Taxi Driver Online

Quarter of Ulster taxis fail legal test


©Press Eye Ltd Northern Ireland -19th April 2012 - Mandatory Credit -

ONE in four taxis in Northern Ireland do not comply with legal requirements, it has been revealed.


Officials from the Driver and Vehicle Agency who carried out spot checks on 659 taxis at the end of last year discovered that just 75.3 per cent of vehicles were fully compliant.

The survey carried out comprehensive roadworthiness and licensing checks, and identified a variety of defects including problems with tyres, lights, brakes and suspension systems.

DVA officials also discovered problems with fire extinguishers, roof signs and taxi plates.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said the figures – which show a drop in compliance from 79.9 per cent (one in five failure) from 2009 – justified the need for operator licensing.

“Compliance levels within the taxi industry have remained largely static over the past four years. The figures show that only three out of every four taxis are fully compliant,” said Mr Attwood.

“That is not good enough. For people here, and visitors who come here, the quality and safety of taxis must be paramount.

“This level of compliance has implications for customers, for road safety and for the environment.

“That is why the introduction of operator licensing later this year and the other changes that I intend to bring forward in order to reform the industry are so important.

“By better regulation and proper enforcement, compliance, safety and comfort can be enhanced.”

Value Cabs director Stephen McCausland expressed little surprise over the 24.7 per cent failure rate for taxis here, which he blamed on the age of many of the vehicles.

“As a company we have been fully behind the 2008 Taxis Bill and we believe that it is needed to regulate our industry and also improve and maintain standards,” he said.

He claimed that around half of taxis here – many of which are the classic black cabs – are 15 years old and older.

“I believe that one of the biggest problems is the age of the taxis, and it’s hardly surprising to find that so many have failed these checks.

“In other UK cities like Birmingham and Glasgow, they have a 10-year age limit on vehicles.

“But what is happening is that these vehicles are being sold at auction for a few hundred pounds and are then ending up over here.

“I think it is a disgrace that Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland have become a dumping ground for these old taxis which are not fit for purpose, especially at a time when we are trying to promote the city and Northern Ireland as a tourist destination.

“Hopefully we’ll see a lot of these old cabs taken off the road when the new legislation is fully rolled out.”

Earlier this week, Mr Attwood told the Assembly that a new licensing system for Northern Ireland’s 10,000 taxi drivers who operate individually will be in place by this autumn.

As well as the introduction of operator licensing, other proposals will make it easier for disabled people to book and use taxis, require all taxis to have taximeters, and allow all taxis in Belfast to pick up passengers without a booking.

source: http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/ ... -1-3754671

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

I think they'll find it's poor maintenance, for whatever reason. Why only cite 2 cities when there are so many to choose from, perhaps those two cities have the policy that suits the argument

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

Nice to see the private hire operator so excited about his forthcoming monopoly........did you note some of those serious offences....fire extinguishers ffs.

CC

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

The figures maybe show there's no f*cking work?

CC

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

I'm fed up stating the obvious

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

So now we know where Blackpool's owners send them

The whole article was gollox, the timing was perfect. Stir up public opinion against hard working cab drivers. This will reduce the impact of the forth coming days of action, due to be taken by the N.I. hackney trade. They are about to get shafted, and if the authorities get away with it...We will be likewise shafted by the Law Commission.

Maybe yourself, but the only owner i have is the wife and kids

Kind of explains why the tourists stopped going to Blackpool then

Says the man from where ? youve even lost me crusty

I post anonymously, like most of the people on here. I thought you would have worked that out by now.

Just like, um, yourself in fact!

I didnt ask for your name and number ,just where.I know your a little slow on the uptake but my name sort of gives away where im from .Do keep up boy

Yes, but the driver of a teenage taxi from Blackpool doesn't exactly narrow it down much

I gave you a few clues the other week, but you still weren't happy.

And me slow on the uptake?

As i said before i dont want your name and im not that really ar5ed where your from.What you on about clues ? Or do you really watch re runs of 321.Was merely curious as you seem to know so much about where i work and what i drive,i value your opinion, your my idol.

I didnt see anything in the Northern Ireland Taxis Act about vehicle ages.

CC

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