All taxi and private hire vehicles must offer card payment facilities agrees Coventry City Council

Coventry City Council has unanimously agreed on proposals for all taxi and private hire vehicles to offer card payment facilities to come into effect before the end of the year.

Proposals set out, discussed and agreed during a council meeting held on 21 October, outlined the members' beliefs that introducing mandatory card payment facilities is a must for taxi and private hire drivers, reading: 'With the growth of cashless payments and the UK having the highest revenue in cashless payments in the European Union, and most of the population not carrying cash, it is reasonable to ensure that private hire and hackney carriage vehicles have facilities to offer cashless payments if required by the passenger.'

Representatives of the Coventry licensed taxi trade, Unite Union, were consulted about the proposals in the lead up to the final decision of approval, which the council agreed will help to facilitate improvements in the taxi services available to the people of Coventry. Which will contribute towards ensuring that children and young people are safer; making places and services accessible and encouraging a creative, active and vibrant city.

The decision will take effect immediately, but the trade will be given a period of up to 1 December to source, purchase and provide the cashless payment facilities.

The authority’s cabinet member for city services, Cllr Pat Hetherton, agreed to make cashless payments mandatory, saying: "We are moving towards a cashless society."

Image: Source; Taxipoint