Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver "shocked" at state of minibus used by children




A TAXI driver has accused council chiefs of hypocrisy after reporting a school minibus used for carrying children which he believed was in a poor condition.

Tauseef Shah said taxis had to undergo three MOTs a year and have no scratches whereas the minibus, which has been cleared as roadworthy by
Rotherham Borough Council, was allowed to carry youngsters despite its rusting paintwork.

Mr Shah was so angry at the state of the minibus, used by Rotherham Aspire, that he took photographs and sent an open letter to the council, MPs, as well as Prime Minister Theresa May.

Rotherham Aspire is a pupil referral unit based on New Street, Rawmarsh.

The cabbie, who works with A1 Taxis in Rotherham but made the complaint in a personal capacity, said: “I was shocked to see this vehicle being used by the vulnerable children and staff of this institution, Rotherham Aspire.

“This is a matter of public concern and child safety.”

A council spokesman said: “All the usual procedures have been followed for this vehicle, and this has included prescribed inspections and testing, vehicle servicing and driver vehicle checks.

“This particular vehicle is maintained in line with current legal requirements for the vehicle’s use.”

source: http://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/ne ... _24414.htm

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

nidges favourite form of travel

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

Typical of many councils that have high standards for taxis and ph vehicles as that doesn’t effect the councils bottom line.

Yet will use any old sh** to do their contract work as that clearly does.

One must also question the quality of the driver(s) taking into account the amount of dents and scratches.

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IDFIMH

This case highlights the anomaly of running minibuses under the s19 community bus permits. These do NOT come under any council licencing schemes, they are tested under class 4 (I think) testing at local garages that test cars. They do not come under taxi licencing unless they are under 8 seats and licenced as private hire or hackney.

Councils can no longer use s19 minibuses to do any tendered contract work. However, there are those, maybe such as this example, which is used by a charity that falls outside this regulation.

I totally agree such a tatty vehicle shouldn't be on the road, but hey ho, that's what the law as the DafT interprets it at the moment.