Taxi Driver Online

Rogue limo traders warned of continued targeting by authorities

Around 30 limousine operators from London and the south-east were warned of the continued targeting of dangerous vehicles by VOSA and TfL during a meeting in London this week (5th August 2013).

The Limousine Operator Engagement and Information Seminar was organised by Transport for London and was set-up to ‘provide a forum in which regulatory bodies, enforcement agencies, trade bodies and operators can raise and discuss issues and concerns’. However, some operators saw it as ‘patronising and uninformative’.

Operation Kansas was set-up in March 2012 to tackle illegal operators and vehicles in the capital. It’s a joint initiative between TfL, VOSA and the TfL funded Safer Transport Command (STC) from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and City of London Police. Attendee’s at the meeting were warned of the continuation of Operation Kansas, mainly because of the high prohibition rates compared to other transport sectors.

Officials revealed that more than 60% of limousines stopped in the operation led to a prohibition being served against it for either road safety issues or driver licensing. This was argued by a key operator in Sussex who believes the numbers are made up of tickets being issued needlessly.

Nick Clarke (pictured) who runs Star Limousines has been in the business for more than a decade and has played a key part of bringing and developing fully approved and legal limousines to the UK. He prides himself on his large fleet of fully-approved limousines and was disgusted by the way the attendees were addressed at the meeting.

Mr Clarke told TheChauffeur.com; “I took personal offence to the way we were all spoken to by one of the main VOSA officials who presented at the meeting. We all felt as if we were schoolchildren being told off in assembly although we had nothing to be told off about.”

He added; “I told the panel that one of my vehicles recently received a prohibition because the examiner couldn’t find a seatbelt. When the driver showed it to him, the ticket was lifted. The panel told me this was a ‘one-off’, but I’ve had three of these! I was also told another vehicle was ‘unroadworthy’, because the rubber fell off the brake pedal during an examination. The whole thing is a farce.”

Dell Evans, VOSA’s Southern Regional Manager said; “VOSA was invited to attend the TfL led event and it was useful to hear the views of limousine operators who want to increase compliance within the sector.

VOSA will continue to work closely with organisations such as TfL to educate operators so they work within the rules and so make roads safer for all users.”

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IDFIMH

WELL IF THE EXAMINER COULD NOT FIND IT HOW ON EARTH WAS THE PUNTER MENT TO FIND IT ?

BUT I DO THINK lIMOS ARE BEING HOUNDED THERE IS A LOT OF AIRPORT MINI BUSES WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS WELL AS EVERY FORM OF TRANSPORT USED FOR HIRE & REWARD.

I couldn't agree with you more, NoTips.

This bit was interesting: "I was also told another vehicle was ‘unroadworthy’, because the rubber fell off the brake pedal during an examination. The whole thing is a farce.”

so if the driver went to use the brake, his shoes may have been wet, and the rubber fell off the pedal, there's very little friction between a wet sho and a steel brake pedal, so his foot could slip off the pedal and cause an accident. FFS, I've had a prohibition on a bus with a staple sticking out of an armrest. The fact it had been there 4 years and through 4 tests like it was immaterial.

Whilst I have sympathy with legal stretch limo operators, there's far too many still operating outside any regulatory body and the standards of maintenance on the vehicles are often appalling.

I have no sympathy with these things. None whatsoever.

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IDFIMH

http://www.route-one.net/issues/500/index.html#/22/

There ARE LEGAL stretch limo operators out there. I don't particularly like stretch limos per se, but there are "proper" coach companies such as Epsom Coaches and Kings Ferry to name a couple of long-established businesses who have operated such vehicles in a very legal manner. COIF, O licence, the usual regular safety checks, psv drivers, tacho, the lot. the prohibition rate mentioned in the article make interesting reading.

This one was not "truthful" and got sussed big time:

http://www.route-one.net/issues/500/index.html#/18/

http://www.route-one.net/issues/500/index.html#/22/


God that letter really told it how it is, Shows what the legal Limos think of the Limo association

Crooks trying to be honest?

The fella talks a lot a sense.

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IDFIMH