Here is the response from the Passenger Transport Manager sent to the Chairman of the Licensing Committee 06/01/2020:
“This question of whether taxis can use bus lanes is something which has been raised previously by Cllr Biscoe. Taxis in and around Truro would like access to the 2 bus gates and the couple of stretches of bus lanes.
We don’t believe there is call for this as we believe that the metrics (mileage of bus lanes, volume of traffic, cost of managing use) and need for giving such access does not compare to the circumstances for instance in our two neighbouring cities, Plymouth and Exeter, where such access is permitted.
If we take Plymouth, the City Council tells me that they allow access for hackney carriage, PHV and RNLI Volunteer Cars. They have approximately 9 miles of Bus Lanes, and 5 bus gates. Usage is monitored/managed with 11 bus lane or bus gate cameras on street, these cost approx. £40k each and operate via ANPR.
We estimate that to install necessary monitoring equipment and resource to police the arrangements would cost hundreds of thousands and cannot be justified. Furthermore, the Council utilises Volunteer Drivers to transport children to schools – would we give these bus lane access also? As these cars are not identified by carrying a “taxi plate”, we would have to register the car registration numbers for all volunteer drivers who could then use the bus lanes at different times – a confusing scenario, and one which we would want to avoid.
In essence, there is no justification at this time for taxis to be allowed to use bus lanes.”
Point 1. Why do you need to install enforcement cameras – what is stopping drivers from currently using the bus lanes and gates – last time I looked it was just a sign! Drivers generally follow the rules and are unwilling to take the risk of getting a ticket by using the bus lane, plus the backlash they fear from other road users, so no need to spend money on tech – how did places like Plymouth do it before the tech was available?
Point 2. Access could be offered to Taxi & PHV’s only, as I am not aware of any Lifeboats in Truro, however, such volunteers like the RNLI know what they are doing and get where they need to go effectively regardless.
Point 3. Would we give access to volunteer drivers too? In short no, why would you? They are not part of the “Public Transport Infrastructure” in Cornwall, where as, the Taxi & PHV industry is. Taxis & PHVs do on average 5 times the average mileage of a normal car by providing vital services within the gaps left uncovered by other public transport, and aiding there transition through the streets would be supportive of the passengers who use them and a positive move in helping to reduce pollution from these vehicles, so why would you not want to do it?