Hundreds complain of bad driving by city taxisTaxiNearly half of the 628 complaints made against taxi drivers in Cambridge in the last five years relate to bad driving, the News has learned.
Cllr Colin Rosenstiel, who is in charge of the city’s licensing committee, has called for “renewed efforts” to weed out the worst offenders.
It follows last week’s conviction of a city taxi driver, who drove under the closing barriers at the notorious Foxton level crossing while running late for a passenger pick-up.
The complaints range from rudeness to some criminal allegations. One was of an alleged sexual attack in 2011/12, although the case was later dropped.
Another driver had his licence revoked in 2009/10 after being convicted of assaulting a police officer by driving off with the constable’s hand stuck in his door handle.
Some 291 complaints relate to poor driving, such as not giving way, and 17 followed an actual collision, according to figures released to the News under the Freedom of Information Act.
But they also include refusing to take passengers and disputes between drivers over stealing each other’s business.
More than 200 grievances relate to fares, such as overcharging and route disputes, and driver conduct.
Cllr Rosenstiel admitted that some drivers had been allowed to carry on despite falling below the standards expected.
He said that was partly because of courts overturning decisions to suspend licences because of hardship to individuals and the fact councillors were “only human” and were giving drivers second chances.
He said: “My concern is that the council’s determination to raise standards has not succeeded. I want to put in a renewed effort to do so.”
David Wratten, chairman of Cambridge City Licensed Taxis, suggested a driver awareness course for those who fell below the required standard, similar to that offered to drink-drivers in the courts system.
He added: “There are good taxi drivers and bad ones, like there are good cyclists and bad cyclists.”
Drivers face disciplinary hearings for verbally abusing passengers and cyclists, smoking in cars, not calibrating meters, dangerous driving and drink-driving.
Despite the long list of complaints, only 18 drivers have been disciplined under the system since 2008, according to council figures.
There are 301 hackney carriage vehicles licensed by the city council, which can be flagged down or hired at a rank, and 180 appointment-only private hire vehicles.
More than 700 mostly private hire vehicles are licensed in neighbouring South Cambridgeshire.
Councillors approved a new procedure last month to give disciplinary panels “a fuller picture” of a driver’s past behaviour.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/Hu ... 022013.htm
Login
Register
FAQ
