Taxi Driver Online

The firm I work for in Cardiff issued all their drivers with a letter last week, I thought I'd share it with you lot ......

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Rail Account 081

First Rail has introduced new restrictions on their account. This follows a tragic accident in October 2008 in which a train driver was killed in an accident while travelling in a taxi in Reading.
The taxi driver involved was found to be a part time taxi driver, after completing his normal day job he then drove a taxi. It came to light that at the time of the accident between the two jobs he was working his 23rd hour without a significant break.

Under Health & Safety at work legislation all companies have a duty of care for their employees and the general public. All situations are risk assessed and non-implementation of guidelines that result leaves companies and individuals liable.

At the moment First Rail are the only company to insist on the following rules, however it's clear that others will follow and the taxi trade across the UK may be subject to legislation similar to HGV transport in the future. With this in mind some sort of working hour restrictions will eventually be introduced to the whole fleet.

...........................................................................................................

For the time being the following will only apply to the First Rail account. Any drivers wishing to service this account must:-

Not be part time taxi drivers with other employment.

Complete a pre-shift vehicle check before starting any shift using a pre-printed form available at the office.

Have their up to date license and vehicle documents lodged at the office.

During any shift work no more than a maximum of 12 hours.

When 12 hours has been worked take a minimum 10 hour rest period.

Work no more than 6 continuous shifts without a day off.

Cover a maximum of 25 miles in the last hour and a total of 40 miles in the last two hours of any shift.
...........................................................................................................


The effect of these First Rail stipulations is as follows.

Drivers working a shift where the number of hours worked is below 12, and then a break is taken of less than 10 hours, when returning, the hours worked in the first sessions count will continue until 12 hours (the maximum) is reached. Then a minimum 10 hour break must be taken.

Drivers must complete a pre shift vehicle check filling in a simple tick box form, dating and signing it then keeping it in the vehicle for the duration of that shift. First Rail staff travelling in any vehicle may ask to see that shifts vehicle check.

Where a long run (over 40 miles) journey is involved the driver cannot take the job if more than 10 hours have been worked.

Drivers who wish to be eligible for the Fist Rail account must sign and return this letter and take a sully of vehicle check forms.

Driver Number ............

Signed .....................................

Date .................

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Now the bit which is winding up a lot of the fleet is the bit I highlighted in RED. Does anybody think that they could really bring in any of this??
This can be a lucrative account job if your lucky enough to get it, but the restrictions they've brought in is putting many off it. Especially the working no more than 6 continuous shifts without a day off bit. Does any driver have a day off nowadays

_________________
HOW MUCH !!!!!!

That would be the only bit to pi$$ me. All drivers should have at least one day off it's sensible

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I sort of agree with what the rail firm are doing as it isn't safe to drive someone a zillion miles when you have been working a zillion hours.

But struggle to see how it can be enforced.

_________________
IDFIMH

This could spread to other stations very quickly, when one jumps the rest follow

It makes sense in one way but is very restrictive to the way you operate your business. They could eventually end up with no cars available to do their work, then what hapens? After all, most railway work comes about when they've f****d up in the first place and we're called in to clear the platform of angry passengers.

Another view on this is that they're happy to take £200+ off us for station passes for the privilege of being available for their passengers but won't allow us to recoup that outlay????

I'm beginning to waffle a bit but I wouldn't necessarily sign that without a great deal of thought and consideration.

It takes an accident like this for someone to realise that some drivers are working excessive hours, the driver was into his 23rd hour of work without a rest???? What the hell was he doing driving a cab in his spare time??

Don't misinterpret my comments. I agree that excessive hours are to be avoided but, I feel that the missive at the beginning of this thread is a sledge-hammer to crack a nut and also somewhat dictatorial. Elf 'n' safety possibly going too far. One 'incident,' albeit serious for the poor victim and his family, is perceived to be the norm. Is this proposed change to the whole working structure of the trade to be based upon a sole event?

What evidence is there that this is a major problem? What evidence is there that this isn't a major problem?

How would First Rail react if the fatality had occured as a result of the vehicle being hit by a driver who had been on the road for 23 hours?

Tachographs for all.....

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

Maybe, but for those of us on firms the data systems already have a working time limit option.

Just that no operator seems to have the bottle to put it on.

_________________
IDFIMH

any vehicle driven for hire and reward (goods or passenger) should require a tachograph for the sake of safety

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

So how does that work when a car can be double or even triple shifted? how does it stop a driver jumping from one car to another? I understand what you are saying but taxi driving is different to e.g HGV or similar whereby they do drive consistently for long distances, we are very much start stop and sometimes stop stop stop. To take advantage of an hour or two on stop because of no work would you then get drivers saying "Ooh that was my rest period"?

Many people have mentioned tachos or similar but at the moment I cannot see how it would work.

_________________
if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

if you change vehicles you take your digital card out of one....and put in another...

if a car has 3 drivers they ise thier own cards

not all trucks with tachos are on long runs, I used to do multidrop in a 7.5tonner on tacho

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

Ok partially answered, but what about?

_________________
if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

there are sections for driving and non-driving work plus breaks, if fitted you have to work round it and with it, coach drivers (and minibus drivers) over 8 passenger seats already have to

the overriding rule is driving hours and break hours

a rest period is a minimum of 45 minutes now, with any movement cancelling the break, unlike me with a stopwatch taking 3 15 minute breaks whilst unloading to get done, this loophole is now ended.


as soon as a goverment bod comes up with a plan, you will get tachos

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

A 45 minute break on the rank is a doddle at the moment!!