A3 TAXIS

Company: A3 Taxis Ltd

BACKGROUND
The Company holds and/or tenders for Passenger Transport Services contracts, including School Transport Services, with Local Authorities. This Agreement is intended to ensure full compliance with Council contractual conditions, safeguarding obligations, and service continuity requirements.

1. STATUS OF DRIVER
1.1 The Driver is engaged as an independent self-employed subcontractor.
1.2 Nothing in this Agreement shall create a contract of employment, partnership, or agency.
1.3 The Driver is responsible for their own tax and National Insurance obligations.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES
2.1 The Driver shall provide passenger transport services, including school run services, as allocated by the Company.
2.2 Services must be delivered strictly in accordance with:
a) Allocated routes, timetables, and instructions;
b) Council contract conditions;
c) Company policies and procedures.

3. AVAILABILITY, ABSENCE & CONTINGENCY
3.1 The Driver must notify the Company of sickness, unavailability, or vehicle failure no later than one (1) hour prior to any scheduled journey.
3.2 The Driver agrees to cooperate fully with contingency and continuity arrangements, including reasonable requests to provide emergency or substitute cover.
3.3 Failure to comply with contingency requirements may be treated as a serious breach.

4. SAFEGUARDING & DBS
4.1 The Driver must hold a valid Enhanced DBS certificate suitable for working with children.
4.2 The Driver must comply at all times with the Company's Safeguarding Policy and any Local Authority safeguarding requirements.
4.3 Any safeguarding concern, incident, or allegation must be reported immediately to the Company.

5. LICENSING & LEGAL COMPLIANCE
5.1 The Driver must maintain a valid taxi/private hire licence issued by a recognised licensing authority.
5.2 The Driver must comply with all applicable legislation, council conditions, and statutory guidance relating to passenger transport and school transport.

6. VEHICLE STANDARDS & MAINTENANCE
6.1 Vehicles used must:
a) Be licensed, insured, and roadworthy;
b) Meet Council and Company school transport standards;
c) Be subject to regular inspections and maintenance.
6.2 Any defect affecting safety or service delivery must be reported immediately.

7. INSURANCE
7.1 The Driver must maintain:
a) Hire & Reward motor insurance;
b) Any additional insurance required by Council contracts.
7.2 Evidence of insurance must be provided upon request.

8. COMMUNICATION & OPERATIONAL CONTROL
8.1 The Driver must remain contactable via telephone, SMS, or WhatsApp during operational hours.
8.2 The Company retains full operational control over route allocation, substitutions, and service delivery.

9. CONFIDENTIALITY & DATA PROTECTION
9.1 All passenger, school, and contract information is confidential.
9.2 The Driver must comply with data protection legislation, including UK GDPR.

10. SUBCONTRACTING & CLAUSE 33 COMPLIANCE
10.1 This Agreement is intended to satisfy subcontracting requirements under Clause 33 of Conditions of Contract for Passenger Transport Services.
10.2 The Driver shall not further subcontract any services without prior written consent of the Company.

11. SERVICE CONTINUITY
11.1 The Driver acknowledges the critical importance of continuity in school transport services.
11.2 The Driver agrees to take all reasonable steps to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

12. TERMINATION
12.1 Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days' written notice.
12.2 The Company may terminate immediately in the event of:
a) Safeguarding breach;
b) Loss of licence or insurance;
c) Serious misconduct;
d) Repeated failure to meet service standards.

13. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.