4. Developing the Taxi Transformation Plan - SPAD

3. Looking to the Future of Taxis
3.1) Introduction
This chapter considers international best practice in terms of taxi licensing and benchmarks provision
in the GKL/KV region against other global cities. It then considers the future role of the taxi, taxi
licensing and provision. It sets out the resultant overarching vision for taxi services in the GKL/KV
along with the key objectives recommended to help achieving the vision and addressing the issues
highlighted in Chapter 2.
3.2) International Best Practice
A review of international best practice has been undertaken in order to understand which elements of
the respective taxi systems work well elsewhere, which elements do not work and establishing how the
different approaches to the taxi market can be best applied to the GKL/KV region. The cities
considered include those that have been recognised as having the best taxi services in the world,
London and New York. It is commonly considered that London Taxis and New York Yellow Cabs provide
a good service to their users whilst acting as an icon or brand for the cities. The approach to service
provision and licensing requirements in each of these cities has been reviewed along with other core
cities including Hong Kong and Singapore. Tables 3.1 – 3.4 set out a summary of the regulatory body,
the driver and vehicle standards, and the monitoring and enforcement regime in the taxi market in
each city.
It is clear that it is common for the regulator to introduce quality restrictions on licensing although
some cities also regulate the number of licences available. Of the cities reviewed just 3 places
regulate taxi licensing by controlling numbers, New York, Sydney and some United Kingdom
authorities. Where numbers are controlled there are also quality regulations in place – which shows all
regulators agree some quality restriction is required and numerical limitation itself is insufficient to
ensure quality and maintain public safety.
The requirements for applying for a driver‟s license are stringent in New York, London and Singapore.
Putting in place quality requirements ensures only those suitable to work as drivers enter the industry
and the quality of drivers are therefore assured. Likewise by specifying detailed vehicle standards and
testing and monitoring regularly against these standards the quality of the fleet is maintained.
Figure 3.1: Iconic Image of Taxis in New York and London
Page 26