Agenda item - Compulsory Card Payment Facilities in Hackney and Private Hire Vehicles

Report of the Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities (copy attached).

RESOLVED –

The Committee agreed that Hackney Carriage Hire Vehicles, as a condition of licence, must have a functioning cashless payment facility available for passengers to pay any fare due from the 1stMay 2022. This facility must be connected and working at all times to ensure customers are able to pay by card.  Proprietors may also have a receipt printing facility should they wish to do so.

25.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities, which asked the Committee to consider, as a condition of licence, that all Hackney Carriage Vehicles have a functioning cashless payment facility available for passengers.  The report was presented by the Hackney Carriage Officer. 

25.2    In response to a question from Councillor Simson, the Hackney Carriage Officer confirmed that only Hackney Carriage Vehicles were covered by the policy as most Private Hire vehicles were linked to private operators.

25.3    In response to a question from Councillor Shanks, the Hackney Carriage Officer said the majority of Hackney Carriage Vehicles already had card payment facilities. 

25.4    In response to a question from Councillor O’Quinn, the Hackney Carriage Officer advised that the policy would be enforced by inspecting every vehicle to ensure that a card payment machine was installed and working. 

25.5    In response to a question from Councillor Ebel, the Hackney Carriage Officer said transaction fees varied according to supplier but the cost could be claimed as a business expense for tax purposes. 

25.6    In response to a question from Councillor Theobald, the Hackney Carriage Officer confirmed that most payment machines supported Apple Pay. 

25.7    Cllr Moonan noted that it had been reported in the consultation that there were areas in the city with a weak signal.  She asked if there would still be an option to pay with cash.  The Hackney Carriage Officer said that passengers would have the choice as to how they paid.  Councillor Theobald said it was essential to offer cash payments to older people who did not use cards. 

25.8    Councillor Quinn welcomed the move to cashless payments and she thanked everyone who was involved for the work done on this.   

25.9    Councillor Simson agreed with Councillor O’Quinn.  Cllr Simson and she hoped that drivers would use it.  She noted that monitoring the provision of this would be important. 

25.10  RESOLVED: The Committee agreed that Hackney Carriage Hire Vehicles, as a condition of licence, must have a functioning cashless payment facility available for passengers to pay any fare due from the 1st May 2022. This facility must be connected and working at all times to ensure customers are able to pay by card.  Proprietors may also have a receipt printing facility should they wish to do so.