Taxi Driver Online

Usual conflation of 'taxi drivers' and proprietors/operators/plateholders here, or whatever term is best.

But I doubt you need to be Sherlock Holmes to work out who are in favour of the cap, and who would want the cap removed

And, particularly in view of the WAV angle, I think it's also fair to assume where this is all going...


Taxi trade review due

https://dng24.co.uk/taxi-trade-review-due/

A REVIEW of the taxi trade in Dumfries and Galloway could result in major changes being implemented so that the public are better served.

Investigations have been ongoing for the past couple of years into taxi operations, availability, and unmet demand.

Disabled passengers are being badly let down by a lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) – as there are just three covering the entire region.

And there are also questions over the current taxi zone setup and the current cap of 70 drivers for Dumfries town centre.

Taxi drivers are split over whether the cap should remain, or be increased, according to a survey.

Councillors will next week consider making significant changes so the taxi trade can deliver a better service for the public, including increasing the number of taxis and WAVs locally.

They will choose between removing the current zoning structure or retaining it; whether to increase the cap on taxi numbers; and how to improve the number of WAV taxis.

As of January 2026, there were 185 taxis, 60 private hire cars, and just three wheelchair accessible vehicles on the roads in Dumfries and Galloway.

Nearly 60 taxi drivers and operators shared their opinions in the recent survey and views were mixed, with 16 in favour of the 70-vehicle cap being removed for Dumfries trading zone and 22 opposing the idea.

On increasing the cap, numbers varied from 70 and 80 to 100, 120, and more.

Meanwhile, officials have put forward potential actions that could increase the number of WAVs by 26.

They suggested restricting any new taxi operator licence applications to be WAVs only; and introducing a new ‘taxi licence’ for Dumfries and Galloway to allow WAVS only to be operated throughout the region i.e. not zone restricted.

These are all just suggestions and no decision will be taken until councillors fully discuss the research and options in front of them.

If 70 is the current cap, and the cap was increased on the basis of WAVs for new plates, I somehow doubt an increased cap number of 120 would be at all relevant - numbers just wouldn't get there, even if the cap was completely removed

Of course, it all depends on stuff like how tight the current cap is, and any proposed WAV spec for new plates etc

So I suppose this simply means that HC numbers have been uncapped on the basis of presenting a WAV for plating, thus a fairly standard scenario in many areas with a traditionally saloon fleet

But the stuff about the zoning makes it sound a bit different from that norm, but in effect it's really no different, at least if you view the currently capped zone as effectively a different licensing area. Or whatever


Dumfries and Galloway Council Approves New Taxi Rules to Boost Wheelchair Access

https://www.dgwgo.com/dumfries-galloway ... ir-access/

At its meeting on Thursday 19 March, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Enabling and Customer Services Committee approved a package of measures to support taxi services across the region and improve the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs).

Councillors considered evidence from a recent taxi demand survey and feedback from drivers and community groups before deciding on steps to strengthen taxi and private hire provision.

As part of the plan, the committee agreed to retain the current two-zone licensing system – keeping the Dumfries Trading Zone and the existing rest-of-region zone – and to continue capping taxi licences in the Dumfries zone at 70.

Councillors also approved the creation of a new licensing zone specifically for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This dedicated WAV zone will allow any licensed wheelchair-accessible taxi to operate throughout Dumfries and Galloway, rather than being limited to one area.

To encourage more wheelchair-accessible taxis on the road, the council will reduce licensing fees for those vehicles. A new or renewed WAV taxi licence will cost £230, and the fee for substituting a vehicle will be £65.

The committee also agreed to lobby the Scottish and UK governments for financial assistance to help taxi operators purchase and maintain wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and to help address wider challenges facing taxi and private hire services in rural areas.

Councillor John Campbell, Chair of the Enabling and Customer Services Committee, said: “This is an important issue for communities across Dumfries and Galloway, particularly in relation to accessibility and the availability of taxi services. Members have considered the evidence carefully and agreed a package of measures which aims to improve wheelchair accessible provision while recognising the practical pressures facing operators.

“The creation of a new Zone is a significant step. It is intended to help encourage more wheelchair accessible vehicles onto the road and improve access for people who rely on those services, while retaining the current arrangements in the existing zones.”

Councillor Ben Dashper, Vice-Chair of the Committee, said: “There is no single easy answer here, but this gives us a practical way forward. It reflects the need to improve accessibility while keeping the wider picture of taxi provision across the region in mind.”