Sting op’s taxi safety bombshell (From Malvern Gazette)

Sting op’s taxi safety bombshell

8:05am Friday 10th February 2012 in News By James Connell

NEARLY half of all cabbies stopped during a sting operation in Malvern were driving vehicles that would have failed an MOT.

The random checks were carried out in Malvern town centre last Friday night (February 3) revealing a range of problems including bald tyres, split seatbelts, broken lights and suspension coil springs.

Of the 16 vehicles stopped, seven were served with prohibition notices by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

This means that nearly half (44 per cent) had problems so serious they needed a new MOT.

The checks were carried out by licensing officers from Worcestershire Regulatory Services Licensing Team, West Mercia Police and VOSA in a joint operation aimed at maintaining high standards among the town’s licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. The operation was part of an ongoing campaign to ensure that licensed vehicles standards required by legislation and Malvern Hills District Council licence conditions.

Mark Kay, licensing manager for Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said the operation was well received by the taxi trade.

“Most taxi drivers in the town operate legal and safe vehicles and so welcomed the fact that this operation was taking place,”

he said.

“Licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles play an important role in Malvern Hills, especially in relation to the night time economy.

“But we need to send out a message that the council and partner organisations will not tolerate any breaches in the licensing conditions that could compromise public safety.”

Coun Bronwen Behan, portfolio holder for licensing at Malvern, said: “The public are paying for a service and they have a right to expect a safe and comfortable journey but they are not always best placed to check the condition of a vehicle before getting in to it, particularly at the end of a long night out.”

Sue Penny, aged 56, of Sue’s Taxis and Classic Cabs, said neither her or son Mark,36, were stopped.

Mrs Penny said: “I think it’s a very good idea that the cars are regularly inspected to keep them up to scratch.

“I can’t understand how so many failed their test because they’re usually so vigilant.

“I was very surprised by the results.

“I sincerely hope they find fewer faults next time and the drivers become a lot more careful and check and re-check their cars again and again and again.

“If they’re likely to fail an MOT they should not be on the road.”