Taxi Liaison Group - 21/08/2018

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 21st August, 2018.

Present:-

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES

Lisa ARCHIBALD (Senior Electoral Services and Licensing Officer), Corporate Services

Brian WOODCOCK (Senior Solicitor, Licensing), Corporate Services

Fraser CRICHTON (Assistant Manager Transport), City Development

Barry RODGER (Environmental Compliance Officer), Neighbourhood Services

Bryan COLEMAN (Licensing Standards Officer), Neighbourhood Services

TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Qaiser HABIB, Dundee City Taxi Drivers' Association

Erik THORESEN, Dundee Hackney Association

Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association

George SCULLION, Dundee Taxis Ltd

Chris ELDER, Unite the Union

Also in attendance as observers:-

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Dundee City Council

Councillor George McIRVINE, Dundee City Council

Lisa ARCHIBALD and Barry RODGER, Joint Chairs, in the Chair.

I MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group held on 13th March, 2018 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes.

II DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

Items on agenda at request of Dundee City Council:-

(a) TAXI LIAISON MEMBERSHIP

The Group noted that the membership would be under review.

(b) S166

The Group noted the introduction of this legislation which allowed for exemptions to be applied as a result of medical conditions and that, in common with the fees for variations, a cost of 50 would be applied for the processing of applications and that this would be subject to review at a later date.

The Group noted guidance in relation to the securing of luggage and loose items in vehicles in the interest of passenger safety and that of other road users.

(d) ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

The Group noted the cost configuration in relation to electric wheelchair accessible vehicles and their availability as outlined in the presentation by Vic Young of Vic Young (South Shields) Ltd who were a supplier of these vehicles.

III DUNDEE TAXI ASSOCIATION

Items on agenda at request of Dundee Taxi Association:-

(a) WHEELCHAIR ACCESS AT NINEWELLS IS STILL BEING BLOCKED BY VEHICLES

The Group noted the concerns in relation to this issue and the misuse of the drop kerb area at Ninewells and that it had been observed that drivers were parking at this location for long periods of time and therefore obstructing wheelchair access to the hospital and that this would be referred to City Development for their attention.

(b) STAFF MINI BUS AT HOTEL LOCATION

The Group noted concerns which had been conveyed in relation to the perceived operation of this vehicle and that Barry Rodger was liaising with the hotel in this regard.

The Group noted the concerns in relation to this matter and the current advice in relation to signage.

(d) CCTV. ANY UPDATE ON NEW SYSTEM

The Group noted that Smart Witness was the only CCTV system currently approved for operation and that five cars currently had it installed in their vehicles. Should any licence holders also wish to install this system this would require a request for variation and appropriate guidance would be issued to licence holders at that time.

(e) COMPLAINTS ABOUT TIME TAKEN TO TEST OLDER TAXIS

The Group noted that should any licence holders have any concerns about time taken to test their vehicle they should contact Fraser Crichton at the earliest opportunity to allow him to investigate their concerns and also agreed to note appointment times not being met contributed to delay.

(f) SIGNAGE FOR TAXI RANK AT RAILWAY

The Group noted that this matter would be referred to City Development for their observations in relation to signage for passengers directing them to the location of the rank. The location of drop-off zones would also be examined.

(g) HYBRID TAXIS

The Group noted that this matter would be the subject of consideration for a future meeting of the Liaison Group.

IV UNITE THE UNION

Items on agenda at request of Unite the Union:-

(a) TESTING REGIME FOR TAXIS AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES

"We would like the Council to revert back to their original policy of no age limits on vehicles and one test per year irrespective of vehicle's age, any operator deemed not to be maintaining their vehicle then bring in the multiple tests for these operators, using the 2 and 3 tests a year depending on the severity of these vehicles' fail records."

The Group noted the point made.

(b) LIAISON COMMITTEE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND RESTRUCTURED

"Our members feel the present set up doesn't fully represent the taxi/private hire operator and driver. Anyone sitting on the Committee should give the names and details of whom they represent."

The Group noted that this matter had already been covered in the agenda.

"Our members are not prepared to agree to a fully electric taxi/private hire fleet. The Government proposal is a low emission policy not zero and the Council should be following Government guidance. Hybrids range extended euro 6 low emission vehicles should be added to the Council's future policy, once the infrastructure for charging this volume of vehicles is in situ then and only then will the trade be willing to discuss a zero emission fleet. The choice of vehicles aren't in place to meet the trade's requirements and the vehicles that are available are far too small and do not meet the requirements to do the job in hand."

