Council’s praise for taxi firms

TAXI companies are turning over a new leaf after a crackdown by Oldham Licensing Panel.

In the latest stage of a get-tough policy, it has rounded on the worst offenders, instructing them to clean up the business.

If they do not, they risk losing their operating licence.

The panel recently registered an improvement in management by Dial A Car — a company which potentially could have lost its licence.

Now two other bottom of the league firms, Rollers and Car 5000, have also been moving up a gear.

The licensing panel this week called in both firms to scrutinise their performance. And in each case, evidence showed that things were getting better.

Panel chairman Councillor Jim McArdle said: “All three were told to appear because they were the bottom three in the league table.

“We had Rollers, of Middleton Road, Oldham, which finished rock-bottom, and Car 2000 and Dial A Car, both of Yorkshire Street in the town centre.

“Dial A Car was seen at the last meeting and there was evidence that the operating system had greatly improved.

“This time we were dealing with Rollers and Car 5000 where there were concerns about management and record keeping.

“But an officer’s report showed there had been an improvement in management and record keeping in each case.

“They will be keeping records better and there may be some computerisation of the business which is something the top companies are involved with.

“The message we are giving out certainly seems to be getting through and the companies have had a warning to keep their standards up to a certain level.”