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1240/5(8405)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY J.H. YOUNG OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 30th JUNE 2014
Question
Will the Minister inform the Assembly of the conclusions, if any, he has reached from his extensive consultation on taxi regulation throughout his term of office, what action he has already implemented to put these conclusions into effect and what action, if any, he will be taking before his term of office is completed?
Will the Minister further inform the Assembly whether he considers he has secured any improvements in the taxi service or addressed any of the recommendations of the Channel Island Competition Regulatory Authority or do these remain outstanding?
Answer
Yes, there are a number of regulatory reform initiatives I intend to implement as a result of consultation and these will be presented as a Regulatory Policy Report to the States Assembly before the end of its present term.
The recommendations of CICRA have been fully considered as an integral part of the review process and these recommendations will be incorporated where I consider this appropriate. However, as I am sure the Deputy understands, I am not able to divulge particulars at this time, as the detailed policy remains under development and has the potential to be commercially sensitive.
As well as, establishing the policy objectives to fulfil my regulatory duty to ensure that "there is an adequate, efficient and reasonably priced cab1 service available throughout Jersey at all times"2 into the
future. I also recognise the need to respond to more immediate customer concerns.
The consultation results published in my White Paper Report this year, clearly showed, above all else, customers were confused about the two types of taxi and the different fares they charge. The consultation found a proposal to set an industry-wide maximum fare for all taxi-cabs has wide spread public support. Of the 742 individual responses received more than 90% agreed that the TTS Minister should set a maximum level of fares for all taxis.
Organisations in favour of introducing an industry-wide maximum tariff included:
- Jersey Chamber of Commerce
- Jersey Consumer Council
- Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authority
- Jersey Cab Drivers Association
- Jersey Taxi Drivers Association
Therefore, I have recently written to all taxi-cab companies, the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association and the Jersey Cab Drivers Association to advise them of my intention to set an industry-wide maximum fare tariff for all taxi-cabs. Preparatory work for this has started and industry engagement will take place later this year.
I am, as always, happy to meet with the Deputy to consider ideas he might have or any concerns he wishes to raise.
1 A cab service defined as one where the vehicle is hired as a whole, generically referred to as a taxi-cab. 2 Motor Traffic Law 1935