Taxi driver ran over airport passenger's luggage!A TAXI driver was taken to task after he “ran over” an airport passenger’s luggage while another was sent home to change for wearing jogging trousers and an “unsuitable hat”.
Fife Council’s new licensing enforcement officer also spoke to three taxi drivers for road rage incidents, gave another a verbal warning for swearing and reported an unlicensed tattooist to the police.
Donald Jenks was appointed on 22nd September and by the end of October he had looked at 32 complaints or allegations of non-compliance and carried out 31 spot checks on taxi drivers and second-hand dealers.
His role is to ensure individuals and companies issued with licences by Fife Council are maintaining high standards and abiding by the conditions.
A report to councillors said, “Public safety is being improved through direct action being taken; for example where immediate action is taken to address minor defects relating to taxis and the inspection of tattooists to ensure safe practices are being followed.”
Most of the investigations resulted in no action but also included a report to the police, a verbal warning, two advisory letters, one licence suspended and another surrendered.
Mr Jenks’ report said, “Advice was given to a taxi driver in relation to his driving standards when an allegation was received that he had ‘run over’ luggage while picking up a fare at Edinburgh Airport.
“No damage was caused to the luggage and the complaint would appear to have been slightly exaggerated.”
Three taxi drivers were “advised of the need to remain professional at all times” in relation to minor road rage incidents and a verbal warning given to a driver for swearing – although there was “provocation”.
Two plates were seized from cabbies no longer operating in Fife and a letter confirming the suspension of another was hand-delivered.
Advisory letters were sent after two taxis were photographed on yellow lines and complaints looked into regarding conduct at taxi ranks, including sounding horns.
Five complaints, against two tattooists, a taxi driver, street trader and second-hand dealer were unfounded with the latter complaint labelled as possibly “malicious”.
Mr Jenks was also asked to look at a complaint by the sister of a lady with learning and medical difficulties who was “being refused taxis”.
He wrote, “Enquiry showed that the operators had good cause for refusing to take the customer. Advice was given to the sister to look at alternative care arrangements that would greatly reduce the impact on the taxis concerned.”
He also carried out 27 spot checks on taxi drivers and four on second-hand dealers.
One cabbie was highlighted for “best practice” for producing a daily log which detailed all the fares taken and listing items to be checked every day such as lights, tyres, smoking signs, fare scale, badge etc.
Five advisory letters/requests to take immediate action were issued and two verbal warnings handed out for minor matters.
Together with the police and other council staff, Mr Jenks took part in 21 taxi inspections which uncovered 17 minor faults, including defective bulbs, tyre defects, no smoking signs, a damaged bumper, worn seat belts and standard of dress.
He explained, “One driver presented wearing jogging trousers and an unsuitable hat. He was advised of the dress code and sent home to change.”
Mr Jenks added, “In general terms standards observed during enquiries, spot checks and joint inspections have been found to be high.”
source:
http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/ro ... s-luggage/
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