Mid Sussex Council aims to mandate card payments for taxis following passenger complaints

Mid Sussex District Council has proposed a new policy requiring all licensed taxis to accept card payments.

The initiative follows a year-long surge in complaints from passengers unable to pay by card, raising safety concerns, especially for vulnerable groups such as women travelling alone at night.

According to the report there have been 21 complaints in the last 12 months regarding drivers refusing to accept card payments.

The proposal mandates that all Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles in the district must be equipped with electronic payment systems, including contactless options. Drivers are to provide receipts upon request, ensuring transparency and compliance with data protection regulations.

This policy, set to be implemented after a public consultation, aims to align the local taxi service with the widespread adoption of cashless transactions in the UK. While some drivers have expressed concerns about the costs and technical issues related to card payment systems, the council highlights public safety and service accessibility as primary goals.

The new regulations are expected to take effect following an eight-week consultation, with final adoption by the council anticipated in December 2024.