Southampton: 87% of taxis and private hires failed test

The 15 vehicles - eight private hire vehicles and seven Hackney Carriages, known as taxis - were inspected by city council officials during a test on February 27.

According to the email sent to cab drivers by the council’s senior licensing officer, five were immediately suspended following the inspection – four taxis and one private hire vehicle.

The reason for the suspensions was 'mainly faults with tyres and warning lights' the email said.

One taxi union boss called the numbers 'alarming' and a senior city councillor has said it is taking action against the drivers and owners of the vehicles - especially repeat offenders.

Almost 90 per cent of taxis and private hire vehicles failed a recent spot check, a shocking council email has revealed.

In the email, the senior licensing officer told drivers: “This does not make for good reading and shows that we have to work harder to ensure a safe and compliant fleet.”

Another five private hire vehicles and three taxis failed due to 'more minor issues' involving 'bulbs, meters and tyres again!', the email said, and were given until Friday (March 1) to sort these out.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr Eammon Keogh confirmed the 15 vehicles tested were chosen based on appearance, age and the date of their last test.

He said: "The results are disappointing and appropriate action is being taken against the drivers and proprietors who failed the test, especially any repeat offenders."

It comes weeks after a private firm Cab My Ride had its license revoked by city councillors after one of its team drove 1,000 miles with damaged brakes - and still carried on after the vehicle's licence expired.

'Findings are disappointing'

Perry McMillan, taxi driver and shop steward for Unite the Union - representing taxis and private hires - said: “The findings are disappointing and as representatives, we will be telling drivers to make sure they’re checking their cars.”

Overall, only two private hire vehicles passed the compliance tests according to the email – and neither were 'clean sheets'.

"There was one advisory on driver's seat being fixed and the other had door sticker number which needed replacing and he will be attending the office for these," the email said.

Perry McMillan explained that many owners of private hire vehicles rent their cars to drivers and both parties needed to make sure the cars were checked.

He said: “Whether you’re a proprietor or a driver you need to be on the ball with making sure the cars are all checked up.”

Deputy Tory leader, Cllr Jeremy Moulton

'Very concerning'

Deputy Tory leader Jeremy Moulton said: "It is essential that taxis are properly maintained to ensure the safety of customers.

"These statistics are on the face of it very concerning and I will be seeking assurance that the council is taking all appropriate measures in response and also considering if these findings suggest a need for more checks to be done.

"In particular the council should satisfy itself that it is only contracting with taxi firms with the highest standards for the provision of home-to-school transport."

Sam Shahid, founder of The Southampton Hackney Association, also weighed in.

He said: “There are 285 Hackney Carriages in the city and over 1,200 private hire vehicles in Southampton. There are bound to be some drivers who don’t follow the rules and they need to be found and punished.

“There will always be five per cent who don’t follow the rules but that doesn’t reflect all of the other drivers who check their cars regularly.”

He added: “You need in mind that the standards for drivers are very high in the city, compared to other regions.

“We have to have two tests a year, the cars can’t be older than nine years old and we need cameras as well. Other regions like Eastleigh and New Forest don’t which means some cars are up to standards in other regions but not Southampton because of that."

Ali Haydor, GMB rep for taxi and private hire drivers (Image: Newsquest)

'Results are alarming'

Ali Haydor, GMB union representative for Taxi and Private Hire Trade said: "These results are indeed alarming and underscore the imperative need for all drivers to ensure their vehicles meet the required standards to provide safe and reliable transportation services to the public.

"The safety of passengers and the reputation of our city's transport services are of utmost importance.

"I'm confident that by collaborating closely with Licensing and the trade, we can collectively address and overcome the recent compliance results."

'Council continues to work'

Councillor Eammon Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport said:

“A vehicle testing operation was undertaken last week and council licensing officers in the city selected 15 licensed vehicles to be examined.

"They specifically chose vehicles based upon appearance, the age of the vehicle and the date of its last test.

"The results are disappointing and appropriate action is being taken against the drivers and proprietors who failed the test, especially any repeat offenders.  

"Southampton City Council officers continue to work with licence holders to ensure the safety of the public and all vehicles are required to pass an enhanced vehicle inspection once a year, and an annual MOT 6 months later.

"The results from the enhanced tests show the pass rate to exceed the national average for MOT passes by private vehicles.

"The additional safety checks carried out by Southampton City Council’s licensing team play a vital role in reassuring passengers that they can feel confident in their choice of taxi or private hire vehicle.”