A surging number of PHVs had led one licensing authority to expand its testing facilities in a bid to cope with demand.
Oldham Council has also seen the number of private hire vehicle drivers double in 18 months and has vowed to work with them to make sure vehicles meet the high safety standards it sets.
Demand
The Oldham Times reports that there has been a huge increase in the number of PHVs in the town, from 1,030 in May, 2023, to 1,756 last month. The number of Hackney carriages remains at 85 but the number of drivers with dual licences for public and private hire has risen by 137% from 1,305 in May, 2023, to 3,088 this year.
Drivers have previously complained about delays in getting their vehicles inspected, but the surge in numbers has put extra demand on the council’s vehicle inspection staff who have managed to carry out 1,942 checks since April this year.
The council’s licensing committee was told: “As members will see from the above figures, the significant increase in licensed drivers has placed an additional burden on officers within the team.
“A recruitment exercise is under way to bolster the team with the additional officers needed in order to meet demand, including extending the opening hours of our service reception.”
The committee also heard that the number of private-hire operators in Oldham has also more than doubled from 38 in May, 2023, to the current 90.
Standards
Cllr Elaine Taylor, deputy leader of the council with responsibility for licensing, told the committee: “Here in Oldham, our licensing team sets high standards, which are supported by the trade and residents.
“Passengers should be able to get into a taxi knowing that it is safe to be on the road.
“We expect vehicle owners to prepare their vehicle ahead of the test to ensure it is fit to pass.
“Depending on its age, it may have more than one MoT test each year – the older the vehicle, the greater the number of tests.
“If a vehicle doesn’t meet the required standard, then we’ll take it off the road until it does.
“We are working to improve the pass rate for all vehicles.
“If anyone has any concerns about any private hire vehicles or Hackney cabs then contact us.”
Taking action
The council also continues to take action against drivers who break licensing regulations. Its drivers’ panel heard 36 hearings between April and October this year which led to 21 applications being refused, three licences suspended and seven being revoked.
The Oldham Times reports that four additional licenses were included in delegated revocations, one of which followed a successful prosecution on September 19 of an unlicensed driver who was disqualified from driving by the court for two years and ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £4,671.
Only four hearings resulted in an application being granted.
It is not only good to see driver numbers thriving in a bid to meet demand, but also for the council to be expanding its inspection services so that checks can be carried out quickly and efficiently, getting taxis and PHVs back out the roads as soon as possible. This means they can spend more time doing what they do best and not waiting while their vehicle is off the road.
