We're asking taxi drivers, businesses and customers for their views on whether there are enough taxis in Torbay.

We currently limit the number of hackney carriages and only allow 169 vehicle licences to be issued at any one time.

If a limit is set, then an ‘unmet demand study’ has to be carried out every three years as set out in guidance issued by the Department for Transport (DfT).

We carry out the study to measure if public demand is being met by the current number of licenced taxis within Torbay.

If the study results show public demand is being met, we can retain the limit until a further survey is carried out.

If public demand is not being met, we should take measures which could include making more licences available.

We carried out the study in 2023. This included more than 600 hours of rank observations, more than 100 on-street surveys and discussions with user groups, key stakeholders and the taxi trade.

The findings revealed that passenger demand for hackney carriage vehicles within Torbay has stayed the same compared to when the last survey was carried out in 2020. 

However, passenger waiting times to use a hackney carriage vehicle in 2023 increased, meaning customers are waiting for longer at taxi ranks.

Before making any changes, a consultation must take place on the proposals.

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “We’re asking people if they think the limit of 169 hackney carriage vehicle licences should be changed or remain the same.

“I would encourage people to take part in the consultation on our website, where they can also read the full results of the unmet demand survey carried out last year.”

The consultation opens today (26 February) and runs until Sunday 19 May.

Following the consultation, a report will be presented to the Licensing Committee so members can make a final decision.

Find out more and take part in the consultation