Controversial plans to lift the limit on the number of taxis operating in Perth have been rejected.
Members of the council’s licensing committee yesterday opted not to go down the route of deregulation after considering the results of a public consultation.
Among those pleased by the decision was local MP Pete Wishart who had warned a “free for all” could have had catastrophic consequences.
He said removal of the limit would “destroy careers” and claimed the removal of safeguards would put passengers particularly single women at risk.
The limit on taxi operator licences within Perth has operated since 1979 and there are currently around 70 licences.
“I very much welcome this decision,” said Mr Wishart yesterday. “The existing rules ensure that taxis in Perth can achieve the balance of providing an appropriate level of service to customers while protecting the livelihoods of operators.
“Deregulation would mean too many taxis at busy times, too few at quieter times and much less investment in modern equipment and vehicle maintenance.”
His colleague, Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham, was also pleased the council was not going to proceed with taxi deregulation.
“A number of local taxi drivers had come to me for help on this issue and I was convinced by their arguments,” she said.
“Having made representations to the council on their behalf, I am delighted that the right decision has been made. Research showed that there was no unmet taxi provision in Perth to justify deregulation and removal of the cap on numbers.
“Rather, it would have resulted in overcrowded ranks and made it harder for existing taxi drivers to make a living.”
A report placed before the committee said there was evidence that those in the trade relied on the increased income earned at peak periods to offset the significantly lower income earned at non-peak times and that changes could have resulted in drivers working longer hours to maintain their income.
Licensing committee member councillor Heather Stewart said following the meeting, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all that have been involved with this consultation process regarding the limiting of the number of taxis in the Perth city area over the past few months.
“On occasion this has been extremely volatile on both sides of the argument, but I would like to commend the licensing staff of Perth and Kinross Council but also the taxi drivers and operators who took time out of their busy schedules to be able to help in the consultation.”