Kent licensees aim to set up taxi firm
Medway LVA's scheme will combat shortage of city centre cabs
Licensees in Kent are looking at setting up their own taxi company to help boost trade and ensure pub-goers get home safely.
Medway Licensed Victuallers Association has come up with the idea after local taxi drivers voiced their reluctance to make late-night pick-ups in Rochester city centre, particularly at weekends.
The shortage of taxis at night had left many pub-goers stranded in town centres or waiting in long taxi queues and licensees feared it was putting many customers off visiting pubs in the area.
They have now decided to set up their own service to help swell the numbers of taxis operating at busy times.
Bill King, licensee of the Jolly Knight in Rochester and a founder of the scheme, said: "We have about 50 pubs on board, all of whom have had problems getting taxis for customers, and that's a lot of fares!
"One local businessman has already offered his backing and is talking about 10 brand new black cabs."
Taxi drivers are obliged to work a minimum of 35 hours per week but there is no control over when they work those hours. Many choose not to work weekend evenings because of an increased risk of picking up drunken customers or encountering violence.
Local council taxi licensing officer Chris Webb said a scheme run by licensees could help ease the problem.
"If the LVA could set this up within the terms that we require, we would welcome a new company as a positive step forward," he said.
The scheme may also help to ease the tension on the streets at closing time, when violence among the hoards of customers leaving outlets is often provoked by frustration at the long queues for taxis and buses.
Last November, Medway council removed the limit on how many taxis can be licensed, leaving the way open for a new operator to set up business.
Mr Webb said: "It might force the existing taxi companies to re-think their coverage."
A spokesman for the local police licensing department said: "This is not strictly a licensing matter but we realise there is a problem concerning late-night taxis and we support the LVA in its efforts to improve matters."
