More than half taxis, minibuses, private hire and other vehicles declared unsafe in Swansea checksMORE than half the minibuses, private hire vehicles and taxis checked in Swansea city centre in a night-time operation were found to be unsafe.
A two-night clampdown by South Wales Police, VOSA, HMRC and Swansea Council found the vehicles were not roadworthy and many of them were prevented from going any further because their condition was so poor.
The latest clampdown on poor and un-roadworthy vehicles being used to take visitors to and from the city centre saw four seized for serious vehicle defects, three for no insurance and 11 fixed penalty notices for minor offences.
Sgt Geraint Jenkins, who co-ordinated the operation which ran during the busy Six Nations rugby tournament, said drivers were potentially putting their fare-paying passengers at risk and that would not be tolerated.
"I'm sure many would be concerned"
He said: "It is concerning to find that some bus and taxi operators are failing to ensure that their vehicles are to a mechanical standard that is required by law.
"People from far and wide come to Swansea to enjoy the nightlife and expect to be transported to and from the city in buses or taxis that are safe and legal. I am sure that many would be concerned if they were aware that the some of the transportation does not meet the required standards.
"These latest operations have once again demonstrated our commitment to tackling those individuals and companies who are continuing to ignore the law and potentially put lives at risk."
A spokesperson for Swansea Council said: "As the taxi and private hire licensing authority, we are determined to do all we can to protect passengers from drivers and vehicle owners who are operating outside the terms of their licence or because their vehicles aren't fit to be on the road.
"It's very worrying that of more than 50 vehicles which were examined by the various agencies, at least half were not fit for the road."
Some of the vehicles inspected as part of the operation were licensed in other Local Authority areas and some by VOSA.
Twenty-nine of the vehicles and drivers inspected were licensed by Swansea Council.
Nine of the 29 vehicles were also issued with immediate suspension notices by council officers for faults that presented a risk to passenger safety and for non-compliance with council standards.
This meant that drivers were unable to work the vehicles until the faults were put right and the vehicles re-inspected.
The clampdown took place at the LC car park on February 28 and March 21.
Details of offences detected:
•In excess of 50 vehicles (and drivers) were examined and checked by all partner agencies. Among them were licensed taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, and minibuses.
•3 vehicles were seized for no insurance
•4 vehicles were seizures for serious vehicle defects
•In excess of 25 Road Worthiness Prohibition Notices were issued. (A high percentage were prevented from conducting any further work or moving any further from the location until issues rectified).
•5 Fixed Penalty Notices re tyre depth standards were issued.
•6 Fixed Penalty Notices for minor offences were issued.
•There were 9 Immediate Suspension Notices for faults relating to passenger safety or non-compliance
•All vehicles were checked for illegal use of Red Diesel by the HMRC Red Diesel Unit. (No illegal use identified)
•1 mini bus driver was issued with a £300 fine for no tachograph fitted after the vehicle had been adapted to carry more than the legally allowed number for use without tachograph.
•1 driver was issued with a verbal warning for tinted front windows that did not comply with standards
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