New Harlow MP Chris Vince champions taxi drivers cause in House of Commons
Chris Vince / Fri 19th Jul 2024 at 09:09am
THE MP for Harlow, Chris Vince has made his first speech in the House of Commons after being elected on July 4th.
Mr Vince rose to address the issue of taxi drivers and the de-regulated system in Harlow and across the country.
It is an issue he championed in Harlow and has committed to continue to highlight in Harlow and across the country.
This is not what is called his maiden speech. We understand that may be next week.
Dan Swords
2024-07-19 09:51:44
As Leader of Harlow Council, I very much welcome this. It is a major problem and I will work with Chris to tackle it.
Hackney Carriage Driver
2024-07-19 10:12:25
I'm glad this is hitting the news as it should be, it's also positive that Harlow council will work with the MP to rectify this major issue of which many residents are unaware of what's going on.
Barry
2024-07-19 10:41:50
I welcome Dan Swords' comment regarding working together with Chris Vince to solve an arising issue. This is what politics should be. More of this please.
Stephen
2024-07-19 10:45:53
I don’t understand, surely all taxis working in Harlow are licensed by Harlow Council?
Neil
2024-07-19 10:55:22
The vehicles in question are private hire vehicles working for Metro Cars. They are using a large number of Wolverhampton licensed vehicles. This causes problems as Harlow Council licensing enforcement have no power to check these vehicles or their driver.
Private Hire Driver
2024-07-19 11:57:01
Firstly this is not a Harlow Issue this is happening UK wide with all PH companies 1, People are not bothered as they are using Uber in Harlow left right and centre and that's TFL london licensed drivers that's been going on for about 10 + years in the town , 2, Harlow council do not even check their own PH vehicles maybe every few years to start judging other councils however the companies that operate Harlow and or other councils can preform checks periodically onsite surly as part of their conditions to operate, 3 Safety standards are the same with regards to VOSA and checking the vehicles to MOT standard. 4, Local drivers ?? there are many licensed drivers to Harlow that do not even live in Harlow, Harlow will grant you a license even if you live miles outside of Harlow just because a Harlow vehicle arrives to collect you doesn't mean the person driving it is Local.. 5, Drivers are getting licensed elsewhere due to the lack of efficiency and process that the Harlow council licensing department run, making it a long winded process with non existent communication and more expensive then other councils for the privilege. 6, local operators have been using Hackney Carriage vehicles from other towns like Epping for about 15 years so i cant see what the issue is all of a sudden i would say private hire is more regulated and safer than hackney carriage .. all seem a bit personal to a local company for trying to provide a better service to its community. you mention metro cars however there are 40,000 Wolverhampton licensed drivers working with hundreds of local operators / companies across the entire UK and most of the drivers live in towns that they work in. i think that company you've mentioned also use other councils also like Harlow, Uttlesford, Epping etc and have done for years so where is all this safety nonsense coming from?
Gary
2024-07-19 12:04:05
Yes ABC Cars also use Epping Vehicles not just Harlow, I'm not bothered as long as its legal and the driver is nice
Private Hire Driver
2024-07-19 12:07:21
This is funny Private Hire are not allowed to advertise themselves as a Taxi Service however the Local MP of Harlow is referring to the Private Hire Trade / Drivers as Taxi Drivers in the House, maybe he doesn't understand licensing condition and or regulation
Taxi driver
2024-07-19 12:45:24
Unfortunately the town has become a free 4 All creating mass overlord of ph/taxis working in Harlow driving down earnings where drivers are earning minimum wage for 12/14 hours while putting the public at risk..operators don't care more the merrier as they coin in the radio rent.
Neil
2024-07-19 15:45:58
It’s not just an issue with vehicle checks. Other things must be considered. Knowledge testing, driver training (Disability awareness and child sexual exploitation), differences between councils regarding fit and proper persons and convictions. Andrew Peters of the GMB Union also wrote an interesting piece about PH insurance not being valid as the insurer uses algorithms to decide a premium based on the area that the driver is licensed in. Infact one of the bigger PH insurers, Freeway are now refusing to insure Wolverhampton licensed drivers.
