Taxi Driver Online

'Public safety is paramount': Bridgend council defends itself over criticism its taxi licensing policy is excessive


Taxi drivers in the borough have questioned why BCBC insist on imposing an extra test for cabbies' cars

The local authority has defended its policy for taxi licensing tests, insisting “public safety is paramount.”

Bridgend County Borough Council has been criticised by local taxi driver Paul Pride on behalf of other drivers, who are complaining that their testing policy is excessive.

BCBC is the only council in Wales that demands three inspections a year for vehicles which are more than five years old.

Mr Pride has gained the backing of Regional AM Suzy Davies and Bridgend parliamentary Conservative candidate Meirion Jenkins, who both question whether the extra, costly, test is necessary.

'Bridgend is on its own in demanding tests every four months for cars aged five years and over'

Mrs Davies said: “We have been in touch with every council in Wales. Bridgend is on its own in demanding tests every four months for cars aged five years and over.

“Other councils either have annual or six monthly tests for such vehicles. It’s only when the cars get to eight or ten years old that other councils start demanding extra checks.

“I fully accept arguments about ensuring vehicle safety but why does BCBC insist on this extra test? Each tests costs £46 so Mr Pride and his fellow drivers should be given a satisfactory explanation.

“Does the council need extra business to improve the viability of its motor workshops where the tests are conducted?”

She is also asking the council for details of the running costs of BCBC’s motor workshops and of the other work carried out there.

“I’m not clear why BCBC insists on an in-house testing service for taxis,” she added. “If the government-inspected MoT testing stations are good enough for every other car in the country, why does the council not think they are good enough for taxis in Bridgend?

“Ten of the 22 councils in Wales allow taxi owners to use an MoT station.

“It would be more convenient for taxi owners if they could take the car to their nearest testing station instead of having to trek to the council’s depot at Waterton.”

'The vehicle test required on a taxi is over and above a standard MoT test carried out on a family car'

But despite the criticism, the council has said it has no intention of changing its policy, which it has fiercely defended.

A spokesman for BCBC said: “Public safety is the paramount consideration when licensing taxis, and forms the basis of the council’s policy on hackney carriage and private hire vehicles.

“It is important to remember that the vehicle test required on a taxi is significantly over and above a standard MoT test carried out on a family car.

“In the interests of public safety and consistency, and in line with the majority of authorities in Wales, Bridgend County Borough Council requires taxi testing to be carried out at its vehicle testing centre.

“The requirement for three tests per year for vehicles over five years old was introduced by the authority some thirteen years ago, as an extra protection against problems arising as taxis get older.

“The high standard maintained in the local taxi fleet is something in which the public, the trade and the council can rightly have confidence.

“Bridgend County Borough Council has no plans to change its position with regard to taxi licensing, and is determined that the public continues to enjoy levels of safety across a fleet of which we can all be proud.”

source: Wales Online

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

To me it is about what is reasonable and what is not.

If a car/cab has not done the mileage then what exactly is the point ? Imo it is a nonsense policy that would/could have a 4 year old car/cab on the road with say 200,000 miles on it doing a one year test, and then a part time 5 year old car/cab with say 100,000 on the clock = 3 times a year !!!!!!!!!..no sense whatsoever

The drivers need to check that ALL Council vehicles i.e buses/contract buses/PH contracts have the same policy - if not take them on, they need taking on in any event over a silly policy that does not cover the actual issue.

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Common sense........is just not that Common.

I think that horse has bolted. The time to challenge the policy was when it was being introduced, not 13 years later.

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Grandad,