Taxi Driver Online

Gloucestershire Echo

June 20, 2007 Wednesday

New rules on school 'taxis' lead to crisis

A Campaign has begun to overturn new government legislation which puts transport for special schools under threat.

From January 2008 all vehicles which are used to take children to and from schools must have a full private hire licence. Currently there is an exemption for those doing contract work of seven days or more.

The Department of Transport's aim is to introduce safety checks into a previously unregulated sector.

However, the move has angered special schools, contract operators and councillors. And many part-time low-income drivers are considering whether they can afford to carry on under the new rules.

A schools contractor in Tewkesbury, who wished to remain anonymous, says the cost of insuring a licensed taxi would be £2,000 as opposed to the £300 which most drivers pay now.

She said: "Our company would have to cease to trade - 170 jobs would just go. The cost of licensing would be more than drivers earn in their job.

"There should be a full licence for people who use their vehicles as a taxi to earn a living and a restricted licence for those who use it for part-time work."

Many drivers use their own family car to do the school run. Under the new legislation it would mean only the person licensed as a taxi driver could use it.

Chairman of governors for Alderman Knight School in Tewkesbury , Dave Waters, said: "It's a ridiculous rule."

Tewkesbury borough councillor Adam Tugwell (C. Ashchurch with Walton Cardiff) is campaigning to get the Act rescinded and has started a Downing Street petition.

He said: "One does wonder whether this is a deliberate move to close these special schools by the back door."

Coun Joan Nash, cabinet member for schools, said: "It may have an impact on an already stretched school transport budget."

To join the petition go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SENTransport
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I can't believe there's that much difference - £300 sounds more like SDP than hire and reward insurance?



What kind of an outfit is this?



Great idea







It's all becoming clear now

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Sussex will love this story

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

The petitiion was instigated by elected councillors.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

What a pri** and just think he is in charge of a school.

Would he just take people off the street to teach the kids?

I would hope not, but that's what he is supporting for the transport to get them there.

Does anyone check if the cars are insured, have MOTs, drivers CRB checked?

I doubt it, but I can tell the pri** something for nothing, after 01/01/08 someone will be.

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IDFIMH

There you go, Lewes district beat the legislators to the crunch! Go Lewes District!
See; Lewes cabbys fight back over GMB slur http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6258

Has B&H done this yet???
Does B&H have two mechanical safety checks per year yet??? Such strong advocates of safety criteria must be chomping at the bit to have B&H impose this special safety criteria for the safety of visitors, residents and drivers.

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The Seventh Saint

I thought you had to have hire or reward on your insurance to do contracts, I'm sure JD Alex or Sussex posted something about this.
What happens if there is an accident the occupants and the driver will not be insured if you do not have it worded on your policy, and the taxman must be involved somewhere

You should do IMO, but all council tenders differ, from those that do it properly and what all the checks in place, to those that don't give a stuff and just want the cheapest price.

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IDFIMH

The list of things you should have ...................... for being or becoming a approved contractor are already required for the HC and PH industry.

The calls that "I can't afford the extra insurance" should highlight the appauling local policies which allow this sort of person responsibility for vunerable children on the journey to and from school ................. the most dangerous part of their "school day".

Sussex is exactly right ....................... I'm sure they wouldn't let any Tom, Dick or Harry teach in the classroom .................. so why do they let them take them to and from school.

The Act was rightly changed ................... I just hope that the local trade reps are starting their responses based not upon cost but on the safety of these vunerable children.

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.

What an absolute disgrace, vunerable school children being driven about in apparently uninsured cars ie. SD&P

Both the contractor & the school/local authority should be taken to task over this

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_around_the_world