Taxi trade opened to all-comers

Until now, the number of taxi licences has been strictly controlled, with just 83 hackney carriages and 240 private hire vehicles in the district. But on Monday, the council voted to de-restrict the number of licences - meaning that anyone with a suitable vehicle could become a taxi operator.

The move angered the town's existing cabbies. They said it would cut their earnings without improving services for the public.

They said part-time drivers would move in to 'cherry- pick' the busy times, but not bother with the day-to-day business.

The decision to de-limit is likely to lead to an immediate 50 per cent increase in the number of taxis in Cherwell.

The council has 45 applications for what, before de-restriction, would have been 11 new licences.

Now, all 45 could be approved providing their vehicles pass a fit-for-purpose test.

The de-restriction was in line with Government guidance.

The council heard that only 11 per cent of local authorities in the country now impose limits, and other councils locally - including Warwick, Stratford, and West Oxfordshire - had already de-restricted.

Proposing the change, Councillor George Reynolds said the council had to ensure the level of taxi service was correct.

He said: "The idea of taxis is to remove private cars from the roads.

"Other councils that have opened up the taxi business have seen a 30 per cent rise in the number of cabs. It has been beneficial for passengers."

Councillor Reynolds said there should not be monopolies, and that de-restriction would prevent the buying and selling of licences - which could changes hands for thousands of pounds.

Councillor John Wyse said: "Cherwell should be a district of opportunity, but how can it be if we stop people from becoming taxi drivers."

Speaking against the idea, councillor Keith Strangwood said the decision should be a matter for individual town councils.

He said there was a shortage of taxis in Bicester, but not in Banbury.

Councillor Alistair Milne Home said: "If there are not enough taxis, just increase the number to the correct level."

He said the sale of licences could be prevented by insisting that they were returned to the council when drivers no longer wanted them."

Alan Woodward, spokesman for the taxi drivers, warned that shorter waiting times and lower fares would not follow.

He said: "There is a demand in Bicester, but there is no need to flood Banbury with cabs."

Councillor Barry Wood said a 'flood of taxis' was unlikely. He said: "There will be some who seek a side-living, but the market will find its own level."

After the meeting, Amjid Hussain, secretary of the Cherwell Hackney Carriage Association, said his members were disappointed with the decision.

He said: "We will have a meeting, and we could take court action against the council to protect our living."

Association chairman Sikander Hayat said he would hold an emergency meeting of members to decide their course of action.

He said: "We are prepared to go to the wire.

"We will do everything possible to protect our livelihoods."

• Taxis park in the town's ranks, and passengers can just turn up and get in. Private hire vehicles operate from offices. Passengers have to pre-book by telephone, or go into an office to book a ride.