Taxi Driver Online

TAXI drivers across Redditch have threatened to strike unless new safety rules and regulations due to be introduced later this year are scrapped.

Hundreds of incensed drivers have held meetings with MP Jacqui Smith and Redditch Council officials to voice their concerns and show their disapproval.

The drivers, represented by the Redditch Taxi Association (RTA), which represents all taxi drivers in town, have met with both Labour and Conservative groups.

Safder Hussain, chairman of the RTA, said: “Going on strike is the last thing we want to do but at the moment it is the way we are going.

“We would like to sort this out in-house, without the need to withhold services or take legal action but when we try to speak to the council we hit a brick wall.

“The impression that we get, is that we either like it or lump it and taxi drivers won’t stand for that.”

The new rules, which are set to come into force on June 1, include increasing the amount of checks drivers have to take, increasing the price they pay for them and moving the taxi licensing department to the one stop shop among others.

No mention of extra protection, something taxi drivers have been saying they desperately need for years, has been included.

Safder added: “None of the drivers has an issue with safety, we understand that safety is a big concern and it is something important to us.

“We don’t mind the spot checks. VOSA did spot checks on 65 taxis last September and 32 underwent further detailed examinations by engineers and only four were found to have faults.

“What we are against however, is the price that we will have to pay for unnecessary checks which most drivers won’t be able to afford.

“For the council this is just an experiment but for us this is our livelihood and I don’t think it has thought about that.”

A council spokesman said: “These changes are being brought in to improve the safety of the travelling public following a number of routine spot checks which showed poor vehicle maintenance.

“Feedback received from the Taxi Association during the consultation period was taken into account.

“Test fees have been set on a trial basis and will be reviewed by the council’s licensing committee six months after the implementation of the new system.”

source: http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/news//

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
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And if they do strike, all it will mean is that they will come into Brum on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights in far greater numbers than they already do & mouse the hell out of the streets!!!

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