Safety of local taxis being checked

Taxi

The safety of taxis, private hire vehicles and drivers operating in Rochdale was checked on Friday (5 May).

During the operation, GMP officers and Senior Licensing Officers from the Council carried out roadside checks on taxis and private hire vehicles, with 27 vehicles being stopped in five hours.

Officers checked meter readings, tariff cards and registration plates as well as signage, documents and equipment such as fire extinguishers. Licences and insurance documents were also inspected for their validity.

A number of taxis and private hire vehicles were then directed to the Council’s testing station to ensure that drivers and vehicles complied with all licensing regulations, helping GMP and the Council to continue to protect the health and safety of local passengers.

Five vehicles were deemed not road worthy and taken off the road, with the driver’s licence being revoked with immediate effect.

Four delayed notices were also issued, were the driver is given a strict amount of time to rectify any identified vehicle defects, which must be then checked at the Council’s testing station in order for the driver to keep their taxi licence.

Sergeant Daniel Shirazi, from GMP, said: “This joint operation sends out a clear message to Rochdale’s private hire companies and taxi firms that we will take action against anyone that breaks the law.

“Enforcement operations take place throughout the year to check the safety of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles and to identify those who are operating illegally.

“Passengers trust these drivers with their lives so by making their vehicles safe we are making sure that private hire companies and taxi firms are providing the best possible service for the public.

“We take people’s safety very seriously and we will continue to work with the Council and providers to protect the people of Rochdale.”

Beverley Wilkinson, Rochdale Borough Council licensing service manager, said: “Our residents’ health and safety is extremely important to us so we expect a high standard from the Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicles operating in the borough.

“Checks such as these are vitally important to ensure that vehicles are properly maintained and meet all regulations. It was great to see that some of vehicles tested were maintained to a high standard and safe for passengers.”