LICHFIELD: RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS
ROUND THE COUNCILS JERSEY:
TAXI NUMBERS SHORT OF TARGET
Lichfield District Council is considering changes to its taxi regulations that could benefit both drivers and passengers. One significant proposal is to increase the maximum age of vehicles allowed on the road from seven to ten years. There will also be no age limit on a hybrid or electric vehicles as long as they can pass a compliance test. This could encourage a transition to
more
environmentally friendly electric or hybrid vehicles as it would give drivers more time to recoup their investment.
In addition, the revised policy removes the penalty point system and includes a proposed scheme of suspensions for drivers and/or vehicles where breaches of conditions are discovered. This would ensure the service remains safe and reliable for passengers. The new policy also introduces a requirement for operators to inform customers when their journey will be allocated to a driver and/or vehicle licensed by another authority Local councillor Paul Ray has welcomed these proposed changes, stating that they are crucial for maintaining a high-quality taxi service in the area. He also emphasised the importance of supporting local taxi drivers and enforcing regulations against unlicensed operators such as Uber. People can give their views online by 5pm on 1st October 2024 here:
https://shorturl.at/pakok Meanwhile, Lichfield DC is also proposing a signifi- cant change to the city centre, including pedestrian- ising certain streets and relocating the taxi rank. As part of the pedestrianisation plans, the council intends to restrict vehicle access to Bore Street, a popular taxi pick-up point. However, officials are actively working to identify an alternative location for a new taxi rank. Cabinet member Cllr Janice Silvester-Hall said: “We are continuing to engage with taxi operators to find an alternative location to establish a taxi rank. “We are working to ensure this is in place for when the bollards are operational.” In addition to the taxi rank relocation, the council is exploring other changes to the city centre, such as making Bore Street two-way to improve access to blue badge parking bays. The council’s cabinet was to discuss these proposals at their meeting on 10 September.
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The number of licensed taxis operating in Jersey has fallen short of the government's target, according to a recent report by the Jersey Evening Post. As of this year, only 278 licensed taxis are in service, significantly lower than the government’s goal of 310. This shortfall comes on the heels of a Freedom of Information request revealing a decline in licensed drivers from 488 in 2014 to 363 in 2023. While the government acknowledges the decline, they assert that both the number of plates and drivers are showing signs of recovery, with 45 new drivers joining since January. Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan emphasised the progress made, stating: "Following a significant drop in the number of taxi plates during Covid, we are also now starting to see an increase in uptake for taxi plates." However, concerns about a potential taxi shortage have been growing for nearly a decade, stemming from the government's 2015 Taxi Reform Programme. Despite ongoing efforts, the programme remains incomplete. The industry faces several challenges, including stringent entry requirements such as a minimum annual mileage of 19,100 miles, vehicle specifications (vehciles must be either electric, a multi-seater, or wheelchair accessible) and a mandatory 18-month driving period for a registered company. While Minister Jehan defended these regulations as necessary for public safety, critics argue that they create barriers to entry. Accessibility is another issue, with only 40 of Jersey's 278 taxis being wheelchair accessible. This contrasts sharply with the UK, where 54% of taxis are wheelchair accessible. A recent report by the Policy Review think-tank highlighted additional hurdles, including the difficulty of the driver and knowledge tests required for licensing. Public feedback echoed these concerns, with many criticising the complexity of the regulations and the limited access to information from the Driving and Vehicle Standards department. Unlike in the UK, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are not available in Jersey. However, local app-based services and social media groups like Jersey Lifts have become popular alternatives for transportation.
OCTOBER 2024 PHTM
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