Taxi Driver Online

Pupils hit by taxi firm's suspension

The Carrot Cruncher!


Transport to and from school for nearly one hundred Norfolk pupils was thrown into chaos after police and a local authority withdrew licences from a taxi firm.

Norfolk county council was forced to make emergency arrangements to ensure that 91 pupils in the Fakenham and Wells area got home safely on Thursday evening. Pupils either stayed at home yesterday or their parents made their own arrangements.

The county council's passenger transport team have been working to put interim arrangements in place for next week and it is hoped that the half-term break will allow officials to make more permanent arrangements.

As reported in yesterday's EDP, the Fakenham-based Courtesy Cabs taxi firm ceased operating after police and North Norfolk District Council licensing officials withdrew licence plates from more than 20 vehicles in the fleet, effectively preventing it operating. One of its contracts was to provide school transport for pupils living in isolated rural areas in North Norfolk.

A NNDC spokesman said the operation of Courtesy Cabs had been suspended pending further police investigations.

Police and licensing officers were forced to act on Thursday afternoon following significant concerns about the use of uninsured vehicles and public safety issues.

NNDC cabinet member with responsibility for public safety Brian Hannah said : “While we recognise that taking the vehicles off the road will inconvenience a number of people, to have uninsured taxis carrying passengers is a threat to public safety, which has to be our first concern.”

Mr Hannah also urged people not to be tempted to take up the offer of lifts in unlicensed vehicles and that if anyone had concerns about the legality of a taxi operator they should seek advice from police.

Yesterday the Bridge Street premises remained closed with seven of its saloon cars and people carrier standing outside on the public car park.

A notice on the door from bailiffs, acting on behalf of the property's owners, the Norwich-based Lomax Homes company, stated that possession had been taken of the property and that the former occupiers (Courtesy Cabs) had 14 days in which to remove their goods, chattels and furniture from the office premises.

It is understood that some of the fleet of vehicles were to be re-possessed by bailiffs.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Wont be the first time kids have been taken to school in un-insured vehicles, just a first for it being stopped.

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IDFIMH

We have had a couple stopped from taking kids to school in my town.

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Grandad,

90% of kids at the local comp have lifts, how is it illegal?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

You need to ask!

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Grandad,

Why do you need a license to work?

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IDFIMH

well yes actually

my wifes mate takes her to work and drops off her daughter and our lad at school en-route

now if thats illegal then something isnt quite right, no money changes hands, all vehicles are properly insured/driven fpr PLG use

illegal? i doubt it

dont be so paranoid guys...


or if your hinting at something else please tell me

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

So you think those cabs that got taken off the road were taking the kids to school for nothing?

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IDFIMH

last friday the police took 3 UNPLATED cars off the taxi rank all belonging to one local firm one was back in use the following day WITHOUT a plate although two have now been seen carrying a plate

it is rather unusual for a council to go to such lengths unless the owners of the firm could not produce correct insurance documentation for any of the vehicles

lifts to school arent illegal

uninsured taxis/PHV vehicles are

the two things are not connected


i dont count a dodgy unplated but contracted pupil transport vehicle as a "lift"

likewise i dont count a car-sharing scheme as a "taxi"

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

how could anyone be so mind-numbingly stupid as to rank up with a unplated HC?...even inspecter clouseu would spot that