Taxi Driver Online

Changes announced as Dorset Council publishes fresh taxi licensing policy

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/19407 ... ng-policy/

A NEW maximum tariff for taxi fares will come into force and taxi drivers will be required to have more regular DBS checks as part of a new policy being proposed across the whole of the Dorset Council area.

Taxis will also be permitted to start charging for companies to advertise on their vehicles to earn extra money, while all applications for taxi licences made for fully electric vehicles will be accepted.

The purpose of the new proposed taxi licensing policy is to update and replace the different licensing policies that were in place while Dorset's borough and district councils were in operation.

A key part of the policy is to remove zones from all Dorset Council areas where there are currently no limits to the number of licensed taxis - the only area where there is a limit is in the area formerly covered by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. Here, there will be a limit of 80 hackney carriages, however, this limit does not apply to fully electric licensed taxis or to private hire vehicles.

Because there will be no zones, apart from the Weymouth and Portland zone, the council has proposed setting one maximum tariff for hackney carriages across the whole of the council area. It will be an offence to charge more than the maximum limit.

In a bid to keep users safe, Dorset Council has also significantly reduced the length of time in between drivers getting DBS checks from once every three years to once every six months.

The policy also permits drivers to advertise on licensed vehicles to provide alternative sources of income to taxi drivers - a freedom which is currently restricted.

The council has launched a consultation of the proposed policy to find out what members of the public think of it. The survey will be available until September 19.

Councillor Emma Parker, chair of Dorset Council's licensing committee, said: "Dorset's taxi operators provide a vital service to this county's residents and it's important that we have a single policy in place to ensure that drivers are treated fairly and consistently and that the public are kept safe.

"Before Dorset Council was formed, each of our predecessor district and borough councils had their individual policies setting out how they would process hackney carriage and private hire matters. We've considered each of these policies when drafting the new taxi policy and any areas of good practice have been retained and developed.

"We would encourage any Dorset residents, organisations or businesses who use taxis, either once in a while or more frequently, to please take part in the consultation and let us know your views. Thank you for your support."

A final draft policy will be considered for adoption in October and November.

To view the full taxi licensing policy and take part in the consultation, visit the Dorset Council website.

So that means they've derestricted for those plating an electric HC?

Of course, not unusual for capped saloon areas to be derestricted for new WAVs, but is this the first example of this for EVs?

I think you may well be correct but many areas including ours offer plate fee discounts for EV's

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

Can see it being repeated in other areas.

Maybe the council if it is so concerned, about getting electric vehicles, they should consider making existing licenses go that way on replacement.

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IDFIMH

My view for what it is worth is no Council can offer a discount on Hackney Carriage plate fees, they may on private hire vehicle or driver fees as it is allowed within the Act but no where does it state they can discount on Hackney Carriage and driver fees.

It's like the WAV thing, though, so it's easier to compel new plates to run EVs rather than force it on incumbents.

New PH plates in Dundee have to be EVs, but as far as I know existing PH plateholders can carry on with conventional replacements.

And anyone buying one of the capped HC plates has to put an EV on

Your view has lots of worth, but on this issue I disagree.

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IDFIMH

Bit confusing this initially - thought this meant a *new* numbers cap in Weymouth and Portland, rather than simply the cap being maintained in the area following its amalgamation into the new Dorset Council.

And had forgotten about this older thread, which makes things a bit clearer.

Odd thing, though, the earlier article said there would be an exemption from the cap for EVs, but no mention of the usual WAV exemption.

Now this latest piece says there's an exemption from the cap for WAVs, but no mention of EVs - only that they'd be encouraged

Of course, a brief report like this unlikely to cover all the details, but can't be bothered looking it all up.

(And, for what it's worth, the article is more than a fortnight old.)


New regulations to limit number of taxis in Weymouth and Portland

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/19664 ... -portland/

HACKNEY Carriage licences in Weymouth and Portland are likely to be limited to 80 vehicles over the next three years.

The proposal is expected to become part of new taxi regulations which will be agreed by Dorset Council later this year.

The area is the only place in the rural county where there is said to be no unmet demand, apart for wheelchair accessible vehicles, which are still likely to be approved in the area provided they meet the criteria. In all other places new applications will be considered on their merits and not limited to a cut-off figure.

The new policy, which brings together the regulations for the whole of the Dorset Council area for the first time, sets out what is expected from drivers and their vehicles.

It sets out the rules for safeguarding checks, driver conduct, fares and fare cards, the duty to carry guide dogs and assistant dogs, how to deal with found property and how to deal with customer and other personal information.

The regulations include the standard vehicles are expected to meet although it lays down no limits on the age, mileage or type of vehicle, other than to say they must pass a twice yearly mechanical check.

Councillors were told that, although it could not be enforced, drivers would be encouraged to use electric vehicles or zero emission vehicles when considering a replacement.

Weymouth councillor Ryan Hope has asked for the policy on documentation, including receipts and fare cards to be reconsidered. He says the current rules say that the name and home address of the driver must be included on documents, which is says could put them at risk.

Another councillor, Jon Andrews, has asked for consideration to be given to cabs being fitted with dash cams which he says are now in common use in and around Sherborne.

The new policy brings together regulations and standards from the six, previous, Dorset councils and comes about after meetings of stakeholder groups earlier in the year and a 12-week public consultation which ended in September and attracted 35 comments.

It is expected to go before a licensing committee meeting later in the year for approval.

Driver's name and home address on the fare card? Really?

Suspect the reality isn't quite as portrayed here.

But don't doubt that the council requires the driver's name and home address on receipts.

No, no, no