Council operation checks school transport providers
A taxi driver who has been commissioned to drive children to school has been hit with points on their licence, following a sting operation led by Dudley Council.
The local authority undertook an operation in conjunction with West Midlands Police, DVLA and DVSA on Thursday 3 April.
Taxis taking children to three special schools in the borough were ordered to go for a spot check at Merry Hill, with council officers, police and compliance officers from DVSA in attendance.
Dudley Council has contracts with providers who are paid to transport children with additional needs to and from school, under a stringent agreement with the authority.
Most of the 47 drivers and vehicles checked during the operation were found to be compliant, but some were found to have not been meeting their contractual obligations on the day.
One driver has been hit with three points on their licence, as their vehicle was found to have an illegal tyre, with no tread on the inside and had the corded inner of the tyre showing.
Two vehicles were found to have bulbs out, and work was done to correct this during the inspection, and another vehicle was not showing the correct licencing sticker.
Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for children’s services, said:
“Once again, we have shown that our school transport contractors must adhere to the stringent terms of our agreement or risk strong action from our enforcement officers.
“The majority of drivers and vehicles checked were found to have the standards required, and I would like to thank them for their patience. I would also like to thank the owners for Merry Hill for allowing us to utilise one of their car parks for this important operation.”