Anger over taxi safety charges
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... y-charges/
Image: Bradford Telegraph & Argus
THE OWNER of a cab firm has accused Bradford Council of trying to make money after several cars failed safety checks carried out by the authority.
Kaz Shehzad, of Local Cars and Taxis, said his cab failed its test because of a safety defect with bolts in his steering component and he had to pay a £100 ‘fine’.
However, when he got a second opinion and an MOT test was completed by Halfords and Kwik Fit, the vehicle passed, but he cannot get a taxi licence without first passing the Council’s inspection.
Mr Shehzad has called out the authority over the charges - which four of his drivers have already fallen victim to - when other garages have deemed their cabs roadworthy.
The Council said their test ensures cars are as safe as possible for the city’s customers.
Mr Shehzad told the Telegraph & Argus: “A couple of my drivers have had a £100 fine, but when they have gone to get a second opinion from a garage they have said there’s not a defect.
“Bradford Council has said they are using the right guidelines, but are failing them.
“Why are the drivers being penalised?
“Our company policy is for our drivers to take it to a garage and get an MOT, then take it to the Council.
Mr Shehzad said he had no problems with keeping people safe and that it was also his priority, but did not agree with the Council’s policy of fining drivers when other garages had deemed vehicles to be safe.
He added: “If MOT stations are saying the cars pass, then why is Bradford Council failing them? We need to be on the same page, but I feel like the Council is charging extra money for faults they shouldn’t be charging for.
“Public safety is a must, but if drivers are taking their cars into garages and passing MOTs, but failing them with the Council, that’s not right.”
A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “With regard to the specific complaint by Mr Shehzad, the Council cannot comment on the standard of inspection by other garages but the vehicle in question failed for having a steering component secured by using 8mm bolts in 10mm holes.
“We are confident that the vehicle safety inspection process, which is not an MOT, achieves its purpose of making sure customers in vehicles licensed by the Council are as safe as possible, which is the number one priority for Bradford Council.
“A £100 re-test fee only applies where a vehicle has failed a safety inspection due to a serious fault.
“Vehicle inspection failure rates have fallen significantly since the introduction of the re-test fee and we are confident that by working closely with the trades that this figure will continue to fall.
“Bradford Council’s Licensing Service is in constant dialogue with the trades and welcomes comments on vehicle safety to ensure that improvements continue where possible.
“An independent review of Bradford Council’s Hackney carriage and private hire operations identified passenger safety and good practice as the main priorities of the service. The service was found to be operating in accordance with the highest national standards.”
