Taxi drivers have begun working towards a qualification that will help them offer a better service to passengers.
Eighteen cabbies have attended the first module of the Level 2 SVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving, hosted by the Unite union.
It is hoped the course will improve levels of customer service, following a small number of complaints from the public, as well as allowing drivers to brush up on their skills.
The city is expected to see a substantial rise in visitor numbers in the near future thanks to the V&A museum and waterfront redevelopment.
Graeme Stephen, chairman of the Dundee Taxi Association, was one of the drivers taking the first module.
He said: “The course went very well and a lot of interesting points came up. I’ve driven taxis for 20-odd years but there are always things to learn, especially the health and safety aspects we have to deal with. Those will help not only with passenger safety but also our own safety.”
Dundee City Council released a survey on taxis which revealed that some passengers were not satisfied with the service they received.
Announcing the training plans earlier this month, licensing committee convener Stewart Hunter said: “The vast majority of taxi drivers are excellent, but there is a small minority who have attracted complaints. We want visitors to have a good impression of the city. We do not want people’s first image of Dundee to be negative.”
Mr Stephen said: “Unfortunately, it turned out that some people weren’t happy with the attitude or helpfulness of some drivers. Some places down south have started offering these qualifications for taxi drivers, and bus drivers and long-distance lorry drivers already have to do things like this. The Government is also advising councils to put taxi drivers through some form of training.
“So between the council’s feedback from the public and the advice being given by the Government, it seems as though we’re going to be moving towards qualifications for drivers.”
The SVQ course involves around a dozen modules, each lasting an hour or two. Members of Unite are being put through the training for free.
Mr Stephen added: “As I say, I’ve been in the industry for a long time, but although we know a lot of the things already, the question is whether we’re putting them into practice. The course will show us the right way to be doing things, especially when it comes to health and safety.”