Undercover operation to stop taxi drivers breaking the law this Christmashttps://www.nottinghampost.com/news/not ... rs-2287236There have been 190 complaints against drivers so far this year
Image: Nottingham PostNottingham City Council will be carrying out an undercover operation over Christmas to make sure taxi drivers do not flout the law after receiving 190 complaints from passengers.
Complaints this year include not using the meter for journeys, rude behaviour and poor driving.
Sixteen licences have been revoked so far this year.
The majority of offences were connected to plying for hire, which is when private hire drivers attempt to pick up passengers that are not pre-booked, which is against the law.
Some licences were also revoked when the driver was caught drink driving.
The city council, which controls around 2,500 licences, will be carrying out 'the mystery shopper taxi journeys' over the next few weeks.
They will be making sure that taxi drivers in the city obey the rules, and asking members of the public who are travelling by taxi to tell them when they have problems.
This can include overcharging when hackney cab drivers' quote a fixed price for a journey when legally, a hackney cab must be on the meter within the Nottingham city boundary.
Certain offences mean an automatic review of the driver’s licence.
John Davis, who worked for the police for 30 years before joining Nottingham City Council to manage the taxi licensing team, said: "The majority of taxi drivers in Nottingham provide a fantastic service but as the regulating authority, we are here to deal with those that flout the rules.
"Passengers should always ensure they only use properly licensed taxis or pre-book private hire vehicles - and always check to see the taxi plates displayed before you get in. If you have an issue, take a picture of the driver’s badge or licence plates so that we can identify them."
Councillor Toby Neal, portfolio holder for community protection for the city council, said: "We know that there’s an increase in taxi use over the festive season as people sensibly opt not to drive if they are planning on having a drink.
"All year round, our licensing team are cracking down on drivers who are flouting the law, with a push ahead of Christmas to give people extra peace of mind. We are on the side of those drivers who play by the rules, and are determined to make the playing field as level as it can be.
"There are a very small minority who give other drivers a bad name. Nottingham City Council is committed to taking action, sending the clear message that it is not acceptable. We want everyone to get home safely and to be given a good quality service by taxi drivers."
Chander Sood, acting chair of Unite Union for Hackney taxis in Nottingham, said: "There are a few bad apples in every trade. The council should take strict action against these people that are ripping customers off.
"We want to flush out these bad apples. Don't ask the driver how much. He has a meter, ask them to put it on, and, if he refuses, then he is breaking the law, take his number and let the council know."
Login
Register
FAQ
