Cabs told buck up or it’s end of the road

The end of the road could be in sight for some of Oldham’s worst taxi firms.

In a new get-tough policy, licensing chiefs rounded on the worst offenders vowing their determination to clean up the business. If they don’t — they risk losing their licence.

Yesterday, three companies in the bottom five of Oldham’s taxi league table were summoned before Oldham Licensing Panel.

They were Rollers, of Middleton Road, Oldham, who finished rock bottom; Car 5000 and Dial A Car, both of Yorkshire Street in the town centre.

The case against Dial A Car was the management of the business.

Owner Shehiz Khan said, however, that the operating system had since been greatly improved.

Licensing chairman, Councillor Jim McArdle, said the panel was looking for a definite improvement and if things did not get better, the firm could expect to lose its licence.

He said: “We do not want this firm to lapse back into its old ways.”

The case against Rollers and Car 5000 was adjourned as Rollers failed to attend and Car 5000 wanted more time to seek legal advice.

Both firms are expected to appear before the next panel on August 5.

Councillor McArdle said after the meeting: “This is the toughest stance that we have taken so far over the taxi league table.

“We are getting more and more drivers in front of us to give account of themselves. The new get-tough policy is designed to bring up standards.

“We want to rid Oldham of rogue taxi drivers who bring the borough into disrepute.”

The table gives points for things such as driver prosecutions, fixed penalties for smoking, vehicle failures in random tests, complaints and poor management.

Councillor Steve Bashforth, shadow Cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, attracted controversy when he said recently that the public should simply withdraw their custom and hit taxi firms where they feel it most — in the pocket.