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Technical Notes 2024, Issue 54 - Taxi and Private Hire Car Update

  • Report by:

    Karen M Donnelly, Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer

  • TN Number:

    054-24

  • Subject:

    Taxi and Private Hire Car Update

  • Responsible Officer:

    Andrew McLaughlin, Legal Manager (Depute Monitoring Officer)

  • Publication:

    This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

Section

  1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to update Members in relation to work being undertaken in relation to increasing taxi operator licences in the East Dunbartonshire Area.
  2. Since launching a campaign to increase taxi operator licences in 2023, there has been an increase in licences from 192 in April 2023 to 201 in March 2024. However, this is still lower than the figure of 210 in August 2022.
  3. Officers have been liaising with the Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce has agreed to provide support by advertising the Council’s campaign through its online presence, newsletter and networking. Accordingly, a further campaign will be carried out by the Council following the Easter Holidays. Online engagement is likely to be higher following the holiday period when schools return.
  4. The campaign will extend the relaxation of the requirement that those wishing to apply for a taxi operator licence must have a suitable vehicle at the point of application. Instead, details of a suitable vehicle must be provided prior to the granting of the licence after completion of other checks on the application. The campaign will also highlight that there will not be a requirement to have insurance in place at the point of application. Suitable insurance can be provided once other checks have been provided and a suitable vehicle obtained – all before licences are issued.
  5. It is understood that the costs of obtaining a vehicle and suitable insurance is a deterrent for applicants as an application could be refused on other grounds after obtaining a vehicle and insurance. In addition, if an application is delayed due to the requirement for further checks or other diligence, then an applicant could be incurring costs for insurance without receiving the benefit of the insurance for an extended period. Accordingly, it is hoped the campaign will encourage applicants who may be deterred from applying due to significant upfront costs.