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Scrutiny of Taxis

REPORT OF THE SCRUTINY POLICY OFFICER		STRATEGIC RESOURCES AND PERFORMANCE SCRUTINY AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

		20TH JUNE, 2005



SCRUTINY OF TAXIS – RESPONSES FROM THE CONSULTATION

1.	Purpose of Report

1.1	This report provides a summary of the key issues raised from a meeting with representatives of the taxi trade in Sheffield and responses received from other individuals as part of the scrutiny exercise.

2.	Background

2.1	Following the submission of a petition to the Council Meeting on 2nd February, 2005, regarding the policy of the Council relating to the non-limitation of hackney carriage vehicle licences and related matters, the Licensing Board at its meeting of 5th April, 2005, deferred further consideration of the petition until this Board had reported its comments and or made recommendations to that Board. The Licensing Board also requested this Board to examine the operation of private hire vehicles by other Local Authorities operating within the Sheffield boundary and the alleged inability of Private Hire Licensing Companies to honour pre-booked jobs, including the transportation of people with disabilities.

2.2	The petition (containing 184 signatures) and an accompanying letter had been submitted by the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association and requested a review of the policy relating to hackney carriage numbers, that the Council should stop issuing taxi licences immediately and that an independent demand survey (for taxi services) be conducted.

3.0	Introduction

3.1	To inform the Scrutiny Board’s investigation into these matters, the Chair of the Board (Councillor Ray Satur), met with representatives of the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, the Sheffield Confederation of Private Hire Companies and the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Association of Sheffield to hear their concerns on any issues relating to taxis in the city. The points they raised reflect their perceptions of these issues. The Deputy Chair of this Board (Councillor Janice Sidebottom) was unable to attend that meeting.

3.2	Comments have also been sought from members of the public (via the Council’s website), Councillors, the Access Liaison Group and the Transport 4 All Group. Any further comments received will be reported at the meeting.

4.	Summary of Issues Raised by the Taxi Trade

4.1	The issues raised by the representatives of the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association included:-

	Licence numbers
	The effect of the increase in Hackney Carriage vehicle licences. There were now 620 black cabs compared to 300 three years ago.

	Taxi Ranks
	There were concerns about taxi ranks, particularly King Street and the cost of using the rank at the railway station. Additional ranks would be useful in the suburbs.

	Vehicle Test Centre
	Concern that a re-test could not be guaranteed for the next day. It was suggested that drivers should be allowed to use other approved test centres. Could Licensing Officers inspect private hire vehicles at a driver’s home?

	Enforcement
	A need for more Enforcement Officers at night. Black cabs appeared to be closely checked because they were parked on the ranks.

	Illegal Plying for Hire
	Concern at Private Hire drivers plying illegally on the streets and using the ranks, this was a particular problem with Private Hire drivers from North-East Derbyshire. There was also an issue on private hire companies running unlicensed mini-buses.

	Access to taxis
	Services were offered for wheelchair passengers.

	Use of Bus Lanes
	Taxi drivers should be allowed to use all the bus lanes in the city. There has been a lack of consultation, particularly on the “bus only” lane at Western Bank.

	Highways issues
	Often a lack of consultation on highway schemes, e.g. on the changes to the junction at Barker’s Pool.

4.2	The issues raised by the representative of the Sheffield Confederation of Private Hire Companies included:-

	Taxi numbers
	The majority of taxi journeys undertaken within the City boundary on a daily basis were by Private Hire drivers (approximately 90,000 journeys each week).


	Enforcement
	Licensing Officers did make enquiries on a weekly basis in regard to plates, illegal plying for hire, etc.

	Access to Taxis
	One company carried out contract work with the Sheffield hospitals and the South Yorkshire Ambulance Service and dealt with the carriage of wheelchair passengers on a daily basis.

	Knowledge test
	Could be learned by rote and should be reviewed.

	Bus Lanes
	Taxis should be able to use all bus lanes. A transponder was required to operate the traffic lights in the “bus only” lane at Western Bank but these were only available to the bus companies. Could the Council allow these to be distributed free of charge to licensed drivers?

	Highways
	The effect of congestion on journey times.
	There were difficulties picking up and dropping off at functions in the City Centre and when transporting people with disabilities, the elderly etc. where it takes a long time for them to alight from the vehicle.
	Taxis should be part of the integrated transport system for Sheffield.

4.3	The issues raised by the representatives of the Private Hire and Hackney Association of Sheffield included:-

	Hackney Carriage Licences
	There should not be a limitation policy as there was sufficient work.

	Illegal Plying for Hire
	Greater enforcement was required, particularly to deal with the Private Hire drivers from North East Derbyshire.

	Vehicle Test Centre
	The charges at the Council’s Test Centre should be reviewed. To meet demand the use of independent test centres should be considered.

	Bus Lanes
	Restrictions should start at 3.30 p.m. rather than 4.30 p.m.

	Signage/Facilities
	A map should be produced to show the public where taxi ranks are located. There should be signposts to the major taxi ranks in the City centre. There should be toilet facilities provided for taxi drivers.

5.	Responses from Councillors

5.1	Four Councillors raised a number of issues, including:-

	· The lack of black cabs during peak times, namely Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. It was also understood that there were difficulties ordering a Private Hire taxi late at night, particularly in outlying areas.

	· Taxi drivers had commented on the effect of lifting the restrictions on the number of taxis. It was suggested that the Council looked positively on restricting the number of licences that were allowed.

	· There have been occasions when taxi drivers were reluctant to operate in adverse weather conditions, such as snow.

	· Problems with taxis leaving their motors running when waiting at Barker's Pool and on Division Street, unnecessarily adding to noise and pollution in the City Centre.

	· Taxis were forming an "unofficial rank" along Division Street, especially late at night. There was a need for a new taxi rank at that end of town e.g. the car park on Devonshire Green could be an ideal night time taxi rank.

	· Could the possibility of a system of taxi sharing or mini buses running on routes where there was a limited bus service be pursued as it was understood that it worked well in Belfast and many Middle Eastern Cities?

6.	Conclusions

6.1	The issues raised include the arguments for and against the Council's Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy, the availability of Hackney Carriages at certain times of the day, concerns about taxi ranks, the Council's Vehicle Testing Centre, enforcement and illegal plying for hire, the use of bus lanes by taxi drivers, difficulties with dropping off in parts of the City Centre, the lack of consultation with the taxi trade regarding certain areas and improved signage/facilities.

6.2	The Board is asked to give consideration to these issues as part of its scrutiny investigation into taxis in the City.



	Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Governance