Tighter controls on taxis in Preston will not be introduced after council licensing officers managed to hit a target for ensuring cabs and private hire vehicles in the city are safe.
AdvertisementPreston City Council says the standard of vehicles on the road has increased for the first time since 2011.
The number of licensed vehicles the city council class as “broadly compliant with licence” has hit their target two years ahead of schedule.
Cabinet member for planning and regulation, councillor John Swindells, said: “It’s very pleasing to see that the hard work and diligence of taxi vehicle owners, our licensing team and external partners have all contributed to this considerable improvement in the standard of our hackney carriage and private hire fleet of vehicles.
“It’s essential that the public of Preston and visitors to our city have confidence in using the taxi service. Results such as this reaffirm high safety and comfort standards of our fleet.”
The council’s current testing system means all taxis – both hackey cabs and private hire – are checked every six months.
In Preston there are 187 hackey cabs and 430 private taxis.
Mike Thorpe, licensing manager for the city council, said: “The penalties for vehicle proprietors whose vehicles are found not to be roadworthy have been increased. They have all been issued with a weekly maintenance schedule to assist in keeping their vehicles in good working order. It’s believed these actions have contributed to the improved standards.”
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