It seems you aren't registered at Taxi-Driver.co.uk, Register now.
TDO Forums
Legislation
Case Law
Tuc Tuc's on the Move in Purbeck!
Report Date Jan 2007
Marc Self of Road-Liner Transport Dorset who run Buses, Taxis and Private hire vehicles has successfully applied to Purbeck District Council to license two Super Deluxe convertible 650cc TUC TUCS, as hackney carriages.
The two TUC TUC's will operate for six months of the year from April through to September and mainly in the Swanage area. They will be equipped with Taximeters and ply for hire at Taxi ranks under normal conditions of Taxi licensing.
Taxi Driver Online asked Mr. Self if he was concerned about adverse reactions from the local taxi trade, his response was that "local Taxi drivers are backward thinkers and too busy arguing amongst themselves to worry about his TUC TUC enterprise?
Purbeck council license approximately 20 hackney carriage vehicles but Marc is of the opinion that he may license additional TUC TUC'S if the venture proves successful?
Licensing of TUC TUCS is not new, as this magazine has reported on previous occasions, however the significant factor in this case is that where previous licenses have been issued under PSV legislation, these particular vehicles are being licenses under Hackney carriage legislation. The reason for this is that TUC TUC's licensed in Purbeck have different specifications to those licensed in Brighton and elsewhere. An additional factor is that Purbeck council has a flexible policy on vehicle types and it does not apply quantity controls on taxi numbers.
Many people will frown at the prospect of TUC TUC's running around as Taxis, especially National Taxi Associations and in particular the TGWU. The fact remains that these organisations are constantly reminding us that councils know what's best for their area so perhaps it would be a little hypocritical if these organisations decided to condemn Purbeck council for doing exactly what they themselves advocate? Roadliner TUC TUC's have already gained National recognition by being featured on GMTV. Marc Self told TDO that the company has already made a substantial investment in the local Transport industry and he is looking forward to this new venture.
Roadliner already run both hackney and private hire vehicles but Marc told us that he hopes to tap into the local business market and allow his vehicles to be customised. He has come up with the novel idea of allowing individual business's the opportunity of hiring a TUC TUC for a specific period and for an additional fee of £1500 pounds the vehicle can be customised in the companies livery. The fee of £1500 is to cover the cost of spraying and re-spraying the vehicle back to its original livery.
Purbeck council has altered their licensing conditions in order to accommodate these new types of vehicles. Purbeck licensing panel met on January 18th and agreed the recommendations that these vehicles should be licensed?
LP – 18.01.07 POLICY STATEMENT
POLICY AREA: 19.1 TAXIS (HACKNEY CARRIAGES AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES)
1. FUNCTION. To ensure safe, convenient means of public transport through the licensing of hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, operators and drivers, the enforcement of statutory requirements and licence conditions, provision of hackney carriage ranks and fixing of hackney carriage fares.
2. POLICIES. 2.1 To restrict the age of vehicles other than FX4 London type taxis, metrocabs, vintage cars, limousines and "Tuc-Tuc" rickshaws as follows:
a) Issue of first licence - 5 years (that is, 5 years exactly from the date of registration)
(b) Renewals - 5 years unless in the opinion of the Council the vehicle is in pristine condition
(c) Absolute age limit -10 years
2.2 To have no restriction on the colour and make of vehicle, but the vehicle to be a hard top four-door saloon or estate car with a minimum 1300cc engine or motorised people carrier and have adequate seating for a minimum of four passengers and for a maximum of eight passengers with adequate provision for luggage space. ‘Tuc-Tuc’ rickshaws will be permitted but must be type approved for road use by D.o.T. Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
2.4 To ensure the vehicle is inspected annually by the Council or its agent and to ensure meters are tamper-proof. "Tuc-Tuc" rickshaws to be inspected every 6 months.
Link not Active
Latest News
This section consists of our latest news updates. TDO provides the fastest real time Taxi news service in the United Kingdom. We have JD to thank for his dedication and tireless efforts in keeping members and visitors informed of important current events, legislation and case law. See the News Menu for the latest news updates.
Forum Admin
View ForumsRegister with TDO