Thinks customers would be better off with less qualified drivers.
Taxi safety row
A TAXI boss says passengers are at risk because a council insists that cabbies must pass a safety standards test. David Watson, who runs Town Taxis, in Northallerton, says he can not recruit new drivers because Hambleton District Council requires them to pass the Driving Standards Agency taxi driving test.
He says that existing drivers are risking fatigue by working longer hours to cover the staff shortage. The authority introduced the test in February to ensure passenger safety and officers recommend that it continues despite Mr Watson's complaints.
The licensing and environmental protection committee will discuss the issue on Monday (Sept 10).
In a letter to the committee, Mr Watson says that he might have to take one of his cars off the road because of staffing problems. "It seriously concerns me as a proprietor of a company with four cars that I now can not employ anyone from outside the industry due to the time and cost factors involved," he said.
"This in turn puts pressure on current licence holders to work more hours to cover the staff shortfall. It was my understanding that this decision (to introduce the test) was based on making sure the safety of passengers was paramount. The exact opposite is happening."
Vehicles were already withdrawn from service at times to alleviate driver fatigue and one car could be taken out of service permanently, he said. "It is financial suicide to continue to pay insurance, road tax, licensing etc with no prospect of income from the vehicle," said Mr Watson.
In a report to the committee, Peter Simpson, head of legal services at the council, says that the test will improve passenger safety.
"There is no other evidence of whether the new test is affecting recruitment," he says. "However, it is my belief that, if there is sufficient support for them from proprietors, then new drivers should be able to obtain the necessary qualification, so that there should not be a shortage of drivers."
Officers would investigate claims of long working hours and drivers who worked excessive hours could have their licences suspended or revoked.
