Taxi Driver Online

Where to start with this? Usual press article about these things which those who know how it all works will be aware that it's not made sufficiently clear what's happening, precisely.

I mean, first it says the problem is with badges, then it's plates, or is it both?

Then the council says there's no problem with renewals as long as the application is submitted on time. But they also say that *new* badge applications aren't being processed at this time.

Whatever, but I'm sure things aren't quite how they're portrayed in the article.

I'm sure Mr T will know, though


Taxi drivers 'crying and begging for money' as crisis leaves them with no income

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... y-22397224

Drivers are facing no income as they struggle to pay for their homes and food this Christmas

Taxi drivers are reportedly being left with no income due to a backlog in badge applications.

In what has been described as the biggest crisis ever seen for the industry, drivers have been "crying and begging" for money claiming they can't provide for their families..

Businesses have expressed their fears for the future if action is not taken, as drivers are unable to go to work due to severe delays.

The ECHO has previously reported on a shortage of drivers caused by the pandemic, but business owners say the situation is much worse, as these drivers are wanting to work but cannot.

This means it is 'near impossible' to get a taxi to and from Liverpool City Centre and around Merseyside.

Joe Johnson, of Berry Street Garage in Bootle, said Sefton Counci l is 'falling behind' in renewing badge applications, new vehicle applications and licencing.

He said he has dozens of cars in his garage unable to be used due to not yet having the necessary plates, which means drivers are unable to go to work.

He added: "Sefton Council are putting drivers on the red line, especially coming up to Christmas.

Even vehicle renewals are not being done in time and they just don't care.

"Everyone is struggling, even Delta and it's getting worse and worse. It's a crisis. I've had drivers in my doorway crying, begging for money because they face being evicted from their home. They don't have an income.

"During Covid a lot of drivers left the taxi trade for other jobs, but this is the busiest time of year. We have a long list of drivers out of work because they haven't got what they need. The service is not fit for purpose.

"I've been in the trade for 20 years and it's the worst I've ever seen it. They can't keep blaming Covid. Other councils have got the waiting list down to a matter of days, why are we waiting weeks?

"The council are not allowing these people to work. There isn't a driver shortage, they just can't work because they have no cars.

"It's having a knock-on effect because if people can't get a taxi, they won't go out which then impacts the economy and things will close.

"I fear for the future, I've never known it to be this bad, I've never been so fearful for the taxi trade. It's the biggest crisis I've seen."

Joe, who is also a committee member for the Sefton Licencing and Regulatory Committee, said all communication has to be done via email, but these emails are 'being ignored', resulting in an even bigger backlog.

He said: "One driver has wasted two months worth of insurance after putting his application in back in October and still hasn't heard back. He's got a family and can't pay for food or presents with no income.

"You've got grown men crying their eyes out because they can't provide. We are trying our best but no-one cares, it's tragic. There's no reason for these people to be out of work.

"The whole trade is complaining, it's so worrying and yes, I'm scared for the future."

These thoughts were echoed by another local business who told the ECHO it is the same situation for larger fleets and private businesses.

The manager, who did not wish to be named, said: "Before Covid you could take a car in and get it back on the road the same day, now it is around a 10-week wait.

"We are trying to rebuild our businesses but the council is putting barriers in the way. Drivers cannot be paid because we are waiting on plates. We've got cars lined up just waiting.

"We are being let down. The last 18 months have been hard enough, we've been put through the gutter and as we are trying to get back on our feet, we can't.

"I'm surprised our business is still standing after the last few months but now this, it's unbelievable. I've got drivers really upset, not knowing what they can do for Christmas.

"People are worried and yet nothing is being done."

A Sefton Council spokesperson said: “All taxi owners can apply for renewal of their plate 28 days before their current one expires, so there should be no reason why anyone would be without one.

"We encourage all licence holders to apply for the renewal of their licences as early as possible and continue to share clear guidance on the evidence needed in order to ensure the process runs swiftly and smoothly.

"In order to support our Borough’s current taxi drivers we do have a temporary pause on new driver licence applications, however this will be reviewed in the middle of January and an update will be provided to the trade and on the Council’s website.

"Our customer services teams and licensing officers have been dedicated to working with taxi drivers and firms over what has been a challenging two years for everyone. They have continued to support drivers ensuring all driver and vehicle licences are processed in a timely manner.

"Further information about the application process can be found on Sefton Council’s website at http://www.sefton.gov.uk/taxi ”

I’m told by someone local to the Sefton trade that this is yet another case of operators/fleet owners crying like babies.

By all accounts existing drivers are as happy as Larry.

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IDFIMH

As you can see there are no statements from drivers claiming that they are suffering, only a statement from a person who owns a testing station which tests sefton Ph vehicles and who also owns a large number of private hire vehicles and also manages quite a few for other people, Even now there are 4000+ private hire registered in Sefton, make of it as You will,

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Had a feeling it was maybe about the *new* badges and maybe plating *new* vehicles, and to that extent drivers who currently have badges wouldn't be at all concerned, unless of course they were late with their renewal applications.

But fleet owners, obviously, will view it all differently...

The thing that I found amusing about the article in the echo, is that when you read the replies from the public, is that all they were insisted In was slagging off taxi drivers for overcharging and ripping the public off, there will be Repercussions from this article it will be interesting to see what happens next, but the Hackneys will be okay obviously they've got me ha ha

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Yes, there were almost 150 comments when I looked yesterday, and most were about Liverpool-plated HCs, and couldn't really see anything that shed any light on the actual contents of the article, although only looked at a small sample of the comments

But if Sefton Council's comments reflect anything like the reality, then I suspect they'll be absolutely livid at the way this is being portrayed in the press

Taxi driver faces 'horrendous' time as he can't work in 'crisis'

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... e-22469476

A taxi driver has pleaded with the frustrated public to be patient as cabbies are 'trying their best'

Taxi drivers have been 'forgotten about' throughout the pandemic as they struggle to earn a living, a worried driver has said.

