Half of St Helens taxis failing tests to ensure they are roadworthy Council 'concerned' over failure rate in tests that check cars roadworthy and complying with regulations
Half of taxis in St Helens are failing the local council’s vehicle tests.
St Helens council’s compliance test for taxi vehicles includes checks to ensure they are both roadworthy and complying with other rules and regulations.
Drivers who fail it can have their taxi license suspended or revoked.
But a council report revealed the test has a failure rate of around 50% for hackney cabs and private hire vehicles.
The report admitted the council was “concerned” and said it had been planning a tougher testing regime to drive up standards.
But the authority has now delayed the decision after opposition from drivers.
The proposal would have forced vehicles which required a retest twice in two years to have a third test within three months, and trigger scrutiny from a council licensing committee.
The council were planning to introduce the measures from today, when a new taxi licensing policy takes effect.
But the licensing committee voted to “temporarily defer” a decision to allow further consultation, after complaints from the taxi industry.
The report said: “The Trade is undoubtedly concerned that those who may fail on minor points, would be subject to this more rigorous regime.
“Whilst not suggesting vehicle maintenance is relaxed, it is arguable that further work can be carried out to consider how this option or others may work on a day to day basis.”
Other options now being considered include a points system, with only ‘major fail’ items triggering a probe from the council committee.
St Helens North MP Conor McGinn wrote to the council in December asking it to ensures its policies did not “damage the local taxi trade”.
A council spokesman said: “Both the council and the licensed vehicle trade are committed to driving up standards across the borough under the new Taxi Licensing Policy, which was approved at last week’s Licensing Committee meeting (10 February) and will come into effect on March 1, 2016.
“We are confident that, following consultation with the trade, we will be able to put in place a robust procedure that will encourage drivers to maintain higher standards of vehicle care, reducing failure rates locally.”
source:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv ... s-10971194
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