Public consultation - Hertsmere "Taxi" licensing policy

Consultation on Hertsmere Borough Council's Taxi Licensing Policy

Hertsmere Borough Council is consulting on its hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy which was last adopted 5 years ago. The term "taxi" is used in this survey to refer to both private hire and hackney carriage vehicles.

We would like to hear our residents view about the "taxi" trade, the Council's regulation of it and our Policy.

You can complete this survey anonymously, however, our email is provided at the end of this survey should you wish to discuss anything about the regulation of taxi's in more detail.

This survey should take around 5-10 minutes.

Question Title

* 1. Which of the following best describes you?
(please select only one).

I am regular user of private hire or hackney carriage vehicles (Taxi's)

I am an occasional user of private hire or hackney carriage vehicles (Taxi's)

I rarely use private hire or hackney carriage vehicles (Taxi's)

Question Title

* 2. Our policy explains how and why the Council makes decisions to grant, refuse or revoke licences. We do this to protect the public.

Do you agree that the Council's objective should be: "public safety and public safeguarding"

Yes

IF no, please explain why:

Question Title

* 3. Your usage of licensed vehicles

We wish to understand your usage of licensed vehicles.

Please select as many of the following statements that represent your view and then click OK to move to the next question:

I book private hire vehicles by telephone

I use a smartphone app (i.e. Uber) to book licensed vehicles;

I will approach the driver of a private hire vehicle and ask if they are available;

Provided I get to where I want to go, I do not care about the standard of vehicle or driver;

When booking a private hire vehicle, I accept whatever vehicle the operator provides to me;

When booking a private hire vehicle I accept the price provided to me;

When booking a private hire vehicle I do not care which Council has licensed the driver, vehicle or operator;

Question Title

* 4. The standard of drivers and vehicles in Hertsmere

We would like to know your specific views about the vehicles and drivers licensed to operate in Hertsmere.

Which, if any, of the following statements do you agree with?

I feel safe in private hire vehicles/hackney carriages in Hertsmere

The standard of private hire vehicles /hackney carriages in Hertsmere is good.

Drivers of private hire vehicles/hackney carriages in Hertsmere are good and safe drivers;

I get good customer service from private hire operators;

I am uncomfortable when travelling alone in a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle;

I get good customer service from drivers of private hire vehicles/hackney carriages;

Private hire vehicles in Hertsmere represent good value for money;

Hackney carriage vehicles in Hertsmere represent good value for money;

I would not wish to use a private hire/hackney carriage vehicle alone late at night;

I am sometimes concerned that the driver of a private hire/hackney carriage vehicle will overcharge me;

Question Title

* 5. The Council's Policy sets out a range of factors that must be checked as being satisfactory before a licence is granted. Some of these are listed below.

Which of the following makes you feel safer?

(You can choose as many as you wish and then click OK. If none make you feel safe, please explain why or just click OK).

Drivers have their criminal record checked every 6 months;

Drivers with serious sexual, violent or dishonesty offences are not licensed by the Council;

Drivers are required to notify the Council if they are arrested, charged or convicted of any offence;

Drivers are required to undertake a training day and safeguarding course;

Drivers must pass an enhanced taxi driving test;

Drivers have their DVLA licence and driving history checked;

Drivers must pass a medical examination;

Drivers must provide a criminal record check from any country they have previously lived in during the last 3 years;

Vehicles must pass an MOT once a year;

Vehicles must pass a visual inspection;

Vehicles must be no older than 8 years of age;

The Council carry out regular enforcement operations.

If none of these make you feel safe, please explain why.

Question Title

* 6. The average mileage of a domestic car each year is less than 10,000 miles. Insurance companies statistics suggest licensed taxis undertake more than double this amount and average between 20,000 to 35,000 miles each year.

Do you consider one MOT test each year to be sufficent to ensure your safety as a passenger?

Yes

Please explain your view:

Question Title

* 7. Your knowledge of Taxis

Later in the year the Council will be publishing a guide to assist members of the public using licensed vehicles.

To assist us, please select one or more of the following that you agree with.

I know very little about how private hire/hackney carriages are regulated in Hertsmere;

I know a lot about how private hire/hackney carriages are regulated in Hertsmere;

I use vehicles that are licensed by neighbouring districts or TFL;

When using private hire and hackney carriage vehicles in Hertsmere I rely on the Council to have checked the driver and vehicle to ensure that I am safe;

When getting into a private hire/hackney carriage I always check that my vehicle is licensed and displays a plate and the driver wears a badge

When getting into a private hire/hackney carriage I rarely check that the vehicle and driver are licensed;

I do not know how to tell if a private hire/hackney carriage is licensed.

