Taxi Driver Online

100 taxi drivers protest against Gloucester City Council plans to make them retake driving tests



Around 100 Hackney Carriage drivers were in attendance at Gloucester City Council's licensing and enforcement committee last night to protest against plans to make them retake their driving test.

The Gloucester Hackney Carriage Association was out in force and queried the plans at the meeting, stating their disgust at the plans.

The plans mean taxi drivers must be retested every 10 years at their own expense, which could cost up to £112 per test.

Chas Rodgers, a member of the Gloucester Hackney Carriage Association, said: "I have been driving for over 41 years and to say I am no longer competent in my job is ridiculous.

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"This change has already cost one man his job and thousands of pounds."

The drivers did question the change in the meeting but as it was deemed not in relation to the agenda they were not given a response on the night.

Following the public questions the drivers left and held an open air meeting on the steps outside Gloucester City Council.

Nunu Miar, of Five Star Taxis, said: "If the doctors can go on strike over changes to their contract, I don't see why we shouldn't do the same."

As the issue was not related to the agenda Gloucester City Council could not discuss the matter.

However, in a previous statement Lisa Jones, Gloucester City Council's food, licensing and markets manager, said: "We changed our policy following a request from the hackney carriage and private hire trade to replace the Gloucestershire Road Safety Assessment with the DVSA.

"Many councils require taxi drivers to take some form of test to ensure they meet the standards to deliver an important service to residents safely.


Read more: http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Taxi ... z3toVoQErp
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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Taxi drivers in Gloucester not ruled out strike action over plans to make them retake their test



TAXI drivers have not ruled out strike action in response to plans to make both private hire and hackney carriage drivers retake their driving test every 10 years.

Around 100 members of Gloucester Hackney Carriage Association were joined by private hire drivers at a Gloucester City Council meeting to show their disgust at what they consider a human rights issue.

Several voiced their concerns at the rule change but, as it was not on the licensing and enforcement committee's agenda, it was not discussed.

Zeya Ahmed, chairman of the GHCA, said: "Strike action is a last resort but if that is the only option we have we will have to look at it."

After the public questions the drivers held an open-air meeting on the steps of the city council's North Warehouse HQ.

Mr Ahmed said: "It is a human rights issue as drivers who have been working for some time are being penalised for something without a trial.

"The test is a disciplinary measure but existing and competent drivers are being made to take that test."

The plans mean taxi drivers must be retested every 10 years at their own expense, which could cost up to £112 a time.

Hussain Vorajee from City Cars in Eastgate Street said he would join a strike if one was called.

He said: "If we have to retake our tests anyone else driving vehicles for public services should also take them.

"We should be judged over our years of driving rather than a one-day test."

Not all drivers believe striking is the way forward.

Senior GHCA committee member Chas Rodgers said: "I don't think we can strike, we depend on the public for our livelihood. We can't risk putting the public's nose out of joint."

The test needs to be passed by October 1, 2016. Any drivers who have not passed by then will not be allowed to operate a taxi and will lose their job.

Councillor Tarren Randle, chairman of the licensing and enforcement committee, said: "Last year, after much debate, we unanimously agreed that, in the interest of the safety of the travelling public, we would test all drivers, not just the new ones.

"Our existing taxi drivers have until October 1, 2016, to pass the DVSA Assessment and we're on hand to support them through the process. We will consider the request and respond to our taxi drivers in due course."


Read more: http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Taxi ... z3tuaUyX75

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