Calls to increase number of East Riding licenced hackney taxis
A motion's being put forward to the County Council today by the Liberal Democrats
There are calls for an increase in the number of licensed hackney taxis in the East Riding particularly in the evenings.
A motion is being put forward to the County Council this afternoon by the Liberal Democrats.
Cllr Viv Padden is proposing it and said: “There is clearly a problem in getting taxis, particularly in the evening. The problems in Hull are well-known but we also have a problem in the suburban areas of Haltemprice and West Hull Villages.
"The Covid pandemic and loss of trade, meant many drivers dropped out of the taxi business and found other employment and in some cases returned to EU Countries. Brexit and the uncertainty created has meant drivers are not coming back from EU Countries into the UK. They and their families don’t feel welcome here.
"I want to see the Council doing what it can to try and restore the taxi service. One option is to reduce the licensing fee. On its own, it may not be enough but we need to see what other measures could be used to help such as the cost of the driving test and medical examinations. Our Group has been working with the ERYC Licensing Manager Louise Wilson to see what can be done.”
He says since September last year in the East Riding, there is 96 licensed hackney taxis, with 16 of those wheelchair accessible, although there are 164 private hires.
Cllr Mike Heslop-Mullens said: “In Bridlington, many of my residents including women and the vulnerable, rely on taxis to get them home safely from work. This is a matter of public safety. Because of the run-down of Bridlington Hospitals services, some residents are dependent on taxis to get them to public transport or in some cases to Hospital in Scarborough or York.”
Motion to Council:
This Council notes the difficulties being experienced in finding taxis in the East Riding of Yorkshire due to a shortage of drivers following Brexit and Covid-19.
The Council resolves to:
- In line with its commitment to ensuring Safety for Women, girls, and all vulnerable people at night, recognise the importance of trying to ensure an efficient and effective taxi service,
- Request the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to identify what measures can be taken by the Council, and other partner organisations, to support and help our taxi service.
The Lib Dem group are also putting forward other motions including calls for the Leader to apologise to residents for 'failing to keep its land supply figures up-to-date and providing sufficient affordable housing', and demands for the 'plight of East Yorkshire pig farmers to be brought to the Government's attention' with urgent action wanted to 'prevent the destruction of a key local industry'.