Over the last few years the whole of the road passenger transport industry has been consistently let down by a progressive string of governments with a lack of commitment for the long overdue reviews and reforms coupled with an apparent lack of will for change from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Only this year the Senior Traffic Commissioner (TC) cited the lack of support from the DfT as a major contributory factor in her decision to step down earlier than anyone expected.
Since then we have had the announcement that the bus review will be delayed by at least a year.
On smaller vehicles, i.e. private hire and hackney, the Law Commission reform study which was extensively researched and compiled using input from the trade is now languishing in some dark corner with no projected date for the dust to be blown off it and the matter put before Parliament.
It is just not realistic for everyone from operators to TCs to have to rely on and implement a series of arcane regulations, some stemming back to the 1800s.
Looking directly at the PSV section of the industry, it becomes glaringly obvious that major reforms are overdue, rather than the tinkering that takes place at present. I cite a couple of examples:
Restricted O-Licence: Intended for the smaller operator, on a ‘part-time’ basis. Surely this should be just aimed at the smaller operator? Someone with a maximum of two smaller vehicles – why on earth should they have to have a ‘main occupation’?
One operator who has now reached retirement age from his main occupation, and would dearly love to carry on with the two minibuses, has now to cease operating or seek a national O-Licence. Why? He is a good operator, has a primary income from his pension, and most of all now has more time to devote to the safe operation of his minibuses.
In an age where people are expected to work to later in life, this goes against the grain in so many ways.
Minimum available funds: What is the object of this? I was told years ago that this was to ensure that you had the money available to repair your PSV in the event of a major breakdown.
Very good, but when you do so and your funds dip you are immediately in contravention of the rules and can have you licence revoked.
I acknowledge that the TCs do a stalwart job and I have the greatest of respect for them, but again their hands are tied.
A few years ago there was a statement that the TCs’ duty was “to ensure the safe carriage of goods and passengers” but all that seems to have been removed from their remit and the application of common sense in law seems lacking.
With the foreseeable future being swamped with Brexit, will we ever see the commitment to change from the government, politicians and the DfT?
All the changes to pollution, emissions and so on are very welcome, but sometimes we all need to go back and look at the basics.
While appearing to just have a good old moan about the state of the industry, I am sure that I must have touched a nerve along the way with a few of you. The question is where do we go next?
Bill Bowling
Legislation Officer
National Limousine & Chauffeur Association
