Taxi Driver Online

Blueline Taxis and A1 Taxis win court appeal


A TAXI firm has won a court battle to overturn a council’s policy on out-of-area cabbies.

North Tyneside Council introduced new rules in 2010, including a condition preventing private hire companies in the borough from using taxis licensed by other local authorities.

The policy, which came into effect in September last year, was brought in so that North Tyneside officials could ensure all vehicles operating in their area were regulated and safety checked according to their own criteria.

But Blueline and A1 Taxis launched a court appeal asking for the condition to be removed.

Yesterday District Judge Stephen Earl, sitting at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, found in favour of the cab companies.

He said: “I’m clear that the basis of the imposition of conditions only to use in-area vehicles is not lawful.”

No costs were awarded against the council as the judge ruled it had not behaved unreasonably.




After the hearing, a council spokesman said: “We’re disappointed by the court’s decision.

“We want people using private hire cars and hackney carriages in North Tyneside to be reassured that their vehicle and driver have been safety checked and regulated by this council.

“Our policy aimed to ensure that this would be the case.

“We now need to carefully consider the court’s judgment before deciding whether or not to appeal.”

Ian Shanks, managing director of Blueline, said he was pleased with the verdict.

He added: “It was important to launch this appeal for the sake of our business.

“We are one of the North East’s biggest taxi firms, operating over 500 vehicles. We are trying to bring growth to the company and make it more efficient.

“But this condition imposed by the local authority has been an unnecessary obstacle. As far as safety is concerned, there is no safety issue with our vehicles. We have been in business for 54 years and we’ve never had complaints from anybody about safety issues with a car from another licensing district.

“No matter where the taxis are licensed, all vehicles have MOTs, all drivers are CRB checked and all safety standards are met.

“When a customer wants a cab, they are not worried about where the vehicle has been licensed. They just want the car to turn up on time and take them to their destination.”

He also said current legislation was complex, out-of-date and unclear, and the firm was campaigning for new laws.

The Law Commission is in the process of reviewing taxi legislation and is expected to present a new draft taxi law Bill to the Government.


Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-ea ... z1lG6G02RC

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

He seemed to keep quiet about this though;

http://www.national-taxi-association.co.uk/?p=1651

CC

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

Perhaps if Newcastle council did not over charge for licences more would get them from them

At the end of the day you get what you pay for.

He missed the bit about drivers knowing the f*** where they are going, and the free reign to do just about anything that non local cabs are allowed under current legislation.

I wonder why?

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IDFIMH