Dumfries and Galloway Council is holding a consultation on new proposals for improved taxi and private hire licensing across the region. The proposals, which were formed from a recent review of taxi and private hire consultation, include:
• Introduction of a dress code for taxi and private hire drivers;
• Introduction of a compulsory knowledge test for taxi drivers. This will be extended to private hire drivers after pending law change;
• Introduction of compulsory training for taxi and private hire drivers on application for grant and renewal;
• Allow and encourage CCTV in vehicles;
• Require taxi and private hire drivers to comply with the stricter Group 2 Medical Standards (usually restricted to bus drivers and lorry drivers) rather than, as now, Group 1 Medical Standards (non-professional, domestic drivers)
The follow-up consultation is seeking opinions on these new proposals and will run from Wednesday 13 May until Friday 12 June.
The consultation can be completed on the council website www.dumgal.gov.uk/consultations.
The results of this consultation will be submitted to the Council’s Licensing Panel in June 2015: a summary of the survey results and Panel report will be published on the Council’s website www.dumgal.gov.uk.
Any decisions of the Panel will then be put to the Council’s Policy and Resources committee meeting on 22 September 2015.
Clerk to the Licensing Panel, Alex Haswell, said “It’s clear from the recent survey that the public take an interest in the local Taxi and Private Hire Fleet. Taxis and private hire vehicles provide a crucial part of the local transport provision and their drivers are often giving the first impression of our region to visitors. We want the public to take pride in the fleet.
Responses gave overwhelming support for the introduction of a dress code, a knowledge test and customer care training for drivers. Customer care should include equalities, disability awareness and etiquette and child care issues. CCTV is something which has been promoted by the trade for the safety of their drivers and the use of the stricter medical standards reflects current guidance.
In addition to the general public and the trade, approaches are being made to groups having a particular interest in the issues raised including DGVoice, the Accessible Transport Forum, Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association, Mum to Mum and the Older People’s Consultative Group
We hope that the level and content of response to this new consultation will be as impressive as the last one. All responses and views will assist in our task of improving local Taxi and Private Hire licensing.”
HAVE YOUR SAY ON PROPOSALS FOR DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY’S TAXI’S AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS
