UNSAFE vehicles which were taking children to school have been banned from the road.
A bus and a taxi were found to have bald tyres during a joint operation targeting taxis, private hire vehicles and buses used for the school run.
The operation, led by Rugby Borough Council’s licensing team with support from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and Warwickshire County Council, inspected vehicles arriving at a Rugby school in the morning.
Nine school buses were inspected, with one receiving an immediate prohibition because it had a bald tyre.
The team also prohibited a Hackney Carriage licensed by Coventry City Council for having a bald tyre.
A further two Hackney Carriages licensed by Coventry City Council, four licensed by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, two licensed by Northampton Borough council and nine licensed by Rugby Borough Council passed their inspections.
After completing checks at the school, the operation moved to Rugby railway station where one private hire vehicle and 14 Hackney Carriages licensed by Rugby Borough Council were inspected, with all passing the DVSAs tests.
Rugby Borough Council’s head of environment and public realm Dan Green said: “This is the second operation we have carried out in the last few months.
“While it is disappointing that two vehicles were prohibited until their tyres had been changed, it is pleasing that all of the vehicles licensed by Rugby Borough Council passed the DVSAs inspection along with most of the other vehicles.
“Our priority is to keep the public safe when they travel by taxi or in private hire vehicles. All licensed vehicles must be safe, well maintained and comply with the licensing conditions, and all drivers are responsible for checking their vehicles before they transport any passengers.
“This operation showed that drivers in Rugby are taking their responsibilities seriously.”
The unannounced operation took place last month and coincided with the morning school run, checking vehicles as they arrived at the start of the school day.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/taxilicensing for more information on taxi and private hire licensing.
