BRADFORD taxis and private hire vehicles will soon be given a rating out of five - similar to the "scores on the doors" food hygiene ratings.

The ratings will be made public to "allow customers to make informed decisions" about which taxis they use - according to Bradford Council.

To get a full five star rating drivers will have to show that they have a "high level of understanding of equality and diversity" and show an "excellent level of customer service."

TOP STORIES:

The plans, which will begin this year, recently went before the Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee, where members were told that drivers who had been surveyed on the plans had said they were eager to be able to promote themselves.

Trade representatives and taxi drivers were consulted on the plans last year.

Bradford taxis offering new £1 fare for trips to city centre

Taxis undergo an annual "Base Audit" - and the new plans would see the results of these audits made public in the form of a rating out of five.

A report to the committee said: ""The meetings and training were received positively and the general feedback was that many licensees look forward to the opportunity to promote themselves by advertising their base audit results.

"Some Operators have concerns in that they may not score well."

Operators will be awarded each star in turn before they progress to the next star, and their will be an appeals process if drivers feel their star rating is not reflective of the service they offer.

Criteria to gain each of the five stars are below:

1 Star - Compliance with licensing requirements for the granting of an operator’s licence following a second assessment, i.e. having failed a first assessment.

2 Stars - Compliance with licensing requirements for the granting of an operator’s licence on first assessment.

3 Stars - Evidence of a history (minimum of six months) of vehicle safety and effective maintenance and inspection regimes for all vehicles.

4 Stars - Demonstrable evidence of a high level of understanding and compliance with equality and diversity, i.e. well above the basic level required for the granting of an operator’s licence.

5 Stars - Demonstrable evidence of an excellent level of customer service, i.e. well above the basic level required for the granting of an operator’s licence.

A report to the committee said: "Publishing Base Check Audit results as a simple '5 Star' rating will provide fare paying passengers (the public) with visibility of the quality of service offered by a private hire company. This in turn will assist in raising and maintaining service standards across the private hire trade."

The committee agreed that the ratings be made public in future.