still out picking up customers by not listening to the firms they felt fit to grant an operator’s licence to."

“We would like the council to keep a register of drivers removed from their systems by firms."

“This could then help other firms and the council to decide if these drivers are fit people to be private hire cab drivers.”

Cllr Sue McGuire, chairwoman of Sefton’s Licensing Committee, said: “Complaints by passengers should be investigated fully.

“However, it’s important that any allegation can be substantiated since the authority is dealing with people’s livelihoods."

“That is why council officers are looking to put a system in place to deal with this in future. This will be discussed by private hire and hackney cab representatives at the trade meeting.”

Source; http://www.crosbyherald.co.uk/news/cros ... -30293838/

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

I think he is right.

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Interesting idea there are plenty of drivers out there who just move from firm to firm every time they are sacked

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I find that strange as well, but surely that has nothing to do with a naughty list.

_________________
IDFIMH

When we set up a website for our association with me as the mailbox to field questions from our members, I had nothing at all from our members. I did have quite a few complaints - all of which were about PH - not one about Hackney. We now have a notice informing everyone that we do not deal with complaints and giving contact details for the Council.

I still have to receive an email from our members - I still get the odd complaint though, and all are about PH.

Perhaps all Operators should - as a condition of licence - inform Local Authorities of all complaints received.

_________________
Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Private hire probably have no objection to passing on complaints, it's the council who don't want them

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

with our council it is standard policy to ignore any complaint received via the trade they will only investigate complaints made directly to them by a customer

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector