Bringing Taxis into the transport mix

It’s a missed opportunity that the flexibility and cost- effectiveness of the taxi is not harnessed more to complement conventional public transport services says Kristine Beuret, Chair of the National Association of Taxi Users

Kris Beuret OBE MSc FCILT FCIHT FTPP is the Director of the consultancy Social Research Associates and Chair of the recently created National Association of Taxi Users. She is also a member of the Independent Transport Commission and a specialist in social aspects of transport, especially the needs of disabled people.

Kris Beuret OBE MSc FCILT FCIHT FTPP is the Director of the consultancy Social Research Associates and Chair of the recently created National Association of Taxi Users. She is also a member of the Independent Transport Commission and a specialist in social aspects of transport, especially the needs of disabled people.

The St. Budeaux circular taxi service in Plymouth.

The St. Budeaux circular taxi service in Plymouth.

Why aren’t taxis treated as a serious part of the public transport mix? It’s surprising that this question hasn’t been answered because taxis, and derivatives from them, bridging the gap between conventional public transport and the private car, offer a unique contribution to efficient and sustainable mobility. In 1999 a conference was held in Birmingham entitled “Taxis: the Cinderella method of transport” at which speakers including Steven Norris, then the...