New-look taxi design could be enforced in CheltenhamSMART two-tone taxis could grace the streets of Cheltenham if new rules are approved later this year.
The borough council has said it will look at introducing a compulsory colour scheme for Hackney carriage drivers as part of a review of its policy governing cabbies in the town.
The move would be aimed at creating a clearer distinction between private and Hackney taxis and would mirror schemes which have already been introduced in cities such as Brighton, Cardiff and Bristol.
However, taxi drivers themselves would have to foot the bill for the change, having their vehicles resprayed at a cost of up to £1,500.
Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has lobbied the council to introduce the new regulations, saying it would make the town safer for people flagging down a cab late at night. He said: "I know it would take a few years to introduce and be a bit of a cost to the taxi trade but it would promote a smart image for the town, and would also make the licensed Cheltenham Hackney cabs easily identifiable which would do two things.
"Firstly, it would help to defend Cheltenham cabs against poaching by taxis from elsewhere – especially at peak times like during the festivals – and, secondly, it would help punters to be confident about identifying the safest taxi option.
Important
"This would be particularly important for women at night for instance."
Councillor Peter Jefferies (LD, Springbank), cabinet member for housing and safety, said he had several conversations about introducing such a scheme.
"I think it is a good idea in principle," he said. "The main driver for it would be to improve user safety as it would be absolutely clear which cars are Hackney carriage taxis.
"I don't know what sort of colour scheme we would have in Cheltenham – that's not really for me to say at this stage.
"But we are reviewing our policy for Hackney carriage and private hire taxis later this year and I'm sure this will come up. If it did come in there would be some costs to the taxi drivers. But there would be considerable benefits. Cheltenham is a popular tourist town and apart from anything else, this would make it look much smarter for visitors."
However, cabbies themselves were less enthusiastic about the rules, which would take up to five years to come into play.
When a similar scheme was introduced in Bristol last year it caused uproar among drivers, who voiced fears the extra costs would force many of them off the road.
Di Mitten, secretary of the town's branch of the Hackney Carriage Association, said: "As far as I know these plans are not happening at the moment.
"But it's ridiculous to expect taxi drivers to pay more costs on top of what they do already.
"You've already got £180 for the licensing fee, then your driving license, MOT and insurance on top of that. It just goes on and on.
"So I don't think this is something taxi drivers would welcome."
source:
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/ ... story.html
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