The Council has given the green light to the merging of the taxi and private hire vehicle zones in East Dunbartonshire in a bid to improve public safety, reliability and accessibility for users, particularly those with disabilities and mobility impairments.
The current taxi and private hire vehicle zones in East Dunbartonshire were established when the area was made up of the old Strathkelvin and Bearsden & Milngavie districts, however, from 1 October 2019, operators and drivers will be licensed to cover the entire East Dunbartonshire area.
At this time there are a number of accessible taxis and private hire vehicles licensed in East Dunbartonshire, with the majority of these currently licensed to operate in zone 1 - Strathkelvin area. From 1 October 2019, accessible vehicles will be able to operate across the entire authority area, which should increase the availability of accessible taxis and private hire vehicles for residents with mobility issues in Bearsden & Milngavie.
Council Joint Leader, Councillor Andrew Polson, said, “It is hoped that residents across East Dunbartonshire, who rely on accessible taxis and private hire vehicles, will benefit from the merging of the two zones. The Council will be closely monitoring the impact of this change and we are appealing to users with mobility issues or disabilities, their family and friends and organisations who work with people with disabilities to provide feedback on their experiences."
The Council will be engaging with the public, trade and other stakeholders over a two-year period to monitor the impact of the merging of the zones. Please share your views by emailing taxiconsultation@eastdunbarton.gov.uk from 1 October 2019.
Joint Council Leader, Councillor Vaughan Moody, added, “It is extremely important that we receive feedback from those who require accessible taxis and private hire vehicles as we recognise how vital this service is for many people living within our communities. I urge people to let us know their experiences during the monitoring period so we can gauge the success of the change and plan how to move forward in the future.”
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