A REPORT on plans to deregulate the taxi service – allowing taxi drivers to pick up fares from anywhere rather than just in certain regions – will go before Tynwald in December.
The report follows a summer of consultation on the proposed legislative changes affecting the taxi industry.
Written submissions on changes to the Road Transport Act 2001 from the public closed on September 15. Some of those who made representati
ons will soon be invited for a personal hearing.
A consultation exercise has been undertaken to gauge the views of interested parties on the proposed legislative changes to the Road Transport Act 2001, which regulates the provision of taxi services.
The Island's taxis are regulated under the Road Transport Act, which was intended to facilitate an Island-wide ply-for-hire taxi service, and remove the barrier to entry to the profession caused by the limitation on numbers. An interim provision of the Act (schedule 2) was included to allow those in the trade a five-year period to develop their business in anticipation of operating under the full provisions of the new Act becoming effective.
Schedule 2 was due to be revoked in 2007 at the end of the five-year period. However, Tynwald extended this period by a further year.
Transport Minister David Anderson sought to move a Revocation Order at the May 2008 sitting of Tynwald to remove the provisions in Schedule 2.
Opposition to the order was demonstrated by some within the industry and some members of Tynwald.
During the debate on the Revocation Order, David Callister MLC successfully proposed an adjournment until the December sitting, and the Council of Ministers requested that during the intervening period the department should undertake further consultation on the effects of removing schedule 2.
The panel hearing submissions includes Mr Anderson and Mr Callister, department member Tim Crookall and Brendan O'Friel, chairman of Travelwatch IoM.
