City’s cabs could go back to black (with yellow highlights)

Derby’s Hackney carriages currently have to be painted yellow but operators have petitioned for them to be black. DERBY City Council members will meet next week to discuss plans to make huge changes to the city’s taxis.

One of the proposals to be considered by the licensing committee will be whether the city’s yellow taxis should go “back to black” after more than 100 taxi drivers signed a petition, which was sent to the authority in December.

Hackney cabs in Derby first became yellow in 2001 following a change of policy by the council to make them more identifiable for customers, including the partially sighted.

But members of the Derby Area Taxi Association argue that the cabs are purchased as black vehicles and that is how they should remain.

The meeting, on Thursday, January 17, will also discuss other proposals, as the council looks to bring a new fleet to Derby by 2020.

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: “A new draft taxi and private hire vehicle strategy will be considered by committee, proposing some of the biggest changes to Derby taxis since horsedrawn carriages.

“As well as going back to black, the ambitious strategy focuses on modernising the city’s taxi and private hire fleet, making them environmentally cleaner, improving safety, and enhancing customer service and experience.”

The council has won Government funding to invest more than £500,000 on the new taxi fleet.

Most of the new vehicles would have a minimum of six seats as standard. The council also plans to launch free Wifi in all new Hackney carriages.

Despite the planned re-brand, the new vehicles will keep a flash of yellow on the bonnet, roof and boot.

The spokesperson said: “In order to support the influx of new electric vehicles, we have bid for, and won Government funding, allowing us to invest more than £500,000 on infrastructure solely for the new taxi fleet.

“New electric vehicle charging points will be installed at locations around the city, exclusively for Hackney carriages.

“This is in addition to the 230 charging points being installed in Derby, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire over the next few years, which are available for all vehicles to use.”

If the draft strategy is accepted it will go out to consultation, allowing trade representatives and the general public to have their say on the proposals.

Councillor Mick Barker, chairman of the licensing committee said: “This is an extremely exciting piece of work, which I am proud to be working with officers on.

“The importance of Derby’s taxi and private hire fleet cannot be underestimated.

“They are an integral part of our city’s transport system, and we’ll be offering support and advice throughout this process.

“With the Government imposing further clean air demands, we want to future proof emission levels beyond that already demanded of us [in specific areas], whilst finding a way to benefit drivers, their businesses, and customers.

“The health benefits of citizens is paramount in our minds, and as it stands, we don’t have one euro 6 vehicle in the city.”