Taxi Driver Online

Peterborough City Council conduct checks on taxi firm’s Covid protocols after reports of breaches

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/hea ... es-3124511

Peterborough City Council and Police have carried out checks on taxi and private hire vehicle drivers after reports of possible Covid safety breaches.

Although the current lockdown has resulted in fewer people using taxis and private hire vehicles, the council’s licensing team have continued to monitor how firms are operating in order to protect passengers and drivers.

Information gathered has suggested that some vehicles are operating without the necessary cleaning products to protect against Covid-19.

Evidence gathered by the council also suggests that some drivers are not isolating after positive virus tests, others are unaware of the need to wear face coverings and passengers are making non-essential journeys.

This week the council’s team have worked alongside Cambridgeshire Police to carry out compliance checks on vehicles, with officers looking to ascertain the following details:

• Passengers are wearing face coverings

• Passengers are undertaking essential travel

• Passengers are not mixing households

• Drivers have the necessary cleaning materials in the vehicle to clean after each passenger

• Checking that drivers are not supposed to be isolating

• Checking that drivers are wearing face coverings - not legally required but operators have confirmed they are instructing their drivers to do so

Information from the compliance checks will be reviewed and the team will then consider whether to extend the operation or take any further action.

Councillor Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities, said: “Our utmost priority is the safety of the general public and we are committed to working with our partners to ensure safety regulations are being carried out in taxis and private hire vehicles.

“This operation is not about enforcement. Our key aim is to help operators, drivers and passengers to understand their roles in controlling the spread of the virus. The response to the compliance checks has been positive. We will review findings and then decide on next steps.

“We understand that these are difficult times, but it is essential that everyone follows the national safety guidelines. This way we can work to drive down virus case numbers, which are still high in Peterborough.”

Anyone who has experienced Covid-related issues with taxis or private hire vehicles in Peterborough can contact their licensing team on 01733 747474.

I am not surprised as a community they are well aware of the risk BUT are the biggest risk takers shaking hands with all and sundry and refusing to carry out basic hygiene unless pushed

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

I wonder what an “essential “ journey is, as opposed to a “non essential “ journey.

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Former taxi driver

Presumably essential/non-essential is just the same as for folks using their own vehicle, except they happen to be hiring a taxi?

Are Councils ensuring Public Toilets and hand washing facilities are available 24/7 for TAXI and Private Hire drivers, this is a requirement for transport drivers of all ilk's,
Public Health Officers are failing in their duty to ensure their employers (Councils) are providing these facilities.
Even the paying of rates on these facilities has been removed or reduced.

We received this from our council a few weeks ago.

COVID -Secure compliance spot checks
Cheshire West and Chester Council are working in with The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out Covid-secure spot checks on businesses where we are responsible for the enforcement of health and safety legislation. In January we will be focusing on the taxi and private hire vehicle trades.

The purpose of the spot checks is to ensure businesses are implementing Covid-secure guidance to help to protect staff, customers and visitors from the Coronavirus infection.

The HSE will undertake the spot checks either in person or via the phone. Please note visits will not be conducted if the business is based at a residential address. The spot checks will be undertaken in two stages; first, there will be an assessment of the level of COVID awareness the business has and the control measures in place, Civica undertake these initial calls on behalf of the HSE. For businesses where there are concerns, a follow up call will be conducted by the HSE to assess those concerns and, where required, the Council’s Licensing Enforcement Officers will be asked to do a follow up visit.

This collaboration with HSE enables the Council to focus local resources on supporting businesses where concerns have been identified. Covid Spot Checks intend to be supportive to businesses and, where required, provide help by suggesting improvements. But, where businesses are not managing the risk, we will take immediate action. This will range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, it could lead to prosecution.

Through this approach we aim to build confidence with the local business community and the wider public that companies can operate safely in support of the Government’s approach to rebuilding the economy, whilst, at the same time, protect public health.

Please note: HSE also work with a range of partners to undertake face-to-face visits to premises. HSE representatives will carry identification from their business and a letter of authorisation from HSE. If you wish to verify an officer that calls or visits your organisation, please call 0300 790 6896. If you receive a call or visit from HSE, you should participate in the spot check as failure to do so could lead to enforcement action.

Many thanks
The Licensing Team

So the council and the police are now enforcing operator's rules?

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IDFIMH

And what if they don't?

What powers do the police and councils have to ensure drivers clean their cars after each passenger?

I have no issue with a rule, but both councils and the police can't enforce rules that they don't have powers to enforce.

There is no law which says drivers should disinfect their vehicles after each passenger, councils and the police shouldn't be making laws up as they go along.

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IDFIMH

How will they know?

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IDFIMH

I think it’s if they’ve been told to through the track and trace system.

But the police and the council have no access to track and trace data.

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IDFIMH

Covid secure GUIDANCE. Are the operative words.

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Former taxi driver