Taxi licences issued to convicted criminals in private

Taxi licences are being issued behind closed doors to drivers convicted of offences including child sex crimes and reckless driving, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has revealed. The findings follow a government report that claims current taxi and private hire … Continue reading →

Abuse scandals prompt rogue cabbie crackdown

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A purge on rogue minicab drivers will be launched after the child exploitation scandals in towns such as Rochdale and Rotherham. The Times understands that new legislation will create national standards to improve passenger safety. The Department for Transport (DfT) … Continue reading →

Council to consider changing rules on tinted glass in taxis

Vehicle manufacturers using ever-darker privacy glass in the rear windows of new cars has caused Sheffield City Council to reconsider its policy on tinted windows in taxis and private hire vehicles. Under the council’s current taxi licensing policy, vehicles must … Continue reading →

The Taxi passwords confusion

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This interesting story appeared just before I became unwell, but I am sure readers will not mind me playing catch up.    

Taxi companies could face tougher licensing rules in bid to tackle sex abuse

TAXI companies could face tougher licensing regimes in an effort to tackle child sexual exploitation in places like Rotherham, a transport minister has suggested. John Hayes said current regulations were “being gamed”, amid concerns that taxis which fail to obtain … Continue reading →

Drivers given taxi licences despite criminal convictions

Hundreds of taxi drivers have been granted licences despite declaring criminal convictions for sex offences, burglary and assault, figures show. Six councils in north-west England granted or renewed permits for more than 300 convicted drivers since 2012. The mother of … Continue reading →

Camera situation “unbelievable”

I COULD not believe what I was reading in the Advertiser on February 3 about  the taxi driver Stephen Newby who had a passenger who fled without paying. When the police requested footage from his CCTV camera they were told … Continue reading →

98 per cent of Rotherham taxis now have CCTV

FOOTAGE from taxi cameras in Rotherham has been needed once so far – after a passenger attacked a driver. Rotherham’s new licensing policy was introduced in July 2015 with the requirement for audio and video equipment from last summer. Now … Continue reading →

Taxi from Rossendale?

I was recently temping for my local council (Rossendale) when I reported that 150 renewal taxi drivers had been found not having a DBS form over only the past 6 months. A Manager (lets call her Mrs P) advised me … Continue reading →

Taxi drivers face court costs bills over licenses decisions

Taxi drivers face court costs bills over licenses decisions TAXI drivers who challenged decisions to revoke their licenses but lost their appeals must now pay Rotherham Borough Council’s court costs. Gohear Ahmed, of Howarth Crescent owes £450 costs after his … Continue reading →