Cabbies cry 'no' to tie policy
John Dickens • Published 26 May 2012 16:30
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CABBIES are vowing to go to war over new dress rules to smarten up the town's image for Olympic visitors.
Taxi drivers in Slough will be told to clean up their act during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a new Slough Borough Council code of conduct.
The guidelines include a shirt and tie, trousers and shoes, a ban on eating or drinking in cars and strict rules on any talk of a sexual nature.
Paramjit Badial, chairman of the Slough Taxi Driver's Association, said: "All our drivers are totally opposed to wearing ties."
The association has 103 members, all Hackney Carriage drivers. He added: "We're not private hire - we don't know the details of passengers getting into our taxis. We don't know who we are picking up and somebody can strangle you by a tie."
Representatives from the association will voice their concerns when the code is discussed at a licensing committee meeting on Wednesday. Mick Sims, Slough Borough Council licensing manager, said: "Slough will be having a massive increase in visitors in the area. The transport system will have a lot of work and outside business coming into the town.
"We want to give the best possible image we can for Slough and make sure drivers are dressed respectably."
The code of conduct will apply to Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers and operators between July 27 and September 9.
Mr Badial consulted with members about the changes and added: "Most of the rules are in our own guidelines. We are happy with the dress code, but just not ties - we are bitterly opposed to that for safety reasons."
A letter informing all vehicle licence holders and drivers of the new conduct rules will be sent out after the meeting.
This article appeared in Slough Observer 26 May 12
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JUDGE1066
305 posts
May 26, 17:33
Report commentI think Slough Council are overstating the increase in visitors to Slough, most will arrive at the airport, dress for battle and duck down in the back of their taxis from Heathrow as they pass through or skirt around Slough.
As for taxi drivers refraining from chat of a sexual nature, is this allowed when it's not the Olympics then? Slough people are entitled to have their taxi drivers dressed within the boundaries of a dress code and not be exposed to drivers talking about sex, unbelievable!!!!
Recommend?
Yes 13
No 2
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511VikingCarsLimited
1 post
May 29, 16:21
Report commentBeing an owner of 511 Viking Cars Ltd in Slough, we encourage our drivers to wear a set uniform which includes our company tie with our emblem and colour co-ordinated shirts and suits. Having to serve the likes of Eton College and its important governers, I can understand the idea behind this article.
The idea of fixing up the imagery for the olympics is a must in terms of the public transport within Slough. Although Slough may be a town and has been under scrutiny for a number of years; one of the world's largest Trading Estate is situated in Slough and we are representing our country to tourists that will visit our country for the olympics and it is important we give an image which makes us unique from the other countries. We need to show everyone WHY GREAT BRITAIN WAS SELECTED TO HOST SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS GAMES TOURNAMENT by sorting ourselves out.
Overall I do hope there is an achievement in what this article has set out to do. I am backing it 100% with myself and my company.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 4
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