Taxi Driver Online

Swansea city centre rickshaws plan hits the brakes


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On Friday, Swansea Council's licensing committee will meet to discuss deferring the previously agreed use of the pedal-powered vehicles.

In September last year, it was decided the rickshaws — officially known as pedicabs and as popular on the streets of London these days as Asia — could be licensed for use as Hackney Carriages.

However, following months of research council officers have concluded that the council's existing bylaws are not fit for this purpose.

A report going before the committee at Swansea Civic Centre this week says: "While the licensing committee approved the licensing of pedicabs in principle in September 2012 the decision was subject to the issues identified in the report being addressed.

"A considerable amount of research and work has been undertaken to address the issues identified, however a number of issues and concerns remain outstanding.

"The council's existing bylaws, which apply to all licensed Hackney Carriage vehicles and drivers are not fit for purpose to regulate non-motorised vehicles such as pedicabs."

It adds that the existing bylaws need to be amended so they do not apply to non-motorised vehicles and new ones can be created that are suitable to license them. A current review of taxi and private hire licensing law is being undertaken by the Law Commission. Issues thrown up included problems with calculating fares — it is not possible to fix a "taximeter", which works out the fare based on journey length and distance travelled, to a pedicab.

Also there are issues with the byelaws which dictate how much luggage a vehicle can carry and access for disabled people and their guide dogs.

It was also discovered that the council does not have a suitably trained mechanic and Hackney Carriages are tested twice a year at the council depot.

The officer's report recommended that "members review the decision made to approve the request in principle to license pedicabs for use as Hackney Carriages in Swansea and defer the decision" until the Government created the appropriate legislation.


Read more: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Swans ... z2VM8SQyEW

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

Not too sure about the popular tag.

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IDFIMH

In other words long after we are all dead.

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IDFIMH

Nothing new there then about bye-laws being "not fit for purpose".

Pedal rickshaws are probably covered by the old 1846 Act which seems to cover everything non-motorised if only the council were to look into it!

The problem most of them have is that they have changed the by-laws to take account of engines.

Also the 1847 act was for horse pulled vehicles, not pedal powered.

Also Pedicabs are a f***ing death trap on wheels.

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IDFIMH

As that Scots woman on Watchdog used to say "a potential deeeeath traaaap".

eastern european imigrant riding for peanut wont stay on agree routes an will try to work like hack on weekend night

been there an got t shirt gone now thx god

Swansea rickshaw plan caught up in red tape says businessman David Hopkin


THE man behind the plan to bring rickshaws to Swansea has spoken of the red tape which could see the vehicles never hit the road.

David Hopkin, who runs the popular Dragon’s Den burger bar at Pontardawe Retail Park, hit upon the idea to bring the vehicles to the city in February last year.


​Rickshaw plan caught up in red tape says businessman David Hopkin

After dedicating himself to the project with his friend Darryl Griffiths, the pair thought they would be given the green light as it was decided in September the rickshaws could be licensed for use as Hackney Carriages.

But now research from council officers has revealed the authority’s existing bylaws are not fit for purpose.

Ahead of the licensing meeting at the Civic Centre tomorrow, Mr Hopkin said: “It is eco-friendly transport, it deals with environmental issues and we would be creating jobs in Swansea.

“In November we bought the two pedicabs so the council could take the measurements and weights of them.

“But it has been put back and back with red tape.

“Someone said if we were in Wind Street and they wanted to go up to the top of Constitutional Hill then we would have to take them.”

A report going before the committee at Swansea Civic Centre tomorrow says: “While the licensing committee approved the licensing of pedicabs in principle in September 2012 the decision was subject to the issues identified in the report being addressed.

“The council’s existing bylaws, which apply to all licensed Hackney Carriage vehicles and drivers are not fit for purpose to regulate non-motorised vehicles such as pedicabs.”

Mr Hopkin said he would be speaking at the meeting to give his views on the subject tomorrow.


Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk ... z2VnGWjXZq

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

That poor red tape gets some stick.

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