Menu
23/03/2017
TfL Slammed For Turning A 'Blind Eye' To Licensing Rules
GMB London called on Transport for London (TfL) to address the issue of two TfL licensed drivers who have had their licenses revoked by Southend-on-Sea borough council after being found guilty of criminality in 2010.
The two drivers were jailed for a year after being caught operating a ring in which they and other drivers shared each other's penalty points for speeding, driving through red lights and other driving offences to avoid being banned.
The drivers, currently driving for Uber in and around Southend, got around the ban by applying for their Private Hire License through TfL rather than Southend council.
A third driver from Westcliff, who was charged with one offence and given a suspended sentence, also holds a TfL license.
Simon Rush, GMB's professional drivers’ president, said: "If TFL continue to turn a seemingly blind eye to their own regulatory licensing rules in ignoring cross border issues and allow licenses to convicted criminals it will encourage others in the private hire trade to act in an illicit manor knowing they have free reign.
"If this is not curtailed it will lead to further damage to the good name of hardworking professional drivers in the Hackney and Private Hire industry and further erode already low incomes.
"We know of many other TfL licensed Uber drivers working in other parts of southern England that have been seen collecting and dropping passengers off in areas such as Portsmouth, especially around the university campus.
"We believe a national Taxi and private hire database is the only way forward to properly address this activity with amendments to current licensing regulation."
The two drivers were jailed for a year after being caught operating a ring in which they and other drivers shared each other's penalty points for speeding, driving through red lights and other driving offences to avoid being banned.
The drivers, currently driving for Uber in and around Southend, got around the ban by applying for their Private Hire License through TfL rather than Southend council.
A third driver from Westcliff, who was charged with one offence and given a suspended sentence, also holds a TfL license.
Simon Rush, GMB's professional drivers’ president, said: "If TFL continue to turn a seemingly blind eye to their own regulatory licensing rules in ignoring cross border issues and allow licenses to convicted criminals it will encourage others in the private hire trade to act in an illicit manor knowing they have free reign.
"If this is not curtailed it will lead to further damage to the good name of hardworking professional drivers in the Hackney and Private Hire industry and further erode already low incomes.
"We know of many other TfL licensed Uber drivers working in other parts of southern England that have been seen collecting and dropping passengers off in areas such as Portsmouth, especially around the university campus.
"We believe a national Taxi and private hire database is the only way forward to properly address this activity with amendments to current licensing regulation."
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 February 2016
Taxi Drivers To Protest In London
More than 5,000 taxi drivers are to protest at what they consider as government bias against the black cab trade and the promotion of private hire firms by 'light touch' regulation at the expense of passenger safety. The taxi trade protest will be held tomorrow, 10 February, from 2.30pm in Whitehall, London, SW1.
Taxi Drivers To Protest In London
More than 5,000 taxi drivers are to protest at what they consider as government bias against the black cab trade and the promotion of private hire firms by 'light touch' regulation at the expense of passenger safety. The taxi trade protest will be held tomorrow, 10 February, from 2.30pm in Whitehall, London, SW1.
28 February 2013
Call For Hammond Not To Proceed With Job Losses
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has written to the Under Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Hammond calling on him not to proceed with any job losses at the Motor Vehicle Licensing Centre in Coleraine at least until he meets the Assembly's Minister for the Environment Alex Atwood on 5 March.
Call For Hammond Not To Proceed With Job Losses
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has written to the Under Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Hammond calling on him not to proceed with any job losses at the Motor Vehicle Licensing Centre in Coleraine at least until he meets the Assembly's Minister for the Environment Alex Atwood on 5 March.
04 January 2011
Jobs Are Saved in Buy-Out
Many jobs have been saved at a company in Co Antrim. The firm, Westport Resources Limited - which is a driver hire contractor - went into administration at the beginning of the month but now, news of the sale of the company being arranged last week has emerged and all 277 people working at the company will now keep their posts.
Jobs Are Saved in Buy-Out
Many jobs have been saved at a company in Co Antrim. The firm, Westport Resources Limited - which is a driver hire contractor - went into administration at the beginning of the month but now, news of the sale of the company being arranged last week has emerged and all 277 people working at the company will now keep their posts.
11 July 2016
Union Calls For TfL To Find Employment For 400 Conductors
Transport for London (TfL) has a duty to find employment for the 400 conductors on the new Routemaster buses who face losing their jobs, according to Unite the union.
Union Calls For TfL To Find Employment For 400 Conductors
Transport for London (TfL) has a duty to find employment for the 400 conductors on the new Routemaster buses who face losing their jobs, according to Unite the union.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
