Taxi Numbers remain limited, for the moment!

9.33.01pm GMT Wed 9th Mar 2005

Cllr Mark Harris, Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Portfolio Holder with responsibility for the Chief Executives Department; has welcomed a report on the future of Taxi's in Leeds which makes a number of recommendations; in particular whether the number of Taxis in Leeds should continue to be restricted.

Cllr Harris said "The Central and Corporate Functions Scrutiny Board" has looked into a number of issues around the provision of Taxi services in Leeds and I am happy to accept their main recommendation that we should maintain the current policy of restricting the number of taxi licences issued in Leeds, but review the issue in two years time. I also welcome their call to look at unmet demand for Taxi's across the whole of the City, particular after the relaxation in pub and club licensing hours that will follow the new Licensing Act. Whilst we are doing this we will look at the role and numbers of Private Hire cars who also play a key role in providing services across the City.

"At the moment Taxis are clearly unable to meet the demand on a Friday or Saturday night and we need to consider what action we can take to encourage a better service. Apart from the recommendation to the Executive Board on the number of Taxis there are also wider recommendations in the Scrutiny Boards Report designed to provide more places for Taxis to pick up customers, and the potential to use Marshals at Taxi ranks to provide a safer environment while people are waiting. These are simple measures which the Council will look at seriously.

"In addition the report asks Officers to look at the issue of late night buses. The lack of a late night bus service to the vast majority of the City is a major problem for many residents. Those in areas of the South of the City such as Middleton and Belle Isle see the last buses leaving the City Centre at 11:15 pm, a ridiculously early time when you consider the last train from London back to Leeds doesn't leave until 11:30! Elsewhere the last regular services from the City Centre leave between around 11:15 and 11:30."