Taxi Driver Online

Bradford Council urged to reconsider new rules for taxis


A controversial ban on six and eight-seater taxis should be reconsidered, according to a councillor.

Bradford Council has decided that from now on, it will no longer be granting taxi licences to six or eight-seater vehicles because of safety fears.

Earlier this month, a Regulatory and Appeals Panel decided all passengers should be able to get out of taxis in an emergency without having to move or climb over a seat.

Officers have recommended cabbies remove one seat in such a vehicle if they want to get a licence to trade.

Vehicles which are already licensed will not be affected.

But Tory councillor Debbie Davies is calling for the decision to be reconsidered. She said the move would harm honest business people, giving the example of a cabbie featured in the Telegraph & Argus who said it would cost his firm thousands of pounds.

Michael Fryer, of Michael’s Private Hire in Baildon, said he would lose £10,000 a year in revenue if he had to run a seven-seater cab rather than an eight-seater.

Mr Fryer, who runs one vehicle, an eight-seater Mercedes Vito, said while he wouldn’t be forced to change his current vehicle, he would be affected when the time came to replace it.

Coun Davies has now written to the chairman of the panel, Councillor David Warburton, asking whether Mr Fryer could speak to them directly at their next meeting.

Coun Davies said: “Surely if a decision taken is wrong then it should be overturned at the earliest opportunity, as that shows that the Council is prepared to listen to genuine concerns from reputable people trying to make a living.”

She said the new rules made no sense, as such vehicles passed all safety checks and were also used by families as well as being used as taxis.

Coun Warburton said the decision had been taken after an in-depth consultation with taxi drivers.

He said: “I’ll be quite honest, so shortly after us going through a policy review – and it wasn’t just about this – I don’t feel it’s appropriate to bring it back to the panel.”

Coun Warburton said the panel did not just have to consider taxi firms, but also had a wider duty of care to the public.

He said: “It’s a two-edged sword. Yes, we try and support businesses, but yes we have that duty of care to the community.”

source: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n ... for_taxis/

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

They could always just license vehicles that you don't have to climb over seats to get out in an emergency, our council does. The problem arises when providers of such vehicles want to opt for the cheapest option available which isn't always the safest.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

If the vehicle comes manufactured with X amount of seats, they will have been lab tested
But then you get council crettins that turn around and spout of sheit

Personally I don't think it's 'sheit' I wouldn't like to be stuck in a vehicle with no way out would you?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

If they weren't safe then they would not be allowed on the roads as personal vehicles. What is the difference if it is a private vehicle?

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Grandad,

Some of my mates run 8-seater Transits, and I can't think of an easier vehicle to get out of.

If however the council are going to be true to their stupidity then surely all saloons will only be licensed for three.

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IDFIMH

Most vehicles are safe for use on the roads, however, how easy they are to exit after an accident is another matter. If a person can be trapped by a seat that surely can't be good for the passenger. Personal use is by choice of the owner, for ferrying passengers the customer usually leaves that choice to the driver assuming they've chosen a safe vehicle. I believe the council are correct if a seat can become a hazard in an accident, without being silly and saying any seat could become a hazard, especially when there are vehicles out there that can carry up to 8 without having a folding seat blocking the very rear passengers exit from the vehicle. I think you'll find it's down to finance and cost that prevents a better vehicle being purchased by most who provide this service.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Say one of these multi seat vehicles is hit side on, with the seat in place, the seat should help cushion the impact, take the seat out and the side panel travels further in, as there is nothing in the way to stop it

our council will only licence 8 seat vehicles that have 2 sliding rear doors and the rear seats face each other. That's why I have a 8 seat Vito, if I turn the seat so they face forward I have to take one out so it seats 7.

In the next town they will licence 7 seats cars and I have seen passengers get in via the boot.

If we cover every single possibility there wouldn't be any vehicle suitable for licensing, however, if we just think sensibly about things there leaves choices for the trade. If people stop trying to license to cheapest possible vehicle and start thinking about the customers, just a little a bit, sliding doors with facing seats would be the sensible option.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!