The Government views the restriction of the numbers of such licences as only being justified where the consumer gains some benefit. The DfT  accepts that local authorities are in the best position to identify public interests. The knowledge they have is set against a number of questions concerning the market value of licences, the existence of a relevant survey and the number of disabled accessible vehicles licensed. HBC has restricted the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences it issues to 35 for at least 40 years up to 2004.

 

A hackney carriage is a vehicle that trades with a driver for hire or reward from 'taxi' ranks or is available to be waived down in the street. It is distinctly different from a private hire vehicle that may only be hired by being pre-booked. The fare charged by a hackney carriage has a maximum rate set by the Council whereas private hire journeys are theoretically set by negotiation between the hirer and supplier. Private hire vehicles are booked through operators often confusingly known as 'taxi firms'. Therefore, although there are a total of some 475 vehicles available for hire with a driver within the Borough of Havant, this policy only affects that smaller proportion of vehicles hackney carriages.

 

The Licensing committee sought to establish, in 2002,  that its restriction on hackney carriage numbers remained correct in terms of both numbers and its duties in respect of the Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995. The accepted manner of determining this remains legally justifiable by way of a survey undertaken by professional independent traffic consultants. A survey seeks to establish whether or not there exists within the licensing area any SUD for hackney carriages. If a SUD is found then the licensing authority can no longer justify restricting the numbers of hackney carriage vehicle licences it issues. Alternatively if no SUD exists then the authority has discretion whether to increase the number of licences it issues or not.

 

HBC was also concerned to obtain the provision of a number of hackney carriages that would be suitable for the carriage of wheelchair bound passengers. At that time (2002) the 35 licensed hackney carriages were all standard saloon or estate cars, and although these were capable of and did, when required, carry folded wheelchairs they were and are not capable of carrying wheelchair-confined passengers.

 

As a result of these requirements and after taking the views of the hackney trade, tenders were sought from several transport consultants and as a result of these, the Council commissioned Transportation Planning (International) Ltd (Tpi) to do a  SUD   survey. This was undertaken during the spring and early summer of 2003 and involved the following activities; rank observation surveys, pedestrian surveys at centres throughout the Borough, consultation including;

1. private hire trade,
2. police,
3. tourism,
4. education departments,
5. social services department,
6. chamber of trade
7. groups representing the elderly and disabled.

The survey was completed and the final report submitted in September 2003. This concluded that there was no  SUD within  HBC area at the time. However the submissions of Havant Council of Community Service and Havant Disability Access Group showed that there was a clear need for some wheelchair accessible provision. It also recommended introducing a programme of specialist driver training in, and an understanding of, disability awareness. These findings were taken into consideration in deciding the licensing policy.

 

 

The absence of any SUD , the relatively low value of licences and the need to obtain the provision of a reasonable level of wheelchair accessible hackney carriages led the Council to a controlled response that would give a significant level of wheelchair accessibility whilst maintaining a viable trade.

 

RESOLUTION

 

A wheelchair accessible vehicle it was decided must be a type approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency for cars in the form it is submitted for licensing. The applicant must be able to produce a copy of the relevant type approval certificate upon the request of the Council before a licence is issued. The vehicle must be capable of carrying a passenger seated in a wheelchair safely and securely. Wheelchair access must be gained by ramps or a mechanical lift through an aperture no less than 780mm wide and 1350mm high. Any equipment necessary to safely and securely load and carry the wheelchair and its passenger must be carried and maintained in working order, on the vehicle so long as the vehicle is licensed. It shall be the responsibility of the vehicle's proprietor to ensure that the driver can safely operate the equipment provided.

 

These licences will carry identification numbers 46 to 50 inclusive. The existing licences carrying identification numbers11 to 35 inclusive continue as cars that meet the existing specification i.e. do not need to be or replaced with wheelchair accessible vehicles.

 

TRANSPORT PLAN

• reinforces existing public transport links, and
• provides flexibility and convenience, and
• acts as part of an integrated transport system.

This is achieved by the proximity of taxi facilities within easy reach of both the local railway and bus stations, providing an 'on demand' service throughout an extended period of the 24 hours, including a significant provision of wheelchair accessible vehicles. The latter will now compare favourably with the County average.

 

THE FUTURE

 

The current position regarding hackney carriages does not prevent the Council from promoting changes to the policy calculated to benefit our community. For this reason the Council encourages suggestions from users, potential users and anyone who has a constructive view that may promote the industry to the benefit of all hackney carriage users, using contact details supplied on our main page.