SKT = Street Knowledge Test
But another one where the P&J is punting the council's consultation on the knowledge etc via a local bigwig
This time, though, he's a bit more cautious about abolishing the knowledge...
Maybe he recogises the danger of the race to the bottom that's maybe more evident in the big English cities, courtesy of Wolverhampton etc
But another slew of photos...and don't think I've put them all in here...
Chester Hotel boss: ‘International guests expect Uber — but I’m not sure it’s the solution for Aberdeen’
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... sultation/
Stephen Gow says there's "absolutely no doubt" guests look for Uber in Aberdeen, but he thinks other issues like an airport rules change could help boost availability...
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Aberdeen’s taxi talks have been “bubbling away rightly or wrongly for a long time”, a city hotel boss tells me.
And Stephen Gow, general manager of the Chester Hotel, hopes a recently launched consultation will bring much-needed clarity to the situation that has sparked debate for years.
Business leaders claim rules need relaxed, which could allow Uber to enhance its fleet, while taxi bosses argue any shortages are already being dealt with.
While much has been going on “quietly in the background” to boost driver numbers in the city, the hotel boss tells The P&J that the market, and transport across the world, is changing.
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But this consultation is a chance for Aberdeen to decide whether it should adapt, or take a different approach.
‘Guests expect Uber in Aberdeen, but it may not be the solution everybody’s looking for’
Mr Gow served as the vice-chair of the Aberdeen City and Shire Hotel Association for seven years, and says other hotel bosses have been discussing the taxi situation over the last few years.
And while he doesn’t want to speak on behalf of them all, he does tell us there’s “absolutely no doubt” international guests visiting the Chester expect to find plenty of Uber options in Aberdeen.
This was an issue when it first launched with a scant handful of drivers, though numbers are now understood to be around the 40 mark.
But Mr Gow also understands why taxi companies are against the firm expanding further in the Granite City.
“It may not be the panacea, the solution, that everybody’s looking for,” he adds.
“But that is why we’re having this consultation, to understand what that looks like and what the demand looks like.”
When it comes to scrapping the Street Knowledge Test for private hire drivers, who know the arrival and destination points before setting off, he isn’t quite so sure.
The hotelier believes it’s important drivers have some form of training — whether that is being quizzed about the streets of Aberdeen or on customer experience.
‘I think the welcome to the city is incredibly important for guests arriving at the airport’
Aberdeen is currently split into two zones — one for the city and one for the airport.
That means only specifically licensed drivers can pick-up weary travellers from the airport ranks.
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But the ongoing consultation asks if this should be reconsidered, and Mr Gow is particularly interested in finding out what people think about this.
“I think the welcome to the city is incredibly important when people come into the railway station or into the airport,” he tells me.
“And gives a lasting impression of the city.”
It comes after Aberdeen business leader Bob Keiller warned that a lack of taxis at travel hubs risks putting visitors off returning.
As for the thousands of cruise ship tourists flocking into Aberdeen South Harbour, Mr Gow says they get an “amazing welcome” thanks to the “most fantastic cruise volunteers” waiting on the quayside.
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They welcome visitors, give them advice on what to do, where to go and how to get to places.
Let’s see how we can move forward as a city to provide a 21st century transport service’
Mr Gow says it’s important to understand when taxis are needed and how they can deal with the peaks — especially when there’s events on in the city.
But he also thinks that the bus service should come into these discussions too.
And he stresses that the consultation is important, because it gives people the chance to share their views and make it clear what the city needs.
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However, he finishes: “I don’t think it’s as simple as we can flip a switch and things are going to change.
“There’s much more to this, and that’s why I think it’s really important we encourage as many people as possible to get involved with the consultation.
“And then let’s have some really constructive discussions about how we can move forward to provide a 21st century transport that satisfies the needs of both the people that live in the city and the visitors to the city.”
You can take part in the council’s taxi consultation and have your say HERE.