Taxi Driver Online

COUNTY’S CABBIES TO BE CONSULTED ON FUTURE TAXI POLICY



Durham County Councillors agreed to ask taxi drivers for their views on a new taxi policy which could harmonise licensing arrangements across the county.

Members of the County Council’s Cabinet agreed to widespread consultation on a draft policy, which would come into effect with the new unitary council next April.

Councillor Bob Young, Cabinet member for Environment, said at present each of the seven district councils had their own set of fares, licence fees, bylaws and conditions but none has a formal taxi policy.

"The new council will act as the Licensing Authority from April and we are looking to harmonise standards to provide a better service for everyone," he said.

"Currently there are 1,500 hackney carriage and private hire vehicles in the county and 2,500 licensed taxi drivers.

"If we maintain the present set-up, we could have seven different sets of conditions, fees and fares which can only lead to confusion among the public and discontent in the trade.

"We have drawn up this draft policy which we want to circulate as widely as possible to get the views of local people and the taxi trade before any decisions are made on a range of options.

"These include retaining the existing seven taxi zones, retaining the seven zones after next April but for a limited period, limiting the number of taxis in the zones, and having a single taxi licensing zone.

"We will take on board the views and opinions we receive and use them to help us come to a decision.

"The licensing of taxis is always going to be a sensitive issue and today’s decision by the Cabinet is just the first step along the road. There will much discussion before anything is finalised and decisions are made," he said.

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

How very noble of them.

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IDFIMH

Hallelujah

They also have a regulated LA amongst deregulated ones?

CC

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

Isn't a single zone considered best practice?

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If they have more delimited than limited, then I'm all for democracy winning out.

If not then I'm not.

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IDFIMH