Review heads to conclusion

Two meetings of Councillors and members of the Trade are being arranged during May 2016 to discuss all proposals before these are finalised and reported to the Council for decision on 16 June. The proposals include the introduction of a Dress Code, Knowledge Test and Training and stricter Medical Standards for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers and encouraging the use of CCTV in vehicles for driver and passenger safety. 

Present license conditions have been examined by an Expert Reference Group made up of representatives of the local Trade, DG Voice, the Police and other Statutory Agencies.

The Group’s recommendations for change to conditions, which have been adopted by the Panel, include:-

• Compulsory signage “Pre-Booked Hires Only” for Private Hire Vehicles;
• Customer care conditions prohibiting the driver, except in limited circumstances, from refusing to drive a passenger to any place within the Dumfries and Galloway Licensing Area or refusing to drive a passenger because of the passenger’s age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, gender reassignment status, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or other Protected Characteristic;
• Specifically in relation to passengers with a disability the driver will welcome that person into the taxi or private hire, ask what help they need and how they can help; help disabled passengers, when they ask for it, to get in and out of the taxi or private hire, help and carry wheelchairs, luggage or other bags if the customer cannot do it; carry wheelchairs, mobility aids and assistance dogs without extra charge;
• The introduction of permission for commercial advertising on vehicles and light touch procedure for consent.

The Licensing Panel has agreed their approach towards an Accessibility Policy initially by advancing the awareness and understanding of the Trade and Public of accessibility issues towards a natural increase in the number of accessible Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles.

The Panel has also concluded that at present there is insufficient evidence to justify the introduction of prescribed Taxi Meters or of a restriction on the age of vehicles so long as they are complying fully with the vehicle inspection. 

Willie Taylor, Service Manager for Licensing said: “We are looking forward to meeting with the Trade to discuss the proposals openly and constructively.  The aspiration of the review is that The Taxi and Private Hire Fleet and their Drivers provide a safe, fair and customer-focussed service which inspires Civic Pride and confidence within the local communities and gives an excellent first impression of Dumfries and Galloway to those visiting our area”.

The possibility of an e-learning training course for drivers is being looked into.  This should allow the driver to take the course when and where is convenient for them to do so.  The course will concentrate on areas of customer care such as Disability Etiquette and Diversity, Child Protection and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.