Taxi drivers have expressed their anger that a private hire firm with vehicles licensed by another council are still operating in Aylesbury.
The Aylesbury Private Hire Association has demanded a ‘level playing field’ and called for all Call a Cab vehicles to be thrown out of the town.
It was revealed last year that licences issued by Rutland County Council were being used by Call a Cab.
In March Aylesbury Vale District Council’s court case against the firm collapsed, but the authority is hoping to have an appeal heard at the High Court later this year.
{http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/more-news/concern-at-disturbing-defects-among-aylesbury-taxis-1-5477984|The private hire association raised its concerns after the latest round of Vehicle and Operator Services Agency inspections in the town|read the story}.
The group said in a statement: “There is a lot of anger in the trade.
“Whilst our members are always under scrutiny and at the forefront of any enforcement action by AVDC, it is very frustrating to see a taxi firm, namely Call a Cab, allowed to flout the law and openly use private hire vehicles and drivers that are not licensed here.
“It is alarming and extremely shocking that AVDC licensing officers have no power or authority to stop and check these vehicles.
“They have no way of knowing that the drivers being used are fit and proper.
“We are pleased that AVDC are taking legal proceedings against them but in the meantime they continue to operate in Aylesbury.”
The council’s case collapsed in March because it lost its records.
Peter Seal, the council’s licensing services manager, said: “The council has lodged an appeal to the High Court and it is hoped that the matter will be heard later this year.
“In the meantime AVDC is still of the opinion that Call a Cab Limited require an operator’s licence and will continue to pursue the matter through the proper legal channels.”
The private hire association has also moved to quash rumours that drivers are planning strikes in the coming weeks.
It said: “We are in dialogue with AVDC and are not preparing to cause any disruption or go on strike.”
Call A Cab did not wish to comment.