Our Union Street chairman Bob Keiller has urged Aberdonians to support proposals to reform the city's taxi sector, arguing that the current system is damaging the city’s economy.
Aberdeen City Council is considering removing the street knowledge test for private hire drivers, enabling the wider rollout of tech-based services like Uber, while retaining it for taxi drivers who can pick up passengers from ranks or be hailed on the street.
The proposals could go to public consultation early next year.
Taxi firm bosses Russell McLeod of Rainbow City Taxis and Chris Douglas of Aberdeen Taxis said they had previously supported limited changes to the test, which they claim have already delivered results.
“Since these changes were implemented last December, 100 new drivers have joined the fleet and that is very encouraging,” they said.
However, they argued that “the drive for change is being driven only by the newcomer, Uber,” adding that its efforts amount to “a quest nothing short of deregulation.”
They also questioned the process, saying: “We are wondering why a committee policy review is being turned into a public consultation.”
Our Union Street chairman Bob Keiller rejected claims that business groups were pushing deregulation and said retaining the test for private hire drivers was actively harming the city.
“There is no call for deregulation from anyone – only sensible and appropriate regulation,” he said, adding: “Retaining the street knowledge test for private hire drivers is economic self-harm.”
Mr Keiller argued that the test is restricting driver numbers and worsening taxi shortages in the city.
“The street knowledge test is a huge barrier that is preventing new private hire drivers from gaining their licence – and it is outdated and unnecessary,” he said.
“Neither Edinburgh nor Glasgow mandates this type of testing, and it is time for Aberdeen to move forward by scrapping the test for private hire drivers.”