Taxi Driver Online

20 Mar 2008

Plans for safer taxi journeys

People using private hire vehicles in the Telford area after midnight
could pay up front for their fares as part of proposed safety measures.

A number of proposals are to be put to the Taxi Forum on April 2 after
police officers in Telford met to discuss new ways to increase safety for
taxi and private hire travel.

It comes after Wellington private hire driver, Mohammed Khan, was jailed
for 10 years for raping a 15-year-old girl and sexually assaulting a woman
after picking them up in his vehicle.

Sergeant Paul Franks, of Wellington police station, said: “It’s not just
passengers who need to be protected, it’s the drivers as well.

“Criminals often use taxis for illegal purposes. We have had stolen goods
found in taxis before.

He added: “Taxi drivers and passengers need to be aware they could be
assisting in crime.”

Police want private hire firms to agree that after midnight people can pay
upfront and be told exactly how much the journey will cost.

Mr Franks said: “We need to start getting people to think of taxis as part of
their night out.

“What happened with Mr Khan has heightened the situation but there have
been ongoing problems with taxi and private hire firms for a while so the
forums have been set up to iron out the issues and make everyone safer,”
he added.

Source: Shropshire Star
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As I always say to people who object paying up front - Have you ever been on a Bus, Train or a Plane, followed by the answer, of course I have.

I then point out to them on each and every occasion they have had to pay before they go, and I then say what is so different about a Taxi.

If they still object - Would you like to try another Cab sir/madam, because they are usually the ones without any money.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

Can't see what this has to do with the police. It's the drivers call.

Personaly I prefer not to ask for cash up front as a rule, though will do if I feel it necesary.

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There's no excuse for animal abuse. If you ain't vegan you are an animal abuser.

The article reads as if this is for the customer's benefit rather than the driver's, but it's not entirely clear.

It will be to the passengers advantage where in an unmetered PH the driver likes to add on his own commission to the office quoted fare, and charge a punter £6 to go 900 yards, and then get the passenger banged up for assault, when all he really did was complain.

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Former taxi driver

PH have always been able to ask for the money up front, and customers have always been able to book and pay in advance.

But if the police think it will work, then who's to doubt their taxi/PH knowledge.

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IDFIMH