Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - N Somerset to hike fares but no compromise on standards

It comes amid a 40 per cent drop in the number of drivers nationally compared to before the pandemic, with many operators struggling to fulfil bookings.

Licensing officer Sioux Isherwood told councillors on November 16: “We’re 200 drivers short. When I started we had nearly 1,000, now we’re around 500.

Licensing officer Sioux Isherwood told councillors on November 16: “We’re 200 drivers short. When I started we had nearly 1,000, now we’re around 500.

“If you need a taxi home at 10pm you’re going to pay £5 more than you did pre-pandemic - because they can.

[Licensing manager] Ms Isherwood said despite the shortage of drivers the application process will not be any less rigorous, adding: “They have to be suitable. If I’m going to put my mum in the back of your car, I’m making every check possible before I put my name on that licence.”

But Weston-super-Mare Uphill councillor Peter Bryant proposed an amendment to the five tests cap at a meeting of North Somerset Council ’s licensing committee on February 7, arguing: “It shouldn’t be full and final.”[...]

Mr Bryant said: “I think we are being generous to people, whether they take up the opportunity of having the second bash at it or not.”

Author:	StuartW [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 2:50 am ]
Post subject:	N Somerset to hike fares but no compromise on standards
Taxi fares in North Somerset to rise before Christmas https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/tax ... se-6232615 Some 200 drivers have left the trade in the past two years Taxi fares across North Somerset are set to rise before Christmas after an exodus of drivers. Private hire rates have already “shot up” and fees charged by Hackney cabs and set by the council are likely to follow suit, the first rise in nine years. Under the proposals, after midnight a four-mile journey from Dolphin Square in Weston-super-Mare to St Georges would cost £12.37, up from £10.80. It comes amid a 40 per cent drop in the number of drivers nationally compared to before the pandemic, with many operators struggling to fulfil bookings. Licensing officer Sioux Isherwood told councillors on November 16: “We’re 200 drivers short. When I started we had nearly 1,000, now we’re around 500. “Fares have gone up. Unfortunately, it’s an operators’ market. It’s supply and demand. “If you need a taxi home at 10pm you’re going to pay £5 more than you did pre-pandemic - because they can. “Hackney cabs are on a meter set by the local authority. For the first time since 2012 they’ve approached us to say they will increase it. “That’s just gone through consultation and should be introduced prior to Christmas.” Under the proposals, after midnight the cost for the first 250 yards will increase from £3.30 to £4.50 and every 210 yards after that will cost 25p, up from the current rate of 20p. The charges will be simplified to extend the day rate from 6am until midnight, starting with a base price of £3.50, a pound more than in 2012, although the rate for every 210 extra yards remains unchanged. Every 40 seconds a cabbie is kept waiting will cost 30p, 10p more than under the rate set in 2012, while the cost for soiling a taxi is now £100, an increase of £20. The increases equate to about three per cent a year since the last review. The new fees are set to be signed off by executive member Councillor Mike Bell next week. Ms Isherwood said despite the shortage of drivers the application process will not be any less rigorous, adding: “They have to be suitable. If I’m going to put my mum in the back of your car, I’m making every check possible before I put my name on that licence.”

Author:	StuartW [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 2:50 am ]
Post subject:	Re: N Somerset to hikes fares but no compromise on standards
Quote: It comes amid a 40 per cent drop in the number of drivers nationally compared to before the pandemic, with many operators struggling to fulfil bookings. Licensing officer Sioux Isherwood told councillors on November 16: “We’re 200 drivers short. When I started we had nearly 1,000, now we’re around 500. No, me neither And where does the "40 per cent drop in drivers nationally" come from?

Author:	Sussex [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: N Somerset to hike fares but no compromise on standards
Quote: Licensing officer Sioux Isherwood told councillors on November 16: “We’re 200 drivers short. When I started we had nearly 1,000, now we’re around 500. Maths not her strong point then?

Author:	Sussex [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: N Somerset to hike fares but no compromise on standards
Quote: “If you need a taxi home at 10pm you’re going to pay £5 more than you did pre-pandemic - because they can. Not happy with that kind of talk being put in a licensing document, which is a quasi-judicial document. Those rates aren't just because they can, they are set at that rate to ensure sufficient drivers are out to meet that demand.

Author:	StuartW [ Fri Mar 10, 2023 12:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: N Somerset to hike fares but no compromise on standards
In November 2021, Somerset Live wrote: [Licensing manager] Ms Isherwood said despite the shortage of drivers the application process will not be any less rigorous, adding: “They have to be suitable. If I’m going to put my mum in the back of your car, I’m making every check possible before I put my name on that licence.” Taxi drivers can now have unlimited tests — but they might need a newer car https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/loc ... ts-8228248 A current cap on five attempts on the knowledge test will be lifted, with applicants able to try again after six months People applying for taxi driver licences from North Somerset Council will no longer face a cap of five attempts at the knowledge test — but some might need to buy a newer car. Currently, taxi drivers are only able to retake the knowledge exam — which tests how well they know the roads around North Somerset — a maximum of five times. But Weston-super-Mare Uphill councillor Peter Bryant proposed an amendment to the five tests cap at a meeting of North Somerset Council ’s licensing committee on February 7, arguing: “It shouldn’t be full and final.” Under the new policy, which will be subject to public consultation before coming into effect, taxi driver applicants who have failed the test five times will get another chance to take the exam after six months. Drivers will be expected to familiarise themselves with the district's roads in that time, but the option to wait another six months and have another attempt at the test will still be there for applicants who keep failing the test. Mr Bryant said: “I think we are being generous to people, whether they take up the opportunity of having the second bash at it or not.” The rules around which cars could be used as taxis were also agreed upon at the meeting. Currently, vehicles can be up to eight years old when first registered as a taxi. But under the updated rules, no car older than five years will be able to be registered as a taxi. Vehicles will also not be allowed to be taxis if they have previously been written off as an insurance loss for any reason. Currently, vehicles that had been written off under category S or N but then repaired could be registered as taxis if an inspector agreed it was safe. Drivers of taxis that are already licensed but would not be able to get a new licence under the updated rules may still be able to continue getting their vehicle re-licensed under “grandfather rights.” The updated policies will not come into effect until they have gone through public consultation.

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Author:	Sussex [ Sat Mar 11, 2023 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: N Somerset to hike fares but no compromise on standards
Not really sure it matters how many tests folks undertake to get a license. If they pass great, if they fail so be it. I'm also not sure a council can legally refuse to test someone just because they have previously failed.

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