Standardisation of Taxi-Cab Roof Signs

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A decision made on 21 December 2021

Decision Reference: MD-T-2021-0084
Decision Summary Title:	Standardisation of Taxi-Cab Roof Signs		Date of Decision Summary:	20 December 2021
Decision Summary Author:	Senior Traffic Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Standardisation of Taxi-Cab Roof Signs		Date of Written Report:	20 December 2021
Written Report Author:	Senior Traffic Officer		Written Report: Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Replacement of all existing approved roof signs with one standardised yellow roof sign for all Taxi-Cabs across the Industry.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the standardised yellow roof sign for all Taxi-Cabs across the Industry.
Reason(s) for Decision: To standardise the format of roof signs for all licenced Taxi-Cabs in Jersey (except Limousines) in line with the Taxi-Cab Regulatory Reform Programme as per MD-T-2015-0079.
Resource Implications: Circa £10,000 to purchase the appropriate roof sign covers in Yellow and implement the changes. DVS Officer time.
Action required: Inspector of Motor Traffic to: Present to the Minister a standard template for approval with appropriate wording. DVS to cover the cost of replacing all roof signs Inform the Taxi Industry and implement at the earliest opportunity.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Infrastructure
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Standardisation of Taxi Cab Roof Signs

INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT

STANDARDISATION OF ROOF SIGNS FOR TAXI-CABS

Purpose of the Report

To seek approval from the Minister for Infrastructure to standardise the format of roof signs throughout the Taxi-Cab industry. In so doing, all currently approved roof signs will be replaced to a standard Yellow roof sign.

Background

MD-T-2015-0079 set out the requirements for the Taxi-Cab reform programme. Current arrangements include the requirement to display a purple roof sign in addition to a purple PSV licence plate and the transition period has a completion date of 31 May 2022.

Discussion

Concerns have been raised to the Department in relation to the visibility of the purple roof sign, particularly for individuals who are partially sighted or suffering with other visual impairments. In discussion, it was also raised that the lack of company branding on the roof sign was causing some confusion to members of the public. There is therefore, at the same time, an opportunity to address several aspects in relation to the design and wording of the roof sign.

Eyecan was approached and agreed that the purple roof sign with black writing may cause visibility issues for some of their members.

Recommendation

The current yellow roof sign displayed by Rank drivers is acknowledged by Eyecan as more visible, and as such the recommendation is to standardise all Taxi-Cabs (except Limousines) with one standard format of roof sign in Yellow/Red which displays the word “TAXI” on a yellow background on the front, and the company Name and contact details on the rear on a red background. All text must be black in colour.

For vehicles with integral roof signs on the front, for these types of vehicles the roof sign will be required to display the Word “TAXI” on a yellow background and be fitted with branding that displays the company name and contact number that can be read from behind the vehicle.

Reasons for Decision

To standardise the format of roof signs for all licenced Taxi-Cabs in Jersey (except Limousines) in line with the Taxi-Cab Regulatory Reform Programme as per MD-T-2015-00079.

Action Required

Inspector of Motor Traffic to:

Present to the Minister a standard template for approval with appropriate wording.
DVS to cover the cost of replacing all roof signs.
Inform the Taxi Industry and implement at the earliest opportunity.

Written by:	Senior Traffic Officer
Approved by:	Inspector of Motor Traffic