New Bill proposed

Info from the TDO(taxidriveronline)
proposal by the President of the Institute of Licensing, Mr James Button, outlined their proposals for a new Taxi Bill.
A New Taxi Bill

Why New Taxi Law?

Existing law elderly

HC/PH Split confusing and impractical

Law confused in many areas


Desirable Requirements for Any Taxi Licensing Regime/1

That the vehicle and driver must be safe and suitable for the purpose, and both should be licensed separately.

There should be national minimum standards for both vehicle and driver, but the local authorities should be able to set higher standards if they wish.

Both the vehicle and driver must be inspected/checked regularly.

There should be no limit on the number of vehicle, driver or operator licenses that an authority can grant.

Desirable Requirements for Any Taxi Licensing Regime/2

Drivers hours should be regulated.

Different types of vehicle should be licensable - both wheelchair accessible and non wheelchair accessible, together with "specialised" vehicles such as limousines (both stretched and non-stretched) and executive vehicles.

All non-specialised vehicles should be allowed to ply for hire and respond to hailings - perhaps only wheelchair accessible ones can use ranks, but others can park where lawful to park and be approached without the need for any advance bookings.

Desirable Requirements for Any Taxi Licensing Regime/3

"Specialised" vehicles could not ply for hire or respond to hailings, but would benefit from less identification and higher fares.

Fares should be regulated for all vehicles up to a maximum that can be charged, but discounts can be offered in any way or situation; specialised vehicles can charge higher fares.

All vehicles should be fitted with calibrated and sealed meters to prevent overcharging.

Desirable Requirements for Any Taxi Licensing Regime/4

All vehicles available for hire on the street/public place should be required to take journeys within the district unless there is a reasonable excuse.

All vehicle should be able to travel anywhere in England and Wales at the same maximum fares.

Desirable Requirements for Any Taxi Licensing Regime/5

A clean sweep of all legislation regarding the creation of taxi ranks should be made, and all taxi ranks created under a single piece of legislation. This would allow enforcement by local authority parking attendants for non-taxi traffic. Wherever possible, already identified passenger transport locations, such as bus stops, should be designated as part-time taxi ranks, for use when demand is highest, usually after buses have ceased operating.

Desirable Requirements for Any Taxi Licensing Regime/6

All vehicles available for hire on the street/public place should be readily identified as such, by means of plates, roof signs, body signs, colours or liveries as the local authority think fit.

Vehicles that are never available for hire on the street/public place (i.e. the "specialised" vehicles) need not be identified as above, but must contain/carry specified information (equivalent at the minimum to plate and driver badge information) which is available for inspection by hirers, police and council officers.

Desirable Requirements for Any Taxi Licensing Regime/7

Licensing districts outside of London should be based upon local authority areas (district councils, metropolitan district councils, unitary authorities, Welsh Counties and County Boroughs) with no subdivision into zones.

Enforcement/policing should be by local authority officers and police constables.

Both the local authority and the CPS should be able to prosecute.

License fees should be set local on the basis of full cost recovery.

Benefits of single tier licensing/1

Simplicity and clarity are the principal benefits to all parties - users, trade and councils.

Every vehicle would be a 'taxi', and could be used in whatever way the owner/driver wished - standing or plying for hire or pre-booking. The question is whether that could be achieved, whilst maintaining public safety and also protecting those involved in the industry from unlicensed competition.

The existing problems of enforcement seen to favour one part of trade over another would disappear.

Benefits of single tier licensing/2

The public would know that any licensed and externally identified vehicle could be used safely and lawfully to transport them in any situation.

Benefits of single tier licensing/3

Overall it would be surprising if any new legislation increased significantly the number of vehicle in use. At present, where HC numbers are not limited, HC and PHV use market forces to determine the number of vehicles that can be supported by the demand for their services. Single tier licensing would encompass all existing vehicles, so the number should stay roughly the same. In areas where HC numbers are limited, PHVs tend to be more numerous, but again, the combination of both types of vehicle provides the service demanded by the public. Single tier licensing would therefore seem to have no more impact on overall vehicle numbers than in non-limited areas above.

Benefits of single tier licensing/4

Problems over insurance for a particular class of vehicle (public hire/private hire) would be eliminated.

Benefits of single tier licensing/5

A wide range of vehicles would still be available for use. It is acknowledged that many disabled people who are not wheelchair bound prefer saloon vehicles to purpose built vehicles, and these would continue to be available from the street or by pre booking. Equally, a large number of wheelchair accessible vehicles would be available as the incentive to provide one would be that ranks could be used. There would be equal or greater business opportunities by allowing multi-type vehicle fleets in areas where numbers are curently restricted. The public would receive an equal or greater choice of vehicle than is currently available.