New taxi plans 'will leave rural people abandoned'

There are currently six taxi zones across Cornwall

Proposals to change the way taxis operate in Cornwall will leave passengers in rural areas "abandoned", according to one group representing drivers.

The Newquay Taxi Forum said council plans to replace six taxi zones with one countywide area risked making rural journeys too expensive, as more drivers would take "more profitable" work in Truro and tourist towns.

Under the current rules, taxis licensed in one zone cannot pick up passengers in another zone, and fare tariffs are different in each area.

Cornwall Council said it wanted to create a single area to "make things simpler for passengers, improve taxi availability and customer choice, and create a fairer and more efficient system".

Currently the six areas are: Penwith, Kerrier, Carrick, Restormel, North Cornwall and Caradon, based on previous district council lines.

Even though Cornwall Council became a single authority in 2009, the zones still exist because of legacy legislation.

'Low profit areas'

"This one-size-fits-all approach risks making rural journeys too expensive for passengers," said Steven Witchell, from Newquay Taxi Forum.

"Without zones, drivers naturally chase the most profitable work - city areas likes Truro and tourist spots like St Ives and Falmouth.

"This leaves low-profit areas abandoned unless the council pays subsidies."

He said when Cornwall's borough and district councils scrapped some zoning in 1997, rural taxi drivers migrated to more lucrative town centres, leaving outlying villages without regular taxi services.

Mr Witchell pointed out this became a problem particularly in winter months when public transport was limited or non-existent.

He added: "I believe that council officers are sharing next to no conversation on the negative impact this policy will have on rural Cornwall.

"They don't care - they have already decided this is best for them."

A spokesperson for the council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The government has recommended removing taxi zones to make services simpler for passengers, give them more choice and to create a fairer and more efficient system for drivers."

They added the council was aware of concerns from some taxi companies, and said it was running a consultation until 31 December, with a decision on the matter to be decided next year.