Peterborough City Council is planning to launch a compulsory day-long course for cabbies-to-be, to ensure that new taxi drivers competency skills and knowledge of the taxi trade are kept up to standard.
The course would involve a refresher session on the Highway Code, detailed knowledge of streets in Peterborough, driver safety, English and general taxi service etiquette.
At the end of the course, a reading, writing, basic maths and practical driving test will have to be completed. The new rules will see anybody wishing to become a taxi driver having to pass these tests in order to get behind the wheel of their cab.
Taxi Excellence
Existing Peterborough cabbies are suuportive of the programme, which they hope will help maintain their current reputation for excellent customer service.
The fee for the taxi day course, which will be held at Peterborough Regional College, is set at £95 and if the applicant fails they can then re-sit for £25.
If a taxi applicant fails again, further help will be offered and they can then re-sit the whole course for a reduced fee of £60.
Mohammed Shahid, chairman of Peterborough Private Hire Drivers’ Association, said: “The council has been way too lenient up till now. I think they’ve turned a blind eye to the problem in the past.
“But we welcome this move. It’s something we put forward to the council and is really positive.
“We’ve spoken to a lot of taxi drivers and customers around Peterborough and other taxi associations.
“It is a problem nationwide and needs tackling.
“Not speaking English can be a massive issue, not just causing problems on where to go but also if there’s an emergency.
“We don’t think the cost is too high. There are way too many taxi drivers anyway and this will help secure work for those who are already operating and will help improve standards.”
Positive Feedback
There is an all round positive feel for the new plans and council members are hoping that it will help increase the pass rate.
Cabinet member, Councillor Peter Hiller, said: “From a council point of view we have always maintained a very high standard of testing taxi drivers who work in this city.
“I’ve always been keen we ensure the safety of passengers, both physically and legally.”
If you wish to comment on the new proposal which is now open to the public, e-mail taxi@peterborough.gov.uk by February 29th.
Note: Peterbrough remains one of only 11 local authorities which still denies hackey taxi owners a choice of more modern, more fuel efficient taxis such as the record-breaking Peugeot E7 cab.