Standards set in new taxi course

Standards set in new taxi course

Cabbies have been swotting up so they can drive up standards of care for passengers.
Taxi drivers in Preston are some of the first in the country to achieve a professional qualification specifically designed to improve customer care.

The certificates, to be presented at a special ceremony by the Mayor of Preston on Wednesday, are awarded to private hire and hackney carriage drivers.

Preston became the second council in the country to introduce these qualifications for all new taxi drivers in November 2006.

Since then, 22 drivers have successfully passed the BTEC course.

The qualification provides training on issues including looking after passengers with disabilities, route planning and customer care.

Mayor of Preston, Coun Christine Abram, said: "We want to make sure Preston's taxis provide an excellent service to local people and visitors to the city.

"The Edexcel BTEC course is a key part of our plans."

Toffs driving taxis? What? What?
Their customers won't understand Queens English.