What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the current taxi and private hire vehicle licensing framework on drivers, passengers and local authorities, including issues relating to vehicle numbers, cross-border hiring, enforcement, and the sustainability of the trade, and does it intend to bring forward any reforms?
Responsibility for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, including the setting of local standards and enforcement, currently sits with local authorities. Welsh Government has supported this through the publication of guidance to promote greater consistency of standards and practice across Wales.
Work in this area is being progressed on an evidence-led basis, informed by a range of sources including forthcoming Department for Transport statistics on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing and usage. This will help ensure that any future policy development is grounded in a robust understanding of the sector.
Any consideration of policy and legislative change in relation to taxis and private hire vehicles is being developed within the framework of the Welsh Government’s wider legislative programme, which provides the formal mechanism for prioritising and delivering legislative reform. Ensuring coherence with wider reforms – particularly in relation to bus services and network integration – will be key to delivering consistent and effective outcomes for passengers, businesses and communities.