Taxi Driver Online

Don't know whether this is just exaggeration, but as per usual the council thinks it's all being dealt with adequately.


Barnsley taxi firms condemn 'illegal' drivers as council approves strict new licencing rules

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/loc ... l-22911059

Taxi firm operators have hit out at what they say is a widespread problem in the town

Taxi drivers in Barnsley have hit out at "illegal" drivers that they say are "all over" the town.

Their comments come as Barnsley Council approves strict new licencing laws, which will include criminal records (DBS) checks on drivers every six months.

Current legislation is that drivers have a DBS check every 12 months, and Councillor Alan Gardiner, cabinet spokesperson for core services, said the new rules are designed to help the public feel safer.

But taxi drivers in the town have hit out at the slew of "illegal" taxi drivers in the area and said that they feel the council need to be focusing on this issue as a matter of public safety, instead.

Mick Clarke, who owns Clarkey's taxi company in Cudworth, told YorkshireLive : "They have our details for 12 months, so they could just keep checking it all the time.

"I'm just a one-man band at the moment and if [the public] know that [taxi firms] have got police checks and criminal records [checks], then they should be safe anyway.

"It's all these that do it illegally, those that aren't licenced, they think they can do it on their car licence."

Mr Clarke said that he and other taxi drivers have "everything to pay for", including specialist insurance policies and driving enhancement courses.

He said: "My insurance is between £1,000 and £2,000 a year and then I've got all my other costs and I've got to do a driving enhancement course, and they're [illegal drivers] just doing it on their own licences. They need to check them more than us."

And local taxi driver, Bob, who runs Bob's Taxis, agreed.

He said: "I think an easy option would be to get the illegal drivers who don't have licences. [It's the] same cars, week in, week out we see them.

"I would think for the safety of the public, they'd be targeting that side. I can't see what six months would do, if a legal driver gets involved with the police or has an accident he has to inform licencing, so whether they have them six-monthly or 12-monthly, a safe, legal driver would inform licencing."

Bob said that he and other drivers in the area could tell police and the council exactly where the unlicenced drivers will be on an evening, including the make and registration of their cars, as they are in the area the regularly.

He said: "Before the pandemic they were just all over Barnsley, picking up."

But Wayne Cooper, who owns Cooper's Travel, said that he does not mind the idea of the new licencing laws as he agrees that they may help people feel safer.

He said: "Yeah, I'd be happy with that. We ferry about a lot of vulnerable passengers - elderly, young, women - I think it's only right that we have more checks.

"I don't think it'd have a positive impact on drivers or the company, knowing a few drivers they do take it a bit personal and don't want to be tarred with the same brush as people who are dodgy, but it'd be positive for the public."

Mr Cooper has been a taxi driver for 12-years and has owned his own company for two years.

He said that he "loves" his job and is a "firm believer in making the public feel safe."

Barnsley Council has offered advice on spotting an unlicenced taxi driver and have urged to public to "never flag down a car in the street".

They said: "You may be getting into an illegal, uninsured vehicle which could be potentially very dangerous.

"A hackney cab that is for hire will have an illuminated (usually orange) sign on the roof of the vehicle which indicates that it is for hire."

Their advice also includes looking out for a Barnsley Council logo on the vehicle registration, so that you know the vehicle and driver are licensed.

Cllr Gardiner said: "Our new Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy has now been approved by Cabinet and the report will go to Full Council on 3 February. The new policy will help our residents feel assured that they can travel safely.

"We are pleased we have the support of local taxi drivers. As a council, we have been very proactive around warning people of illegal taxiing and the risks. We have investigated and prosecuted unlicensed drivers and will always investigate any concerns.

"The council issues regular messages to warn that anyone using unlicensed taxis can put their safety at risk and that touting for taxi services is illegal. This includes services advertised on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

"If anyone is in any doubt that a vehicle or driver is not licensed, they can inform the council’s licensing service on 01226 773555, licensing@barnsley.gov.uk".

There was also this a couple of days ago, which I didn't bother posting, because it was just the standard stuff about more frequent DBS checks etc. But intriguing mention of a 'whistleblowing policy' to 'promote self-policing by the licensed trade'.

Assumed that meant licensed drivers 'whistleblowing' on others in the trade, but maybe it's more about the illegal drivers, but who knows


Cabinet approves more background checks and whistleblowing policy for Barnsley taxi drivers

https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics ... rs-3542539

Taxi drivers face more background checks under stringent new rules approved by Barnsley Council’s cabinet today (January 26).

The new licensing policy, which will affect both private hire and hackney carriage drivers, proposes a number of changes to the way checks are made on drivers and operators.

Changes to the policy include six monthly criminal record checks for drivers, a requirement for licensees to notify the council within 48 hours of an arrest, charge, or conviction for specific offences, more regular vehicle safety checks and DBS checks for vehicle proprietors, operators and booking and dispatch staff.

A whistleblowing policy is also proposed, in a bid to ‘promote self-policing by the licensed trade’.

Councillor Steve Green, chair of the general licensing regulatory board, said the policy will be reviewed ‘at least’ every five years.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton CBE told the meeting that ‘public safety has to come first every time’.

The proposals will be considered by full council on February 3.

But it's not a choice between safety checks for existing drivers and dealing with illegal taxi/PHs, the council can and should be doing both.

As for the annual DBS checks, that's now easier to do than the previous 3 yearly version.

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IDFIMH