Taxi Driver Online

Aberdeen Press and Journal

August 2, 2006 Wednesday

HEADLINE: Taxi operators hit out over rising charges and north council red tape

BYLINE: Iain Grant

Taxi operators across the Highlands are concerned about fast-rising charges and red tape imposed by Highland Council.

A Caithness operator yesterday highlighted that the newly introduced penalty points system has added to their existing sense of grievance over how the local authority treats their trade. Operators claim the new sanctions which can be applied during spot checks will make it even more difficult to recruit and retain drivers.

And they fear firms will increasingly run down their public hire operation and concentrate on more lucrative contract work. That, according to James Miller, of Miller Cabs, will spell bad news for the public and, in particular pensioners, and others who rely on taxis. Mr Miller, 48, has seen a marked rise in the cost of taxi licences and associated paperwork since starting the Wick business four years ago.

"The amount of money the council takes from us is unbelievable and we're getting nothing in return," he complained. "As far as I'm concerned, the taxis are an easy target to raise cash for the council." He believes the Highlands is the only area in Scotland to operate a penalty points system brought in at the start of July.

Instead they relate to non-compliance with a series of 40 standards set by the council's trading standards unit. The most serious, involving 'high risk' brake, tyre, steering, suspension or lighting faults, attract seven penalty points, as do the lack of a fire extinguisher or first aid kit.

Lesser points apply to lower risk faults; missing or incorrectly displayed documents or licence plates; lack of cleanliness; failure to report accident damage; and driver behaviour. Accumulating 20 points in two years results in an appearance before the licensing "beaks" who could put the driver or operator off the road.

Mr Miller, who operates six cars, said he and fellow operators feel they are being ripped off by the council by the tariffs they are having to pay. He said the cost of a three-year licence for drivers had doubled to £180 since he started driving while an operator's licence for three years has gone up from £180 to £280 in a year. The rates, he said, are higher than any comparable area in Scotland.

Billy More, who chairs Caithness Taxi Operators Association, said: "There's a lot of unhappiness from drivers right across the Highlands from Lochaber to Caithness. The council are just making the job harder and harder for us to do. We're trying to provide a public service but they are charging more and more and I know some firms are now finding it impossible to get drivers."

Gordon Robb, the council's principal trading standards officer, said the new points system came in response to concern about the state some vehicles were being put forward for MOTs.

"The condition in which some were in was nothing short of abysmal," said Inverness-based Mr Robb

He said: "In bringing in the points system, there's no additional responsibilities or obligations being placed on them. "We're focusing on the existing conditions that have been operating for a number of years." Mr Robb said staff exercise discretion in operating the new system. He stressed: "Operators and drivers who follow the rules have nothing to fear and we're already seen some improvements since the system started."

A council spokesman claimed the council charges are not excessive or significantly out of step with those made by other local authorities.
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What the council are doing is totally against the law in my books, why don't they just impose an age limit on the saloon cabs,# not black hackney cabs though# like most areas if they want to improve the fleet, and as for the licence charges they are mental why don't they give the council an ultimatum and pull the cabs of the road at the busy times and let them sort it out,stand up for yourselves

Our badges are £93 for three years and the plate is about £350, so although the Highland badges are dearer the plates are cheaper. In total the charges seem about the same as ours.

As for the points system, seems a good idea to me, but having something like that in place is one thing, but actually catching out the drivers is another.

It's not the charges so much that bother me, but while we used to be able to submit an application on the last day before expiry, now we have to apply 28 days before expiry, and my fees are due at this time and the summer has been bad here and I bought a new car earlier this year, I could do without the bill being brought forward.

What happens in other Scottish councils in this regard. I think the Civic Government act says that as long as you reapply before the expiry date then the old license is valid until the renewal is decided, so has anyone any comments?

Well fife I personally think that they Scottish parliament should throw out all the rules and re write them, and Have one charge for all,
These are mine, £20 for a 3 year drivers badge £50 per year for an operator it only costs £30 for the MOT the other £20 could be for the paperwork Have an age limit on the saloon cabs,( Not Wave or black cabs ) they last longer, that we all understand,
IE from the date of first registration, all plates £25 deposit you get that back when you hand them in
All punters must go to the first car on the rank unlike ours here,
sensible dress code jeans polo shirt and trainers OK shorts for summer
If you can think of anything else Fife just add it