A DECISION on whether to change door signs on some Southampton taxis has been pushed back.
City bosses have asked for more time to decide whether door signs on private hire vehicles should display both the name of the operator and the licensing authority or just the name of the licensing authority.
Both names are currently required.
But under new proposals drivers could be allowed to use door signs displaying the name of the licensing authority only.
This would allow drivers to work for more than one company at a time, some traders said.
But others objected to the proposals raising concerns over passengers’ safety.
Speaking at the meeting of the Licensing Committee at Southampton City Council this morning, Ali Haydor, Southampton private hire trade representative, said: “What we are asking for is not to get rid of the sign. We are asking for alternative signs that allow drivers to work for more than one company.”
Mr Haydor said the changes would guarantee job security and would increase drivers’s income.
But Ian Hall, chairman of Southampton hackney and private hire association, said: “We want the private hire vehicles to have the door sign with the name of the operator. It is for the safety of the public.”
Clive Johnson, Radio Taxis honorary chairman, stressed that the decision to have the name of the operator on door signs was taken 20 years ago to protect passengers following a number of incidents.
He said: “The main issue was to get the public recognise a vehicle licensed by Southampton. Taking signage off would be going backwards. It is to make sure the public know they are getting in the correct vehicle.”
In official documents licensing bosses said the option to change the door sign requirements has the potential to have “a profound effect” on the taxi trade in the city.
They said more time is required to gather information to help city bosses make a final decision.
Cllr Graham Galton, chair of the licensing committee, said: ” We are aware of the door sign issue, that is something that is being looked at and hopefully we will come to a decision in the not too distant future.”
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