South Ayrshire Council considers ban on front seat passengers in taxishttps://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/loca ... n-13562070Council chiefs are considering whether to reduce the number of passengers who can sit in the front of a taxi.Passengers could be banned from the front of big taxis in South Ayshire after girls threatened to falsely report a private hire driver for “inappropriate” behaviour.
The incident along with other concerns has sparked a proposed shake-up of taxi and private hire rules.
The middle seat in the front could be ditched from fleets of larger vehicles following a public consultation.
The public are going to be asked if people should still be allowed to sit in the front of vehicles.
The consultation will also question if the number of passengers sitting up front should be reduced to one.
South Ayrshire Council’s Leadership Panel heard last week how the middle passenger was seated too close to drivers.
A report presented to councillors said the close proximity left drivers open to accusations of “inappropriate conduct".
Explaining one incident reported to the council, licensing team leader Morag Douglas said: “There were concerns that a driver was threatened by young girls who booked a private hire.
“They left without paying and stated that if the driver took any action the driver would be reported to the police for inappropriate conduct.”
She said the council received other gripes from drivers about what a tight squeeze it is with two passengers in the front.
Ms Douglas told how drivers said having “two larger people in the front seats” meant it is difficult to control the car without touching middle seat passengers.
All eight seater vehicles licensed by the council have two passenger seats in the front and six in the back.
Depute council leader Brian McGinley said: “It is as much about protecting the drivers as the passengers.”
He added: “We need to be cautious and make sure that whatever we come up with doesn’t have unintended consequences.”
Glasgow and Edinburgh City Councils don’t permit passengers in the front seats of taxis.
Feedback from South Ayrshire Taxi and Private Hire Operators’ Forum members suggested the individual drivers should decide if they want passengers up front. The members also told the council there should still be an option to have two passengers seated in the front. There are 127 licensed taxis and 167 private hire vehicles in South Ayrshire.
The specifications if approved would only apply to newly licenced vehicles.
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