DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
APPLICATION FROM YELLOW CABS FOR TWO COMPANY TAXI-CAB PLATES
Purpose of the Report
To obtain the agreement of the Minister for Infrastructure to grant Yellow Cabs two Company Taxi-Cab Licences (Red Plates).
Background
Yellow Cabs have 38 Restricted Taxi-Cab drivers affiliated to them who operate as a co-operative, however none of the vehicles are wheelchair accessible and therefore they are unable to offer a service to disabled customers.
Discussion
Yellow Cabs would like to purchase two wheelchair accessible vehicles in order to offer their services to wheelchair customers and also offer employment to new badge holders entering the taxi industry.
Options
Option 1: Agree to grant Yellow Cabs two Company Red Plates, thereby increasing the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles to the public and also enable Yellow Cabs to offer employment to PSV taxi-cab badge holders entering the taxi-cab industry.
Option 2: Refuse to grant Yellow Cabs two Red Company Plates and lose the opportunity for Yellow Cabs to offer a wheelchair service and employ new PSV Badge holders.
Information
One of the existing Taxi Companies have recently relinquished a number of their Company Red Plates, thereby reducing the overall number available. If Yellow Cabs are granted two Red Plates, it will not increase the overall number of plates available to more than the previous amount.
Recommendation
There is merit in granting Yellow Cabs two Company Red Plates as it is in keeping with the taxi reform by increasing the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles available to the public and would allow new badge holders to enter the industry.
The Minister is asked to agree to option 1 and grant Yellow Cabs two Company Red Plates for use on wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Reason for Decision
To remain in keeping with the Minister’s decision as part of the Taxi Reform and increase the amount of available wheelchair accessible taxi-cabs. To enable Yellow Cabs to offer a wheelchair service to the public and to also enable them to offer employment to PSV Taxi-Cab badge holders.
Action Required
Head of DVS to advise Yellow Cabs of the decision and take any other necessary action in support of the decision.
Written by: Senior Traffic Officer
Approved by: Director of Transport