Taxi drivers in Liverpool start six month countdown to offer all customers card payment facilities
Cabbies in Liverpool are getting prepared to ensure all taxis have card payment facilities available to customers in six month’s time.
By 7 April 2020, card machines must be installed in all Liverpool Licensed Hackney Carriages.
Following the Licensing Committees decision in July 2019, all Liverpool City Council hackney carriages must have a card payment facility to accept debit/credit and contactless card payments. Drivers must also issue a receipt if requested by the passenger. Cabbies have the option of either purchasing a printer or the receipt must be issued to the customer via email, text message or written receipt. Any taxi found with the card holder not affixed to the partition or not complying with any requirements of the card reader facility or signage, will be issued a defect notice by an Authorised Officer. The defect will remain in place until the vehicle is presented and officers find the vehicle compliant. Chair of Liverpool City Council’s Licensing Committee, Cllr Christine Banks, said in July: “This is a positive move for the city’s taxi trade and one that will make it easier for people to travel by cab in our city. As part of the process, we have listened to the concerns of the taxi drivers and acted upon them, by amending the proposals. “In an increasingly cashless society, it is clear that card payments are the preferred option for many people in shops, supermarkets, cafes and bars. With a cruise terminal, an international airport and many thousands of foreign visitors each year who don’t carry cash, it is important that we move with the times and give the customer what they want. “This proposal also plays a big role in public safety because it means that late-night travellers will be able to get home safely without the worry of not having any cash on them.” Liverpool-based UNITE union National Taxi Organiser, Tommy McIntyre, also commented in July saying: “In the ever-changing world we live in people are using less cash and paying for more services by card transaction. We feel that this is the perfect opportunity to introduce pay by card to the Liverpool Hackney trade. After speaking with the members the general opinion is that this will be fantastic for both the trade and the travelling public and would encourage more passengers to use the city’s Hackney fleet."
Image credit: Liverpool City Council
