Taxi drivers in Gloucestershire under fire with 50 complaints
MORE than 50 complaints have been lodged against taxi drivers this year, ranging from indecent exposure to beeping the horn.
In Gloucester, the city council has had 27 complaints about drivers since January 1, Stroud District Council had 22 and in the Forest of Dean, there were just two.
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Taxi
Concerns about the standard of driving have been raised several times, as has the attitude of some drivers and the condition of cars.
Gloucester taxi driver Jeff Payne said he was surprised at the number of complaints but added it should be easy for drivers to help themselves.
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"I don't get any complaints because I drive carefully," he said.
"You definitely have to be on your toes, especially at night time because you don't know who or what is going to get in your car. Our biggest bugbear is private hire taxis illegally picking people up, I imagine a few complaints have been made about that."
Other issues included takeaways and bed and breakfasts offering their own taxi services, concerns about CRB checks and the cost of fares.
An allegation of indecent exposure was made against one driver in the county, who was cleared.
Most of the complaints resulted in a written or verbal warning to the drivers in question.
A Gloucester City Council spokesman said: "The council takes its licensing responsibilities for the Hackney Carriage and private hire trades very seriously.
"Any claim of improper conduct regarding a driver's attitude or behaviour, or disrepair to the vehicle, should be reported to the council and these will be investigated.
"The licensing team try to ensure a consistent approach across the city to ensure regular users and visitors to the city have a good experience when using licensed vehicles."
Comments
by criminal2
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:19PM
“Maybe Try try and get them to read and speak english????????”
by tishwash
Thursday, January 03 2013, 6:55PM
“P.S. nice Taxi driver that drove through the scene of an accident the other day, not a care in the world, even the police lights didn't seem to phase him.”
by tishwash
Thursday, January 03 2013, 6:55PM
“""I don't get any complaints because I drive carefully," he said."
How do you know you haven't had any complaints ? The council admit they don't write to everyone?
"Concerns about the standard of driving have been raised several times"
I've never been in a taxi and it stick to all the rules of the road, but nothing I can do about it.
"Any claim of improper conduct regarding a driver's attitude or behavior, or disrepair to the vehicle, should be reported to the council and these will be investigated.
Really ? Really ? Why don't you go and see how they drive, just get one late night and you'll find it speeds around to get you home to then go and get another fare.”
by bdbear
Thursday, January 03 2013, 10:28AM
“Have I got this right according ,to this article published today on the 3rd of jan 2013 there have been 27 complaints in Glos city against taxi drivers since the 1st jan 2013 , that is a terrible amount and something must be done about there appalling behaviour over the new year period . Or did it mean 27 complaints in all of 2012 in which case the taxi drivers should be congratulated on there excellent behaviour and I hope this high standard continues over 2013”