The Group noted this issue and that Chris Elder had spoken with the Scottish Government regarding the provision of a grant.

(d) ORLEANS PLACE TAXI RANK

"We would like to see the rank marked out property and traffic wardens ticketing anyone parking on this rank."

The Group noted this matter would be referred to City Development for their observations.

(e) DUNDEE DANCE FESTIVAL

"Worked last night as the town was busy with the dance festival which is good to see. I did notice that, in my opinion, the Police were stretched at times and there is a need for more stewards as the crowd were not properly controlled."

The Group noted that this matter would be referred to Police Scotland for their observations and that in addition Barry Rodger observed that, in future, when a premises applied for an occasional licence, this may be something to consider with regard to the transport plan.

(f) TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE CARS

"We would like to see that all private hire have the office number plus the word private hire in the same size of the numbers as private hire work from taxi offices with the same number. This would help the public distinguish the difference between a hackney taxi and a private hire from the same office. So you would have 505050 taxi and 505050 private hire all same size of lettering."

The Group noted that this matter would be reviewed when individual vehicles were submitted for testing and observations that members of the public may have with relation to the ease of identification of private hire and taxis and the suggestion by Fraser Crichton that ease of identification could be further realised by having taxis and private hire vehicles colour specific such as yellow for taxis and white for private hire and that, in the meantime, the signage identifying private hire would be examined as to whether or not this needed to be enlarged.

(g) PRIVATE HIRE CAP, GLASGOW IS CAPPING PRIVATE HIRE WE BELIEVE DUNDEE SHOULD LOOK AT BRINGING IN A CAP

The Group noted that this matter may be considered as part of the survey for the following year.

(h) DUNDEE SLESSOR GARDENS, ROAD STRUCTURE HAS TO BE LOOKED AT WHEN CONCERTS ARE BEING HELD, THE PRESENT SET UP IS A DISASTER

The Group noted that this matter would be raised with Neil Gellatly, Head of Roads and Transportation with a view to possible solutions such as the possibility of putting in place a one way system for such events.

(i) TAXI DRIVERS IN SERVICE BADGE THIS WAS PAID FOR AND WAS MEANT TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN MAY 2017. THIS BADGE COULD ALSO BE USED FOR DRIVERS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED AND EXEMPTION

The Group noted that this matter had been covered earlier in the agenda.

(j) ALL REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LIAISON COMMITTEE SHOULD SUPPLY THE COUNCIL WITH INFORMATION ON WHO THEY ACTUALLY REPRESENT THEY SHOULD SUPPLY THE COUNCIL WITH DETAILS OF THE ORGANISATIONS COMMITTEE AND THE COUNCIL HAS TO BE ABLE TO VERIFY ITS EXISTENCE, THIS INCLUDES ALL TAXI OFFICES ASSOCIATIONS UNIONS

The Group noted that this matter had been covered earlier in the agenda.

(k) CORPORATE BENEFIT FOR COUNCIL GYMS LIKE COUNCIL WORKERS RECEIVE TO BE OFFERED TO TAXI DRIVERS THIS WOULD HELP IMPROVE THE IMAGE, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF TAXI DRIVERS

The Group noted that this matter would be examined.

(l) CORPORATE LICENCES FOR LOW EMISSION VEHICLES I.E. HYBRID AND RANGE EXTENDER VEHICLES, THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE A GREENER TAXI FLEET QUICKER

The Group noted that this matter had been covered earlier in the agenda.

(m) LACK OF CO-OPERATION WITH TAYSIDE POLICE REGARDS SOILING CHARGE & TAXI FRAUD, WE ARE MEANT TO BE GOVERNED BY POLICE SCOTLAND AND YET THE ENFORCEMENT IN TAYSIDE ISNT THE SAME AS IT IS IN OTHER MAJOR CITIES SINCE ITS ALL ONE FORCE THE ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE THE SAME ACROSS THE COUNTRY

The Group noted that this matter required to be referred to Police Scotland.

