Document Hackney Carriage rank provision at railway stations

The Committee’s approval was sought to ratify a decision made by South Western Railway (SWR) regarding the provision of taxi ranks at their railway stations in the borough.

Officers advised that the current arrangement whereby SWR rented their taxi ranks at the railway stations in the borough through the Council was going to cease.  From 2025 SWR would contract directly with the drivers in line with all the other boroughs and districts covered by SWR.

The Committee recognised the financial impact this might have on drivers especially in Egham where the six ranks were immediately outside the station and were well used and there being a lack of rank provision as a result of Magna Square and other developments in Egham and local opposition to ranks.

Members were advised that following discussions with SWR it was proposed that SWR would take back the control, supervision and contract arrangements from 1 January 2025.  The revised fee for 2024 was noted.  The Committee agreed that continuing with the contractual arrangement represented too great a financial risk including that of unrecoverable costs.

Officers in Environmental Health were asked to check how the changes would be communicated to the taxi trade who had been made aware that SWR intended to take over the rank contract arrangements and would be advised when more information was available.  The next taxi forum might provide an opportunity to do this.

Officers in Environmental Health and the incoming Senior Licensing Officer were asked to facilitate a discussion between the trade and Thorpe Park in regard to the location of their taxi ranks and making them more accessible to the licensed trade.  It was reported that the trade might not be adverse to entering into a contractual agreement with Thorpe Park should there be an opportunity to do so.

Officers in Environmental Health and the incoming Senior Licensing Officer were also asked to liaise with SWR with regard to the future viability of the existing taxi ranks in Addlestone and Chertsey which it was reported were under used.  It was agreed that SWR should be encouraged to consult with the trade.

Members regretted the fact that the Council could not afford to continue subsidising the arrangement, given the proposed increase in cost following the lease pricing review conducted by SWR.

Resolved that –

i)             the increase in fees for 2024 be noted; and

ii)            the planned contractual changes with South Western Railway be approved