Taxi Driver Online

This reply was sent to a driver who asked me to put it up on TDO.

Alex

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your communications of 17 October and 7 November addressed to the Minister for Transport in which you raise the issue of taxi zones and taxi rank signage in the Scottish Borders area, and inquire as to the Scottish Executive’s position with regard to best practice guidance to licensing authorities. I have been asked to reply.

As you will be aware from previous correspondence on taxi licensing matters earlier this year, responsibility for the arrangements pertaining to the licensing of taxis and private hire cars in their areas is a matter for individual licensing authorities in the light of local circumstances and having regard to their powers under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. The question, therefore, of signage at taxi ranks, and the designation of taxi zones in the Scottish Borders area are matters for the discretion of that authority.

I should explain that the guidance which has just been issued and to which you refer relates to England and Wales. Taxi and private hire car licensing matters in Scotland are devolved to the Scottish Parliament. With regard to best practice guidance in Scotland, I can confirm that the Scottish Executive are presently engaged in the preparation of licensing guidance for licensing authorities on a range of issues relating to the licensing of taxis, private hire cars and their drivers. We intend to put draft guidance out to widespread consultation early next year. In view of your interest, I will arrange for you to receive a copy of the consultation paper when it is issued.

I hope that this is helpful.

Yours sincerely

D R Williamson

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ʎɐqǝ uo pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ɐ ʎnq ı ǝɯıʇ ʇsɐן ǝɥʇ sı sıɥʇ

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Interesting, but aren't you lot meant to be the guinea pigs, not us down here?

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IDFIMH

No, thats when the english were actually in charge down here

CC

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

i think the scottish parliment have a stamp made with the words(matter for the individual licensing authorities)i know ive seen it a few times, sussex you are right we are guinea pigs , poll tax/no smoking ban/
the no smoking ban is meant to wipe out lung cancer in twenty years in scotland,i have talked to a lot of punters who have stopped, how many will be saved before england does the same?, as for the poll tax, i look at it as loose money that i spend on bookies/ loose women/ bookies,
its all the same , i work for it i hand it over and see nothing for it..

It will be interesting to see how much the Scottish version mirrors the English one.

One would have thought an issue that's best practise down here really should be best practise up there.

Especially the no quota subject.

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IDFIMH

I personally would like to see the end of zones, in a council area.
A 3 years drivers badge for all at no extra cost.
All punters must take the first cab from any rank, as all cabs are the same price at the end of the day.
Here's hoping