Could a customer and driver charter help improve the service? Should all drivers be vetted by the Disclosure and Barring Service?
These are among ideas being put to the public in Eastbourne Borough, as the local authority launches a new consultation into regulating local taxis.
According to the district council, their new survey is in response to feedback from customers and those working within the trade.
After completing the survey (which you can find at the bottom of this article), members of the public can also express an interest in taking part in a focus-group session about the proposals.
Councillor Colin Swansborough, cabinet member for enterprise, community spaces and heritage assets, said:
“It is important that we regularly update our guidance for Eastbourne taxis and private hire vehicles to make sure customers and drivers are kept safe.
"As part of this, we would like to hear your views and I hope as many people as possible take part in this consultation to help shape the way taxis and private hire vehicles operate in our town."
Proposed changes to the guidance include:
- Rewording the Penalty Points Scheme to make it easier for licensees to understand and help streamline investigations.
- Introducing a Customer and Driver Charter.
- Consulting on the option to have audio recording of CCTV systems within taxi and private hire vehicles.
- Introducing a requirement for all licensed vehicles to carry a spare wheel or suitable alternative.
- Requirement to sign up to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
- New Hackney Carriage vehicles would no longer be required to be Wheelchair Assisted Vehicles (WAVs). (This follows feedback from the trade about the difficulties and costs involved for new drivers acquiring WAVs)
The consultation runs until 5pm on Sunday, September 10.
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