TAXI TRADE: FIGHTING OFF A "MINI CHALLENGE"

This paper provides an independent view on the role of the London taxi cab. There are about 15000 taxis and 33000 to 37000 minicabs in London. The taxis are governed by a whole series of regulations, controlling driver standards, vehicle design, fares, and mode of operation. The minicabs are subject to almost no control beyond the normal licensing of their drivers. What seems to be required is at least some minimum regulation of minicabs in quality terms: licensing of their drivers by the police, checks on vehicle quality, and clear display of their function. The author discusses the possible use of large taxi fleets under radio control on behalf of disabled travellers, and compares them favourably with the more limited mobility bus and dial-a-ride services. He assesses the results of various attempts to introduce shared taxi operation in London, and finds the progress made there disappointingly small. Finally, he comments on the Department of Transport's recent review of taxi regulation together with the transfer of taxi powers from the home office; he welcomes these steps, but warns of the danger of ill-considered proposals arising from belief in deregulation for its own sake. An inset reviews the Institute of Transport's recent seminar on the London taxi cab. (TRRL)