Taxicard scheme consultation

We have now finished consulting on the use of the Taxicard scheme in Lambeth. The consultation ended on Friday, 8 July 2011.

Thank you to everyone who took part, and gave us their comments. We received a very good response, and according to our records approximately 840 people got involved in some way, whether it was attending a meeting or group, giving us their comments over the phone, by email or letter, or completing a consultation feedback form. 

Why did Lambeth consult on taxi cards?

Lambeth currently provides over £665,000 each year to pay for the Taxicards, and the cost of this scheme over the last two years has become unaffordable, due to increased use of Taxicards.

You may be aware that the amount of funding that central government gives to local councils has been reduced. Lambeth, like every other council in England, is now in a position where we need to make huge savings, which means there is less money available to the Council to spend. There are no additional funds available to cover these increasing costs. Because of this, we consulted people who use the scheme to hear what kinds of changes would have the least impact on them. 

What did we consult on?

Before making any changes, we wanted to find out what parts of the scheme mattered most to people who use the scheme.

For example, do people think that the number of trips they get is the most important thing, or the ability to 'double-swipe' to take longer trips, or the price paid towards the cost of each trip?

The consultation included two public consultation meetings and two focus groups with service users, plus a range of ways for people to give us their written comments, including a consultation feedback form (completed by 724 people). People could also give us their comments by email, text, using the Freephone telephone number or by letter. 

What did the council decide?

All of the feedback from consultation was submitted to the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 25 July 2011, together with recommendations for Cabinet members to consider.

The council has agreed that taxicard scheme in Lambeth will continue to be provided to service users, although a number of changes have been agreed. The council will review the agreed scheme after one year to determine whether further changes are needed.

The changes include an increase in the fee paid by service users towards each journey, and a reduction in the number of journeys allowed per year, as well as a reduction in the subsidy which the council pays towards each journey. However, service users will be able to continue "double swiping" for longer journeys.

You will find the full details of the agreed changes in the Council’s Cabinet report and the Equalities Impact Assessment.

Any questions?

If you want to ask questions about these changes, you can contact us using any of the contact details below:

• send an email to: acs-consultation@lambeth.gov.uk 
• text us on: 07772 103 628 
• phone us on freephone: 0800 013 1497 
• write to us at:
  Freepost RSKJ-YSKA-AUSA
  ACS Consultation
  Lambeth Adults' and Community Services
  Phoenix House
  10 Wandsworth Road
  London SW8 2LL