New Urban Square in Broad Street - relocation of taxi rank (P.96-2005) - second amendments

STATES OF JERSEY

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NEW URBAN SQUARE IN BROAD STREET: RELOCATION OF TAXI RANK (P.96/2005) – SECOND AMENDMENTS

Presented to the States by Deputy M.F. Dubras of St. Lawrence and lodged au Greffe on 24th May 2005

by the Deputy of St. John

STATES GREFFE

NEW URBAN SQUARE IN BROAD STREET: RELOCATION OF TAXI RANK (P.96/2005) – SECOND AMENDMENTS

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1. Renumber existing paragraph (a) as (a)(i) and after that paragraph insert the following new sub- paragraph –

" (i i) t o rescind, for the same period of one year, the designation as a stand of the area previously used for controlled taxi-cabs under Article  37 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law, and to designate the said area as a pedestrian road at all times in accordance with the provisions of Article  8(1) of the Road Traffic (St.  Helier) (Jersey) Order 1996;

2. Renumber existing paragraph  (b) as (b)(i) and after that sub-paragraph insert the following new sub- paragraph –

" ( ii ) to designate, after consultation with the Parish of St. Helier and the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association and other relevant stakeholders, a number of other ranks of between two and six spaces in agreed locations within the central town area (as described in paragraph 3 of the attached report), as well as along the Esplanade and, if possible, within the Waterfront, in addition to those ranks already designated at Snow Hill, in Mulcaster Street and at the Weighbridge."

DEPUTY M.F. DUBRAS OF ST. LAWRENCE

REPORT

General

The aim of these second amendments is two-fold: one, to ensure that all involved understand the practical consequential action required of the Committee by the Connétable of St.  Helier's proposition, if approved, as is the intent of the Committee's amendment; second, to encourage the Committee, along with the Home Affairs Committee, to pursue new as well as evolving initiatives which together will, in my opinion, enhance the service to the public and be of mutual benefit and long-term satisfaction to the providers as well as to a whole range of existing and new customers.

Specifics

1. M y amendment to paragraph (a)of the Proposition is intended to ensure clarity and certainty ofthe short- term outcome during the trial period as to what the Connétable appears to haveinmind in orderto achieve hispurpose in complying with States' strategic objectives related to this important areaofTown, with which I associate myselfhavingworkedwithhimonseveralrelevantcommittees.
2. M y amendment to paragraph (b) is the result ofcomment received from various user and other relevant groups astotheirneeds, plus myownobservations over a period oftime.Thecomments have been made both by existing taxi-cabusers as well as thosewanting to have more readyaccess to designated stands in closer proximity to the location of service suppliersor their homes. This matter is not new and has been the topic of discussion in the past between several committees and the Drivers' Association.
3. T h e central town commercial, leisure and residential area I envisage is that generally within the boundaries described by mentally walking' in a clockwise direction: starting from the Parade, moving along Union Street, Burrard Street into Minden Place; Bath Street; to Hill Street anddownMulcaster Street; to Conway Street, Broad Street, along Sand Street/Seale Street via Gloucester Street back to the Parade. This areaisbasedon the IslandPlan(2002) definition oftheTown Centre.
4. F o r example, I have received approaches and commentsas to the lackofready accessibility during day- time hours to standing' taxis from those visiting the General Hospital; Cyril LeMarquandHouse; the Markets; States and Court facilities, quite apart from all thosewhouse other commercialand public service providers such asBanks, the Public Library andso on. Someofthesepeople have been elderly or physically incapacitated andfoundit frustrating to have to struggle to walk all the way to Broad Street, if they were carrying heavyshopping bags or briefcases and, especially ininclementweather, run the riskof finding the rank empty. Surely, it is time to take thetaxi-cab service to the public rather than the other way round?
5. T h e re are a numberofnew situations arising: the newShopmobility' facility in the Sand Street Carpark, for example, needs to becatered for. I understand itwouldwelcome greater support from the special- purpose taxi-cabs inconveyingtheirpassengers to and from thebasement. A stand in the immediate vicinity would alsoserve a multiplicity of other users. Thepresenceofnewresidentialandbusiness communities and medical clinics alongGloucester Street together with theOperaHouse, it seems to me, would justify some new 24-7' facility. I amaware that the current and previous Committeeshave offered to establish newstandsatsomeof the suggested locations but the drivers indicated that thestandswould not beused. Perhaps, in view of the increased demand I ampredicting,the drivers will wish to review the potential benefitsoverall.
6. I h a veunderstoodtoo the other side of the coin' as expressedby the Drivers' Association representatives and considered carefully their views. I can appreciate their perspective but, giventoday's customer- oriented businessworld,on balance I have to disagree with it. Itseemstome that, rather than haveone large-capacity rank,ortwo if oneincludes the Weighbridge, the Committee needs, with the full supportof the States Assembly,to provide a de-centralised' network of stands for both day- and night-time activity. I am glad too that the Waterfront Enterprise Board is looking anewatenablingtaxi-cab service stand' provision within its domain along with the opportunity provided bythenew transportation centre and

forthcoming business park on the Esplanade.

7. F u r ther, I wishtoencouragetheCommittee to consider, investigate andarrange for thesetting-upof a cost-effective system of road sensors and other monitoring devices to remotely inform the taxi-cab industry drivers when rank spaces are vacated orvacant,orwhen a customer is desirous of hailing' a vehicle from a vacantstand, in orderto improve the efficiency andeconomyof the service being provided generally. While we have appreciated,more often than not, whenthere has beenanadequatesupplyon hand to meetwhathastobe an uncertain demandon occasions, we have all had, nodoubt,personal experience oftimesof having to waitat the Airport and the Harbours,aswellasin Broad Street!

Financial and manpower considerations

There should be no additional expenditure from the amendment to paragraph (a).

With regard to paragraph (b) it is my understanding that any additional expenditure and manpower requirements for the establishment of additional taxi ranks within the town centre, which I estimate would be relatively small, would either fall within normal departmental budgets or possibly be drawn from the urban renewal fund especially if of a capital nature. The cost effectiveness of road sensor and/or other monitoring equipment requires further detailed evaluation in comparison with the cost-benefits to the taxi-cab drivers and, ultimately, their customers of a unified dispatch and information communications system.

Summary

It is clear that the thrust of the Connétable 's proposition emanates from a full awareness and good understanding that there is a multi-faceted cultural change going on in Town as well as a strong desire to achieve his vision of a vibrant user-friendly and desirable place to do business, enjoy leisure and, once again, live conveniently. These amendments are designed to complement that appreciation and aspiration.

The basis of my proposal is to complement that of the Committee and enable a paradigm shift to take place in the provision of rank taxi-cab service so that from now on the driving force' is one of convenience to the travelling public over-riding that of long-established convenience to the drivers.