Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly new here, but maybe useful as a refresher on the disability stuff, although there's not much in terms of the specifics.

But also some interesting discussion about wider issues, particularly a couple of paragraphs from a councillor who obviously thinks some PHVs inadequate for four passengers, and only sufficient room for three. Don't know if it's a more modern trend, but certainly plenty smaller saloons on the road as PHVs, and certanly not confined to the PH side either

But the relevant official's non-answer simply says that PHVs have to be big enough for four passengers, which misses the point a bit

But back to the accessibility issue, officials obviously flummoxed when asked how the public should know that they need to specify an accessible vehicle via an app booking, for example


Biggest change to taxi rules in over a decade could see drivers fined up to £1000

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... r-25653435

Drivers must now comply with a new duty or risk facing a fine

The “most significant change” to taxi rules in over a decade could see drivers fined £1000.

The rule changes are aimed at making taxis and hackney cabs more accessible to people with disabilities.

As part of the changes, drivers could be fined up to £1000 if they do not provide “reasonable mobility assistance” to pre-booked passengers with disabilities – unless the driver has an exemption.

Similar rules apply to hackney cab drivers, who “must also comply with the duty to provide reasonable assistance unless that driver holds an exemption.”

According to a report produced ahead of a meeting of Knowsley Council’s licensing committee, which took place at Huyton municipal buildings last night, all of Knowsley’s hackney cabs are wheelchair accessible.

The rule change, which came into effect in June was described by officers as: “the most significant change in taxi and private hire vehicle accessibility legislation in 12 years.”

Discussing the legislative changes, Consumer protection manager Alan Shone said the law goes further than previous Equality Act legislation.

He said that there had been some exclusions in previous legislation, but according to the new rules: “It means all operators are subject to the duties under the Equality Act regardless of whether or not the vehicle is designated as wheelchair accessible.”

Drivers can apply for an exemption certificate if their own physical condition prevents them from providing mobility assistance duties. Drivers will also not be able to charge disabled passengers extra.

It’s not the only significant change which came into effect this year.

Since April, private hire drivers have had to complete and provide a tax code to the Licensing Authority before a licence can be renewed.

As part of this a tax check is carried out to ensure the person receiving the license is registered to pay tax in the UK.

Without the code, which is only valid for 120 days before needing to be re-checked, local authorities will not be able to issue license renewals.

Cllr Crispin Evans asked whether there would be a system to monitor whether there were any complaints around this.

Mr Shone said: “We are already ahead of the game but as far as complaints are concerned we do have things in place with all operators so if a disabled person has been refused access to a vehicle – there has been times when people haven’t allowed guide dogs – we will investigate that.”

He said the council were currently proceeding with two cases in this respect, adding “our procedure is already robust.”

Cllr Morgan said he was interested in the private hire operators being required to accept bookings. He said: “what is defined as a suitable vehicle available? I mean I’ve seen private hire vehicles around the road that would barely take three passengers?”

Mr Shone said: “Our criteria is you need to have four doors and be able to take four passengers.”

He added: “As far as our vehicles are concerned as well as any other authority we need to ensure they’re big enough to fit four passengers in.”

Head of risk and resilience Brian Toolan said “the onus is on them [the operator] by law” if there are suitable vehicles available.

He said: “We have a record of all vehicles we hold and will publish a list of all vehicles which are accessible and we will be able to check then.

“We can even check against operators so we know which operators have accessible vehicles.”

Cllr Morgan asked whether it would be the driver or operator responsible if an incorrect vehicle was sent and Mr Toolan confirmed it would be the operator.

Mr Shone said the passenger had a responsibility to notify the company it needed an accessible vehicle as well.

He said: “We need to get the passengers aware” to let operators know if using an app, for example.

Cllr Evans asked: “How is that communication to the passengers being communicated? How would I know as Joe Public to do that?”

Mr Toolan said: “To be honest, we’re reliant on individuals.”

Cllr Evans said the change of law could be communicated so people can be supported if things go wrong.

A good example of when the agendas, reports, box-ticking and accessibility registers etc etc meet the reality of what's happening in the real world of the disabled trying to book a suitable vehicle, and maybe not being aware of what they're expected to do


And that's the response, and where the article ends. Which in a journalistic sense looks a bit odd, but in terms of the issue being discussed it looks like it's just dismissed because it's a difficult issue that demonstrates the real world clashing with the council officialdom and the laptop class WFH, blah, blah

And, I mean, the two officials quoted are the 'consumer protection manager' and the 'head of risk and resilience'. No dedicated licensing specialists at the meeting, then?

And my comment about WFH, the laptop class etc was partly prompted by this comment on the Echo's website. Don't know how much of this is true, obviously, and there may be other reasons for going to Wolverhampton to be badged and plated. But...

Well I suggest you don't use those cars, should you and three of your mates want the services of a PH.

The councillor needs to realise we are in 2022, not 1982, and the car manufacturers are no longer building bigger cars unless you want a Merc etc.

Smaller cars have smaller carbon footprints, in the main, so shouldn't councillors be celebrating that instead of trying to look clever at a committee meeting?

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IDFIMH

Wouldn't it be nice if councillors concentrated on the positive side of our trade instead of the negative stuff?

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IDFIMH

More attempts at interfering as per usual.

PH is just that. Private hire. A private contract between two parties ie buyer and seller.

It should be nothing to do with the council. They already have regulations in place on what a HC or PH vehicle should be with their own specifications on what qualifies to be licensed.

Cllr Morgan said "I mean I’ve seen private hire vehicles around the road that would barely take three passengers?”

So what? You have licensed that vehicle. If some customers require 4 seats or more then they can use another company or independent operator.

They are free to choose. Nobody has a monopoly.

Maybe if you don't put age restrictions on vehicles for licensing or for emissions or implement CAZs then drivers won't be using smaller cars and have bigger vehicles instead.

You are forcing them to use smaller cars because they cannot afford (or justify) purchasing a bigger modern vehicle because their costs are already high enough.

Let Hackney drivers use older vehicles and don't force them to use a more modern "cleaner or greener" vehicle and perhaps more will have vehicles with wheelchair accessibility. Don't force them to pay for livery and some might use that same money for more better uses such as paying that bit extra for wheelchair accessibility.

Or just put more restrictions in place requiring all HC vehicles to have wheelchair accessibility and watch your licensed Hackney drivers dwindle down to a trickle and then you will subsequently find yourselves in a more difficult position than you are already in.

These people really know how to press my buttons.

Rant over.