Post by The Dark Knight on Feb 15, 2024 9:47:38 GMT
Taxi trade rebels at prospect of penalty points scheme
Hundreds of taxi drivers facing a new “punitive” penalty point system signed a petition urging councillors to drop the idea.
Drivers, proprietors and operators would have risked having their licences revoked if they accumulated too many points for breaking licensing rules.
The aim was to ensure that drivers were “fit and proper” as required by law, according to Brighton and Hove City Council.
But after the scheme was debated at Hove Town Hall yesterday (Tuesday 13 February), councillors sided with the trade and rejected the proposals.
Trade rep Ahmed Abuorof presented the petition to the council’s Licensing Committee on behalf of hackney carriage – or taxi – drivers as well as private hire drivers.
Mr Abuorof said that there was a shortage of drivers joining the trade and said: “While we understand the importance of maintaining high standards and ensuring passenger safety, we believe the proposed penalty point system may be excessively punitive and does not take into account unique circumstances taxi drivers often face.
“As members of our local community, taxi drivers provide an essential service and they play a crucial role in our city transportation network.”
A report to councillors said that all of the 1,363 drivers licensed by the council were contacted before the consultation which received 69 responses.
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/02/14/taxi-trade-rebels-at-prospect-of-penalty-points-scheme/
Hundreds of taxi drivers facing a new “punitive” penalty point system signed a petition urging councillors to drop the idea.
Drivers, proprietors and operators would have risked having their licences revoked if they accumulated too many points for breaking licensing rules.
The aim was to ensure that drivers were “fit and proper” as required by law, according to Brighton and Hove City Council.
But after the scheme was debated at Hove Town Hall yesterday (Tuesday 13 February), councillors sided with the trade and rejected the proposals.
Trade rep Ahmed Abuorof presented the petition to the council’s Licensing Committee on behalf of hackney carriage – or taxi – drivers as well as private hire drivers.
Mr Abuorof said that there was a shortage of drivers joining the trade and said: “While we understand the importance of maintaining high standards and ensuring passenger safety, we believe the proposed penalty point system may be excessively punitive and does not take into account unique circumstances taxi drivers often face.
“As members of our local community, taxi drivers provide an essential service and they play a crucial role in our city transportation network.”
A report to councillors said that all of the 1,363 drivers licensed by the council were contacted before the consultation which received 69 responses.
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/02/14/taxi-trade-rebels-at-prospect-of-penalty-points-scheme/