Taxi Driver Online

This is a few days old now, but just to demonstrate how invested the business and media elites in Aberdeen are in all of this.

This guy has had several opinion pieces previously. This is the one, you know, who sold his company for the thick end of a billion pounds

But, aye, just dump the knowledge test to create more jobs, particularly part-time ones. Cheap labour and gig economy, much?

And, of course, the part-time aspect is probably another element to the driver shortage - the tax checks appeared at about the time there was a shortage of driver anyway, coming out of lockdown...

And maybe that's another thing about the knowledge test - I doubt it's as difficult as is portrayed, but I suspect a lot of applicants just want a part-time 'hustle', or something to tide them over until they get what they may call a 'proper job'. To that extent, they won't put a lot of effort into passing the knowledge.

And, just to demonstrate the effort the P&J put into all of this, the usual slew of photos. If I've missed any or have duplicated them, then that's because I couldn't be bothered checking, and they're too big to directly display on here.

Oh, aye - he's right about the card stuff, though. Obviously

(I think one of the earlier photos is the station taxi rank queue - it's under cover inside the station. The street view of the coloured houses etc is a random photo of Edinburgh.)


Bob Keiller: Aberdeen’s taxi shortages could cost us visitors – and money-spinning major conferences

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... ler-taxis/

If people aren’t confident that they can get a taxi home, they’re less likely to come into the city centre. That affects Aberdeen’s reputation.

Last week I arrived in Aberdeen mid-afternoon on a packed train from Edinburgh – and there were no taxis available at the station.

I watched the last one leave as I came through the barrier and, while a couple of private hire cars were parked outside the Station Hotel, the taxi rank itself was empty.

I’ve also seen long lines of people waiting at the airport taxi rank – especially in the evening – with no taxis available.

It makes you wonder what kind of impression that creates for visitors.

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So I’m glad Aberdeen City Council is consulting on taxi arrangements, and I hope people take the time to share their views – go online and answer the 15 questions.

You can do it in about 10 minutes.

What needs to change?

There are two questions I want to focus on, and here is the first.

Question 11:

“Applicants for a taxi or private hire driver licence must first pass the Street Knowledge Test. Following a working group involving external stakeholders, the contents of the test were recently reviewed.”

What do you think is most appropriate?

1. Current position of the test for all applicants

2. Amended test for private hire drivers

3. No test for private hire drivers

4. No test for any applicants

I’d encourage people to choose either Option 3 or 4 – and here’s why.

I’ve looked at the Street Knowledge Test required to become a taxi driver in Aberdeen - it’s formidable.

It’s easy to see why the pass rate is low and why it can take months to prepare for.

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Bob Keiller: ‘We need more taxis’

There are currently 508 licensed taxis in Aberdeen, which is roughly half of the 1,079 limit in place.

We need more – to support the local economy, create job opportunities, and provide a safe way for people to get home, especially late at night.

Right now, the test is a barrier to more people becoming drivers.

And in my view, it’s unnecessary – especially for private hire drivers, where journeys are pre-booked and destinations are already known. Google Maps works perfectly well.

Neither Edinburgh nor Glasgow require private hire drivers to pass a street knowledge test.

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Aberdeen is smaller and easier to navigate, so there’s no logical reason to keep it.

Doing so is, frankly, economic self-harm – particularly for the evening and night-time economy.

Taxi trade could offer jobs for people out of work in Aberdeen

If people aren’t confident that they can get a taxi home, they’re less likely to come into the city centre.

That affects Aberdeen’s reputation – not just for locals, but for conference organisers considering bringing large events here.

On the other hand, if we all felt confident taxis were readily available, more people would go out, stay longer, and spend more money.

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Increased supply would drive increased demand – supporting local businesses and sustaining jobs.

Unemployment in Aberdeen is rising, and opportunities are shrinking.

With the energy industry shedding jobs, being a part-time private hire driver could be a valuable option for many – whether working independently or with a company.

‘I’ve got no complaints about our city’s fleet’

I’ve never had a bad taxi experience in Aberdeen.

I’ve got no complaints about the drivers, vehicles, or companies.

This is about helping re-energise the city centre – and right now, the lack of taxis is holding that back.

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Bob Keiller: ‘Taxis must ALL accept card payment’

This brings me to question 14 – payment of fares.

It states: “Drivers don’t currently have to accept card payments, as long as passengers are told in advance. Do you think that should change?”

1. Yes

2. No

3. Unsure

My answer is “Yes”.

In this day and age, it’s absurd for drivers to insist on cash.

In many other cities, drivers have to accept both cash and card – it should be the same here.

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If you’ve ever struggled to get a taxi in Aberdeen, if you’ve ever had to wait far too long for a taxi to arrive, if you’ve ever changed your plans because you weren’t sure you’d be able to get a taxi home – speak up.

I’ve submitted my response to the consultation.

If you haven’t yet, take a few minutes and do it today. Even if you completely disagree with me – make your voice heard.

You can take part in the council’s consultation HERE.

Bob Keiller is the chairman of Our Union Street, the community-led organising seeking to regenerate and repopulate Union Street.