Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers and owners met at the Town Hall on Wednesday to discuss proposed changes to the way the trade will be regulated.

Licensing officers spoke to Hackney Carriage (black cab) drivers, Private Hire (mini-cab) drivers and taxi company owners about seven proposals - some to come into force immediately, others over the next few months.

The proposals include:
- A standard colour scheme for all newly licensed Private Hire cars (red, with white doors)
- A standard colour scheme for all newly licensed Hackney Carriage cars (white, with dark blue bonnet and doors)
- The limit on the number of Hackney Carriages to be removed immediately
- The revised conditions on Hackney Carriages to come into force immediately for new vehicles
- The conditions to be reviewed as and when guidance becomes available from central Government
- The setting up of a working party to review taxi stands in the town
- All Private Hire and Hackney Carriage cars currently licensed to be allowed to remain licensed until the normal age limits for these types of vehicles expires.

Hastings Borough Council has been prompted to look at making changes in the way taxi licenses are issued in light to forthcoming changes in the Disability Discrimination Act.

The most significant change is likely to be the lifting on the number of Hackney Carriage licences.

Licensing officers believe this will provide the town with better taxi cover, particularly at night, and better access for disabled passengers with more Hackney Carriage vehicles available.

There are currently 48 Hackney Carriage vehicles in the town and 139 Private Hire vehicles.

The next step, to bring the plans into fruition, is to devise a consultation document to hand out to taxi users, disability groups and owners/drivers.

Councillor Godfrey Daniel, portfolio holder for transport, said:

"Taxis and Private Hire Cars make an invaluable contribution to transporting people around our town, but we now need to improve that provision still further in a town that's really going places! More taxis of a higher quality are certainly at the centre of our proposals and we welcome your comments to help us meet the future needs of our town and its visitors."

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IDFIMH

A council that is putting standards ahead of quotas.

No wonder the Normans wanted it so much.