NEW BPG: HELP OR HINDERANCE? COMPARISON OF TAXI FARES GROWTH WITH CPI AND PASSENGER TRANSPORT BY ROAD


ARE DRIVER SHORTAGES LINKED TO FARE EROSION?


Driver shortages are commonly identified as an issue which limits supply of taxis and private hire vehicles in some localities and during some periods. When we look at the effective reduction in fares (when adjusted for inflation), it is perhaps not surprising that there are shortages of drivers.


• Identifying suitable locations for new ranks • Defining the role that taxis and private hire vehicles play within the wider local transport provision


• Identifying potential measures which will enhance and capitalise on services which taxis and private hire vehicles may provide


The BPG recognises the


relationship between fare levels, earning levels for taxi drivers and the level of availability of taxis. After all, irrespective of how many taxis are licensed in each area, if drivers aren’t driving them, they are not available to hire. The BPG has identified the logical relationship between fares and taxi availability.


Whilst the revised Best Practice Guidance provides some additional clarity, it also places some significant burdens on licensing officers.


IN SUMMARY


There appears to be an increased need for: • Gathering and assessing contemporary data on taxi rank use


• Assessing the suitability of existing taxi ranks • Identifying improvements needed for existing ranks


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The BPG therefore encourages a proactive approach to gathering local knowledge and data, with the objective of using the information gathered to optimise provision across the spectrum of users and optimise provision within the spectrum of transport modes available to the travelling public.


DECEMBER 2023 PHTM


• Setting passenger overall need in the context of an Integrated Service Plan (which itself should be fed into the overall local transport planning arena).


The BPG encourages free market forces and unfettered access to the trade to act as a mechanism for letting the market decide on levels of provision at different times and locations. However, the BPG also recognises that constraints linked with fare levels vehicle policies and rank provision can limit access to the trade, limit provision of taxis in some locations and some times and limit access to taxi services for some users.


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