Plans to take 10-year-old taxis off the road and introduce a penalty points system which would see drivers punished for wearing the wrong clothes have been put on hold.
Cumberland Council wants to introduce changes that would stop vehicles over 10 years old being used as private hire or hackney carriages. Many of the region’s drivers have said this would put them out of business.
As well as the dress code, the authority wants to bring in a penalty points system that would lead to drivers being investigated for infractions such as eating in their cabs or not helping with a passenger’s luggage.
Backlash
The proposals have understandably not gone down well within the trade and Cumbria Crack reports that faced with such fierce opposition, the council’s regulatory committee removed the proposed upper age limit in November, and agreed to extend the consultation before changes come back to the committee next month.
Committee chairman Cllr Jill Perry said they “hope to get the right policy in January”.
She added: “We’ve listened very carefully to the taxi drivers concerned. We extended the consultation period because it was felt that we were being too speedy with it.
“A number of questions were withdrawn because we had addressed the issues in the course of the meeting so I am happy that we have listened where we can and we will get a good policy in January.”
After the meeting, Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Association of Carlisle secretary Christopher Bray said the committee “seemed uninformed and did not know the rules and regulations of taxis”.
He added: “I can’t see what difference it has made today, none whatsoever.
“The age limit had to be lifted so we have got some kind of result because at the moment the white cars, or saloon-type taxis, have got to be three years or under to be licensed.”
He said members were concerned that the draft policy could mean the end of the road for some drivers in Cumberland.
Points system
Cumbria Crack explained that the planned points system included a dress code for drivers, prescribing “collared shirts, blouses, polo shirts, or sweatshirts must cover the shoulders and be capable of being worn tucked inside trousers, shorts or skirts. Shirts or blouses may be worn with a tie or open necked.”
It added that “all clothing must be clean, of smart appearance and in good condition”.
The details continue to allow either trousers or shorts to be worn, but “they must be tailored and made of one colour of material.
“Skirts must be no shorter than 5 cm above the knee (when standing) and can be of any longer length, but must not impede the safe operation of the pedals.
“Footwear for all drivers must fit around the heel of the foot. Wooden soled footwear is not permitted.”
The proposals go on to explain what items were deemed unacceptable and what drivers would be penalised for wearing.
This includes clothes that aren’t clean and fresh or have rips or holes in them.
It bans any words or graphics that could be offensive or suggestive, as well as sportswear such as football or rugby kits, tracksuits and beachwear, and drivers could also be penalised for “not having either the top or bottom half of their bodies suitably clothed”.
From a safety point of view, sensible suggestions include banning sandals without heel straps, flip flops or “any other form of footwear not secured around the heel”.
Drivers are also not permitted to wear baseball caps or hoods worn up while in the vehicle.
Licensing authorities should be commended for trying to improve the service taxis and PHVs offer passengers, but they have to work with drivers to come up with realistic goals.
Replacing all vehicles after 10 years puts huge financial pressure on drivers and a punitive scheme which could see drivers lose their badges after totting up minor infractions is heavy-handed. Hopefully the council will have taken note of the responses to the proposals – most of which call for it to be scrapped – and come up with a reasonable solution.
