Taxi Driver Online

Basildon and Thurrock taxi check operation catches out operators

A STRETCH limo driver at a school prom was one of many taxi operators who fell foul of police and council officials in an operation in Basildon and Thurrock on Friday. The eight seater limousine driver who was at the event held at Ye Olde Plough House in Bulphan, was unable to produce a taxi badge and was reported for the offence.

Out of 86 taxis checked, five had defective tyres and one had a number of mechanical faults. A taxi was taken off the road for a combination of mechanical faults including two rear seatbelts which were not working.

The Basildon Council officer on scene in High Street, Wickford, removed his permit which forced him to stop work. There were non-functioning fire extinguishers in five others and several weren’t displaying their ID badges properly.

In total, 62 were found to be fine. Pc Al Cuthbertson, from Essex Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: "This work highlights that public safety is a priority for both the police and local authorities and compliance is only achieved through enforcement.

"Taxi drivers will be reminded of their responsibilities to comply with the law at forthcoming interviews with licensing officers. Further checks are planned in the future.”

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