TAXI drivers in Launceston are to be asked to meet councillors to give their comments on the future arrangements for the operation of taxi and private hire vehicles operate across the under the new Cornwall Council, writes Keith Whitford.

Separate arrangements have existed historically between the districts and this has created anomalies. Taxis can only carry passengers who have hailed them in the street or from an authorised taxi rank.

All taxis must be licensed for a district and are permitted to operate as a taxi only within that district and this could continue in future with the districts becoming separate zones.

Private hire vehicles cannot be hailed and have to be booked. They also have to be licensed but, unlike taxis, they are not restricted to operating in certain zones and are free to operate across the whole county.

COUNCIL TO CONSULT

Taxi drivers in Launceston will be asked if the same rules should apply for both types of transport.

To bring both types of transport into line with each other would mean having to abolish the taxi zones so taxis could operate across the entire county. This is recommended by the Department of Transport, but there are advantages and disadvantages to this.

Asked for their views, Launceston Town Council decided to ask the taxi drivers for their views before coming to a decision by the June 26 deadline.

This was suggested by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Paul O'Brien.

Cllr Olver Harris said it would "clear the air" and he favoured the amalgamation of the two types of

regulation.