Hackney Carriage Driver
2024-07-19 15:58:47
Private Hire Driver. I've heard these words before on a rant and it was from Metro? Harlow council has a duty of care to every resident but according to you no one cares who picks them up. The fact is what ever vehicle picks them up should be a Harlow licensed vehicle. That making sure that the driver has all its acreaditations plus is accountable to Harlow council and its residents. Residents need to be reasured that every vehicle sent is a Harlow plated vehicle that knowing that the vehicle can be checked along with the driver.
Derek
2024-07-19 15:59:25
Chris, why didn’t you address the 20m promise to the residents of Harlow for town centre redevelopment rather than self interest issues ?
Anonymous
2024-07-19 16:36:10
No every council covers disability awareness and sexual exploitation along with everything else and with respect to knowledge testing this is a very old School method and in a progressive industry private hire drivers now use integrated technology systems and apps they are given the job with the pick up location and all the information needed including google maps with live traffic information set on the shortest route , the only people that need to do a geographical knowledge test in todays world is still the Hackney carriage trade because they are hired off the street or ranks and need to know where they are going from customer verbal communication with no booking information or technology , this is why a lot of local councils for private hire do not require a knowledge test anymore not only this but local operators cover more then just one local area / town now so the test is in adequate anyway. Also Uttlesford and Wolverhampton has demonstrated their enforcement powers in Harlow and have done joint ventures with Harlow Council and independent ventures on inspecting vehicles within Harlow on their own merit
Private hire driver
2024-07-19 16:40:28
Chris makes a point about having different signage on the vehicles as opposed to different councils however Harlow council have just scrapped roof signs on private vehicles probably one of the most important things they have done for public safety in identifying a private hire vehicle so they can’t be that bothered about them being recognised as Harlow Cars this is all a joke to be honest
MATT
2024-07-19 18:20:47
Mr Vince you want to live in Mill Court listening to the black cabs. The can't talk they shout they are all extras from EastEnders. Then you have Metro cars & no discussion about with there endless banter all night. Noise pollution put up with it for 16 years plus the boy racers in the car park. 50 years I lived in Harlow it is now a crap hole. Crap Crap Crap.
Bob
2024-07-19 20:18:53
Matt. The black cab rank was there long before Mill Court was built. Sorry fella but you sound like somebody who moves into a house next to a pub and then complains about the noise from the pub.
Neil
2024-07-19 20:25:00
Quote from anonymous. “ No every council covers disability awareness and sexual exploitation along with everything else” I agree. But Harlow licensed drivers have done these important training courses. You have literally made my point for me.
Ala Uddin
2024-07-19 20:31:05
Why is everyone talking about Harlow or Epping licensing. We all are Essex based. My concern is why is there so many Ubar operating in Harlow. Harlow Council needs to look after their own drivers and ban Uber operating in Harlow.
Anonymous
2024-07-19 22:55:20
Comment back to Neil , you’ve misunderstood every single council covers the 2 subjects you’ve raised as it’s part of the Licancing criteria nationally for private hire it’s mandatory being Harlow or not , In fact Wolverhampton and Uttlesford have higher standards then Harlow you have to pass a stricter course in a class room that requires a lot of training / learning for subjects covered and have to obtain a percentage to pass in the exam.. So I have no idea what your point is sorry Just some of the modules non Harlow licensed drivers need to pass Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults CSE awareness Modern Slavery County lines Face to face English assessment (followed by a recorded interview where there are any concerns) Licence conditions Vehicle conditions The licensing process Enforcement and compliance Plying for hire The Health Act 2006 Environmental Protection Act 1990 Customer safety Customer care Disability Awareness (Equality Act 2010) Road and passenger safety Personal safety Suicide awareness Counter terrorism I think they are educated enough to do the job I can’t see any concerns here..
MATT
2024-07-20 08:07:20
Bob no mate you sound what you are a loud mouthed cab driver who wants to be on EastEnders But it is nice when people consider others & work together. Get rid of all cabs including metro Happy Days.
Guy Flegman
2024-07-20 09:45:59
Surely this is just a distraction from the march of driverless technology.
