Taxi Driver Online

The headline and strapline here makes it look like the trade is getting some kind of wodge of cash, but it's just a freeze in fees for one year

And on a closer reading, seems more like the freeze is because of problems the council has been having with a new system, so it's partly spun like some sort of financial help for the trade.

And whoever wrote the headline and strapline below homes in on the latter, and makes it sound like something substantial.

Obviously better than nothing, but a one-year fee freeze is barely worth mentioning, never mind a big headline.


Taxi drivers hit by covid to get financial boost

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... l-22900828

Drivers will get some help after their income was impacted by the pandemic

Private hire and hackney drivers will not see their license fees increase in one Merseyside borough this year after seeing their income hit by covid for “longer than anticipated.”

Fees for licenses for drivers had been expected to go up following a review of Knowsley's private hire and hackney licensing scheme which was due to take place this year.

However, at a meeting of Knowsley Council’s licensing committee tonight, January 27, officers said that review has now been postponed until next year.

Due to the impact of covid on driver incomes, problems with licensing delays and staff shortage as well as the delay in the review, there will be no increase in the license fee this year.

Knowsley Council’s head of safety, resilience and community protection Brian Toolan also said that the freeze would also give time for to the introduction of major changes involving a new online system for taxi applications to bed in.

A hybrid system previously introduced as a “workaround” as a result of the pandemic experienced glitches that “led to delays and a number of complaints”.

Speaking at the licensing committee, held at Huyton municipal building, Mr Toolan said: “We’re currently carrying a small shortfall in relation to what we anticipated (for taxi licensing) and the proposal was we would increase the fees this year as part of a three year cycle.

“Having now re-evaluated the situation the proposal now is that there be no increase this year and we will do a full review of the service in the next financial year.”

Other license fees, including for street traders, will also be frozen.

Cllr Tommy Rowe said: “I fully support the proposal not to increase any of the fees whatsoever, for traders, taxi drivers, bearing in mind what’s happened over the last 18 months I really feel it will have a positive effect on a lot of people out there.”

The committee approved the recommendations which will now go to cabinet to be ratified.

Things are obviously going swimmingly with the new system

It's all a bit confusing, but looks more like they're upset about the licensing delays rather than the fee hikes as such, but who knows?

But the turnout certainly indicates that something needs sorted.


Furious cab drivers descend on town hall meeting amid licensing row

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... n-26084680

Drivers said they are "fed up" with the way the council is operating


Image: Liverpool Echo

Dozens of Knowsley taxi drivers descended on a packed licensing meeting in Huyton on Thursday night to express their anger about how taxi licences are issued.

The meeting, which was to discuss planned fee increases of 10% for hackney and private hire drivers in the borough – was attended by drivers “fed up” of delays in processing licences and a change to the system brought about since the pandemic.

Some, speaking to the ECHO outside the meeting said they were on the “verge of giving up” after being left without licences for “weeks” due to council delays.

Many spoke of their anger at a new online system introduced by the council, which has left many older drivers struggling to manage. So many drivers attended the council chamber was filled to capacity ahead of the meeting, with council officials making space on the ground floor for the dozens of drivers unable to get in.

Upstairs in the packed council chamber, licensing officer Brian Toolan introduced the proposals by detailing several errors with the schedule of charges published ahead of the meeting. On the price increases, he said: “It should be 19% in line with inflation” and cost increases.

Mr Toolan said: “We’re trying to claw back some of the deficit” in the licensing department’s budget, adding that fees had not been increased since 2018.

Liverpool City Regional Hackney Carriage Cooperative representative Tony Carr then spoke to councillors on behalf of drivers who had turned out in force to make their feelings known.

Mr Carr said it was a situation that was pushing drivers to go to Wolverhampton – which processes a quarter of all England’s license applications – instead of to Knowsley, adding that if the situation continued it could lead to a smaller pool of drivers covering the cost of the licensing department.

He said: “Hackneys can’t go to Wolverhampton. We have to say here, and if we stay here we pay for the whole of the admin costs.”

Mr Carr said drivers had two “asks” – for a licensing officer to be stationed in the test depot at Stretton Way to issue plates once tests had been completed – and to install an officer at a One Stop Shop or council office so that drivers, many of whom are over 60 and not proficient in IT, can get assistance with their applications.

He said the system as it was currently being run was “not working” and was impacting vulnerable children using the home to school service as well as drivers themselves.

Giving an example of autistic children who are used to specific routes and drivers, he said: “This can mean some children not going to school.”

The committee chair, Cllr Terry Powell, said the council were “listening” to drivers, adding: “we can reassure you that you won’t be here next year saying the same.”

Cllr Dennis Baum asked why drivers were going to Wolverhampton for their licences, with Mr Toolan responding that there were a “number of reasons” including the speed of processing licences, although he added that that council was now also experiencing delays.

Cllr Burke said the Knowsley “must do all in its power to streamline and expedite” licence renewals for drivers and Cllr Stewart asked whether adding a second test station would help.

Mr Toolan said the testing was “not the issue” but rather the issuing of plates.

Frustrated drivers in the public gallery called out about the length of time it takes to process badges, with one saying “the administration doesn’t work.”

Cllr Colin Dever said that errors in the published pricing schedule was “not helpful” on such an “emotive” subject.

Cllr Dever added: "The discussions and new ways of working could have been had in advance rather than it coming out this way [at the meeting]” saying issues raised by drivers “could have easily been addressed”.

After more shouts out from the public gallery the chair said: “We’re taking it on board, give us a chance” before councillors agreed to the price increase – which will now go to consultation before coming back to the committee for a decision to be made.

After the meeting, as drivers streamed out of the council offices into the dozens hackneys and private hires parked outside and in surrounding streets Mr Carr said: “They said they’ve listened, I feel somewhat optimistic – but it remains to be seen now if they’ve really heard us.”


Image: Liverpool Echo

Thanks for clearing that up


So in 363 days I'll have to come offline and dump my laptop

Meant to post this as well the other day, which isn't very exciting, but it's typical council comms/PR blurb. Makes it all sound fantastic (not just 'working closely' with the trade, but working *very* closely), but of course as Knowsley maybe demonstrates, in practice it's maybe not so good, and perhaps more about WFH than helping the trade


Going online to help the taxi trade

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/bury-coun ... de-3227905

Taxi and private hire drivers will now find it much easier to apply for licences and keep their information up to date.

The council has launched an online service allowing the trade to submit applications, report a change of address, and any damage to their vehicle round the clock. They will also be able to book their cars in for mandatory safety tests at the Bradley Fold station.

Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture and the economy, said: “We work very closely with drivers and proprietors to provide a service that Bury residents are confident and happy with, and the taxi trade does an excellent job across our borough.

“This online service enables drivers and owners to access our licensing service remotely at any time of the day, something I am sure they will welcome.

“Members of the public can be assured that Bury licensed drivers and vehicles keep to the high standards we put in place to keep the public safe.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 January 2023.