(n) DAMAGED WHEEL TRIMS/ALLOY WHEELS, IT WAS AGREED THAT THIS SORT OF DAMAGE WOULD NOT BE PART OF THE TAXI TEST STANDARD, THIS WAS AGREED AT A LIAISON MEETING WITH MR MCCANDLESS THAT TAXI WHEN PICKING UP THE ELDERLY AND PASSENGERS IN A WHEELCHAIR THAT WISHED TO TRANSFER MUST HAVE THE VEHICLE AS CLOSE TO THE PAVEMENT FOR HEALTH & SAFETY REASONS THIS WOULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE WHEELS AND TRIMS ON THE TAXI AND ALSO THE AMOUNT OF PORTHOLES DAMAGING TYRES AND WHEELS

The Group noted the issue as highlighted.

(o) THE UNITE UNION DISAGREES WITH THE 50.00 CHARGE FOR AN EXEMPTION, 1000.00 AUTOMATIC FINE FOR REFUSING A WHEELCHAIR. THE EXEMPTION CHARGE SHOULD BE COVERED BY OUR ANNUAL LICENCE FEES FROM OUR TAXI LICENCE AND TAXI DRIVERS LICENCE. THE AUTOMATIC FINE FOR REFUSING A WHEELCHAIR IS UNACCEPTABLE, ALL DRIVERS HAVE THE TRAINING REGARDS ASSESSING WHAT IS SAFE CARRIAGE OF A PASSENGER WHO REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, NO TWO PASSENGERS REQUIREMENTS ARE THE SAME. THE TAXI DRIVER HAS TO MAKE A HEALTH & SAFETY DECISION FOR EVERY WHEELCHAIR PASSENGER HE ASSISTS. THE DRIVER MUST BE WITHIN HIS OR HER LIMITS OF ABILITY AND NOT OFFER TO DO THINGS THAT THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE OR PERMITTED TO DO. ANY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED MUST BE SAFE FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND ANYONE ELSE WHO COULD BE AFFECTED. THE DRIVER MUST ASSESS IF THE WHEELCHAIR IS FIT FOR PURPOSE THEY MUST ASSESS IF IT CAN BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE TAXI, THEY MUST ASSESS IF IT EXCEEDS THE RAMP LIMITS. THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE PASSENGER, DRIVER AND ANYONE ELSE WHO COULD BE AFFECTED MUST BE PARAMOUNT AND NO TWO PASSENGERS CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THE SAME. OUR MEMBERS SHOULDNT FEEL UNDER THREAT OF A FINE FOR MAKING A JUDGEMENT ON GROUNDS OF HEALTH & SAFETY

The Group noted that this matter had been covered earlier in the agenda.

(p) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL VEHICLE TESTING SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN HOUSE A NUMBER OF OPERATORS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SERVICE THAT THE COUNCIL GIVES WHEN TRYING TO BOOK TESTS, SOME STILL FIND THEMSELVES OFF THE ROAD NOT EARNING, MY TAXI BRANCH MEMBERS ARE ASKING THE COUNCIL TO ALLOW OTHER MOT STATIONS IN THE CITY TO DO THESE TEST D.V.S.A SET A STANDARD FOR MOT STATIONS TO CARRY OUT TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE TESTS ALSO IN THE INTERESTS OF MY MEMBERS PROBABLY AT A COMPETITIVE COSTS FOR THE TESTS FOR THE TRADE. THE TEST IS MEANT TO BE NON-PROFIT FOR THE COUNCIL WE THINK IT IS UNFAIR THAT DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL CAN SET A PRICE FOR TESTING VEHICLES AND WE HAVE TO PAY THAT AMOUNT IT SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO OTHER GARAGES THAT ARE QUALIFIED TO D.V.S.A STANDARDS THIS GIVING THE OPERATOR A CHOICE OF GARAGE TO USE, WOULD BENEFIT THE TRADE WHEN BOOKING TESTS AND LIMIT THE TIME OF THE ROAD AND WOULD MAKE THE COUNCIL MORE COMPETITIVE

The Group noted the matter and that Angus Council had put out their garage services to tender.

(q) WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE SITUATION REGARDS THE FLASHCARDS FOR CCTV IN TAXIS WE ARE LED TO BELIEVE THE COUNCIL IS HAVING PROBLEMS DOWNLOADING THE FOOTAGE FROM THE FLASHCARD ON THE CYGNUS CCTV

The Group noted that this matter had been covered earlier in the agenda.

IV DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group would be advised in due course.

Lisa ARCHIBALD and Barry RODGER, Joint Chairs.

Was This Useful?