Maybe old news now but I am not sure !
can anyone enlighten me on this ?
I just heard of it !
NEW LAWS TO IMPROVE TAXI SERVICES
Environment Minister David Cairns has announced consultation on new laws to regulate taxis.
The Minister said: "Taxi users will get a much better deal as a result of changes that this new legislation will allow us to bring in. It will be easier for them to find out what fare they should be charged and how it has been worked out. There will be a lot less confusion about different types of taxis and when they are allowed to pick passengers. As well as that, taxi operators and drivers will be expected to raise their game by getting relevant training and becoming much more focussed on meeting customer needs.
"We have a busy and growing taxi sector in which many people work very hard, often at unsociable hours, to provide high quality services to their customers. I want to demonstrate my commitment to support the taxi industry to drive those standards even higher. I also want to continue to tackle the menace of illegal activity that I know holds back the taxi industry and damages its image. That's why I'm determined to apply tougher enforcement and other measures to make sure that every taxi on our roads is safe, driven by an insured, licensed driver and operated through a reputable taxi business."
David Cairns said that the consumer rights of taxi users must be protected and that taxi services should be made as accessible as possible to everyone who wants to use them, including people with disabilities.
He said, "These proposals have the potential to deliver the most significant reform of taxi regulation for many years and bring major benefits to the trade and to everyone who uses its services. Everyone is welcome to contribute to the consultation and we look forward to knowing what thoughts people have about regulating taxi services."
The Minister encouraged everyone who uses or provides taxi services to comment on the proposals. A series of public meetings will be held in September.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The consultation period will run from 15 August until 7 November 2006.
The aim is to have the legislation in place by March 2007 although it will not all be commenced at that time.
Proposed measures in the Order include
Provisions giving police and Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency Enforcement Officers more and stronger enforcement powers to tackle illegal taxiing. These include powers to:
- stop and seize unlicensed taxis
- inspect premises where it is suspected taxi services are being provided without an operator's licence - the maximum fine for which will be £2,500
provisions making it possible for DOE to improve the standard of taxi services by:
- bringing in operator licensing for taxi businesses
- allowing all taxis to pick up on the streets without a booking
- setting maximum fare rates for all taxis
- requiring all taxis to have taximeters
- making all new drivers pass a taxi driving test
- insisting that all taxi drivers have relevant training, including in how to deal with customers
- allowing some taxis to operate shared services able to charge individual passengers separate, but cheaper-than-normal fares
- requiring operators to provide more taxis designed to meet the needs of older people and people with disabilities
- allowing only accessible vehicles like these to use taxi ranks
A copy of the consultation document can be found at:
http://www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/consultations and anyone wishing to make comments can do so via this website or in writing to Road Transport Regulation Review Branch, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB.
Public meetings at which people can hear more about the proposals will be held in September at seven venues across Northern Ireland. The details are in the consultation paper.
For further News Media information contact DOE Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0003.
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