Jersey taxis to be wheelchair-friendly under new rules

Jersey has two types of taxi operators: private hire and rank cabs

All taxi drivers wanting to operate on the ranks in Jersey will have to be wheelchair-friendly by 2019.

Transport minister Deputy Eddie Noel said the reforms would also see simpler fares and require all rank cabs to be the same colour.

There are currently just over 300 taxis in Jersey, of which only 10% allow wheelchair access.

The changes, being phased in over the next three years, will also allow private hire cars to use the rank.

Rank taxis, meanwhile, will be able to do any amount of private hire work.

Deputy Noel said: "There is a lot of slack in the industry and we are encouraging the cabs to work smarter and increase the capacity at peak hours when the public need it.

"This will allow both types of taxi drivers to increase their incomes. It will allow rank taxis to do private hire work and for private hire drivers to go on the ranks.

"This all adds up to greater availability to access the service."

The leader of the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association, Mick Tostevin, said drivers were not happy about the move.

He said: "A lot of the members of the industry, not just the rank taxis but private hire, have been left gobsmacked and reeling by the revelations."

Under the new plans all taxis will have access to the rank if they meet the new requirements

Taxi service reform

• Maximum fares will be set by the government, with fixed off and on-peak prices

• Drivers will have to have criminal record and health checks, and undergo extra training

• All taxis will have to carry a child booster seat

• All taxis will have to accept credit card payments, regardless of whether they use the rank or not

David Dore, Director of Red Cabs, welcomed the move, saying it would allow companies to better serve the island.

He said: "The proposed changes can be a win, win for both customers and drivers."