SURELY the time has come to modernise our old-fashioned, restrictive, monopolistic, unsatisfactory taxi and private hire industry.

Anyone should be entitled in a free competitive market to offer a taxi service, summoned by phone or on the street.

However, he would need to be a “fit and proper person”, speak English and pass a training course.

The vehicle would need to be in excellent condition, meet minimum standards, checked annually and subject, at any time, to inspection by the police and local authority.

The vehicle would need to be fitted with GPS or satnav, a black box recording all journeys, a sound recording device, a camera device and safety buttons for the protection of both passenger and driver.

The vehicle in service would have to carry suitable visible marks, such as a prominent sign or plate.

Naturally fully comprehensive public liability insurance would be required.

Being part of public transport, the taxi fares should be regulated, displayed on a meter, with a meter receipt giving full details issued to the passenger at the end of every journey. The parties could always agree a fare less than the meter.

Bus lanes should be open to the taxis, unless for good reason the local authority prohibited the use.

Taxi ranks on the highway should be provided according to need, and it may be necessary to regulate their use, on a non-discriminating and fair basis.

Taxis waiting for a phone call from potential customers would need to wait at suitable places; but in order to avoid congestion and unwelcome parking the local authority might need to regulate the roads, e.g. waiting by taxis prohibited in certain specified roads between certain specified times.

Similarly cruising for trade might have to be controlled in certain roads.

A modern system would mean a better service available for the public, more opportunities for employment for taxi drivers, fewer private cars, less congestion, an improved economy. Win-win.

Alec Samuels

Southampton