The #KnowYourRide campaign, introduced by St Helens Labour (see https://www.sthelenslabour.org/latest-news/2019/11/06/knowyourride/), is getting national attention for improving standards and safety in taxi licensing.
Last week Labour Councillors Jeanie Bell, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, and Dave Banks, Chair of the Licensing Committee, along with Council Licensing Manager Lorraine Simpson, attended a Local Government Association event in London to discuss the scheme, and also spent time with St Helens North MP Conor McGinn and Wes Streeting MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis.
Conor McGinn MP says: “I fully support the #KnowYourRide campaign, a fantastic local initiative which highlights the many benefits of taking a taxi licensed here in St Helens.
In our borough, high standards of knowledge, skills, awareness and passenger safety are a prerequisite for any driver wishing to attain a taxi license. But since 2015, it has been legal to obtain a license in one area of the country, before going to work in another. While lawful, this practice makes it extremely difficult for St Helens Licensing Authority to hold drivers operating in the borough to account effectively – and also makes life harder for some of our brilliant local taxi drivers.
By supporting #KnowYourRide, you’ll not only be championing local business and receiving expert local knowledge, but you can rest safely assured that you’ll be enjoying the highest possible passenger safety standards, as set by our local authority.
I would encourage all St Helens residents to #KnowYourRide and support local drivers when you travel. Simply ask any operator for a St Helens taxi, or look out for the Gold Standard Driver symbol on vehicles.”
