This paper analyses the operation and market of the UK taxi industry, considers how to make taxis a major transport mode, and proposes a strategy for taxis. At present, there is no mechanism to ensure that taxis form a growing part of the transport system, and achieve public interest transport objectives effectively without undue interference with the market. Therefore, the paper outlines how regulation and market forces both have vital parts to play in the future development of the taxi industry. It needs to pursue social objectives, including a range of facilities for people with disabilities and other customers. The specific needs of taxis and taxi users, as well as those of buses, need to be considered when managing highway infrastructure. In the author's proposed strategy, there would be: (1) a consistent framework for licensing with a single class of licence, namely the `taxi'; (2) local authorities would not only license and regulate taxis, but also positively represent the needs of local people, especially those with disabilities; and (3) each authority would prepare and from time to time review a local `taxi charter'. This approach would flexibly accommodate different local circumstances and needs, and have several other advantages.
Samenvatting