The testing procedures and standards for taxis and private hire vehicles in South Ayrshire are to be further improved. Following a consultation process a final draft report will be submitted to members of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee for their consideration and approval.

Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of the Committee said: “There has been a great improvement over the last few years in the quality of the taxis and private hire vehicles which are available in South Ayrshire. The Committee has been concerned that the standards for testing vehicles and the standards for the vehicles themselves have not been updated, despite the increase in the types of vehicles now available, which is why the draft reports are being prepared by Officers.”

Draft standards for the testing of taxis and private hire vehicles and the standard of the vehicles have been prepared. 'A consultation process with the trade and members of the public will now take place. The draft standards will be available on the Council's website at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/2006/taxi-consulatation.htm and once the consultation process has been completed, a final draft will be approved by the Committee.'

At present all conditions for Best Practice and Codes of Practice are contained within the operator or drivers licence. In the future these will be supplemented by best practice guidelines and codes of practice for all operators and drivers, with a view to further improving the image of the fleet.

December 2006