Taxi firms support campaign
Torfaen’s taxi firms have given their backing to a council campaign to stamp out unlicensed cars and drivers. It follows the prosecution of a Torfaen man who was caught driving a hire car without a licence.
The man was fined £150, plus £100 costs and £15 towards the government victim surcharge. Torfaen Council investigated him after they received a tip off that he was working without a licence. He was caught driving in Pontypool.
Councillor Glyn Caron, Executive Member for Planning and Public Protection, said: "The posters clearly show people what they should look for on a taxi when it arrives to pick them up. We issue licences to taxi drivers and they have to display certain badges and stickers on their car depending on what type of service they offer."
Give us your views
Do you use taxis? What do you think of the number of hackney cabs (these are taxis that you can use without pre-booking) in Torfaen? Does Torfaen need more taxis with disabled access? Do you have a view on how drivers are currently vetted before getting a licence? How often should cars be tested?
These issues and many more are included in Torfaen Council’s new taxi policy which should be approved in April.
But before the final draft is approved it’s important that as many taxi drivers and users as possible give their views on it. Copies of the draft policy are available on the website at www.torfaen.gov.uk. Click on ‘public consultations’ on the home page. You can also get a copy by phoning 01633 648418.
Comments can be made by writing to Torfaen licensing, PO Box 93, Cwmbran , NP44 7WZ, email licensing@torfaen.gov.uk| or call 01633 648418. The deadline for comments is Monday 4 February.