The effectiveness of local government regulation of the taxi trade

Noble, Andrew William (2014). The effectiveness of local government regulation of the taxi trade. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Noble14PhD.pdf
PDF - Accepted Version
Download (1MB)

Abstract

Taxis are a widely used and heavily regulated area of public transport in England and Wales, but one which has been neglected by law academics and researchers. The original contribution to knowledge provided by this study is the finding that effectiveness of regulation of the trade relies upon local authority regulators creating and implementing their own system of ‘law’ outside the legislative framework and the trade acquiescing in that regime. Taking a qualitative-based empirical approach, this study critically assesses the taxi licensing regime through the views, attitudes and beliefs of those involved in the day-to-day application of the law. Many aspects of taxi regulation involve the exercise of local authority discretion, but the current system grants discretion in areas which ought to be confined by rules and often that discretion is exercised improperly. Whilst some degree of local administration of the system is desirable, many elements of taxi regulation would benefit from national standards to ensure consistency and uniformity. Although the study found a number of important exceptions to these general conclusions, on the whole the most effective methods of regulation were found to be those which operated beyond the legal framework and in which the trade acquiesced.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):