Taxi Driver Online

CARLISLE taxi drivers will now have to prove they can help disabled passengers before they get a licence.

Under new rules set out by the city council, as the local licensing authority, drivers will have to pass a disability awareness test.

This requires them to prove they can help disabled passengers in and out of taxis and provide assistance to those with hearing and visual impairments.

New drivers already have to pass a test based on the location of streets, public buildings, pubs and restaurants, villages, routes and tariffs before their licence is granted.

The new test will ensure drivers are aware of their responsibilities to disabled passengers.

All prospective drivers will now be required to read a new two-page document as part of their application pack.

It sets out what support should be offered to disabled passengers such as asking whether they need any help entering or leaving the taxi or with their seat belt.

New applicants will also be required to learn how to help passengers who are visually impaired, blind, deaf, autistic and those who are wheelchair users or who have learning difficulties.

The new regulations came into force this week and the first test was handed out yesterday.

City councillor David Morton who is chairman of the authority’s licensing and regulatory panel said the new test will be of great benefit to local people.

He said: “I think that as a whole the taxi drivers in Carlisle are tip-top when it comes to helping disabled passengers. But like any organisation there are a few that don’t meet the standards.

“This new test is about making sure that we provide as much support as we can to disabled people in our community.”

Mr Morton, who suffers from retinus pigmentosa, or tunnel vision, uses guide dog Volley to help him get around the city.

He said: “I use taxis sometimes. I normally find drivers very helpful.”

Anyone applying to be a Hackney carriage or private hire driver will have to take the new test.

Bryan Hodgson, chairman of the Carlisle Taxi Association, has also welcomed the moves.

Mr Hodgson, 75, who has been a taxi driver for 15 years, said: “I think this is a great idea. Most of us have being doing these things for years but it is important new drivers know how to help disabled passengers.”

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/cabbies-to-be-tested-on-helping-disabled-1.790693?referrerPath=news

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

If it only applies to new drivers how do they propose to bring up to standard those already in the trade that don't meet the standard required. There's no mention as to cost or who is paying for it either, so how much and by whom?

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

Yep, its good.

CC

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

That doesn't make sense

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

weve all been forced to go on courses btec or whatever you call them here in blackpool.The only thing it tells you is how many senarios you could get sued for.Plus tells you all about health and safety and how anyone can legally refuse to take a wheelchair on safety grounds.What a joke !!

There's already a high standard, we're just making sure those who enter the trade dont let our (very) high standards slip.

I'm not paying, I believe its a test, a written test to make new applicants aware of peoples needs.

CC

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

I read what Mr Morton said about the high standard of drivers in Carlisle. He also said "But like any organisation there are a few that don’t meet the standards" and all I wanted to know was what do they intend to do about those drivers

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

My proposal of taking them outside and shooting them wasn't considered.

CC

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

Perhaps you should have suggested breaking both thier legs and poking thier eyes out instead. At least that why they would then know how they would like to be treated by taxi drivers

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

Some training for wheelchair users would also be helpful.

Like . . . not to hail a cab in a one way street which has no where to stop and a heavy flow of traffic.

Thats another bad point about the Vito, the fold out ramp is stored in the boot, far inferior to the LTI fold out ramp.

I make this post for little other reason but to highlight the point to the right honourable gentleman from Gala

CC

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

we have visitors from bingo halls, cool

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

pmsl

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

When all hacks are WAVs, and all drivers have done the courses and the Btec/NVQ and DSA Taxi test, what will they come up with next?...