Taxi Bye-Laws

Taxi Drivers Code Of Practice (As Amended Septemer 2007)

The following Code of Practice has been drawn up jointly by Shetland Islands Council, HIAL, Sumburgh Airport and Shetland Taxi Owners Association.  It does not in any way detract from the importance of complying with the 26 conditions as detailed on each Taxi Driver's licence.

1.  Personal identification badges (issued with licence) to be worn at all times

2.  Taximeters must be used during all hires.  The taximeter must be switched on when passenger enters car, or in the case of a pre-booked hire, when arrival of taxi has been announced to the intending passenger.

3.  Any fault/breakdown of taximeter should be reported to Fleet Management Unit.  Telephone:  Lerwick 744133 immediately to arrange repair/replacement.  (Note condition 20).

4.  All drivers should be aware of the agreed Code of Practice on all designated taxi stances.  The first taxi in line is the only taxi that can be hired at any time on these ranks.  (This is normal practice on mainland taxi ranks) (Note Condition 20 - Taxi Drivers Licence).

5.  Drivers should be clean and smartly dressed when plying for hire or at a stance when carrying passengers, shall not smoke.  (Note Condition 17).  Drivers should ensure taxis are kept clean both inside and outside.

6.  Taxi drivers, within the limitations of their own physical ability, should make every effort to assist elderly and/or disabled passengers entering or leaving the taxi.

 

For Sumburgh Airport:

7.  With regard to the operation of taxis at Sumburgh Airport, all airport bye laws, and all directions given by authorised personnel, must be complied with.  The following dress code for taxi drivers will be applicable:

  • Dark trousers (skirts/trousers for female drivers) are to be worn.  Jeans of any colour, corduroy trousers or track suit bottoms will not be permitted.
  • Conventional shoes, dark in colour, are to be worn.  Training shoes are not acceptable and are not to be worn whilst operating from Sumburgh Airport.
  • Shirt and Tie (Blouse for female drivers) are to be worn at all times.  Short sleeved shirts are acceptable and may be worn throughout the year if preferred.

ANY DRIVER not complying with the above dress code shall be requested to leave the Airport.

8.  Taxis must use the drop off point when delivering a passenger to the airport.  Taxis may only be hired from the stance designated as the "No 1 Stance" which faces South East and adjacent to the black water tank opposite the pickup/drop off point (follow direction signs).  No 1 stance will be situated at the Taxi  Rank sign and as this stance becomes vacant, the next taxi in line shall move to the "No 1 stance" and the remaining taxis shall move up one position.  The driver of the taxi on the "No 1 stance" shall not without good reason refuse a fare.

9.  The drivers of taxis on the 3 designated stances opposite the drop off/pick up point as indicated above shall be with their taxis at all times and available for hire immediately.  If the designated stances are fully occupied, other taxis must wait in the short term car park until there is a vacant stance.  Drivers are not permitted to abandon their vehicles at any time or loiter within the Terminal Building.

10. Taxis arriving at Sumburgh Airport to pick up a pre-booked hire should park the taxi in the public car park area across the road from the terminal entrance.  Drivers must wait for pre booked hires at the designated Meeting Point and have an information board showing the name of the taxi operator and the name of the booked passenger with flight number.

11. The pickup/drop off point is exactly that.  - No taxis or private hire cars must be parked at this location.