Worried
2024-07-20 10:13:12
Personally I think the cars the private hire should have the same rules as London black cabs.. Rigid strict mot or yearly inspection. Taken off the road if damaged until repaired. Mandatory area familiarity training for the area they work. A short driving examination every year. How many actually use there indicators or read the road. Before you bombard with they already do I ask ,, There are 2 cabs, Prius, along from where I live that are in a state where they wouldn't pass a normal mot and they are driven by many drivers. Do they all have a private hire licence. If I was to use a cab I would expect it to be in good order and the driver competent. Most I fear are not.
Hackney Carriage representative
2024-07-20 23:14:39
This is a problem all over the country and we cannot thank our MP enough for his efforts to bring this to the house in hope for change. Unfortunately at a local level in harlow the public do not ask the question as to why one of this towns operators use vehicles licenced by another licencing authority. Unfortunately it shows what little respect they have for harlow council and for the local drivers. You would hope that as a harlow based company they would alway champion harlow in anyway they can. Unfortunately this does not seem like the case. Again thank you Chris Vince for being a man of his word.
Paul
2024-07-20 23:22:39
How can this be allowed? Today I saw a car that had a Wolverhampton licenced and a TFL sticker in the rear window with a metro sign in it. If there is a issue with the vehicle or driver who do we contact? Surely this cannot be right. If I call harlow council to report it will they know anything about the driver or vehicle. Like Chris Vince I have safety concerns. Paul
Customer to Private Hire
2024-07-22 16:36:21
Paul - Its for the local operator to sort out in first instance they can inspect the vehicles and suspend the driver or , they can report the driver for you to the relevant council or tell you what council to go to and report the driver. so i don't see any issue or safety concern here. Metro helped me once when i needed to report something also the comment from Hackney carriage rep. i honestly do not believe it has anything to do with lack of respect for Harlow as companies are entitled to hold and cover more than one local area of operation and therefore operate more then one authority , that's like saying a Harlow Driver has no right doing any jobs outside of Harlow and i know you love those. this is a stupid mentality and not one of a business acquirement or practicality . i guess for local business its also extremely difficult to champion for Harlow when the community itself doesn't care and uses Uber as you can never get a local Private Hire car when you most need it because there are no drivers available mainly because Harlow are not licencing enough, what's best in public service and safety collecting the customer or not at all ? if they do not increase driver numbers as a company they lose us as customers, i respect the local operator your mostly talking about as they now provide such a reliable service and most of all they are not braking any laws and are champion for Harlow as they can provide a car within seconds over anyone else. i think you all have a personal vendetta for a company being so successful and I'm certain no one is complaining other then your local Hackney Carriage trade.
Paul
2024-07-23 09:37:02
Customer to private hire. You state your certain the no one is complaining other then the local Hackney Carriage trade. However, reading the article and the comments it seem clear that the leader of harlow council and the MP for harlow also share the same view. Your opinion seems very one sided and yes metro have found a loop hole like many others that is legal this is why our MP has taken the matter to the house. If what metro are doing is completely fine with everyone there would be no reason todo this.
Hackney Carriage Driver
2024-07-23 11:46:38
Some of the comments on here clearly are Metro. Just to point out,have a look at taxi point and see what they allow to happen. I'm shocked at what I've seen lately. Perhaps allow the residents decide? A Harlow plated private hire vehicle or a Wolverhampton one? Let's see what the residents of Harlow decide to do. This is their decision.
Spectator
2024-07-23 15:28:34
With respect to the Taxi point images its most likely the driver has rented the car from a London company and asked them to relicense it to Wolverhampton the rental company most likely forgot to take the Tfl stickers out of the window as you cannot have 2 vehicle licenses on one vehicle. A harlow driver could rent a car from a London company also and re license it to Harlow and forget to take the stickers out the same thing applies that’s the drivers responsibility not the operators
Customer
2024-07-23 15:32:20
If you wanna have a real debate Hackney carriage trade why are you allowed to drive around polluting our air with Euro 4 emission standards about time, We level up the emission standards in this town so we can all breathe better should be euro 6
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