Awarding Restricted Taxi-Cab Licences

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A decision made (08/09/2006) regarding Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935 - Awarding Restricted Taxi-Cab Licences.

Subject:	Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935 Awarding Restricted Taxi-Cab Licences
Decision Reference:	MD-T-2006-0075		Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?			Report File ref:	I:Minister:2006:Ministerial Decisions:MD00 Awarding of Restricted Taxi-Cab Licences
Written report – Title	Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935 Awarding Restricted Taxi-Cab Licences
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Alan Muir Head – Driver and Vehicle Standards
Decision(s): Introduce a revised procedure for awarding restricted taxi-cab plates to new licence holders. Approve the questionnaire to be used to shortlist applicants for a restricted taxicab licence.
Reason(s) for decision: To ensure a more rigorous process is used when awarding restricted taxi-cab licences such that licences are more likely to be awarded to those with experience and commitment to the taxi-cab industry.
Action required: Write to all on the Restricted Taxi-cab licence waiting list informing them of the process. Implement the new procedure forthwith.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision: 8 September 2006

Awarding Restricted Taxi-Cab Licences

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

MOTOR TRAFFIC ( JERSEY ) LAW 1935

AWARDING RESTRICTED TAXI-CAB LICENCES

Purpose of the Report

To consider a procedure for awarding restricted taxi-cab licences (plates) to new licence holders.

Background

As a restricted taxi-cab licence allows a person to operate their own vehicle for hire or reward, it would seem sensible that the people awarded a licence should fulfil the criteria as a fit and proper person to operate the licence, be experienced in the taxicab industry and can demonstrate they are able to provide the level of service expected from someone holding a licence. To date, the licence has merely been offered to the person at the top of the list rather than awarded to those committed to serving the industry.

Discussion

In the past, those holding a public service vehicle badge could apply to be put on a list to be considered for a restricted taxi-cab licence (commonly called the white plate waiting list). After waiting a number of years, invariably in excess of ten years, their name would come to the top of the list and the person would be offered a plate. It could well be that the person has had no experience of the taxi-cab industry and their knowledge would be out of date thus the service they would provide would be considerably less than the person who had recently surrendered their plate (invariably an experienced restricted taxi-cab driver who has graduated to a controlled taxi-cab driver ie a rank taxi).

It is proposed that more rigour is applied to awarding plates to new licensees. The main criteria would be that those who are experienced in and have shown commitment to the industry are more likely to qualify as “a fit and proper person” for a plate than someone who has shown no interest and has not worked in the industry.

To determine what experience and commitment those on the waiting list have, it is proposed that a questionnaire is distributed prior to plates being awarded. This questionnaire will determine people’s experience, whether they are currently working in the industry, what commitment has been made to the industry and whether they are keen to be a plate-holder. A copy of the questionnaire is attached together with a draft letter that would be issued along with the questionnaire.

On the basis of the answers received, points will be awarded with a higher weighting being given to those working or who have recently worked full-time in the industry for more than two years.

As a starting point, it is proposed that when a plate becomes available, those near the top of the list will be asked to complete the questionnaire. Should the person achieve a set points level, they will be interviewed by the Department and subject to a satisfactory interview, they will be awarded a plate. It is envisaged that someone who until a couple of years ago, worked full-time as a driver for a period of two years, would accrue sufficient points to be interviewed. Someone who merely passed their “knowledge” test 10 years ago and has had no experience driving a taxi-cab would not accrue sufficient points to be interviewed.

Those who do not achieve a satisfactory points level will be advised of what steps they will need to take to enhance their chances of being awarded a plate.

There is a risk that someone who is near the top of the list but has never worked in the industry may appeal against any decision to alter the manner in which plates are awarded. It would be hoped that if such an appeal was made to the Royal Court, it would accept that the criteria is no more than would be reasonably applied in any other decision making process to appoint someone to a job.

By implementing this process, it is expected that younger, but experienced, committed drivers will receive their plate sooner than before, leading to a higher level of service to the travelling public.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to agree to the procedure for awarding restricted taxi-cab plates and to approve the questionnaire.

Reason(s) for Decision

To ensure a more rigorous process is used when awarding restricted taxi-cab licences such that licences are more likely to be awarded to those with experience and commitment to the taxi-cab industry.

Action Required

Write to all on the Restricted Taxi-cab licence waiting list informing them of the process.

Implement the new procedure forthwith.

Written by:	Alan Muir

Approved by:	Caroline Anderson, Director of Transport

Attachments:

Draft letter to those on the waiting list.

Draft letter to those on the waiting list who would receive a questionnaire.

Draft questionnaire

ASM

10 July 2006