When getting into a private hire/hackney carriage I assume that it must be licensed;

I sometimes get into a private hire vehicle without pre-booking;

Question Title

* 8. Complaints of poor conduct

The Council does not recieve many complaints about our licensed trade and we wish to understand if there are any concerns residents have, that we have not been made aware of.

Please select any of the following that you consider applicable to you or has concerned you:

I have previously complained to the Council about a "taxi" related matter;

I have previously complained to a private hire operator;

I believe that I have been subject to comments or behaviour by a licensed driver which I consider inappropriate;

Although I have not complained to the Council about a taxi related matter I probably should have;

I believe that I have been discriminated against by a private hire/hackney carriage driver or operator;

I believe that I have been overcharged by a driver;

I believe that I have been in a unlicensed vehicle operating as a private hire or hackney carriage;

I have witnessed poor driving or parking by a Hertsmere private hire or hackney carriage driver;

A licensed driver has approached me and asked if I needed a ride;

A licensed driver has tried to be-friend me on social media or asked to swap numbers;

Other conduct that has concerned you (please describe below)

Question Title

* 9. Your expectations

The Council wishes to ensure that the regulation of the trade, and the vehicle and drivers provided to you, meets your expectations.

Which of the following do you agree represents your views:

When booking a vehicle with a Hertsmere private hire operator I expect to recieve a Hertsmere licensed vehicle;

I don't mind which Council has licensed the vehicle/driver sent to me;

I would be concerned if an operator despatched a vehicle to me licensed by another Council as that Council may be less stringent in its checks;

When booking a vehicle through an operator, I believe that I am entitled to ask for a vehicle to be provided to me that is licensed by Hertsmere Borough Council;

As a resident I believe I have the right to influence the standard of vehicle and driver licensed to carry me by through my local Council and Councillors.

I prefer to use Uber and similar companies even if they are not licensed by Hertsmere.

Question Title

* 10. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

If there is anything else that you would like to tell us about your thoughts on the Policy, please email licensing.taxis@hertsmere.gov.uk with subject title "TAXI POLICY CONSULTATION" or let us know in the box below.

Nothing further to add

Further comments

Public consultation - Hertsmere "Taxi" licensing policy

Consultation on Hertsmere Borough Council's Taxi Licensing Policy

Question Title

* 1. Which of the following best describes you?(please select only one).

Question Title

* 2. Our policy explains how and why the Council makes decisions to grant, refuse or revoke licences. We do this to protect the public.Do you agree that the Council's objective should be: "public safety and public safeguarding"

Question Title

* 3. Your usage of licensed vehiclesWe wish to understand your usage of licensed vehicles. Please select as many of the following statements that represent your view and then click OK to move to the next question:

Question Title

* 4. The standard of drivers and vehicles in HertsmereWe would like to know your specific views about the vehicles and drivers licensed to operate in Hertsmere.Which, if any, of the following statements do you agree with?

Question Title

Question Title

Question Title

* 7. Your knowledge of TaxisLater in the year the Council will be publishing a guide to assist members of the public using licensed vehicles. To assist us, please select one or more of the following that you agree with.

Question Title

* 8. Complaints of poor conductThe Council does not recieve many complaints about our licensed trade and we wish to understand if there are any concerns residents have, that we have not been made aware of.Please select any of the following that you consider applicable to you or has concerned you:

Question Title

* 9. Your expectationsThe Council wishes to ensure that the regulation of the trade, and the vehicle and drivers provided to you, meets your expectations.Which of the following do you agree represents your views:

Question Title

* 10. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. If there is anything else that you would like to tell us about your thoughts on the Policy, please email licensing.taxis@hertsmere.gov.uk with subject title "TAXI POLICY CONSULTATION" or let us know in the box below.

* 1. Which of the following best describes you?
(please select only one).

* 2. Our policy explains how and why the Council makes decisions to grant, refuse or revoke licences. We do this to protect the public.

Do you agree that the Council's objective should be: "public safety and public safeguarding"

* 3. Your usage of licensed vehicles

We wish to understand your usage of licensed vehicles.

Please select as many of the following statements that represent your view and then click OK to move to the next question:

* 4. The standard of drivers and vehicles in Hertsmere

We would like to know your specific views about the vehicles and drivers licensed to operate in Hertsmere.

Which, if any, of the following statements do you agree with?

* 7. Your knowledge of Taxis

Later in the year the Council will be publishing a guide to assist members of the public using licensed vehicles.

To assist us, please select one or more of the following that you agree with.

* 9. Your expectations

The Council wishes to ensure that the regulation of the trade, and the vehicle and drivers provided to you, meets your expectations.

Which of the following do you agree represents your views:

* 10. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

If there is anything else that you would like to tell us about your thoughts on the Policy, please email licensing.taxis@hertsmere.gov.uk with subject title "TAXI POLICY CONSULTATION" or let us know in the box below.