TAXI drivers may soon be required to accept card payments as well as cash after complaints from passengers forced council bosses to consider a policy change.
Colchester Council’s Licensing Committee will meet on September 28 in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, which is located in the High Street.
Chaired by Dave Harris, the 11-strong group is set to debate over whether Colchester taxis should be fitted with machines which accept electronic forms of payments.
In addition to the authority’s Hackney Carriage, the amendments will also need to be adopted by drivers of certain private hire vehicles, should the plans be approved.
If councillors decide they would like to alter the licensing policy, there would first be a six-week consultation period before any changes come into effect.
According to the council bosses, the requirement is being considered following complaints of some licenced vehicles being unable to accept card payments.
Should the change be approved, licence holders would need to purchase an electronic device, which could cost in the region of £100, within three months.
It is also anticipated each transaction would also incur a charge of about 1.6 per cent.
The council would also need to fork out about £1,000 on stickers for its fleet of vehicles which would inform passengers of its card payment capabilities.
READ MORE: Colchester taxis could see CCTV cameras become mandatory
In the agenda for the licensing committee’s forthcoming meeting, a spokesman said: “Many drivers and operators already make provision for electronic payments.
“But there is disparity across the trade which is causing problems for customers and compromises the principle the taxi at the head of the rank takes the next fare.
“The refusal of fares by the driver at the head of the rank because they are unable to take card payments is another source of complaint to the council.
“The council has committed to keeping the licensing policy under review to ensure it remains fit for purpose and is responsive to the changing licensing environment.
“Card payments have become the norm for a large percentage of the population.
“It is [therefore] considered the requirement to have card facilities should be included within the policy, subject to the outcome of the consultation.”
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