Taxi Driver Online

Council plans to introduce a new 'knowledge' test for taxi drivers in Castle Morpeth have been approved by a committee. But some members of Castle Morpeth's policy committee voted against the measure, describing it as 'a waste of time and money'.

Proposing the motion to introduce a compulsory local knowledge quiz for all cabbies applying for licences to operate in the borough, LibDem councillor Andrew Tebbutt said the new measure would offer customers value for money. "It's become obvious that we're getting more and more people applying to drive from outside the area," he said.

"Given the rural nature of this borough and some of the rather interesting names some of the places have, it seems important that our taxi drivers know where they are taking people. "People need to know they're being taken on the shortest possible route as well. "I'm not sure who will pose the questions. I can think of a number of names that could really test the knowledge of some of us councillors, let alone taxi drivers!"

Ponteland Conservative Coun Robert Ramsay said the idea would increase levels of council red tape. "I'm concerned about this introduction of what I feel is unnecessary bureaucracy," he said. "There's no indication that this has been a problem, we're only led to believe that it would lead to better knowledge of the area. "We would have to send officers to a training day, and someone is going to have to draw up the tests and so on and so on. Before you know it we will have to set up a department for this."

Coun Ramsay added that new technology could soon render knowledge tests useless. "GPS and car navigation systems are widely available now," he said. "Why not make sure drivers have this technology instead, it would end up saving us money in the long term? "I think this is an unnecessary addition to the workload of the council."

Castle Morpeth's Deputy Leader, Coun David Parker, said: "I'm in favour of this. "If a taxi driver is not knowledgable about the area and ends up taking someone all round the houses it will end up costing the customer more money. "In that sense the council is not offering the best service in terms of value for money."

The council's environmental protection officer, Hugh Edmundson, gave his backing to the idea: "The tests would be done simply, quickly and easily. I do not see it as a bureaucratic obstacle, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages."

Eight councillors voted in favour of introducing the new tests, with one against and two abstentions. The policy will now go before full council for approval.

_________________
IDFIMH

Just a passing comment, nothing more.

These things tend to occur due to a previous history or as a suggestion from the trade as opposed to a brainwave by the LA's.

Captain cab

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

the driver standards agency are circulating councils offering to do these tests

so they pass everybody so no one wants tests and they set up a new industry.

bad news for dusty though he doesnt know his way round his site let alone the streets of Bournmpouth.

Well I think the DSA tests are good.

If you are a pony driver, then go and drive a bus or even better a taxi-bus.

_________________
IDFIMH

yes very good a chance to excel a second time!

they are not for drivers, they are not for customers, they are to fund the DSA.

WHETHER THEY ARE GOOD OR NOT HAVE YOU DONE A SECCOND ONE?

That's a bit like saying that da Vinci didn't know his way round the Mona Lisa

_________________
Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

who is da vinci and was Mona Lisa a girl he fancied?

you can be a pillock at times!