Taxi Driver Online

Drivers’ skills under attack

MOTORING experts are calling for stricter monitoring of private hire taxi drivers operating in Bolton. The Bolton branch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists - a charity which runs driving courses for licensed drivers - has slammed the standards of many private hire drivers in the borough.

The group says many flout the Highway Code, ignore speed limits and dodge speed cameras. It is calling for Bolton Council to raise standards and test the drivers' motoring skills before allowing them to carry passengers.

Chairman Roy Sammons said: "There are private hire drivers who will openly acknowledge that some of the rules of the road do not apply to them. They can tell you the location of every fixed speed and red light camera and whether it is operational.

"Only at these places does the Highway Code apply to them. Everywhere else speed limits are ignored and amber gambling' and red light running' is a frequent happening.

"They risk overtaking on blind bends and perform U-turns anywhere, no matter who they inconvenience. These priver hire taxis perform an essential service to the community but at what risk to their passengers and other road users?"

Mr Sammons said the group received more complaints about the driving of mini-cab drivers than any other group of motorists. The council says it is considering introducing tests to assess private hire drivers' skills.

Mustak Bhuta, of Bolton Private Hire Association, said his group was unwilling to comment on the situation. But Yvonne Jackson, who runs Moor Lane Bestway Taxis in Bolton, defended her fellow drivers.

"It is very unfair to tar all private hire drivers with the same brush. As in all professions, you have the good and the bad," she said. "All private hire drivers are tested on their knowledge of the area and have their driving skills assessed before the. It's in our interest to ensure our passengers are happy with the service we provide so that they will use us again. "

A council spokesman said it tested anyone who applied for a hackney and private hire driver licences by asking them to undertake a knowledge test in the presence of an enforcement officer from the Licensing Unit.

He said: "The test does not assess their driving skills. Our staff are not qualified to do this and all applicants must have held a full UK driving licence for at least 12 months.

"We are intending to review the test as outside bodies, which are able to assess driving skill, now offer taxi' driver tests to assist local authorities. This will be part of a package of measures."

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IDFIMH

ph's are a cut price side door entry in2 the trade. they only encourage bogus cabs to operate,and the way i see it if every la banned them and went m1 spec acroos the board then the trade would be sorted once and 4all.....

Garbage ................... you seem to only understand what benefits you and not your customers.

PH are no different to HC in stature ................ its the services they offer which are different ................... and without one the other would fail.

FFS people need to understand that a licensed driver is a licensed driver and providing they are professional in dispensing their duties then one is no better than the other.

Climb down off your high horse and join most of us in the real world.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

"T's" brother by any chance?

Your a TOOL!

I don't see many PH in Dundee, but since most taxis are saloons and the standard is no more lax for PH than saloon taxis then they can't be any worse than most of the taxi trade.

There should be a level playing field though - of course, many of the councillors will be too busy spending their 20 grand pay-offs to worry about such things.

The PH are just working for the same offices as the taxis anyway: would I be right in saying that there are no proper PH offices in Dundee?

ga...ur the one talkn garbage coz ye canna see past yer meter ! your'e telling me if ph's were outlawed that the trade wudna benefit ? utter gutters m8 ! then the real taxi operators cud make a livin and there wud be plenty o drevvers and fares 4 all ! as 4 offices ! outlaw them as well...all they own is a fone number ! imagine the public having to q at ranks ? the worlds yer lobster lads...but let's be honest..this is the taxi trade we're talking...cudna agree on the color o s..t nor cudna join hands let alone ranks !!!!

I like you Mr tx_op would love to see far fewer PH.

But I suspect for different reasons.

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IDFIMH

cheers sussex...that's 1 on board and sees sense !! anymore ??? or have u got 2 ask yer wife if ye can go oot 2 play !!!!

What the fook are you on mate.

No wonder you can't agree with anyone else on any subject, even as you put it the colour of $hit because thankfully most of the people who live in the real world understand the important role each aspect of the trade play in the overall success of the industry.

We should stand together your quite right ......................... but who would stand beside you when you want to outlaw everthing else.

I can see far beyond my meter mate .............. and the future is not at all bright for people who don't consider the carriage of the public as a profession.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

listen up ga...THIS IS OUR TRADE....let's have it governed by us,,,we're the one's behnd the wheel dealing with all different people and situations daily...if we stood shoulder 2 shoulder nothing wud move un these isles unless it was on our terms......comprendeeeee !!!!

You sound like you used to be a union rep in the coal industry

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

or Fleet Street

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

I completely agree .................... we stand shoulder to shoulder ............. and we achieve exactly what we want.

But that's shoulder to shoulder with everyone involved in our industry .............. PH drivers standing alongside HC drivers standing alongside chauffeurs ............... all properly licensed all providing professional services.

Yes I definitely comprehendeeeee !!!!

B. Luckeeeee

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.