Taxi wars’ warning over radical proposals
Radical proposals: There is currently a limit of 50 white plate taxis in Aylesbury town
Removing the limit on how many taxis can operate in Aylesbury could lead to ‘taxi wars’, it has been warned.
Currently, 50 white plate taxis are allowed in the area, but a national report has proposed licensing authorities lose the power to restrict taxi numbers.
In a discussion on the Law Commission’s proposed reforms, some members of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s (AVDC) licensing committee suggested if the town was flooded with taxis the quality of service would go down.
But others said the limit was ‘anti-competitive’.
Councillors also debated proposals to remove the requirement for private hires to hold three licences issued by the same authority.
The reforms were being discussed as part of a consultation by the Law Commission, which is proposing radical changes to the law.
On restricting taxi numbers, Councillor Jackie Phipps said after making Aylesbury taxis spend money to meet standards, removing the limit would be ‘like throwing them to the lions’ as they would lose cash through business going to other service providers.
Councillor Judy Brandis said: “I’m worried about taxi wars.”
Others raised concerns that such a move could ‘kill’ the Aylesbury taxi service, saying quality of service would be likely to suffer.
However, not all opposed the proposed reform.
Councillor Sir Beville Stanier said the limit creates an ‘unfair playing field’, while Councillor Steven Lambert said the situation is ‘anti-competitive’ and that taxis would survive if there was the demand for them.
The Law Commission has proposed having a national safety requirement for taxis and private hire vehicles, but some councillors were still uncomfortable with the idea of vehicles licensed outside the Vale operating in the area.
Councillor David Vick, who was concerned about standards slipping, said: “It goes completely against everything that we try and do with private hires and taxis.
“What are the standards that they are going to set? If they are not high enough we are in trouble.”
But Councillor Peter Cooper said: “If there were national mandatory standards, standards would be the same all over.”
Councillor Brandis said people would be likely to buy licenses from whichever authority sold them for the cheapest.
She said: “We might lose a lot of money over this.”
source: http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/local ... -1-4060343
