TAXI REFORM: WALES UPDATE ON THE TAXI AND
PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE (WALES) BILL
In March 2023, the Welsh Government (WG) published a Taxi Licensing Reform White Paper regarding reform of taxi regulation in Wales. The WG stated in that White Paper: “All around the world the taxi and private hire vehicle sector is being transformed by technological advances, particularly through the advent of app-based ride-hailing companies. This transition to a more automated system will continue and the industry needs to be prepared for the changes ahead.
“Autonomous ‘taxis’ are already being trialled in various locations across the world. It is clear that in the long term, Welsh legislation will need to be capable of addressing the challenges as they emerge. This will include the transition to ‘Mobility As A Service’, where transport is shared and on demand. Nonetheless there are longstanding issues with the current legislative framework around taxi and PHV licensing that need addressing urgently in the interests of public safety, fairness and environmental concerns.”
The Cabinet was asked to note the proposals to reform taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, including:
• through the introduction of national minimum standards to deal with inconsistency of licensing standards across Wales;
• improvements to enforcement powers to deal with drivers operating out of area;
• the introduction of better information sharing between local authorities:
• the lack of clarity around the distinction between taxis and PHVs and what they are allowed to do.
• power to set a date by which all vehicles must be Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV)
The WG invited responses to the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (Wales) Bill: white paper and received 148 such responses and in September published a summary of the responses which can be found here:
https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations /2023-09/taxi-summary-of-responses.pdf
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On 2 October 2023 Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, who is responsible for the White Paper, made a statement to the Senedd confirming the WG would take forward plans to introduce a national standard for drivers, vehicles and operators and empower enforcement officers to take action against drivers licensed out of area, especially when there are concerns for public safety.
Although national standards will not apply in England or Scotland and cross-border journeys between these jurisdictions will continue, the WG plans to prevent drivers from securing licences out of Wales only in order to avoid the new national standards. How such drivers will be identified and how this will be implemented is yet to be decided.
The WG is working with the Centre for Digital Public Services to explore options for better information sharing between councils and has listened to drivers’ concerns about their safety, and will review requirements such as the wearing of badges and CCTV.
Regarding ‘multi-platforming’, there were mixed views about the causes of cancellations and no consensus on the actions that would be effective to prevent them, so the matter is to be kept under review.
Concerns about transitioning to ZEVs were noted, including cost, range anxiety and charging infra- structure. Wales cannot move faster than the rest of the UK on these issues, but transition to EVs by the industry is expected in line with the rest of the car market.
We will continue to engage with the trade to ensure our legislation works for the whole of Wales.
NOVEMBER 2023 PHTM
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