Follow PHTM
Posted on the 11th November 2024 in PHTM News
CUMBERLAND TAXI DRIVERS OPPOSE PENALTY POINT SCHEME
Cabbies in Cumberland have hit out at plans to introduce a penalty point system, arguing it is unnecessary and could deter honest reporting.
The proposed scheme is based on a similar system introduced by the now-defunct Carlisle City Council, which was merged with Allerdale and Copeland councils to form Cumberland Council in 2023. It would see drivers penalised for a range of offences, including not complying with their licences, smoking in their vehicles, playing loud music and failing to display the correct signage.
A consultation on the scheme attracted a largely negative response, with many arguing it would create unnecessary bureaucracy and could be used maliciously by competitors.
A report prepared ahead of the regulatory committee meeting today said "the majority" of those responding called for the scheme to be scrapped.
One response to the consultation said the penalty point system did not give "any space for human error".
"Small issues that can easily be ironed out in a matter of seconds or minutes should not impose the threat of penalty points or revocation of operators' licences," it said.
They added the "threat" of points may deter drivers from being open with licensing staff, while they preferred to work "hand in hand".
Another response raised concerns about the potential for "vindictive" complaints about competitors, "with the intention of putting other operators or certain drivers off the road".
One response was in favour of the scheme, but said it would only work "as long as there is someone to enforce it".
Cumberland Council is now considering amendments to the penalty points scheme, but remains committed to its implementation.
Some amendments to the original draft have already been proposed, including the requirement for drivers to adhere to a dress code and restrictions on licensing cars older than ten years.
The committee will be asked to approve the amendments with a view to considering a new version of the penalty point system in January.
Read another story
- TAXI DRIVERS AT NOTTINGHAM STATION FEAR FOR FUTURE AS STATION STREET EXIT CLOSES
They argue that the move is the "final nail in the coffin" for their industry.
- WARRINGTON TAXIS TO CARRY LIFE SAVING BANDAGES
Participating taxis will display green window stickers, making them easily identifiable to the public and emergency services.
- RAMSGATE VETERAN REUNITED WITH LOST BERET THANKS TO TAXI CHARITY
Rifleman Paul Jacobs, who served in the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was devastated when he realised his beret was missing after attending the Cenotaph service in Westminster on Sunday.
- GLASGOW PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER RAN OVER WOMAN LYING ON THE ROAD LEAVING HER IN A COMA
John Paul Borland, 42, struck Patricia McBride, then 52, in Glasgow's Toryglen on the night of March 6 2022.
- VETERAN TAXI DRIVER SAYS TRADE IN GRIMSBY IS THE "WORST HE'S EVER KNOWN"
Taxi drivers in Grimsby have won a temporary reprieve from a council plan to lift a cap on the number of hackney carriages.
- DBS FEES ARE CHANGING FROM MONDAY 2 DECEMBER 2024
The Disclosure and Barring Service is changing its fees, in order to meet the increased operational costs of delivering the DBS safeguarding service.
- PAIR CONVICTED OF RUNNING SCAM PH OPERATION AFTER PROSECUTION BY LICHFIELD COUNCIL
Two Burntwood men have been prosecuted by Lichfield District Council after licensing officers caught them running a scam private hire operation.
- BOLT DRIVERS WIN LEGAL CLAIM TO BE CLASSED AS WORKERS RATHER THAN SELF EMPLOYED
Thousands of drivers working for ride-hailing and food delivery app Bolt have won a legal claim to be classed as workers in the UK rather than self-employed.
- 28 MONTHS JAIL FOR MAN WHO CAUSED DEATH OF POPULAR WELSH CABBIE BY DANGEROUS DRIVING
Mateusz Sikorski, pleaded guilty to ‘death by dangerous driving’ at a hearing last month, and was sentenced to two years, four months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on November 8.
- LANCASHIRE COUNCIL INVITES EV DRIVERS TO APPLY TO TAKE PART IN NEW ON STREET CHARGING TRIAL
A new trial is being rolled out which allows residents without driveways to apply for a free cross-pavement channel to charge their electric vehicle from home
- UBER FINALLY LAUNCHES IN BLACKPOOL DESPITE EARLIER PROTESTS
In June, scores of disgruntled taxi drivers blocked Talbot Road to express their concerns about the influx of "unknown" drivers.
- TAXI FARES SET TO RISE IN BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE DUE TO INCREASE IN OPERATING COSTS
The proposed changes, currently out for public consultation, would see a more standardised fare structure based on a unit of 1/10th of a mile.
- POLICE SEEK TWO MEN AFTER TARGETED SHOOTING OF MAN EXITING PHV IN LIVERPOOL
The 27-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound to his lower leg on Monday, October 28th. He took himself to hospital around 10.10pm.
- CAMBRIDGE PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER LOSES APPEAL OVER LICENCE REVOCATION AND ORDERED TO PAY £4,500
Ahmed Al Ansar, 36, had his licence revoked by South Cambridgeshire District Council in 2021 after picking up a passenger without the necessary legal documents.
- TAXI FARES COULD RISE IN BIRMINGHAM AMID COST OF LIVING CONCERNS
The RMT Union has called on Birmingham City Council to increase ‘maximum chargeable fares’ to help drivers cope with rising costs and a decline in the number of hackney carriages.
- CCTV CAPTURES PREDATORY ASSAULT BY FAKE TAXI DRIVER IN LEICESTER
Disturbing CCTV footage captured by police revealed how Ghulan Mohammed, 36, stalked his victim through the city centre for nearly an hour before luring her into his car.
- TAXI DRIVERS DEMAND ACTION AFTER "DAILY ABUSE" AT STOCKPORT STATION
Stockport taxi drivers are calling for urgent action to address a growing problem of abuse and intimidation outside the town’s railway station.
- DERBY MOTORISTS HIT OUT AT WORSENING POTHOLE PROBLEM WHICH IS COSTING THEM MONEY
Ian Wigley, a 36-year veteran of the taxi trade, estimates that his repair costs have soared by 30% in the past two years due to the abundance of potholes.
- CABBIE LEFT DISABLED IN BLACKBURN CRASH PLEADS FOR LENIENCY FOR YOUNG DRIVER
gar Ali, who suffered life-changing injuries in the collision, expressed his belief that a prison sentence would have a detrimental impact on 20-year-old Max Street.
- BRADFORD CABBIE BLINDED BY SUN HIT AND KILLED CYCLIST GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE
Fiaz Hussain, 60, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving following the incident on Barkerend Road in June 2022.
