Halcrow has been commissioned by Brighton and Hove City Council to carry out an independent review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire operations in Brighton and Hove. To do this, Halcrow needs to know what type of service currently exists, and whether it meets the needs of service users. As part of this process we wish to consult with stakeholders across Brighton and Hove. As such I would be grateful if you could provide me with your views on the current taxi service across Brighton and Hove. Topic areas you might wish to consider include:
1. Adequacy of hackney carriage supply across Brighton and Hove. (Hackney Carriages are white with aqua marine bonnets and books. They also have a large roof sign stating ‘TAXI’)
· across all times of the day?
· across all areas?
2. Brighton and Hove City Council currently limits the number of hackney carriages licensed across the district. What do you think about this policy?
3. Adequacy of private hire supply across Brighton and Hove. (Private Hire vehicles are vehicles you prebook. They are not white and aqua marine and must have a licence plate on the rear of the vehicle (green with black writing).
· across all times of the day?
· across all areas?
4. Image of the taxi trade.
· vehicle type and quality?
· driver attitudes and quality?
· need for additional training?
5. Taxi rank locations/ adequacy?
· are ranks in the most suitable places?
· are any additional ranks required? (Please give location)
· is there anything that could improve the accessibility of ranks or make them more user friendly?
6. Accessibility of vehicles.
· are additional wheelchair accessible taxis required?
· the ease with which it is possible to prebook wheelchair accessible vehicles?
· is there anything that could be done to make taxis more accessible for people with other disabilities?
7. Level and structure of fares.
· are they considered to be high, medium or low during the daytime and night-time hours?
8. Publicity about services.
· is there sufficient advertising of hackney and private hire services across Brighton and Hove?
9. Safety Issues.
· do you feel safe using hackneys in Brighton and Hove?
· do you feel safe using private hire vehicles in Brighton and Hove?
· do you feel safe waiting at ranks?
· thoughts on taxi marshals?
10. Transport Integration.
· how well do taxis complement other types of public transport in Brighton and Hove?
The information you provide will be summarised in the report and included, in full, in the appendices to the final report.
In order that I may incorporate any comments you may have into the report, I would appreciate if you could let me have your contribution by 27th July 2012. Please provide your comments via email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). If you have any queries please give me a call (0113 220 8452).
