Taxi Driver Online

Usual self-congratulation in the headline

But I hope their licensing function is genuinely better than their news releases - this is of the type who use the same text in their strapline as in the opening words of the text proper


Successful prosecution reinforces Chorley's commitment to passenger safety

https://chorley.gov.uk/news/article/136 ... ger-safety

A private hire driver, licensed by Preston City Council, has been successfully prosecuted following an investigation involving the council.

A private hire driver, licensed by Preston City Council, has been successfully prosecuted following an investigation involving the council, after an unlicensed and uninsured vehicle was found transporting seven children with severe special educational needs and disabilities to a school in the borough.

The case followed a joint operation with Lancashire County Council, where licensing officers identified a silver Renault Master carrying seven children, including one wheelchair user, and a passenger assistant. The vehicle was being used for school transport but was not licensed as a private hire vehicle at the time it was stopped.

During the operation, the driver told officers the vehicle was being used temporarily while another vehicle was unavailable. Enquiries later confirmed the vehicle was not licensed at the time of the journey and that the insurance cover was invalidated because it was being operated as a private hire vehicle without the correct licence.

At Preston Magistrates’ Court, Warren Jeremy Harris, of Birkett Place, Preston, pleaded guilty to and was convicted of three offences: driving an unlicensed vehicle, operating an unlicensed vehicle, and driving without insurance.

Mr Harris received credit for his guilty plea and had six points endorsed on his DVLA licence. He was also ordered to pay fines and council costs totalling around £350.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, which includes licensing, Councillor Alex Hilton, said: “This case shows why taxi and private hire licensing is so important.

“Licensing rules are there to protect passengers, and that protection is especially important when children and vulnerable people are being transported.

“The vast majority of licensed drivers and operators work hard to meet the standards required of them. Taking enforcement action where those standards are not met helps protect the public and supports those responsible businesses that operate legally and safely.

“We will continue to work with our partners to make sure vehicles carrying passengers in Chorley are properly licensed, insured and safe.”

Our licensing team carries out checks and takes enforcement action where necessary to ensure taxi and private hire services operating in the borough meet the standards required by law.

If you have any concerns about a taxi or private hire vehicle operating in Chorley, you can report it on our website.

And originally found that via the Lancashire Post's rehash, which contains a very basic booboo - it says near the top that the operation involved South Ribble Council, when there's no indication they were involved at all - note how the quote further down is from the Chorley councillor, and mentions vehicles being used in Chorley, but is totally disconnected from the mention of South Ribble further up


Preston taxi driver caught with seven disabled children - including a wheelchair user - in uninsured vehicle

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/preston-taxi ... le-8958655

Warren Jeremy Harris, a taxi driver licensed by Preston City Council, has been convicted of driving an unlicensed and uninsured vehicle

A taxi driver licensed by Preston City Council has been prosecuted after an unlicensed and uninsured vehicle was found transporting seven severely disabled children.

In joint operation between South Ribble Council and Lancashire County Council a silver Renault Master was found to be carrying the seven children, including one youngster in a wheelchair, and a passenger assistant.

The vehicle was being used for school transport but was not licensed as a private hire vehicle when it was stopped.

The driver claimed the vehicle was being used temporarily while another was unavailable.

However, an inquiry later discovered the Renault was not licensed when the journey took place and that meant the insurance cover was invalidated because it was being operated as a private hire vehicle without the correct licence.

At Preston Magistrates’ Court, Warren Jeremy Harris, of Birkett Place, Preston, pleaded guilty to and was convicted of three offences: driving an unlicensed vehicle, operating an unlicensed vehicle, and driving without insurance.

Mr Harris received credit for his guilty plea and had six points endorsed on his driving licence. He was also ordered to pay fines and council costs totalling around £350.

Cabinet member for planning and development, which includes licensing, Councillor Alex Hilton, said: “This case shows why taxi and private hire licensing is so important.

“Licensing rules are there to protect passengers, and that protection is especially important when children and vulnerable people are being transported.

“The vast majority of licensed drivers and operators work hard to meet the standards required of them.

“Taking enforcement action where those standards are not met helps protect the public and supports those responsible businesses that operate legally and safely.

“We will continue to work with our partners to make sure vehicles carrying passengers in Chorley are properly licensed, insured and safe.

“Our licensing team carries out checks and takes enforcement action where necessary to ensure taxi and private hire services operating in the borough meet the standards required by law.”

For all the high dudgeon in the press release, it looks like the court let him off lightly in terms of his, er, court bill

Indeed they did.

But maybe they considered the fella was now out of work and didn't have a pot to pi** in.

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IDFIMH

Oh well, that's alright then.

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IDFIMH

In days not so long ago some councils used to allow the use of private cars on school contracts. One less chancer in the trade but I bet there is plenty more.

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

Especially those that undertake school runs for next to nothing and can't get another licensed driver to cover the work when their vehicles go down.

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IDFIMH