New Pendle taxi safety bid after latest spot-check failures

A new report to the borough's taxi licensing committee describes ‘unacceptably high failure rates’ in recent cab checks.

Councillors are being advised to back 13 recommendations, including a mobile phone app for checks when they start a shift, vehicle maintenance training, penalty points and licence reviews for breaches and extra facilities to check taxis to cut waiting times for drivers.

Any taxi driver who has lied or been ‘untruthful ‘about checks will have their licence reviewed by the committee. Council officers believe the recommendations will reward good drivers and reduce failings.

Taxi safety checks have been the focus of debate at recent meetings. Previous safety spot-checks have resulted in high failure rates. More than 90 per cent of taxis failed in one past session.

The taxi licensing committee meeting

Conservative Cllr Kieran McGladdery, a former committee chairman, has accused the taxi trade of being reluctant to adopt new ways of checking vehicles using an app.

But others like Labour Cllr Faraz Ahmad, have said the council must avoid an ‘aggressive’ approach and instead work with taxi drivers and firms to encourage changes. Income from taxi licensing is important to council finances, so the industry needs to be nurtured, he said.

Some cabbies say more people are becoming private-hire drivers because of economic pressures. But there are too many private hire cars, not enough customers and perhaps pressures to save money or delay car repairs, some drivers believe.

In checks last November in Nelson five cabs passed the test but 11 failed. The taxis which failed were taken off the road and had to have four-monthly safety tests.

A second day of checks was held in January. Ten taxis passed but another 10 failed. Problems included tyre problems, an axle issue and other mechanical failings.

A traditional system requiring drivers to record safety checks on paper forms is open to abuse and does not ensure vehicles are physically checked, some councillors have argued.  Instead mobile phone apps would force the driver to physically check different parts, it is said.

Taxi trader members have disagreed over prospective changes. Issues have included who represents local drivers and claims council officers or safety inspectors are over-officious. But these accusations has been rejected by others.