TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DVS UNIT
APPLICATION FOR TWO ADDITIONAL COMPANY RESTRICTED TAXI-CAB
LICENCES – LIBERTY CABS
Purpose of the Report
To obtain the agreement of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services to agree, in principle, to increase the number of company taxi-cab licences by two and grant these to Liberty Cabs, subject to Liberty Cabs presenting suitable vehicles.
Background
On 27 January 2012 the Minister recognised Liberty Cabs as a restricted taxi-cab company to which restricted taxi-cab licence holders can affiliate. Liberty Cabs have been trading for just under three years and in that time have grown from two restricted taxi-cab white plate drivers to 22, in addition to the two red company restricted taxi-cab plates which were granted when the company started.
Discussion
Liberty Cabs have put a lot of time and effort into establishing their company and procuring work. They have established an adequately staffed office in St Helier from which to operate and have installed a phone booking system for distributing work to their drivers.
As their company continues to grow, Liberty Cabs, due to not having any multi seated vehicles, are losing a considerable amount of their work by either having to turn down requests from larger parties or farm the work out to other taxi-cab companies.
Liberty Cabs two wheelchair accessible, restricted company plated vehicles are double shifted, meaning that they are providing employment for four PSV badge holders. This also means that the cars take a lot of abuse and if they are off the road for any reason the drivers are unable to work or earn a wage.
Liberty Cabs are requesting two additional red company restricted plates which they would like to put on two 6 seated vehicles which would provide work for an additional four PSV badge holders, and also increase the service they provide to the travelling public.
If the Minister agrees to grant Liberty Cabs two additional red company restricted taxi-cab plates it would put their ratio of white to red plates at 5 to 1 which is in keeping with current policy.
In order to grant taxi-cab licences to Liberty Cabs, the Minister would need to increase the number of licences available. The Minister has the following options:-
- refuse to make the licences available.
- increase the number of licences by two and grant these to Liberty Cabs, subject to Liberty Cabs presenting at least one suitable 6 seated vehicle.
Recommendation
The Minister is asked to agree, in principle, to increase the number of company restricted taxi-cab licences by two, which can be granted to Liberty Cabs, providing they present at least one 6 seated vehicle for licence.
Reason for Decision
To allow Liberty Cabs to enhance the service they provide to the travelling public by enabling them to cater for larger parties and to provide the employment of four additional PSV taxi-cab badge holders.
Action Required
On receiving confirmation of the Minister’s decision, the Inspector of Motor Traffic will notify Liberty Cabs of the decision and take any further action necessary.
Written by: Deputy Inspector of Motor Traffic
Approved by: Inspector of Motor Traffic