Taxi Driver Online

Not wishing to state the obvious. 1. Is a step and easier for some to use 2. Some find the ramp gradient too steep.

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

A step is easier than a ramp for some, but it all depends on what it says in his vehicle specs, I can't see much difference, apart from ones fixed to the vehicle.

I think he should have replaced it with one of those fixed steps, as the electric ones are rather s***.

In respect of licensing conditions, it all depends what's in his licensing conditions.

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IDFIMH

I looked at the vehicle conditions in Melton Mowbery, says sod all about steps.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

I have been doing likewise and found the same. I am waiting to see the contents of the letter he gets from the Licensing department before advising him on a course of action.

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Grandad,

Grandad...... are you dereg.....can you get a plate if you put on a WAV..what are the specs for that vehicle..normally the WAV would have had to be presented to your council to be accepted as a WAV..or can you just turn up with a horse and cart and get it passed..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

You can turn up with anything with an engine over 1250 cc and under 6 years old. There are no restrictions on numbers. There are only 2 WAV hackney vehicles in the town, this vehicle which is a '12 plate E7 and the other one is an old "T" reg Metrocab that has seen better days and is only on the road because of grandfather rights on age.

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Grandad,

To comply with the Council spec for sidesteps it would be prudent to ask them for a copy of their spec.
Does it detail for instance the method by which the step should be fixed to the vehicle, what the load bearing capacity should be?
I would imagine it would require to be similar to a ramp.

There is no spec in the conditions booklet or policy.

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Grandad,

OK, The driver has been round with his letter from the Council.
They state that as the vehicle is classed and licensed as a disabled access vehicle and the policy states :-All equipment must be maintained in good working order and be available for use at all times. However that is just one paragraph in the specific policy. The full section is here.
14 Disability Access
Where a vehicle is used for the carriage of disabled passengers in a
wheelchair, the following conditions shall apply:
 Access to and exit from the wheelchair position must not be
constructed in any manner at any time except by wheelchair loading
apparatus;
 Wheelchair anchorage must be of the manufacturer’s design and
construction and secured in such a position as not to obstruct any
emergency exit;
 A suitable restraint must be available for the occupant and the
wheelchair;
 Access ramps must be securely fitted prior to use and be able to
support the wheelchair and occupant and helper;
 Ramps and lifts must be securely stored in the vehicle before it moves
off;
 Passengers in wheelchairs must not travel in a sideways position;
 All equipment must be maintained in good working order and be
available for use at all times;
 The driver of any vehicle should have sufficient training in loading and
conveying wheelchairs passengers.

From this would I be correct in my assumption that the paragraph used by the Council only applies to passengers in a wheelchair who would be using the ramp? The ramp is in full working order.

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Grandad,

In Plymouth we have a whole paragraph about steps in the "Vehicle Conditions" , it is posted in its full glory below.

17. Any vehicle to be licensed must have a maximum step height of 43cm.

OK, it is short, but it serves very well. If the vehicle of your choice exceeds 43cm step height, get an intermediary step.

As your conditions do not include it, I can't see that any enforcement of something not included can take place.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

disabled access vehicle...Lots of different disabilities...

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

But read the first paragraph.
14 Disability Access
Where a vehicle is used for the carriage of disabled passengers in a
wheelchair, the following conditions shall apply:
If the passenger is not in a wheelchair then the condition does not apply. How many passengers in wheelchairs use a step?

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Grandad,

The ones that get out of the wheelchair to get into the cab..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

It specifically states for disabled passengers in a wheelchair. The whole section is to do with ramps to load the wheelchair and the method of strapping the wheel chair down. Around here passengers who transfer out of their wheelchair ask for either saloon or estate cars.

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Grandad,