Northumberland’s taxi drivers are to be given more freedom to ply for trade after county councillors agreed to change operating restrictions.
A single zone covering the whole county is to replace six separate licensing zones for hackney cabs. Council officials say the move is intended to help both passengers and the taxi industry.
New Taxi Licensing Rules
The existing set up mean black cabs and other hackney taxis licensed in one area can’t ply for hire or pick up fares in another. However, the council’s licensing and regulatory committee has voted for a single hackney carriage licensing zone for Northumberland. Assuming the change is approved by the full council, drivers will be able to ply their trade across the county.
A consultation exercise that took place in early 2011 received 54 responses; 30 respondents argued for the open system and 24 against.
At a meeting to discuss the change Philip Soderquest, the council’s public safety and enforcement manager, pointed out that a single zone would increase availability of hackney cabs for passengers, deliver greater customer choice and eliminate public confusion about when and where taxis can pick up.
However, he also said there were worries over taxis being drawn to more lucrative areas offering higher taxi sales income potential, leaving reduced coverage elsewhere. Competition issues between existing taxi operators were also a potential concern.
Speaking in favour of the move committee chairman, Jeff Watson, said: “We’re not here to prevent people from making a living and if this helps taxi operators to do that, all well and good.”