Taxi Driver Online

Customer care training on the cards for new taxi drivers


NEW cabbies in Clydebank will soon have to undergo customer care training after council bosses gave the idea the green light.

At a meeting last week, it was decided to push ahead with the plans which will see new taxi drivers complete the scheme within six months of being granted a licence.

Existing drivers may also have to carry out the training if sanctioned or if a request has been made to have a licence suspended.

The idea follows in the footsteps of Glasgow City Council and South Ayrshire Council, both of whom have already introduced similar programmes.

Topics covered in the scheme include raising awareness of the needs of disabled customers in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, dealing with conflict and giving basic first aid.

Councillor John Mooney said: “I think this is a very important issue. From the point of view of learning about helping disabled people, this training is very worthwhile.”

In January, members of the local taxi trade were asked for their opinions on the training proposals.

A response from the West Dunbartonshire Area Taxi Trade Association expressed support for the move as did Martyn Hambley, of the Clydebank Taxi Operators Liason Group (CTOLG).

An email was received from the Clydebank Public Hire Association (CPHA) opposing the proposal, arguing the six-month time frame was too long and that the course was inadequate and more suited to private hire drivers.

The email from CPHA also recommended that West Dunbartonshire Council establish its own in-house training manual but this was viewed as impractical because of a lack of resources.

Lasting half a day, the course costs £46 and is offered by GTG Training in South Street, Glasgow.

Drivers can then be reimbursed by applying for Individual Learning Accounts through Skills Development Scotland, a scheme which offers up to £200 towards the cost of learning and training for those over 16-years-old earning less than £22,000. a year.

- See more at: http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/rou ... krDYC.dpuf

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

Taxi fare rise splits Clydebank cabbies


A DECISION on whether to raise taxi fares in Clydebank has been postponed after drivers were split over the issue.

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Licensing Committee last week, councillor Jonathan McColl placed a motion delaying the decision on giving the go-ahead to price rises, a move seconded by fellow SNP member Jim Finn.

The decision followed proposals to raise taxi fares by 30 pence, the first potential price hike since 2008.

Councillor McColl also called on representatives of cab drivers to increase communications with each other in an effort to ensure everyone has a say.

In the meantime, all taxi licence holders will be approached for their opinions on the issue.

Representatives from Clydebank Taxi Operators Liason Group (CTOLG) previously voiced their support for a price rise at January’s Licensing Committee meeting.

Allan MacLeod, of the Clydebank Public Hire Association (CPHA), argued drivers should stick with the status quo and keep fares as they are but questions were raised regarding whether all members of the organisation had voted on the matter.

As part of the review, an advert appeared in the Post in January proposing that fares would stay the same, inviting people to submit comments on the idea.

Letters were then received from CTOLG and Clydebank Taxis emphasising the groups’ desire to increase fares while 34 letters were also received from Clydebank Taxi licence holders in support of a fare increase.

Robert Atkinson, a taxi driver, said: “I think we must get an increase this time to allow us to keep operating.

“I do not think that 30 pence is any great figure.

“If this fare increase is rejected then when are we going to get an increase? It is getting to be farcical.”

Current fares came into effect on January 23 last year, retaining the status quo, but there has been no change to the costs since August 21 2008 when they rose to the current level.

Other contributions to the discussion included a driver from Clydebank Taxis, who said: “Other councils have increased taxi fares in that time [since 2008].

“I think it is time for the operators to have the opportunity to claw back some of the costs.”

Another cabbie added: “I think the fare increase needs to be allowed at this point.

“If people are using taxis they are not going to walk away for the sake of 30 pence.”

Provost Douglas McAllister said it looked as if members of Clydebank’s taxi trade were split down the middle over raising prices and emphasised the importance of consulting drivers.

Licensing authorities are responsible for reviewing and fixing the scales of taxi fares 18 months after the previous fares come into effect under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

The Licensing Committee will meet again to discuss the issue on June 11 unless a special meeting is called prior to that time.

- See more at: http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/rou ... AvicL.dpuf

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

Glad to see their organised to a degree and have achieved getting the council agreeing further consultation................OTHERS TAKE NOT GET ORGANISED

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Consultation?

Was invited to a meeting this morning by the Licensing Officer, along with my CPHA colleague.
Other 3 attendees were named in the above article and whom want their 30p on the flag fall - across all tariffs and a new tariff hike on Xmas and New Year's Day.

Abridged version.

Licensing Officer- welcome. We start from scratch here so I hope you guys aren't going to insist on the status quo.
CPHA - No we are happy to discuss all options to find a consensus of the trade.
LO - I propose putting questions to all operators
CPHA - Good.
LO- Q1. Do you want a fare increase yes or no.
CPHA - can we word that as a 'change to fare structure' and not assume an increase.
LO - OK
Q2. Do you want 30 p increase on flag fall or another amount.?
CPHA. Can we open that out a bit as it's a leading question and limits the chances of other consensus.
LO. -no
CPHA -can we ask if they prefer a change to running mile?
LO. -no
CPHA - What about waiting time or a balance of all 3
LO. -no
CPHA - can we ask separate question about tariff 2 which the operators might want to consider differently.
LO. -no
CPHA - can we add any other questions?
LO. -no
CPHA - why not?
Others -repeating one after the other- Because we have to keep it simple as it's too confusing for them (the taxi operators) to ask more questions.

LO- Q3. Do you want a new tariff 4 on Xmas day and New Year's Day increasing flag fall to £5 or any other increase?
CPHA - this isn't a survey or giving options it's just putting the same proposal that wasn't passed in January.
Others- We have to cos we have got 50% support! (53 signatures out of 105 operators who will get a vote)
LO - I agree. There is no time left to do anything more complicated, and I didn't need to call this meeting, I was asked to get options and that's all the questions I am putting out.
Does everyone agree.
Others- yes we are happy!
CPHA - No.

CPHA members come from the entire trade, drivers, owners, street cars, radio hirers....
Some do not want any increase, some might want one but not this one, some support the across the board flag fall increases.

Are we over the top with our objections and pushing for more options?

fare increases in Scotland are different to England - I'm sure Gusmac and Skippy will be able to advise

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

Basically, the traffic commissioner told our council that any proposed hackney fare increases, must be discussed and completed within 12 months, even if no rise is implemented.
If a tariff increase is implemented, and a driver wants to discount that fare, they are free to do so.

PH can still make it up as they go along
But a PH can have a meter, just like in Edinburgh, and possibly other areas of Scotland

I would advise that you sort out what you want before entering discussions with the council. Agree amongst yourselves on something you can all live with. Have it properly costed with reference to increased running costs and cost of living since the last change. Use independent figures e.g. the AA.
If you are unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal to the traffic commisioners. This will delay any new tariff.

If you appear divided, and you do, the council will just impose whatever they want. That will almost certainly not be what you want or need.

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Ideally yes Gus.

And generally the trade all get along, and has been seen can stand together.

Unfortunately the local booking office get consulted and they set up and employed a couple of (appointed and unelected) drivers as reps who then also get invited to consultation.
Together they managed 34 letters and another petition of 22 names asking for an increase.

Latest news is the Council organised survey got 52 replies from 105 addressed operators.
27 for no change.
25 for an increase mostly inline with the survey prompt.

Council meeting is Wednesday afternoon, we can only wait and see.