Taxi Driver Online

This is quite interesting, although unfortunately there's not much detail provided.

But it seems like the council here essentially telling the trade what work it can and can't do, which I'm not sure is happening elsewhere?

I suppose it is consistent with the 'lockdown' in that only essential travel should be undertaken, but who is supposed to enforce that? Police, presumably, in the first instance.

Now the council involved, and the trade expected to decide which trips are essential or not, it would seem.

I mean, when people get on a train or bus, do the train and bus companies assess them to decide whether or not their trip is 'essential'?


Taxis in Burnley and Pendle to operate essential journeys only from tonight

https://www.burnleyexpress.net/health/c ... ht-2520761

Taxis in Burnley and Pendle are to operate essential journeys only from 6pm this evening.

Announcing the decision this afternoon Neil Watson who manages taxi licensing for Pendle said: “Our taxis in Pendle provide a valuable service.

“They are facing a difficult choice of whether they can continue to provide a service whilst protecting their staff and customers."

"Individual taxi companies are making the decision whether to operate through the coronavirus crisis.

“The companies that will continue to provide a service will do so responsibly by only taking passengers on essential journeys and by practising safe distancing."

"Yesterday the government made new public health regulations and strengthened police enforcement powers to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

“This includes avoiding non-essential travel."

Leader of Pendle Council, Mohammed Iqbal, said that taxi drivers are following government advice to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and it was 'vital' that drivers and passengers are protected and priority is being given to vulnerable people and NHS staff getting to and from work.

This is all I could find on the council's website, and simply echoes what's said in the article above.

https://www.pendle.gov.uk/info/20001/re ... l_services


But I wonder how this was communicated to the trade, and how will it be enforced?

For example, if an HC is on the rank and is approached, is the driver expected to ask about the purpose of the trip and thus decide whether it's 'essential'?

I'm not sure about where you are but I find most trips are to or from shops for essential food or medical supplies you can't exactly nip out for a coffee or a beer or pop to the Indian for a meal

I doubt any of the limited work we are getting is non essential

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

It won't be enforced as most councils are struggling to deal with existing paperwork, let alone policing the roads.

I suspect the council was asked for advice, and covering their backs they said what they said.

Which is made up law.

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IDFIMH

I was told the other day that at some point next week the police are going to be asked to start stopping vehicles and quizzing drivers.

Government announcement pending

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Think that is already happening in some areas, but will be amazed if our trade gets stopped from working.

Well the remnants of it that are still working that is.

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IDFIMH

Indeed, but that's not so much the point as that it seems that the trade is expected to decide what is essential travel.

Of course, as Sussex alludes, it's maybe more of a PR thing, just to be seen to be doing the right thing, but with little practical relevance.

Which in turn is maybe why the official statement is very brief and vague. It satisfies the PR requirement while being of little real world relevance.

The Shetland Islands Council have issued this press release, which has been dutifully rehashed by the local press.

However, nothing to indicate that the council have done anything other than, er, issue a press release.

Will it change how the trade is working (or not)? Will offices and drivers be quizzing passengers as regard whether their trip is essential? Doubt it.


PRESS RELEASE

02 April 2020

Coronavirus: Taxis and private hire vehicles

During the current coronavirus pandemic, passengers in local taxis and public hire vehicles should expect to be asked if their journey is essential.

The UK Government has ordered many businesses and venues to close, with certain exceptions. Travel to work is allowed, but only where individuals cannot work from home.

Taxis and private hire vehicles can continue to work, to provide transport for workers who cannot work from home, and for those in critical services, such as healthcare, key public services and utilities.

The advice is clear: everyone should stay at home, and only go outside for food, health reasons or work - only if you cannot work from home.

The UK Government advice is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... rom-others

I get what the council are saying, and TBH it would be wrong for me to critisise anyone trying to ensure government rules are being adhered to.

However there is no way on this earth a taxi/PH driver is going to give a punter the third degree, as that taxi/PH driver will be sh** scared that the punter might get out of his motor once they reflect on the government advice.

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IDFIMH