Taxi drivers.

In a sense the two are now more equal than at any other time in the past. Whilst it is true that Public Hire have to meet more strigent rulings than their counterparts, Private Hire are restricted to bookings only and not allowed to street ply their trade. The problem will come (if any) from a booking pick-up/ drop-off in the restricted area. If this particular point is de-restricted I cannot see a problem with the proposals.   

Private hire taxi drivers tend not to be keen on regulations, this Bradford driver can't see why a private hire car that has been written off as an insurance claim can't be put back on the road without an independent safety check.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10929717.Bradford_cabbie_challenges_Council_on_policy_on_repaired_taxis/
It's up to local authorities to at least try to enforce some sort of regulations.

Some taxi drivers "judged to pose a potential risk to the public" have had their licenses taken from them.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/rochdale-middleton-heywood-taxi-drivers-7020709

Criminal records would show 'convictions' only. Not suspicions. How far do you expect the authorities to have to go????
Are you prepared to meet the costs, both public and private, of a more draconian investigation into 'everyone' who wants a taxi license? Next news you will be decrying the use of 'state interference' or 'human rights'.     

We have seen the cost of not properly controlling the taxi drivers of Rochdale, further episodes of the same can't be allowed to happen.

And so - no amount of 'costly' regulation will stop those bent on perversion or criminality. Keeping the lid on is the best you can expect.  

No keithatrochdale I don't condone any wrongdoing of any description whatever it may be. But I'm not such a fool as to expect that money, in some people's estimation, unlimited amounts, can solve the problems. There wouldn't be sufficient funds in the whole world to do that. Therefore I take a pragmatic view. We do what is possible after first feeding,clothing and medically treating the species and IF there is sufficient wherewithall to do other things thereafter then all well and good.
It's called being rational and admitting than NOTHING is perfect or EVER WILL BE. Or as is said - the REAL WORLD.       

Rochdale council should be applauded for, at last, taking a more realistic approach to licensing and control of the activities of 'taxi' drivers in the area. Of course there are good and decent taxi drivers, and they should be the only ones left on the road.

I'll drink to that cyfrifia - not before time - but don't expect miracles.  

cyfrifia wrote:Rochdale council should be applauded for, at last, taking a more realistic approach to licensing and control of the activities of 'taxi' drivers in the area. Of course there are good and decent taxi drivers, and they should be the only ones left on the road.

Agreed.  A more pro-active hands-on approach than the usual ' Lessons ' speech.

An odd and dangerous idea to change rules to allow unknown people to drive minicab taxis.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/91653/childsex-alert-over-change-in-taxi-law

Why am I not surprised.

It's all about making more money and creating jobs. Tch.

The customer has a choice. A taxi firm in Middleton, that previously employed convicted 'groomers' is responding to customer requests for non-asian, white drivers. A statement from Rochdale council says this service is within the conditions of the license. 

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/21/rochdale-taxi-firm-white-drivers-on-request

There can be confusion about what 'local' driver means. Customers requesting a non-asian, white driver will need to make that clear.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/taxi-firm-town-hit-child-7977376

It's very important to have a choice when you pay someone to do something for you, to provide a 'service'.

Thin edge of the wedge. Don't dispute the rights of the customer as regards service but I do dispute the right to make the assumption that one driver is less efficient or acceptable because of the circumstances of his birth.

Sex offenders given taxi driver licenses.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39380921

This doesn't seem a good idea. Another motivation for everyone who can possibly run their own car to do so.

I haven't the slightest doubt that by today's classifications half of my taxi drivers would have been either sex offenders or closet paedophiles or wife batterers or opportunist criminals or something of a distasteful nature to some people. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES THAT WHOMSOEVER ONE EMPLOYS THAT THEY HAVEN'T GOT SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM - IT'S A CHANCE THE EMPLOYER HAS TO TAKE. Known sex offenders shouldn't be employed in this type of business for obvious reasons and one would expect such applicants to be properly vetted on application - but who has the time or money to go into anything other than a cursory vetting of the information provided. There's due diligence and there's stupidity -.

As you describe, Atlas, for many years it has been casually accepted that some taxi drivers, particularly in the towns of northern England will be sex offenders, opportunist criminals etc. However, it does seem odd that councils are running taxi licensing schemes which formalise this arrangement.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39380921

And having read the post and taking everything into consideration persons intent on doing harm will 'pose' as private hire drivers and still do the things they do and no amount of 'vetting' legitimate drivers will stop that. 'Don't talk to strangers' or get into cars with them if you are the least suspicious or fearful for your safety. But - there are no guarantees even with drivers who have been vetted. Life in parts is a lottery and this just illustrates why -.