DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY: CALLS TO INCREASE NUMBER OF WAVS
ROUND THE COUNCILS WILTSHIRE:
TAXI NUMBERS AT PRE-COVID LEVELS
Dumfries and Galloway Councillors heard calls on 14 December, to
help increase the number of
wheelchair-accessible taxis in the region. This comes after it was revealed that there are just three suitable vehicles that can cater to wheelchair users out of a fleet of 265. There are 215 standard taxis and 50 private hire vehicles serving the region, according to a new council report, however none of them are specifically licensed as wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This issue has been highlighted by Councillor Davie Stitt, who tabled a motion at the full council meeting calling for action. The motion, seconded by his Labour Councillor colleague Carolyne Wilson, read: “The increased difficulty in securing taxi and private hire services in Dumfries and Galloway is being acutely felt by people with disabilities. “According to the Dumfries and Galloway Council website, there are only three accessible taxis in the entire region. In 2013 the number stood at only two per cent of the entire taxi fleet. “It is evident we have not moved on in terms of inclusivity in ten years. “Earlier this year research conducted by Leonard Cheshire found that two-thirds of disabled people have been unable to secure a taxi or private hire service when required, having a negative impact on their wellbeing and preventing them from accessing work, medical appointments and other essential travel. “We propose that the officers bring forward a report to the communities committee outlining options that could be taken by the council to help increase the number of accessible taxis in the region.” A council report prepared for the meeting states: “Given increased concern raised in respect of the low number of wheelchair accessible vehicles available throughout the region (there is no wheelchair accessible vehicle licensed for use in Dumfries) – and the difficulty that many are increasingly expressing in respect of being able to book/hail a taxi and/or book a private hire car – the licensing service is currently in the process of establishing a working group.” This working group will discuss and identify challenges to the provision of wheelchair accessible vehicles, with a view to putting findings and recommendations forward to consideration at a later date.
councillors for PHTM JANUARY 2024
The number of taxi drivers has stabilised in Wiltshire following the decline that occurred during the Covid- 19 pandemic. According to a report presented to councillors at the latest Wiltshire Council licensing committee meeting, this trend has now stabilised, and driver numbers have risen by 11% over the last 11 months. The report was discussed at the meeting on 4 December, and indicated that 30 new licence applications and 114 renewals were processed during October 2023. The total number of licensed hackney carriage drivers at the end of October was 697. Although these numbers are rising, the report noted they are not rising fast enough to meet the increased SEN demand. According to the report, there is also a noticeable trend of drivers switching from hackney to private hire, reflecting the lower footfall and business in town centres. Since April 2019, the number of hackney carriage drivers has fallen by 182 and the number of private hire drivers has risen by 30. Tom Ince, the principal compliance officer presenting the reports, said it must be ensured that improvements in Wiltshire’s taxi service remain “viable”. He concluded that overall, the figures were “positive news” for Wiltshire.
JERSEY: EXTRA RANKS FOR CHRISTMAS
Additional taxi facilities were introduced in Jersey for St Aubin and St Helier in time for the Christmas party season. A new weekend taxi rank was set up in St Aubin after a consultation involving parish officials, the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association and the Infrastructure Minister. The new rank at La Neuve Route operates from 6pm to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12pm to 12am on Sundays. In St Helier, the change has allowed taxis to queue along Wharf Street on Friday and Saturday evenings from 10pm, to ensure a good supply of taxis at peak times at the main St Helier rank at the Weighbridge. This means vehicles are unable to park in Wharf Street after 10pm on Friday and Saturday evenings. The new arrangements came into effect on 1 December.
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