Cumberland Taxi Zones: Big Changes Coming To Taxi Trade?

🚖📢📝 Cumberland Council Seeks Public Input on Taxi Zones

Cumberland Council is seeking public feedback on the future of its taxi zones. Currently, the council operates under an outdated zoning system that dates back to when Cumberland consisted of three separate areas—Allerdale, Carlisle, and Copeland. Each area still enforces its own taxi regulations, resulting in differing pricing structures, operational rules, and restrictions.

Now, the council is considering merging these zones into one unified system. 🚗📊💬

🚦Understanding the Current System

At present, taxi drivers who wish to work across all of Cumberland must obtain separate licenses for each of the three zones, adding unnecessary costs and administrative challenges. Due to differing regulations, drivers are also limited in where they can pick up passengers, potentially reducing their earnings and service efficiency.

To simplify operations, the council has proposed creating a single licensing zone. This would require only two licenses—a hackney carriage vehicle license and a hackney carriage driver’s license—allowing drivers to operate freely across the entire region. The change aims to provide drivers with greater flexibility and ensure a more consistent experience for passengers. 📑🛣️🚖

📢 How to Participate in the Consultation

The Cumberland Council’s Regulatory Committee is leading this consultation and encourages input from taxi drivers, businesses, residents, and regular taxi users. The consultation period runs from 28 February 2025 to 22 May 2025. Once it concludes, all responses will be reviewed and presented to the council for consideration.

Cllr Bob Kelly, who oversees licensing and regulatory services, highlighted the importance of public participation:

“This consultation is your chance to share your thoughts on Cumberland’s taxi zoning. We want to hear as many perspectives as possible to identify potential issues before any changes are made.”

The council has emphasized that only feedback submitted through the official consultation platform will be taken into account. Any responses submitted through unofficial channels will not be reviewed.

This consultation could lead to significant changes in how taxis operate across Cumberland. All stakeholders are encouraged to take part and voice their opinions to help shape the future of the region’s taxi services.

Join the conversation: Single taxi (hackney carriage) zone proposal for Cumberland