Stark figures show taxi licence applications in Sefton are down by more than 20% In papers sent before the licensing and regulatory committee, it is highlighted that there was a decrease of 1,518 licence bids between 2011 and 2014 Stark figures contained within a Sefton Council report show there has been more than a 20% drop in taxi licence applications.
In papers sent before the licensing and regulatory committee, it is highlighted that there was a decrease of 1,518 licence bids between 2011/2012 and 2013/2014 or equivalent to 21.35%.
The report states that “there is no empirical evidence to account for the declining licence numbers but anecdotal evidence suggests that drivers have to work very long hours to make ends meet, and that the decline is due to oversupply in the driver market that has built up over the last few years.”
Adrian Hughes, the director of All White Taxi’s told the Visiter: “The report of a decline in licence applications is not unexpected but could be addressed in some measure by adopting a more streamlined application process.
“Although we are always looking at ways we can raise standards within the industry, the process is long-winded, and contains elements that, with today’s technology, are unnecessary and have little or no educational value to the prospective driver.”
Adrian also said that applications mirror the economic rise and fall – in that in difficult times the industry is seen as a career to turn to during unemployment.
He said that with the current economic and job climate on the upturn again, this could explain why there are less drivers as they return to their usual line of work.
Under current procedure, for the council to grant a licence, drivers have to demonstrate they are a ‘fit and proper person’– through criminal and driving record checks, completing an NVQ qualification and they also have to pass a geographic knowledge test. This process often costs in excess of more than £200.
The knowledge question based exam is designed to test a driver’s understanding and comprehension of the local area. The report shows that just 29% of would-be taxi drivers taking their tests at the Southport One Stop Shop are successful. One driver, who wished to remain anonymous said that the stringent application process of tests and fees could be putting more people off.
He added: “There is always the same amount of customers, so more taxis means less income, so the fewer the amount of taxi drivers on the road the better for the drivers.
“You cannot physically make people use taxis if they have their own cars. The job is just so hard, I work 84 hours at the moment – which is seven days a week, 12 hours a day. It works out at less than minimum wage.”
Dave Moorhouse, from Kwik Cars, told the Visiter, said that the knowledge test is a good thing for keeping standards high.
He added: “I have been doing this for 25 years, back in the day when I started there was no knowledge test. A guy I know that took 11 attempts to get his badge because of the test.
“Overall I am glad the number of new successful licence applications is down because it means we get a bigger bite of the cherry. At the moment business is up – but that is probably down to our prices being lower.”
source:
http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/ ... ce-7351129
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