Source: Express & Star
The number of taxis on Wolverhampton’s roads will soar under plans to scrap “unfair” licence conditions in a move to have enough cars on the streets to cope with late-night revellers, it was revealed today.
New taxi drivers would be told they no longer have to buy brand new cars or renew their licences every year as part of the plans. There are currently 123 black cabs in the city and council bosses said they wanted to remove the red tape to boost the number on the roads.
A consultation has now been launched into the new proposals, which aim to cut lengthy waits for cabs during peak times and reduce opportunities for illegal and possibly unsafe operators to go to work.
Wolverhampton City Council spokesman Tim Clark said: “The council is seeking views on making changes to its licensing conditions for hackney carriages in order to make it easier for current drivers to stay on the road and for new drivers to join the trade.”
The authority will consult on changing the renewal period for drivers’ badges to every three years, rather than every year, to save them time and cash.
In addition, the council is asking people what they think of ending the current system which means new drivers have to buy a brand new taxi that can cost up to £30,000. Council bosses said buying a brand new taxi could be a barrier to newcomers wanting to join the trade, and that many believed the system was “unfair” because existing drivers can replace their taxis with a vehicle that is up to 10 years old – providing it is newer than its predecessor.
Representatives from both the hackney carriage and private hire trades, late-night city businesses, police and community groups are being asked for their views about the new plans.
Council chief regulatory services officer Nick Edwards said: “We have a good night life in Wolverhampton and we want it to be even better, but at the moment there are not enough black cabs.
“This means people face a wait to get home or in some cases use illegal and possibly unsafe operators instead. We think that by removing red tape and making it easy for people to join the trade and to stay in the trade, market forces will then determine the right level of taxi provision in the city.”
The consultation will run until the end of September.
