South Ayrshire Cabbies to take a stand on seats

Jul 25 2008 by Edwin Lawrence

THEY’VE been crash-tested to the highest safety standards by global car giants.

And they’re used the world over as family, executive, and commercial vehicles.

But they’re not acceptable to South Ayrshire Council’s licensing department.

And private hire operator Roberta Fisher is bewildered by the ruling.

She said: “The council is telling me that a fold-down seat is not acceptable at a vehicle’s passenger access.

“Three of my five vehicles have this design feature.

“And although they will be allowed to see out their licence, I can’t buy any more vehicles of this type, as they wouldn’t get a licence.

“And I need vehicles with six passenger seats in order to fulfil my contracts.”

Roberta runs Maybole-based Hannah’s Taxis, and a big chunk of her business is contract work.

She said:”I have contracts that involve transporting six people and six schoolchildren.

“So losing that fold-down seat would mean space for just five passengers.

“And I would have to run two vehicles to fulfil these contracts.

“That would clearly mean more fuel, more emissions and higher costs.”

Roberta added: “I’m struggling to understand why this seat isn’t acceptable.

“The likes of Ford and VW have thoroughly tested these vehicles, and they’re perfectly okay for families.

“They’ve also been given a five-star safety rating by NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme).

“But South Ayrshire obviously believes they are somehow unsafe.”

Roberta has the backing of other private hire firms, some of whom fall victim to the same rule.

Martin Wilkinson, chairman of the South Ayrshire Private Hire Association, says the group is trying to fight the ruling.

He said: “Vehicles of this type fulfil an important function for private hire businesses right across the area, from Ballantrae to Troon.

“The council ruling will further hike the costs to both the operator and the public.”

The only saving grace for operators is that existing licensed vehicles are being allowed to see out their six-year lifespan.

Council licensing experts seem to fear an accident where passengers are unable to escape due to this seat.

A spokesperson said: “Safe access and exit of passengers is of paramount importance to the council.

“Private hire vehicles are for commercial use and as such can be subjected to extended work periods for transport for members of the public for payment.

“Research by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents suggests that private hire and taxi vehicles are approximately 10 times more likely to be in an accident where injuries occur.

“In view of this research, it is prudent to insist on enhanced measures for passenger safetyin vehicles used for hire and reward.”