Access to Profession:

The UK and London recipe for high quality taxi services

by

Roger J Silvers MA, LLM

RJS Management Services Ltd

www.taxi-consultant.org.ukroger@taxi-consultant.org.uk

Key skills requirements

• Customer care

• Managing conflict & difficult situations

• Customers with special needs

• Health and safety

• Legislation and Codes of Practice

• Transporting children & vulnerable persons

NOS – Road Passenger Vehicle Drivers (taxi, PHV, CT & Chauffeur)

VRQ – Level 2 & NVQ – Level 2

Skills development

From 2005 DfT funded project with aims & objectives:

• Raise the profile and professionalism of the industry,  • Achieve consistency of skills nationally • Raise the quality of service provided

• Ensure sustainability of this essential service

• Provide an opportunity for individual skills development.

Challenges

• Raising awareness and obtaining support from stakeholders

• Lack of recognition of importance of taxi / PHV

• Over 300 licensing authorities

• No central governing body

• Overcoming negativity from the trade

• Training providers

• Funding for the training

• Sustainability

Achievements

• Some licensing authorities now require drivers to have VRQ and/or NVQ

• Some operators have adopted the qualifications

• Many drivers have obtained the VRQ and/or NVQ

• For many drivers it is their first qualification

• For many where English is not first language support has been given

• VRQ and NVQ have been updated:

VRQ– Level 2 - Introduction to the roles of the professional taxi and private hire driver (now obtains some funding)

NVQ – Level 2 – Road Passenger Transport

Future challenges:

• VRQ and NVQ are recognised national qualifications

• Lack of recognition of importance of taxi/PHV

• Not part of public transport

• Cost and available funding still an issue

• Training providers

• Maintaining momentum

• Lack of national drive

• Law Commission – reforming taxi and private hire services- limited support for skills development

Key to success of London 2012 Olympics & Paralympics:

• Essential not to ignore importance and use of taxi - PHV

• Dedicated taxi & PHV drop-off / pick-up facilities

• Value in having professional taxi marshals

• Ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users – use of fixed ramps

• Good and accurate signage for drivers and spectators

• Good communications with taxi – PHV industry essential

• Detailed maps and information on Games venues

THANK YOU

Roger Silvers MA, LLM

RJS Management Services Ltd

Website: www.taxi-consultant.org.ukEmail: roger@taxi-consultant.org.uk Phone: +44 (0) 121 635 5870