Taxi Driver Online

Not much flesh on the bones here, so not sure if this is it, or if there's a bit more meat available, but can't be bothered looking it up

But if the class C licences specified here include wedding and funeral cars AND Uber, then it's obviously not simply a case of viewing that class as being similar to our private hire

Bad start to the piece, though, with the misspelling of meter in the strapline


Minister announces review of Taxi legislation starting with wedding cars and Uber

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/mini ... n-31275545

Unlike other taxi firms, Uber drivers do not have to display rooftop signs or install taxi metres

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a phased review of taxi policy and legislation in Northern Ireland.

The current licensing system was introduced following the implementation of the Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. The first stage of the review will look at Class C Taxi Licensing.

Class C taxis are used for chauffeur services, weddings, funerals, and courtesy transport. Unlike other taxi firms in Northern Ireland, Uber also operates on Class C licenses, which means that it does not have to display rooftop signs or install taxi metres in its vehicles.

Announcing the move, Minister Kimmins said: “The taxi industry provides an important service within our community, ensuring people, including the most vulnerable in society, have door-to-door access to work, education, social engagements, and medical appointments. I appreciate that there are a range of issues currently affecting the taxi industry in the North, and I am committed to working with the industry to address these.

“I am aware that the taxi industry, in particular the wedding and funeral car sector, have been seeking a review of Class C licensing for a number of years. While a full review of the Taxi Act would not be possible within the remainder of the current mandate, I am pleased to announce a phased review commencing with a review of Class C Taxi Licensing.

“This will provide an opportunity to listen to concerns and consider options for improving the operation of Class C taxi licensing in the North. In announcing this, I recognise the importance of maintaining a professional taxi industry in the North, improving passenger safety and customer service and reducing illegal taxi activity.

“When this stage has been completed, the next phase of the review of taxi policy and legislation will consider access to wheelchair-accessible vehicles as this is another very significant and important issue.”

Surely that covers most of the work the taxi/PH trade does, other than maybe schools/social services/hospital work.

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IDFIMH

Not really sure about NI, but I think there's a kind of black cab licence - presumably the A class.

Then there's what we'd broadly call private hire, but they're metered and have rooflights, and I think can pick up off the street at busy times

The C-licence is maybe for unmetered cars, but seems to include wedding and funeral cars in NI, as well as the chauffeur type stuff

So I'd guess the reason Uber use the C-licence is because of the meter thing.

I think