The Government has today (21/7) announced new statutory standards for the taxi and private hire vehicle sector to protect passengers.
The new Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, also applicable for app-based services like Uber, are designed to improve consistency in the licensing system, reducing the risk of harm posed to children and vulnerable passengers in the process – following historic serious cases of taxi and PHV drivers abusing their position of trust.
Milton Keynes Council will be expected to implement the new standards, which include a criminal record check for drivers every six months. The standards also include safeguarding training to help drivers identify and respond to passengers that may be being abused or exploited.
It is also recommended that the Council consider whether the use of CCTV would be beneficial whilst also considering potential privacy issues.
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said: "We know the majority of drivers provide an important and safe service for communities, but in light of appalling incidents in places like Rochdale, Oxford, Newcastle and Rotherham, more must be done to protect passengers from those who abuse their position of trust.
"That’s why we’re looking to licensing authorities to enforce these rigorous new standards – ensuring drivers are fit to transport passengers in a safe environment and to stop those who aren’t.
“We expect all licensing authorities to implement the standards and won’t hesitate to introduce legislation if they don’t fulfil their responsibilities to keep the public safe.”
The strengthened safety measures also state that all drivers applying for a license should now be required to disclose if they hold or have previously held a licence in another area.
The Council will also now have to have robust reporting systems in place to make sure passengers feel comfortable reporting incidents and or suspicious behaviour. This follows the Casey Report which found there was inadequate investigation of some complaints in Rotherham.
Licensing authorities will be expected to fully implement these measures as soon as possible. The Department will closely monitor progress, work with authorities not meeting their responsibilities, and look to introduce legislation if licensing authorities fail to adopt the standards and update their operations.
