Taxi Driver Online

Reading taxi enforcers crackdown on illegal trips to Heathrow


Reading licensing officers were part of an operation targeting taxi and private-hire drivers making illegal trips to Heathrow Airport
Licensing officers from Reading have been taking part in a crack-down targeting taxis and private-hire cabs illegally taking passengers to Heathrow Airport .

Nearly 370 private-hire cars and Hackney carriages were stopped during the multi-agency operation. Action was taken against the drivers in 137 cases.

Two members of Reading Borough Council’s licensing team were joined by colleagues from other authorities including Slough and Portsmouth councils and Transport for London for the Heathrow Cab Enforcement Compliance Day co-ordinated by the Metropolitan Police on Thursday, May 19.

The operation takes place regularly to tackle the number of illegal taxi journeys made to Heathrow from nearby towns.

Officers randomly stopped 327 private-hire vehicles and 41 Hackney carriages during the six hour blitz at Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 at the airport.

Fourteen summonses were issued for offences such as vehicles not being licensed, drivers having no licence or no insurance, defective tyres and no plates.

Two cars were seized, three fixed penalty notices issued and 120 operators were reported to their local authorities for offences including not wearing a badge, having a vehicle which did not meet regulations and smoking in the cab.

Councillor Paul Gittings, Reading’s lead member for culture, sport and consumer Services, said: “Thousands of taxis from surrounding boroughs descend on Heathrow Airport every day so it makes sense for local councils to work together on these operations.

“Providing transport to major airports can be a lucrative business so it’s important we do our best to ensure passengers are being carried in safe and legitimate vehicles.

“The number of offences discovered during this operation proves it is a worthwhile activity and I’m pleased officers from Reading borough played their part.”


source: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/readin ... l-11423125

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

I wonder how many officers were working at terminal 1?

_________________
Grandad,

so why is it illegal to take passengers to Heathrow ? I can understand picking up from (touting) but the article isn't clear as to why these vehicles were not acting legally whether it was not pre booked or if pick ups were from outside their licensing area

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

or why T4 wasn't covered ?

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I don't think it is, actually I know it's not.

The press got it wrong.

Although I suspect there is a lot of unlicensed vehicles dropping at Heathrow.

_________________
IDFIMH

Nearly 370 private-hire cars and Hackney carriages were stopped during the multi-agency operation. Action was taken against the drivers in 137 cases.

that suggests they were all displaying plates were they all out of date ? i.e. not been renewed

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Or they were not wearing their badges.

Interesting as to what law is being broken when a driver isn't wearing his badge out of his area.

_________________
IDFIMH

....While 'on duty?' Would that cover the requirement to wear a badge?

Conditions of license are applicable even outside your licensing district.

Are they?

Who enforces them outside?

_________________
IDFIMH

Multi-angency operations seem to enforce them when outside the area. Surely the police can stop you at any time and ask to see your badge.

We are not in North Korea, they need a reasonable excuse.

_________________
IDFIMH