Views sought on number of taxis in the borough

Residents and local organisations are being asked for their views on the number of taxis, (Hackney Carriages), licensed to work in the borough, by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council from this month.

Hackney carriages are those vehicles that can be hired at ranks, pre-booked or hailed in the street and always display a yellow ‘Taxi’ sign on the roof at the front.

Every three years, as best practice, the council consults with a wide range of people, organisations and user groups to ensure that it knows what demand there is for Hackney Carriage services and can issue licenses accordingly. The council consults with various groups including:

• Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers
• the Hackney Carriage Association
• residents
• businesses
• hospitals and doctors surgeries
• hotels, pubs and clubs
• special needs and disability groups
• visitor attractions

Currently, the council limits the number of Hackney Carriage licences to 55, which is based on previous research carried out. However, to ensure that needs are being met, it is necessary to gain views from as many people as possible. The number of private hire vehicle licences issued is not restricted.

To maintain a fair and consistent approach to issuing Hackney Carriage licences the council will consider:
o The financial impacts on existing licence holders
o Potential reduced custom for existing licence holders
o Congestion of taxi ranks
o Congestion on roads
o Benefits of having more Hackney Carriage vehicles
o Opportunity for more people to become Hackney Carriage drivers

Vice-chairman of the Licensing Committee Cllr Sven Godesen said: “We need as many people as possible to let us know their views on Hackney Carriage services in the borough. It’s important that we know what demand there is for services so the Licensing Committee can make their decision on whether to increase, decrease or maintain the number of licences issued.”

Residents or users interested in giving their views should log onto the council’s website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/taxis to download a questionnaire or call 01256 844844 to request a copy to be sent to them via post.

The closing date for questionnaire responses is Thursday 24 December 2009.