Swansea Council considers mandatory taxi card payments
- Perry Richardson
- 25 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Swansea Council has launched a public consultation on proposals to make card payments mandatory in all licensed taxis across the city.
The move aims to address concerns that some passengers are left unable to complete journeys due to a lack of cash and limited card payment options in taxis.
The proposed change would mean all taxi drivers and operators in Swansea must carry card payment equipment, including support for contactless and digital wallet systems like Google Pay.
While many drivers and firms already offer card payment options through terminals and smartphone apps, a significant number still accept cash only. This gap in payment flexibility has led to situations where passengers are unable to pay, particularly late at night or when cash machines are not nearby.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Performance, David Hopkins, said the Council recognises the shift in how people pay for services. He said: “At the moment, there are no rules in place that state taxi drivers must carry card payment facilities as part of their licensing conditions. This can put some passengers at risk of being stranded if they only have card payment options and are not carrying cash.”
To help manage this issue in the short term, taxi marshals are in place at busy city centre ranks to assist passengers who need card-paying vehicles, ensuring they can wait in a safe space until one becomes available.
The consultation will gather feedback from the taxi trade and the public to assess both the benefits and any potential issues that might arise from mandating card payment equipment in all licensed vehicles.
The Council is encouraging all interested parties to share their views by visiting: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/paybycardTaxis
