Swansea Hire vehicle clampdown reveals half were unsafe

MINIBUS, private hire vehicle and taxi operators in Swansea city centre have been issued with a warning after more than half the vehicles checked on a night-time, multi-agency clampdown were found to be unsafe.

A two-night operation by South Wales Police, VOSA, HMRC and Swansea Council found that more than half the vehicles stopped were not roadworthy and many of them were prevented from going any further because their condition was so poor.

The latest clampdown on poor and un-roadworthy vehicles being used to take visitors to and from the city centre saw four seized for serious vehicle defects, three for no insurance and 11 fixed penalty notices for minor offences.

Sgt Geraint Jenkins, who co-ordinated the operation which ran during the busy Six Nations rugby tournament, said drivers were potentially putting their fare-paying passengers at risk and that would not be tolerated.

He said: “It is concerning to find that some bus and taxi operators are failing to ensure that their vehicles are to a mechanical standard that is required by law.

“People from far and wide come to Swansea to enjoy the nightlife and expect to be transported to and from the city in buses or taxis that are safe and legal. I am sure that many would be concerned if they were aware that the some of the transportation does not meet the required standards.

“These latest operations have once again demonstrated our commitment to tackling those individuals and companies who are continuing to ignore the law and potentially put lives at risk.”

A spokesperson for Swansea Council said: “As the taxi and private hire licensing authority, we are determined to do all we can to protect passengers from drivers and vehicle owners who are operating outside the terms of their licence or because their vehicles aren’t fit to be on the road.

“It’s very worrying that of more than 50 vehicles which were examined by the various agencies, at least half were not fit for the road.”

Some of the vehicles inspected as part of the operation were licensed in other Local Authority areas and some by VOSA. Twenty-nine of the vehicles and drivers inspected are licensed by Swansea Council

Nine of the 29 vehicles were also issued with immediate suspension notices by council officers for faults that presented a risk to passenger safety and for non-compliance with council standards.

This meant that drivers were unable to work the vehicles until the faults were put right and the vehicles re-inspected.

The clamp down took place at the LC car park on February 28 and March 21.