Taxi Driver Online

For many reading this it will seem like something from years ago on one level, and stating the absolute obvious on the other hand

But the article confirms what I've always thought - none of Scotland's 33 licensing councils has yet to mandate card payment facilities.

But a piece from Edinburgh a couple of years ago said that was because of some sort of legal impediment.

No mention of any such hurdle here, and it certainly wasn't obvious back then what the problem might be that was an impediment in Scotland that wasn't an impediment south of the border

Anyway, the usual prolonged hoohah about councillor permission required just to get the consultation process rolling

But if Glasgow does go through with it, I'd guess other Scottish authorities might follow suit.

But by the time it's all done and dusted we'll probably be on to self-driving taxis anyway, or some other method of payment will be prevalent


Consultation could be held for Glasgow cabs to accept card

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/256 ... cept-card/

A public consultation could be held on whether taxi drivers in Glasgow should be required to accept card payments.

Some operators have installed payment card readers voluntarily but there are currently no conditions that make it necessary for the devices to be available in the city’s taxis.

The council’s licensing section has received “several queries” from members of the public over card payments in taxis — while some operators have also raised the issue due to the number of people now asking drivers if they can pay by card.

Councillors on the city’s licensing committee will decide on Wednesday whether to hold a public consultation on if it should be mandatory for taxi drivers to accept payments by credit/debit card.

A council report states: “Within Scotland, no local authority has yet introduced licence conditions or adopted a policy mandating the use of card payment devices within taxis.

“Notwithstanding this, several English authorities have mandated the use of card payment readers in taxis by conditioning… taxi operator and taxi driver licences to require a card payment device to be installed.

“The number of European cities also introducing a mandatory requirement for card payment facilities to be available for passengers in taxis is ever-increasing.”

It is now “commonplace for members of the public not to carry cash, relying solely on card payments or preferring to use payment methods via a wallet on a smartphone”, the report adds.

There are currently 1,217 taxis licensed by the council and, as well as the public consultation, views would be invited from the trade. Police Scotland and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce would also be consulted.

The consultation would consider how such a requirement would be implemented. Findings would be reported back to the licensing committee.

I warmly welcome Scotland to the 21st century.

25 years after the rest of the UK.

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IDFIMH

To my mind, refusing card payment is just turning away work.

Hopefully, any mandate will be to accept card and give receipts - how it's done being left to the operator/driver. Please not some list of approved devices like they do in London.

about time

constantly asked "do you prefer card or cash"
I always say "whatever suits you,I couldnt care less wether its card or cash

im finding that about 50% to 75% of my work is card payment these days,today for instance I never did a single cash hire

im sick of getting other drivers crap when they apparently dont take cards,never seems to be a problem when theyre going to the airport or out of town,only when its RTFC jobs

I dont mind getting crap hires, we all get them,its all part of being a taxi driver,but only when their MY crap hires,not someone elses who thinks the mug behind me can take that while he sits hoping the next job is a peach

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i started out with nothing and ive still got most of it left

good post - I concur entirely

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

True story - was third cab on Byres Road and saw a group of young men being refused by the cabs in front. I was on guard when they came to me, but the 'big problem' was (1) card payment to (2) Wunderbar West End which would barely move off flag-fall. So I took them, got a £2 tip AND caught an immediate £30 hire outside Wunderbar to Darnley (card again).

Doesn't always work out so well but I took a wee life-lesson that night.