Taxi Driver Online

'Shadow' taxi industry sparks safety fears as drivers from outside Manchester flood city centre



A legal loophole means drivers are getting cheap licences from councils as far away as Cornwall and Cumbria

A burgeoning ‘shadow’ taxi industry is operating outside the control of city officials - leading to grave warnings about public safety.

A legal loophole means drivers are getting cheap licences from councils as far away as Cornwall and Cumbria before returning to Manchester to work.

Because they are not registered with the city’s licensing department, officials have little or no information on them. Pictures taken by one local driver show cars registered in 19 other areas now doing business in the city, outside of council regulation.

Taxi drivers, the town hall and an MP have now called on ministers to change the law.

The news comes as the town hall considers installing CCTV in all cabs.

But the trade says that will make no difference unless all drivers in the city can be overseen by the town hall.

And Stockport MP Ann Coffey, who has campaigned vehemently on sexual exploitation, said: “The problem is that it’s very difficult to keep track of people’s past convictions and past incidents. It’s a loophole that can be exploited by people with something to hide.

“It’s an issue of safety - there’s nothing more vulnerable than a woman going home in a taxi at night so we must have the maximum information possible. It’s imperative the local authority is able to do that.”

The loophole dates back to a court judgement from 2010, which ruled cabbies can apply for hackney carriage licences from other areas and use them to work as private hire drivers here. In Manchester, this can be an attractive prospect - as the city’s licences are some of the dearest and its conditions particularly strict.

Les Reid, who represents 70 Manchester black cab drivers, believes the number of out-of-area drivers runs into the hundreds - and that the problem is getting worse. He is documenting the issue and plans to submit his evidence to government.

Bryan Roland, of the National Private Hire Association, said he didn’t blame legitimate drivers seeking cheaper licences.

The issue was public safety, he said, adding: “That is the danger point. The person it affects more than anyone else is the travelling public. How can anybody tell if the driver behind the wheel even has a licence?”

Town hall backs changes to law

Manchester town hall has backed calls for a change to taxi laws - saying other councils should also change their policies.

Coun Nigel Murphy, executive member for neighbourhoods, said he shared the trade’s concerns, adding: “We are always trying to improve the quality and safety of Manchester’s taxis - for example by ensuring all our licensed vehicles are clearly marked and regularly tested - and if we were able to stop this practice we would do so, but sadly the current law allows it to continue.

“We have responded to government consultations seeking to redress this and ensure Manchester’s high standards can be maintained in any future taxi licensing laws. We also want to encourage those smaller authorities who are licensing drivers to operate elsewhere, to review and change their policy, and ensure standards are maintained across the region.”

He said licensing officers and police regularly patrolled in search of drivers lacking insurance or illegally plying for hire, but added: “However, we need the government to pay attention and change the national legislation in order for this issue to be addressed properly.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Public safety is our first priority. The government is absolutely clear that strict criteria must be applied by all local authorities when they grant licences to taxi drivers and operators, including if they operate in different areas.

"We strongly encourage local authorities use their power to request enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service checks for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers – revealing not just spent or unspent convictions but anything relevant noted by the police.”

source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... ty-9695623

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

I hate to state the obvious but the law has just been changed to address this issue. From October 1st it will mean that private hire can do the same as the hackneys. correct me if I am wrong but haven't hackneys always been able to do this and not just since 2010 as suggested?

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Grandad,

correct - the problem came to a head with Berwick taxis being used across the North East a few years ago.

The problem has been (or will be) magnified with the changes to the law via the deregulation act.

The simple fact of the matter is that this was encouraged by certain private hire operators - who incidentally are now sh*tting their pants about UBER (who are the ultimate beneficiaries).

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

Of course, this wont affect those pesky out of town taxis

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

As they say, be careful what you wish for.

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Grandad,

Who on earth do Manchester employ as legal advisers? Surely they should KNOW the law is being changed.

One of my drivers has just been in to see about her drivers badge renewal. the person dealing with the fenewal asked her where her counterpart driving license was because they can't renew without a copy.

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Grandad,

Yes they can, they do a conference call to the DVLA, it takes all of 5 minutes and costs "NOTHING."

It can be done online with a code given by the driver.
You know how it is done, I know how it is done, there were enough adverts about how it is done but still some people who deal with this all the time don't know. The person at the council even asked where such information comes from.

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Grandad,

Who employs and signs the wages off for these buffoons?

Thankfully it is not me.

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Grandad,

They were asking for the counterpart - which no longer exists, you just get the plastic now.

That is the point. How come they don't know this when it seems that everyone else in the country do know?

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Grandad,

Wrong again Tory MUG you the elected reps are responsible and if yer cant sort it f+cf Off

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Perhaps the licence price needs looking at if it's more than other areas, are Manchester overcharging???
We need a national price, all badges to run for 5 years £50, operators £200 includes vehicle and test, plus plates if required.
plates stay on the vehicles for a long as required instead of changing them yearly