Taxi Driver Online

Blackburn with Darwen faces taxi strike over cost of safety tests

Taxi cab and private hire drivers in Blackburn with Darwen are set to stage an escalating series of strike in the run up to Christmas over the cost of vehicle safety tests.

They are angry at the council's refusal to outsource the checks to private garages rather than insist all are conducted at the council's Motor Vehicle Service Station (MVSS) at its Davyfield Depot.

Conservative councillor and taxi driver Altaf 'Tiger' Patel warned the borough's executive board of the the action, after environment boss Jim Smith refused to change the authority's position.

The 1,100 drivers of both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles will stage four strikes on Mondays in December unless the testing regime is changed.

On December 5 they will stop operating for three hours from 9am until noon and the following Monday for five hours from 9am to 2pm.

On December 19 the strike will last for eight hours from 9am until 5pm and if the dispute is still unresolved the driver will walk out for the full day on Boxing Day, December 26.

Cllr Smith said: "These strikes would be a shame and very regrettable.

"We will continue to talk to the drivers but we cannot compromise on safety."

Cllr Patel raised the issue of the cost of tests at Thursday night's meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board.

He told Cllr Smith: "As a taxi driver myself I have had a lot of complaints from my colleagues as to why the council has kept the taxi MOT testing in-house, unlike some other local towns which have two or three independent approved MOT centres or a mix of council and private centres.

"The taxi business is not very profitable in the current climate and Blackburn with Darwen's MOT test charges are amongst the highest in Lancashire with this monopoly.

"Having renewed the council's MVSS contract in August for a further three years, would you please consider re-looking at this decision and allow other approved MOT centres to test taxis and help the taxi industry with more choice and a speedier service?"

Cllr Smith replied: "The main purpose of private hire and hackney carriage licensing is to protect the public and promote public safety.

"I believe that it best achieved by having one testing centre that will provide a consistent set of standards the public can trust.

"Seventy per cent of vehicles are at least 10 years old and 72 per cent of the fleet fail the first test, which suggested they are not fit to work as taxis in the days leading up to the test."

Cllr Patel said: "The taxi and private hire drivers are shoulder to shoulder on this. We cannot afford the cost of these tests."

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IDFIMH

A few Blackburn threads, obviously, but this covers a few issues, and nothing particularly new, so maybe not worth a new thread.

Good turnout, though. But not too impressed with the sign. Nor the brightley logoed sweatshirt. Er, I mean...


200 Blackburn taxi drivers gather to discuss industry changes

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... y-changes/


Image: Lancashire Telegraph

Cab drivers from across Blackburn with Darwen said they are ‘united’ in their concerns over new rulings, which they say could ‘decimate’ their industry.

More than 200 private hire and hackney carriage drivers from the borough attended a special meeting at The Ivy Venue in Newton Street last weekend. 

Cabbies were concerned over new rulings that could mean drivers being stopped from working if they get more than seven points on their licence.

Drivers also voiced their concerns over further stringent tests over the condition of their vehicles and whether older diesel cars registered before 2015 are being banned.

The Council is presently consulting on a revised taxi policy which will make number of changes to the way it regulates the private hire and hackney carriage trade in the borough.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said it was still keen to hear the views of cab drivers and those who use the services as part of the ongoing consultation, which runs until December 31.


Image: Lancashire Telegraph

Spokesperson Sagir Hussain said organisers were overwhelmed by the support they had received from so many drivers.

“It was pleasing to see the commitment of so many drivers and showing a united front.

“The authorities need to know that public safety is our priority too.

“But we feel with the latest proposals they are trying kick us out from our jobs.

“The 20-point system is an unfair set of policies.”

He said: “We do agree with the points on public safety. This is of pressing concerns to us. But what about the driver’s safety? 

“We feel action has not been taken by anyone with regards to drivers safety.

“We do report incidents but nobody ever turns up.”

Cabbies also raised concerns at the council's refusal to outsource the safety tests to private garages.

The Council insists all tests are conducted at the council's Motor Vehicle Service Station (MVSS) at its Davyfield Depot.

Cllr Tiger Patel, himself a cab driver had earlier said drivers may be striking.

He said: “Drivers are now in negotiation with the council and we would like to avert any strikes.

“These issues have been raised many times with Blackburn with Darwen Council and we feel it is time the drivers concerns were listened too.”

The council said the changes would bring local rulings in line with national policy.

A Council spokesperson said: “These proposals are part of a consultation that would bring our local BwD policies in line with the national policy and best practice.

"The consultation is running until the end of the year and we welcome the input and discussions from all taxi drivers working in the borough.

“Our Licensing team held a taxi forum meeting in November with representatives where these issues were discussed in detail, and further discussions are ongoing.

"All comments made by the trade on the proposals will be considered by the Council’s Licensing committee in January 2023 before a final decision is made. 

“The Council would also be interested to hear the views of residents who use taxis.”

The taxi consultation can be found on Blackburn with Darwen Council's website.




Images: Lancashire Telegraph

High-res version of the photo with the sign in it, if anyone feels the need to read it all

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/r ... s/16217019

I wish them well, as at least they are making an effort.

Will they prevail, let's hope so.

As for the poster.

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IDFIMH

Looks like the poster did the trick after all

But hope they're not counting their chickens too soon - it's not cut and dried yet, by the looks of it.


Cabbies' victory as council amends controversial rule changes

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... e-changes/

Cab drivers have claimed ‘victory’ over planned new rulings were dropped that they felt would ‘decimate their industry’.

Taxi-driver representatives met with Blackburn with Darwen Council on Thursday (December 14), where cabbies raised their concerns over proposed new rules and regulations.

