Taxi service improvements no longer a numbers game

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Jan 2008

Lib Dems believe that now is the right time to introdeuce a limitation

Sheffield's Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council are set to propose that a limitation on the number of black cabs in Sheffield is re-introduced. At today's council meeting in the Town Hall they will move a proposal that would see a limit set at the current level but allowing for current applications to be processed.

In 2000 the Council, under Lib Dem control, through the Licensing Board took the decision to lift the limit on black cabs. At that time there where only 300 operating in the City, this figure has now risen to over 800.

Liberal Democrats believe that the market for taxis is currently balanced and have agreed with the recent independent report into the issue that noted that there is no significant unmet demand.

Lib Dems believe that the best way forward for taxi users and drivers is to set the limit and then work together with taxi drivers to manage the service in order to deliver the best possible service.

Lib Dems will also propose to scrap the suggestion by the controlling Labour Group on the Council, condemned by both users and drivers, that evening fares start at £5. Under the Lib Dem plan another unwise Labour proposition, that taxi drivers are required to subscribe to a radio circuit in order to be allowed to ply their trade, would be ditched.

Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council, said: -

"Our group has considered the independent report into the issue of taxi provision and has listened carefully to both taxi drivers and taxi users when coming to our decision on the best way forward."

"Back in 2000 there where only 300 black cabs operating in Sheffield. The decision at that time to remove the limit in order to allow supply to match demand was the correct one. We are now seeing the positive results of that foresight for users, plus over an extra 500 families in Sheffield are able to make a living from the black cab business."

"But it's clear that we are no longer talking about a numbers game in order to improve the service, we now need to focus on working with the drivers to deliver improvements for users. Re-introducing a limit will allow us to do just this."

"We are also proposing to throw out some ill-thought out ideas from Labour, including the ridiculous proposal to start evening fares at £5. These sort of misjudgements are proof that Labours party political approach and lack of willingness to work together on this issue doesn't do anyone any good."