Taxi Driver Online

Passengers urged to play fare over taxis


AN Independent councillor has urged passengers to play fair in the midst of a taxi turf war.


Several taxis licensed in Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland are known to be operating in South Tyneside.

The Berwick licence costs just £125 – £200 less than its equivalent in South Tyneside.

And there are fears the Northumberland cabbies could be operating without being properly vetted for criminal records.

There are also concerns about health and safety rules being flouted, putting passengers at risk.

Coun George Elsom, who represents the Cleadon Park ward in South Shields, has urged passengers to check where a taxi is registered from – before getting inside.

He said: "If a passenger can see a taxi is registered from Berwick, I would urge them not to get in it.

"Because they are not registered in South Tyneside our officers simply don't have the powers to carry out the necessary checks.

"With borough cabs we can carry out spot checks to make sure a vehicle is road-worthy and ask to see security documents.

"A member of the public could get in a vehicle without the re-assurance that it is road-worthy and that the driver has the right documents in place."

Coun Elsom said drivers from outside the area may not necessarily have taken a "knowledge test" – an examination to ensure they are familiar with an area.

He added: "This could lead to drivers taking the long route to a destination – costing passengers bigger fares.

"I'm incensed by this situation. Berwick drivers should ply their trade in Berwick, not South Tyneside. The public need to be fully aware of the situation."

Newcastle City Council has also slammed the practice, and is pressing for a judicial review so the matter can be decided by a judge.

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

What a timely intervention.

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IDFIMH

While Cr Elsom may be right it is obvious he has never been a taxi driver. The punters don't care where a taxi is licenced, they just want to get home. Try explaining licencing law to them and all you get is a mouthful of abuse.

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Unite and fight

Is a CRB check carried out in Berwick any different from a CRB check carried out in Newcastle?

What health and safety rules are these then?

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Grandad,

I've heard tales of drivers being refused licenses in Newcastle but licensed in Berwick.

CC

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

why cant an out of area HC (or PHV for that matter) be inspected?

dangerous is dangerous and LO's must have police with them anyway?