Taxi Driver Online

Caerphilly taxi drivers claim ‘inconsistent’ vehicle checks are damaging their livelihood

Taxi driver representatives have criticised Caerphilly Council’s licensing department for “inconsistencies” in vehicle checks.

Members of Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association described checks on ‘tinted’ windows and rear seats when applying for a vehicle licence as “pot luck”.

Under licensing laws all vehicles used to carry passengers commercially must be checked by the council, but drivers say inconsistent tests are ruining their livelihoods.

Caerphilly County Borough Council is one of three local authorities in Wales that do not allow heavily tinted rear windows, according to Freedom of Information responses.

But, while Neath Port Talbot and Blaenau Gwent councils use special equipment to measure the light coming through a window, it is understood Caerphilly officers use the naked eye.

Chris Bumby, Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association, said one driver lost £500 replacing windows deemed tinted on a brand new car.

He said: “If you go on a sunny day you might be lucky but if you go on a dark day you’re stuffed.

“They just come out and look at the car. There’s no measurement at all it depends how good their eyes are.”

There are also concerns over “inconsistencies” with the licencing of vehicles able to carry six passengers.

The association provided evidence showing that of three Vauxhall Zafiras, one was licensed to carry six passengers while the two others can only carry six people “where the two rear seats are used solely for the carriage of children under 16 years of age and/or when fulfilling Caerphilly County Borough Council school contracts”.

David Miller, Secretary of Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association, sold his brand new car, losing £4,000 when he was told he may have conditions put on his vehicle.

He said the council would not provide a list of vehicles that they will licence.

Mr Miller said: “As an association we’ve always worked hand in hand with the authority, but the relationship between the taxi drivers’ association and the council is starting to breakdown.

“The relationship we’ve built up over ten years is being smashed to bits.”

A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “The safety, welfare and comfort of passengers and drivers of licensed vehicles is always a key consideration for the council.

“The taxi trade were consulted on the introduction of CCBC Vehicle Inspection Standards (based on a National Standard developed in conjunction with VOSA) prior to their approval and adoption by the Licensing Committee in December 2014.

“We will continue to work with applicants and support them through the assessment process. Any disputes will continue to be determined independently by the authority’s Licensing Sub-Committee.”

source: http://www.caerphillyobserver.co.uk/new ... ivelihood/

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

The vast amount of new cars are coming with rear tinted glass as normal.

Our council saw the light and allowed factory fitting tinted glass, and well done to them for that.

Apparently it was done when some soppy pratt bought a new car without checking the glass first.

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IDFIMH

Been there met them and some

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