Taxi Driver Online

Not that much to see here, apart from the fact that 120 seems quite a high number for operations like this

But this almost certainly a good example of 'churnalism' - basically a council press release rehashed, and the giveaway is at the bottom


More than 120 taxis and private hire cars stopped as part of safety operation

https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/181 ... operation/

MORE than 120 taxis and private hire cars have been stopped and checked during a joint operation by Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police.

Overall, 128 vehicles in the borough have been checked in the run up to the festive period by officers in conjunction with MOT testers from the council’s Makerfield depot.

The annual inspections are carried out to ensure passengers’ safety at a time when more residents are likely to be opting for a taxi home.

Checks also act as a reminder to taxi drivers and private hire car drivers on the aspects they can do to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy with experts on hand to advise where appropriate.

In total, 10 vehicles were suspended, eight were handed advisory notes and two were given warning notes on what improvements were needed urgently.

Regulatory services manager at Wigan Council Julie Middlehurst said: “Ensuring the safety of both passengers and pedestrians is paramount for the council and this is why joint operation takes place.

“It is vitally important that the public have faith when using drivers and the assessments mean high levels of safety are upheld.

“While the vast majority of taxi and private hire drivers operate safely within the terms of their licence, there will be a minority who choose to disregard the law and as a council we have a duty to act and educate where appropriate.

“The licensing service would like to thank the hackney carriage and private hire trade and passengers for their co-operation.”

Visits to Hope School were also made where officers reviewed licensed vehicles who transport vulnerable and disabled children to school.

A total of 50 vehicles underwent routine checks at five borough-based and five Leigh-based taxi companies.

Wigan Council is also taking the opportunity to urge residents to get home safely this Christmas by making sure they only use licensed taxis.

People are reminded to check for a valid vehicle licence plate and to see if a driver is wearing their photo ID badge before accepting a ride.

Private hire vehicles, which must be booked in advance, bear yellow taxi licence plates showing the car registration number, expiry date and number of passengers it's licensed to carry.

Hackney carriages, which can pick up passengers at taxi ranks or be hailed in the street, have white licence plates and a sign on the roof of the vehicle.

All licensed taxi drivers must wear their photo ID while on duty.

It is also helpful to make a note of the details in the event you need to need to make a complaint or compliment on your experience.

Positive feedback about our licensed drivers and vehicles can also be made.

The reference to *our* drivers suggests that this has just been lifted from a council press release.

The word *our* should have been left out, or quote marks used to show that it's a direct statement from the council

So either:



Or:

Not sure that is anything special.

Some of the checks were at schools, and that could be 20/30 in an hour. I doubt they were detailed checks more likely tyres, lights and badges. Nothing special.

I suspect if a council wanted to they could do hundreds of checks a day just by going around the ranks.

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IDFIMH

normally the Vosa operations require the use of a garage with a lift to inspect vehicles which is probably why we haven't had one in over 10 years as there probably isn't a willing garage proprietor to lend their facilities

sounds like a few called into a garage the rest just inspected for tyres and lights

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

Join the campaign to get April fools jokes banned for 364 days a year !

May have just been roadside tests, and tyres the most obvious candidate for suspensions.

Don't know what else they can do in roadside tests, but I think they might check for broken springs, leaking shock absorbers, torn/leaking gaiters, that sort of thing.