Blackpool Taxi passenger sharing scheme approved by councillors for selected destinations

A bid to launch a formal taxi-sharing scheme along Blackpool Promenade has been approved by members of the council's public protection sub-committee. The application submitted by the Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operator Association (BLOTA) proposed to put signs up on certain ranks to offer a ride-sharing service on popular routes.

Fares of between £2 and £2.50 per passenger would be charged, with at least four passengers sharing each trip.

As reported previously in TaxiPoint, a formal hackney taxi sharing scheme had been available in the resort before but had fallen out of use, but now councillors have decided to give the go-ahead for a new one.

Councillors have warned drivers from touting for business at bus and tram queues and also warned the system must not be used to over-charge other groups who wish to travel exclusively on a metered fare, the Blackpool Gazette first reported.

The scheme must now be advertised before it can come into force. Bill Lewtas, of Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association (BLOTA), said: "I am pleased the council approved our plans for taxi sharing. "We provided detailed plans as to how we think this should operate. Councillors approved our plans unanimously and these will now be advertised to the public." The proposals from BLOTA say drivers may not "approach or speak to members of the public who are stood in a queue for buses or trams", and they must not "persistently harass or tout for hiring". The signage, timings and conditions on how to charge will see a strict set of rules put in place.

Image: Source; Geograph

Image: Author; Chris Downer