Taxi Driver Online

Not entirely clear from this whether they're applying for HC or PH licences, but since they seem to want to exceed the quota figure then I'm assuming it's HC plates they want.

Might have a chance as PHVs, but can't see them getting plated as HCs


Plan for tuktuk service for Newquay needs change of taxi licensing rules

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornw ... ds-3870528

The council's miscellaneous licensing committee will consider an application to increase the number of taxis licensed in the Restormel area as well as a bid to change guidelines for vehicles

They are a more familiar sight in the likes of Thailand but tuktuks could soon be seen on the streets of Cornwall after a bid to launch a new service.

However the plans to have a new electric tuktuk service in Newquay will depend on Cornwall Council altering its regulations for the size of taxis.

The council's miscellaneous licensing committee will consider an application to increase the number of taxis licensed in the Restormel area as well as a bid to change guidelines for vehicles.

It comes after a new company - Nubeez - applied to the council to increase the number of licenses in Restormel above the current figure of 74.

And at the same time the new venture has asked the council to change its rules so it can operate the electric vehicles which can carry two passengers.

Nubeez, which is run by Giorgia Hosley and Prasad Raja, has submitted its business plan to the licensing committee as part of its application.

In a section outlining their "motivation" they state: "Newquay both for tourists as well as residents offers several attractions particularly the south-west coastal stretch extending across the entire coastal line.

"Both for residents and tourists - for short distance trips and pick-up from coastal hikes we intend to provide the Nubeez taxi service (discover long trail hiking without having worry about return routes).

"We want to provide a non-disruptive pickup taxi service and micro transportation facilities which will be more needed in the future with the advent of electric and sustainable solutions.

"Enhance the attractiveness of sightseeing and hiking tours with pickup service from hotspots."

Explaining the service the company states: "The service will facilitate tourists and locals when short distance transport is needed.

"Two seater and less space consumption. We set out goals to emphasize on sustainable and long term environmental friendly transport.

"Electric vehicle with zero pollution and possible enhancements for solar charging for future vehicles.

"We can provide full time service. Routes in town and hotspot pickup hotpots (sic) with preservation for south west coastal hikers Watergate, Crantock, Porth, Fistral, Constantine Bay and Holywell Bay."

The company says it plans to use the zBee vehicle which is made by Clean Motion and that surfboard carriers and baggage boxes can be added.

It states that initially it wants to operate two vehicles.

The miscellaneous licensing committee will consider whether to allow the number of licences issued in Restormel to increase and to change guidelines for vehicles when it meets on February 28.

The only way these vehicles have of making money, or maybe not losing so much, is via the plying for hire market.

But that aint going to happen.

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IDFIMH

I wonder if there is a waiting list for people wanting to put on a hackney? If there is they wont be happy if suddenly the limit is changed just to allow Tuktuks.

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Grandad,

Cannot understand the thinking of some,reading what they propose for their business it is obvious it is going to be a private hire operation so they do not require Hackney Carriages to do this.

Bullshit bingo, all the buzzwords are there;

"non-disruptive" "micro transportation facilities" "future advent of electric" "sustainable solutions".

"Enhance" "attractiveness" "sightseeing" "hiking tours" "hotspots."

"service" "facilitate" "tourists" "short distance transport".

It's all there folks, eyes down, look in.

Indeed - was about to say to Heathcote that it sounds more like advertising/marketing/PR spiel rather than what will probably be the reality.

Or perhaps wishful thinking by the applicants - they want to be taking hikers on ten-mile runs, but more likely it'll be pish-heads going half-a-mile to the next pub, hanging out over the sides, shouting and bawling blah, blah.

Which is perhaps why they use the word 'hotspot' several times, which is maybe a reference to plying for hire.

And to that degree (and as Sussex says) they're maybe realistic enough to know that in order to even hope to make a bit of cash they'll need to target the plying for hire market, which is why they want HC plates.

And as Grandad says, there's no doubt others waiting for HC plates, and unlikely the council would accommodate tuktuks within the HC vehicle spec anyway

and of course they checked out whether or not it is possible to license tuk tuks first

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

It happens all the time with things like planning and licensing the council are "sounded out" first before any application goes in

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

So you're saying it's been intimated to the applicants that the HC spec will be changed to accommodate tuktuks, and they can jump the queue for new licenses?

If so then I suspect they should prepare for disappointment

I think it was pointed out on here many years ago that legally there is no such thing as a waiting list, but there is a “register of interest” and a council could issue new licences to anyone they chose too. Or maybe I dreamt that. what do you think Sussex?

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Former taxi driver

You dreamt it.

I think if a council has a waiting to list then they really should issue any new licenses to those on it. A case of legitimate expectation. Although there is no legal requirement to have a list.

In fact many councils now issue via a ballot. Which I think is not on as someone with a plate can get another one instead of the poor bugger that journeys his first.

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IDFIMH

Conditions of Entry on to the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Waiting List
As from I April 2002, the previously maintained separate hackney carriage vehicle licence waiting lists for category B (Brighton) and for category H (Hove) hackney carriage vehicle licences will be combined into one list, based on the annual credits earned by each person on those lists, and that combined list will be maintained henceforth;
1. To be eligible to apply for inclusion on the hackney carriage vehicle licence waiting list an applicant will have to fulfil the following requirements:
a. hold a current Brighton and Hove hackney carriage or private hire driver licence:
b. not be the proprietor or part proprietor of a licensed hackney carriage vehicle in Brighton and Hove or have been a proprietor or part proprietor of a licensed
hackney carriage vehicle in Brighton & Hove:
2. Applicants whose licences are temporarily suspended due to illness or have renewal applications pending due to illness may apply.
3. The waiting list will be maintained on an annual basis and the effective year of a list shall be from Ist May to the 30th April following. Applications to be included on that year’s list must be made 1st March to the 31st March proceeding, online via the Council’s website;
4. A fresh application will be required each year. The Council will accept applications received after this date only in the most exceptional extenuating circumstances;
5. On receipt of a valid application the applicant’s name will be entered onto the waiting list;
6. A draft list of all applicants will be published in April annually and objections to the accuracy of the information contained in the list must be made in writing to the Head of Regulatory Services and give all available details;
7. It will be the responsibility of each applicant to check that his/her name is included on the list and where a claim for full time working has been made that this is also noted;
8. No credit will be given in the year claimed unless the relevant licence to drive has been held for the full period claimed
9. When a hackney carriage vehicle licence is made available it will be allocated to a person named on the effective waiting list and will normally be offered to applicants on the waiting list in order of priority, such priority to be determined by reference to the number of years on which the applicants name has been on the list. This will be subject to compliance with the following conditions:
a. the applicant must hold a current Brighton & Hove hackney carriage or private hire driver licence.

b. a hackney carriage vehicle licence will not be issued to a person who currently is the proprietor or part proprietor of a licensed hackney carriage in Brighton and Hove
c. the taxi licensing office must be satisfied that the applicant is financially able to provide and operate a hackney carriage vehicle
d. the applicant must be a fit and proper person to operate a hackney carriage vehicle. Past record and previous convictions will be taken into account
e. where two or more applicants have the same number of credit points (years), a ballot (as decided by the council) will be held in order to rank them in order of priority.
10. When making application all applicants will be required to disclose previous convictions.