Taxi Driver Online

This is an official council news release. This kind of thing not unknown, obviously. But several interesting features, and kind of makes it sound like a local authority version of Uber/Veezus's recruitment 'hub', or whatever.

But it's basically the council promoting a gig economy model, in my opinion.

Note this authority comprises mainly mid-sized towns, the largest being Bridlington (population 35,000), Beverley (30,000) and Goole (20,000). I've never even heard of any of the smaller towns in the area


Campaign launched to attract more licensed drivers in the East Riding

https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/news/arti ... 10f1d3cba6

East Riding of Yorkshire Council are encouraging local residents to consider becoming licensed private hire or taxi drivers.

Along with most areas of the country, the East Riding needs to attract more drivers, as the industry has an ageing workforce, current drivers are getting older, and many have retired in recent times.

Although there is not a shortage of licensed drivers in the area at this stage, the council wants to act now to prevent a potential shortfall of drivers in the future.

Over the coming months, the council will issue case studies on its social media channels, showcasing different business models in the industry, giving residents an opportunity to see what they might be interested in and how challenging but rewarding the job can be.

Councillor Leo Hammond, Cabinet member for planning, communities and public protection, said : "We are taking prudent action now to prevent future problems. Licensed drivers perform an essential transport role across the East Riding, especially in rural areas or during the night time economy, and are vital for our communities to function. There is much more to being a licensed driver than you might think, and we hope that more people will want to consider taking this on, which will benefit both themselves and the areas they serve."

Councillor Hammond added: "Many people don't realise how many different business models are open to licensed drivers. You can work for yourself and choose your own days and hours, perhaps in addition to an existing job, or you can work for a company and enjoy the benefits that can bring.

"It can be very rewarding work - not only can you set your own schedule, but you could end up driving anywhere in the country, and meeting lots of different people. It's a very diverse and rewarding role.

"You can also drive an existing vehicle, get your own private hire vehicle, or even share a vehicle. There really are lots of ways in which you can make the role work for you, and turn it into a successful business opportunity."

For example, Mr F has been a licensed driver since 2018. He was drawn to the role by the flexibility of the working hours, and now enjoys interacting with customers. He felt he had transferable skills from his previous role in the adult care sector.

Mr F thinks the best bits of the job are the flexibility, and being able to make his own decisions on the type of work he does. He enjoys the longer journeys, such as airport runs.

He started working for a large private hire company, but last year started his own private hire company. With his wife, he now focuses on their passenger services home to schools contracts, and airport transportation.

Mr F has this advice : "You have to be organised and think carefully about the type of area you would like to work in. You should also buy the appropriate car from the start. I would recommend licensed driving as a great trade to work in."

Initially, all applicants meet with the council's licensing team, and are advised on how to proceed, depending on whether they would like to be self-employed or to work for a company.

To become a licensed driver, applicants would be subject to enhanced checks on their medical history, criminal history, driving history and their right to work in the UK. They also have a localised knowledge test, and safeguarding training.

To find out more, contact: Taxi.hub@eastriding.gov.

Was going to go through more of the above with a fine tooth comb, but changed my mind

But below are a couple of standouts for me


In other words, there are HC quotas in the area


Somehow I'd guess they'll be self-employed either way



Funny that prospective applicants are never told about picking up aggressive and abusive drunks and druggies at 3am on Sunday morning

So the plan is to get a load of new drivers, who will compete with the existing drivers, leading them all to earn sweet f*** all.

Who is surprised this brain wave has come via a council and councillors?

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IDFIMH

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IDFIMH

councils up and down the land depended on the money from taxi licensing to pay for all those nice xmas parties and do's and now it is dwindling and they miss the money

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

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

I'd bet the house that the main impetus has come from HC and PHV circuits and proprietors.

The tail wagging the dog, or as those clever people say 'regulatory capture'.

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IDFIMH

There's an article on the GB News website about the 'shortage', both in the national sense, and about East Riding Council trying to address it.

Unfortunately the piece doesn't question that narrative at all (although I was half expecting a Steve Wright MBE-type figure to appear, but there isn't one), so to that extent won't impress some people on here.

Instead, it's the usual slightly twee promotional-type stuff about what a fantastic and varied job it is (literally 'the best job in the world'). One minute you're taking old ladies to the shops, the next minute you're going to the airport. Then at night you're being threatened by aggressive drunks and drug addicts, and cleaning up vomit etc. Actually, scrap that last bit, because the piece is sugary enough not to go there.

But it features a newish driver - he'll learn

And from the passenger side it's the usual stuff about a lifeline service, and how the driver is a 'best friend' and 'Catholic priest' all rolled into one. Eh?

(Surprised they left that last bit in lest they be accused of Islamophobia, or whatever, but it is GB News )

Decent enough report if you like that kind of thing, but it's kind of doing the job of those who complain about a 'shortage' for them, and to that extent I'm not a fan, as regulars on here will know by now...

Anyway, the article is essentially the same as the video news report, and it's easy to load with not much in the way of adverts and pop-ups etc, therefore...


Britain's taxi crisis as UK sees huge drop in numbers

https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/cars/t ... rs-uk-drop

Councils across the country are trying to get more cabbies on the road

Don't think there's anything new here - it's just a brief rehash of last year's stuff, and still a bit bizarre

And can't find anything else online, so it's just this brief piece from a local radio station's website.

But looks like it's all about a new media campaign and a recent piece on the radio station, and there are brief extracts from the interview via the link...

In which it's stated that demand from customers is still below pre-Covid levels, so to that extent what's the problem that it needs councillors and licensing officials to get on their high horse about?

Of course, the point made in the audio extracts about the current driver age profile and future recruitment is well enough made, but what precisely that has to directly to do with the council is anyone's guess.

I mean, how many other councils are making similar noises, despite no doubt facing a similar scenario?


East Riding Needs More Taxi Drivers

https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/l ... i-drivers/

A campaign is being launched across the East Riding to attract more taxi drivers to the area.

East Riding Council is urging people to consider becoming a taxi driver.

The latest data shows that the number of taxi drivers in the East Riding has not yet returned to pre-COVID levels.

Councillor Leo Hammond says the council is running a campaign to attract new drivers to the industry.

Licencing Manager Louise Wilson says the council is trying to address the shortage of drivers.

Cllr Leo Hammond, the communities portfolio holder, said licensed drivers performed an essential role across the East Riding. He added that:

"Many people don’t realise how many different business models are open to licensed drivers".

Whilst reports are showing that the number of taxi drivers has remained steady over the last 4 to 5 years, they have not recovered to the pre- Covid levels seen in 2019.

Louise Wilson went on to share the numbers across the East Ridings and admitted that the current climate does present a challenge.