Plans to provide drivers with more training in Aberdeen have been put on hold by councillors.
In a meeting of the council’s licensing committee held yesterday, a decision to introduce a mandatory course for city cab drivers – which would have focused on helping disabled people, improving on customer service and using sat nav systems – was rejected.
Despite concerns being raised that this might result in poorer customer service in the city, the licensing committee decided that standards could “be maintained by other methods.”
As reported by the Press and Journal last week, it was recommended that the licensing board did not proceed with implementing any “formal” training programme as there are no local providers that could cover the training and that further expenses would “not be viewed favourably by the trade”.
In addition, councillors at yesterday’s committee meeting also decided against creating brand new taxi ranks at Upperkirkgate and Guild Street in Aberdeen, a decision backed by police.
The proposal to implement the new ranks was due to falling usage at ranks at St Andrew’s Street and Dee Street.
It was decided that plans would not go ahead at the two new locations, for one due to the fact that a proposed new location at Upperkirkgate is currently designated for disabled parking for people accessing Marischal Square.
Police also stated they were not in favour of Guild Street becoming an official rank due to the potential for congestion.
The report also advised that additional signs could be put in place to encourage more people to use the ranks at St Andrew’s Street and Dee Street.
