Taxi Driver Online

Council fine taxi operator for using unlicensed vehicle

A TAXI operator who used an unlicensed vehicle to ferry pupils to school has been ordered to pay £885 in fines and costs and had his license endorsed by Rhondda magistrates

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council inspectors took court action against Gwyn Humphreys of St John’s Road in Tonyrefail to send an important message to residents and parents that the authority is determined to protect the public.

Mr Humphreys, 65, was charged by licensing officers following a routine inspection of vehicles at Porth County Community School on April 22 this year.

Officers, who work proactively across the county to inspect the standards of vehicles and drivers being used to take children and young people to school discovered Mr Humphreys was using an unlicensed vehicle.

He was charged with using a vehicle without the correct insurance, using an unlicensed vehicle as a private hire vehicle and using a vehicle that did not have a Private Hire Operator’s Licence and was fined £570 with £300 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. His licence was endorsed with seven points.

RCT cabinet member councillor John David said: “Licensing staff work with partners, including South Wales Police and representatives of the legal taxi and private hire trade, in order to identify those who may well be putting residents at risk through the use of illegal drivers or vehicles.

“This was a particularly concerning case because the offences related to an operator who had been awarded a contract to transport children to and from school.

“Mr Humphreys secured that contract and, as such, placed himself in a position of responsibility. We are committed to testing that responsibility is being met and, in this case, offences were discovered and we had no choice but to prosecute.

“Other drivers, especially those who have been awarded contracts, need to be aware of the fact we will continue such work across RCT and take action where needed.”

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IDFIMH

So this driver got done quit rightly so, but the council got off Scot free, did they not think to check if he was licenced before awarding the contract

It would appear the schools department were only interested in the price.

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IDFIMH

This is somethingI raise with our county council transport department regulaly. I go to quite a few schools and it never ceases to amaze me how many unlicensed cars and minibuses are picking up the kids. The county council do not know how many cars and drivers I have, they have never asked but they keep ringing to get prices and if I were that way inclined I could just put any old car and any old driver on a job and no one seems to check.

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Grandad,

There could be many perverts out there doing unlicensed school runs, this needs to be sorted, up here you do not get contracts unless they have all the vehicle licence details and a list of potential drivers, who must have had an enhanced CRB check

Grandad send this page link to the head of your council, once he or she has it they must act

I wonder how many more council school contract departments dont check any details

SCHOOL TRANSPORT CONTRACTS

Thank you for your email dated 3 December 2008 that you sent to the Welsh Assembly Government Complaints Unit, I have been asked to reply.

The laws relating to the licensing of taxis and criminal records bureau checks have not been devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government. The day to day management of home to school transport including the awarding of contracts is a matter for local authorities to determine. However, we have issued guidance to local authorities which strongly encourages that they ensure Criminal Record Bureau checks are carried out on all staff employed on contracted school services. The guidance also gives clear advice on what local authorities should include in contracts and what needs to be monitored such as CRB checks, operator licences, drivers licences, MOT’s etc.

Additionally under the terms of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (SVG), a new vetting and barring scheme for Wales and England covering those who work or volunteer, or seek to work or volunteer, with children or vulnerable adults will be introduced. This will include those people who drive a vehicle, which is being used only for the purpose of conveying children or vulnerable adults. This would include taxi drivers who are used by schools and care homes to transport children.

The scheme will start from 12 October 2009 and will be phased in over a period of time to allow for a smooth transition to the new requirements.

Yours sincerely

Mark Waughington
Learner Travel Measure Implementation Team