Taxi users’ consultation
Nationwide survey continues – have your say
(Date of issue: Tuesday, 8 June 2010)
Carlisle City Council’s Licensing chiefs are urging local taxi
users’ to take part in a nationwide public consultation.
The online taxi reform survey can be found by visiting -
www.instituteoflicensing.org
- and aims to update outdated licensing laws. Part of the
legislation dates back to 1847.
The Institute of Licensing is holding the consultation and
describes Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicles as a “vital
and integral part of the transport network in the UK”. They state
that:
- There an estimated 600 million journeys in Great Britain each
year;
- They are most commonly used by younger people, those on lower
incomes without access to cars, and women between the ages of 16
and 20;
- There is an estimated 69,000 taxis licensed in England in 2007
(Department of Transport source);
- Over 264,000 individuals hold drivers licences issued local
licensing authorities in England and Wales (Department of Transport
source).
The licensing of hackney carriages in particular dates back to
1847 and private hire vehicles dates back to 1976. Seventeen
principal Acts of Parliament, eight statutory instruments, and over
150 court decisions regulate these activities.
The Institute of Licensing’s nationwide consultation aims to
find out how the existing law is working for different users
including drivers, operators, customers and regulators. The overall
aim is to establish if there is a need for reform of this
legislation outside London, to make it fit for purpose for the 21st
century.
They want to: stop inconsistencies between licensing authorities
in the use of outdated legislation; remove outdated practices and
controls; enhance public protection and safety by virtue of a
simplified system of regulation; promote the environmental impact
of sustainable transport; provide a better structured and more
understandable framework.
The deadline for responses is Wednesday, 30 June 2010.