Taxi Driver Online

February 24, 2008 Sunday

13 cabs caught in 'sting'

South Wales Argus

A JOINT operation by Newport police and the city council found 13 taxis illegally picking up passengers in a sting operation last week.

The operation aimed to monitor the standard of private hire taxis in Newport and make sure the public are getting a legal and safe service.

Thirteen taxis illegally accepted fares from teams hailing from the street on a Saturday night.

These taxis were then directed to pre-designated locations where council licensing officers interviewed drivers with a view to future prosecution.

A team of police officers also examined each vehicle for construction and use offences.

Of the 13 vehicles hailed, nine had defects ranging from faulty lights to defective tyres.

These taxis were given 14 days to rectify the faults or they would be prohibited from operating as a private hire taxi until the faults were rectified and authorised by an MOT garage.

Sergeant Bernie Dawson, from Newport Central said: "It was disappointing there were so many faults on the vehicles. The trade have a responsibility, and legal requirement, to keep their vehicles in a roadworthy state, which is no more onerous than that of the private car owner.

"However this was a very succesful operation and more are planned for the future."

If you use or see a taxi with defects please inform Newport City Council licensing department on 01633 245229 who will take appropriate actions to have the faults rectified.
__________________________