Taxi Driver Online

Survey to look at taxi demand, but could limiting their numbers actually be bad for the environment?

Councillors voted to start a survey to see what the demand for Hackney Carriages is in the city

Councillors are considering limiting the number of Hackney Carriages in the city - despite concerns it might encourage worse pollution from an influx of private hire vehicles.

Today (March 20), councillors on Cambridge City Council’s Licensing Committee unanimously agreed to survey demand for Hackney Carriages in Cambridge with a view do deciding whether their numbers need to be limited.

As part of the survey, cameras could be set up to gauge the numbers of people at taxi ranks and to observe the demand from queuing customers.

But some expressed concerns, saying that if Hackney Carriage numbers were limited, the demand would be taken up by private hire vehicles and Uber cars, which were harder for the city council to regulate. This could lead to worse pollution and fewer vehicles with disabled access.

Cllr Ann Sinnott said: “I think one of the things about measuring excess need or unmet needs is the number of private hires. We have quite a number of Hackney Carriages in the city that meet ‘X’ demand, and we have no control over private hires.

“If they did not believe they could not get sufficient business in the city, they would not come in. It is the private hires that annoy so many people because they park on the streets and keep their engines running.

“My fear is that if the survey decides we have more Hackney Carriages than are required and we should reduce numbers, the consequence would be an increase in the number of private hires, and it is them that cause anti-social behaviour and have worse emissions by leaving engines running.”

Environmental Health Manager, Yvonne O’Donnell, said it was important to wait until the results of the survey were in before commenting on any impact measures might have on private hire cars.

She also said cameras will be put up for two to three weeks to keep an eye on demand at taxi ranks in the city to gather information for the survey.

Cllr Martin Smart said having too many Hackney Carriages in the city was an environmental issue as the fumes from diesel engines impacted on air quality.

Cllr Smart said any survey that did not include data on private cabs or Uber vehicles would risk producing a skewed picture of demand in Cambridge.

“It seems to me it would be like measuring water in a leaking bucket,” he said. “We are trying to measure something but it is not clear because it keeps changing.”

Cllr George Pippas welcomed the survey, saying it would be good to be able to make a decision on Hackney Carriages that was based on objective data.

The results of the survey will be reported back to the committee in January 2018.

source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/ca ... d-12769667

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

are they going to allow for the large seasonal variation ? such as at exam time or when the tourist aren't about much

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I think they need folk in this area who have a f*cking clue

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Are all councillors that fu**ing thick?

_________________
IDFIMH

Over to you Grandad........

_________________
Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

He's not been elected yet!

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

He is even standing again yet.

_________________
Grandad,

typical politician giving a confusing answer

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

A politician always answers a question with a question.