Access to Profession: The UK and London recipe for high quality taxi services b y

1. 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.uk roger@taxi-consultant.org.uk

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. THANK YOU Roger Silvers MA, LLM RJS Management Services Ltd Website: www.taxi-consultant.org.uk Email: roger@taxi-consultant.org.uk Phone: +44 (0) 121 635 5870