In what has been described as the biggest crisis ever seen for the industry, the battle continues for drivers in parts of Merseyside who are facing being out of work due to severe delays.

Drivers said they are facing a constant battle' which has caused them much stress and concern.

The ECHO previously reported that taxi drivers are 'crying' and 'begging for money' as they cannot work due to delays in the system and 'everyone is struggling'.

One taxi driver who works in the Sefton area said his badge is due to expire on January 13, 2022 but has no idea if he will get one in time as he cannot get through to Sefton Council.

John, who did not wish for his surname to be shared, said: "Drivers are seriously worried about what is going to happen, we face being out of work.

"I know one lad who's been out of work for ten weeks because he's got no badge and it's the same issue with plates. It's a constant battle and no matter what you do, you're met with utter blankness.

"It gives the impression of tough but we are constantly being done over. We are told not to contact the council and they will contact us, if we do contact them we don't get an answer.

"In terms of taxi drivers being unable to work, it is a crisis, but there is no lack of drivers. People just can't work.

"There's also an issue with people double and treble booking firms and not cancelling so we are going on jobs with no shows. We are being told to sign on the dole but some aren't entitled to that.

"The whole thing is horrendous, it's unbelievable."

John, who has been a taxi driver for two years, said he is worried he will not get his renewal in time and will face no work in the new year.

He added: "We've struggled through this whole pandemic. In the first lockdown I was unable to work due to my partner shielding but when we came back it was dire. We were lucky to make £50 a day.

"It slowly picked up in the summer, we were quite busy but then lockdown came. We feel we have been utterly forgotten about. It's absolutely horrendous.

"Especially coming into the new year, 14 days into it and I could be off the road for however long, not earning anything.

"Taxi drivers can't provide for their families. They are having to try and keep money aside in case they are off the road because they still need to pay for the car and insurance, they can't say no the council are experiencing delays.

"One lad has waited ten weeks for a new badge and is still waiting. We've been told autorenewal for two-months will restart but that's putting more pressure on the council in two months time."

John went on to say taxi drivers are also experiencing an increase in abuse from frustrated customers who are experiencing longer waits for their ride.

He said: "On Saturday night I got to a job and the customer gave abuse saying he had waited half an hour and said we were **** and had gone.

"It's not my fault We are trying our best.

"Please, if the public are booking a taxi then just book the one or cancel if you book another. This will speed up the response and will see more taxis coming because we know there's one job per person."

Taxi drivers have said they are worried about their future in the trade as the crisis continues.

When addressing the issue, Sefton Council previously told the ECHO that taxi owners can apply for renewal of their plate 28 days before their current one expires, so there 'should be no reason why anyone would be without one'.

A spokesman added: "We encourage all licence holders to apply for the renewal of their licences as early as possible and continue to share clear guidance on the evidence needed in order to ensure the process runs swiftly and smoothly.

"In order to support our Borough’s current taxi drivers we do have a temporary pause on new driver licence applications, however this will be reviewed in the middle of January and an update will be provided to the trade and on the Council’s website.

"Our customer services teams and licensing officers have been dedicated to working with taxi drivers and firms over what has been a challenging two years for everyone. They have continued to support drivers ensuring all driver and vehicle licences are processed in a timely manner.

"Further information about the application process can be found on Sefton Council’s website at www.sefton.gov.uk/taxi ”

One minute it's a renewal, next it's a new badge? Hate this kind of imprecise language. Same with 'plates' and 'badges' in the whole article, which makes it sound like they're the same thing.

So Sefton haven't been processing new applications, therefore a ten week wait for a new badge isn't really surprising. And the only other thing in the article is that a driver is simply *worried* he won't get renewed at his expiry date.

If someone has been waiting ten weeks unbadged for a straightforward renewal, then obviously that's unacceptable.

But it's not entirely clear if they have

Dear all,

An update to address current issues facing the service and temporary changes made as a result as follows;

• Current advertised licence processing time to be extended from 10 working days to 20 working days
• Driver appointments will still be made for anyone needing DBS/Medical checks
• Remote renewals for any drivers that do not need to be seen
• Any licences falling due over the Christmas lockdown period to be auto renewed
• Temporary suspension of issuing new driver licences

The focus is going to be on clearing the current backlog and concentrating resources on driver renewals and vehicle licences.

The website will be amended shortly to reflect this.

We are hoping that these temporary measures will address the current issues facing the service but please get in touch with any comments or suggestions or if you require clarification on any points.

Regards

Mark

The basic problem is that in the past the licensing service was really good, you could buy a cab, on the same day get it tested and have a license on it in the afternoon, obviously this is not the case now and some people don't understand why

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Anyone who knows their TAXI drivers licence is up for renewal just have to put the renewal paperwork request and payment into the L/A before the expiry date of their existing TAXI drivers licence, they can continue to work as the L/A has not determined the request for renewal and will issue a renewed licence or refuse a licence when the request is determined.

What a TAXI driver must NOT do is apply for renewal AFTER the expiry date of their existing licence as it becomes an application for a new TAXI drivers licence and they have to jump through the same hoops as someone new coming into the trade.