EXETER'S licensing committee has voted to consult on whether or not to end the restrictions on the number of taxis allowed to operate in the city.
There are currently 66 taxis in the city – in 1987 the city council set the limit at 38 but there has been an average growth of taxi plates of around one per year, to the current figure as a result of successful challenges by applicants to the courts and the licensing committee determining exceptions to its policy of restriction.
Now Robert Norley, the city's assistant director of environment, has told the committee that there was a great deal of failure demand and wasted work associated with dealing with and hearing applications for taxi plates, their refusal, and defending challenges.
The committee therefore resolved to consult on whether to remove the policy of taxi restriction in a managed way, and enhance the quality controls for taxis to improve standards further and prevent any potential negative impact from de-restriction.
A report will go back to the committee following the consultation so that it can make a final decision.
