Have your say on taxi changes (From Durham Times)

Have your say on taxi changes

8:40am Sunday 8th August 2010 in News

CHANGES to the way taxis are regulated are being put out to consultation.

Durham County Council inherited responsibility for licensing the industry from the county’s seven former districts – each of which laid down rules such as the colour of vehicles.

Now the council is considering whether to make the entire county a single zone, which would allow drivers to operate anywhere in the county, to introduce a vehicle colour policy and have limits on the number of drivers.

It is looking at five options, which include keeping the current system based on the old district areas, two of which have a maximum number of licence holders, and scrapping the old zones and any limits on licences.

In the past, drivers in Durham City have voiced concern that deregulation could mean drivers from quieter parts of the county will try to work in the city.

The consultation runs until September 12 and details are available through the council’s website, www.durham.gov.uk.