Last month, more than 600 drivers had signed a petition at a special meeting at The Ivy Venue in Newton Street.

Cabbies were concerned over new rulings that could mean drivers being stopped from working if they get more than seven points on their licence.

Drivers also voiced their concerns over further stringent tests over the condition of their vehicles.

The Council is presently consulting on a revised taxi policy which will make number of changes to the way it regulates the private hire and hackney carriage trade in the borough.

The new proposals are part of a consultation that would bring BwD policies in line with the national policy and is running until the end of the year.

At the taxi trade meeting, Councillor Jim Smith assured the representatives of the taxi trade that he would not be recommending a policy where taxi drivers were banned from operating for up to five years if they amassed seven points or more on their licence.

The council was also looking to allow cabbies to obtain medicals from third party medical companies rather than their own GP if they wish to do so.

Following the meeting with the council, spokesperson Sagir Hussain said: “A huge thank you to all the taxi-drivers who supported us.

"This was all due to everyone dedication and signing the petition. A number of issues were raised and have now been settled.

“When a new car was bought there was no MOT for three years. This has been extended to five years."

Kapadia Amin said: “Any driver with seven points on his licence would have been barred from holding a taxi-license for five years. That is dropped now.

“We are thankful we were allowed to make a difference. This was all due to everyone's dedication and signing the petition. Working together and supporting each other is important.”

Cabbies had also raised issues with the Council’s one MOT testing station saying the ‘monopoly’ was unfair on drivers.

Drivers will still have to have their car tested at the MOT centre but there had been an extension to the time allowed for repeat tests.

Mr Amin added: “Any car passing the MOT first time will have to be tested for eight months instead of the previous six-month period.”

Strategic Director of Environment and Operations, Martin Eden said: “The Council wants to see an increase in the pass rates for taxis when they have their MOT and taxi test and to see an increase in the number of newer vehicles on the taxi fleet.

“To encourage this, we will be recommending the current taxi policy is amended so that taxis that pass the MOT and taxi test on first presentation will not need to be re-tested for eight months rather than the current six months.

“Presently taxis under three years of age only need to be tested once a year for the first three years.

“The Council will be recommending an amendment to the current policy so that taxis will only need to be tested once a year for the first five years.”

Er, the three year rule is for standard cars used by the public, not plated vehicles used in the trade, which have to be MoTd every year from new, don't they?


Ah, I see

I was going to say that would be quite exceptional.

I remember someone about 30 years ago bought a brand new Nissan to plate as a taxi. It failed the test quite spectacularly and he had a huge row with the dealer over it. they initially wouldn't foot the bill to rectify it (about £1000 worth of work needed) so you never know brand new doesn't necessarily mean fit for purpose !

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

Pretty sure some councils don't test brand new cars...Brighton??

But the rep's point was nonsense - a plated vehicle needs an MoT every year by law, and that can't be overridden by council licensing rules (I'm pretty sure).

But what did the new car you mention fail on, Edders?

I can't remember now , it was three or four things but it wasn't a driver i frequently talked to although I'm sure he told everyone at the time. He sold the vehicle and left the trade about 18 months later.

By the way you are correct on the MOT rules which require vehicles used as taxis and company cars or other vehicles doing high mileages to have an annual MOT from 12 months.

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

I was about to say the same, until like you I read the last sentence.

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IDFIMH

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IDFIMH

This looks a bit desperate. Maybe the problem is that 70% of cars are more than 10 years old. Which is maybe why the failure rate is 72%, rather than the lack of tea and coffee-making facilities at the testing centre


Blackburn's taxi Tiger told 'take flask' to cab MoT tests

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... mot-tests/

Cab driving councillor Tiger Patel has been told to 'take a flask' to a borough's taxi testing station, after he complained about the lack of tea and coffee-making facilities in its waiting area.

The Audley and Queen's Park Conservative raised the issue at Blackburn with Darwen's full Council Forum on Thursday night with its environment boss Cllr Jim Smith.

Taxi and private hire drivers are already angry at the council's refusal to outsource the checks to private garages, instead insisting all are conducted at the council's Motor Vehicle Service Station (MVSS) at its Davyfield Depot.

Before Christmas they threatened to strike over the issue and the high cost of tests.

Cllr Patel told Cllr Smith: "Twice a year 1,100 taxi and hackney cab drivers are forced to use the council's own vehicle servicing station for the taxis' MOT, as the council has created a monopoly for itself for this service whilst also charging some of the highest MOT fees in the North-West.

"Sadly I have had complaints from my taxi colleagues about the poor standard of the waiting area at the motor vehicle testing centre.

"Customers are expected to sit in a cold hallway and there is a lack of adequate heating which is unacceptable, especially in cold weather as a dedicated waiting room would be provided if this was in the private sector.

"As drivers are taking their break there, tea making facilities or a coffee/tea machine should be provided as part of the service.

"Will you look into improving the facilities at the council's motor vehicle service centre?"

Cllr Smith replied: "The MVSS reception area has adequate seating for five people.

"The temperature is managed via a heater which is above the entrance doors and blows warm air into the reception area and ensures the temperature is in excess of 16 degrees centigrade during opening hours.

"The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency do not require MOT testing stations to provide tea and coffee facilities so many MOT testing stations do not provide these facilities.

"However we do provide a free water dispenser in the MVSS reception for customers.

"In the light of the council's ongoing financial challenges, my priority is to ensure we provide as much funding as possible to protect front-line council services for our residents rather than tea/coffee facilities in the reception of the MVSS.

"Next time you go, take a flask."