Taxi Driver Online

Scottish Government unveils crackdown on criminals operating behind front of private taxi firms


A CRACKDOWN on criminal gangs who operate behind the front of private hire taxi firms was today unveiled by the Scottish Government.

• Councils would be given the power to restrict numbers of private hire cards and test drivers for local knowledge

• Taxi firm owners and drivers would have to prove themselves to be ‘fit and proper’ under the new proposals

• Licensing officers could be handed new beefed up enforcement powers

A crackdown on criminal gangs who operate behind the front of private hire taxi firms was today unveiled by the Scottish Government.

Councils could be given the power to restrict the number of private hire cars and test drivers for their local knowledge, under the proposals.

The current licensing regime would also be extended to cover businesses with fewer than four cars and without offices, to ensure all vehicles and drivers used are part of the licence granted.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “These proposals should make a significant step towards addressing concerns raised about the need to make improvements to the current licensing regime.

“While the vast majority of taxi firms operate within the law, this will also address the influence of criminal groups and individuals within the taxi and private hire trades.

“The taxi and private hire sectors are very important to the Scottish economy and it is essential that they are regulated to the appropriate standards, so that the public is protected from harm while using the service and the industry is protected from infiltration by organised crime.

Taxi firm owners and drivers would also have to prove they are “fit and proper”, under the proposals which are now going out to consultation.

Licensing officers could be handed new beefed up enforcement powers.

Bill McIntosh of the Scottish Taxi Federation said: “The Scottish Taxi Federation has long been calling for changes to the licensing regime so we welcome this consultation.

“Passengers will want to know that they are being served by responsible businesses, and taxi firms and drivers also need more protection from rogue elements, and assurance that the licensing regime is consistent in its aims across Scotland.”

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-2664226

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

nice to see the Scottish government are as stupid as their English counterparts

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

I smell a case of greedytwatitis from Scottish Government who want to wring even more money out of the currently exempted 3 car or fewer operators whilst making each and every one us of record every little run and who we took by which driver in which car for how much whilst requiring another license in the process....it's hardly going to affect the Jockanese mafias money laundering scheme is it?

Bunch of t****rs..Think i'll sign on the dole and have them look after me rather than me busting a gut to pay these fat assed SMP's their huge salaries.

I think that one is down to The Hootsman.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Tighter controls for taxi firms planned



Tighter controls on taxi licensing to crack down on rogue firms and support responsible businesses are being consulted on.

The Scottish Government today launched a consultation on the plans in response to concerns about the influence of criminality within the trade and the working of the current licensing regime.

The proposals offer a range of changes to the current regime which aim to tighten up the licensing process for taxi and private hire car drivers, vehicles and booking offices.

Proposals include:

• Allowing local authorities to restrict the number of private hire cars and to require testing of private hire car drivers, for example in knowledge of the area
  
• Convening a working group to consider the creation of updated licensing conditions for taxi and private hire car drivers, vehicles and booking offices
  
• Extending the licensing scheme to cover businesses with fewer than four cars and without offices, and to ensure vehicles and drivers used on contract are included within the licensing regime
  
• Requiring applicant for any level of licence - driver, vehicle, booking office - to prove they are “fit and proper”
  
• Exploring options to enhance enforcement, including potentially a statutory basis for licensing enforcement officers.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “These proposals should make a significant step towards addressing concerns raised about the need to make improvements to the current licensing regime. While the vast majority of taxi firms operate within the law, this will also address the influence of criminal groups and individuals within the taxi and private hire trades.

“The taxi and private hire sectors are very important to the Scottish economy and it is essential that they are regulated to the appropriate standards, so that the public is protected from harm while using the service and the industry is protected from infiltration by organised crime.

“Our views are not fixed and we are committed to an open and productive discussion on these proposals.

“Ultimately we want to bring all drivers and firms up to the correct standards to benefit people and businesses who make use of and rely on these services.”

Bill McIntosh of the Scottish Taxi Federation said: “The Scottish Taxi Federation has long been calling for changes to the licensing regime so we welcome this consultation. Passengers will want to know that they are being served by responsible businesses, and taxi firms and drivers also need more protection from rogue elements, and assurance that the licensing regime is consistent in its aims across Scotland.”

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Release ... ng28112012

that's far better!

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

By the time they get around to it MacAskill and his SNP cronies will be history anyway...

And Nigel Farage will be FM

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

How are they going to assess demand for PH?

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IDFIMH

Make it up as they go along........same as they do for taxis.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Restriction through cost is an option also, aknowledging the difference between individual operator and corporate licence holding.

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Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!

The Mans Legend....He tried to get Rotherham council to foster his Ideas but they were'nt up to the task.

lol......he's a feckwit

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

Well...The Options are that around 50 and 75 Years time we will be either run by Imams or Politicians...and unless people like Nigel Farage step up to the plate then it's as likely to be the former rather than the latter...It's as simple as that.

So are his supporters

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

BTW, has it occurred to anyone that these proposals seem completely at odds with the direction the Law commission seem to be heading down south?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/