Card Payments in All Reading Black Cabs Starts in January

ALL black cabs in Reading will take card payments from passengers from 2nd January 2019.

Previously only a limited number of hackney carriages in Reading provided facilities for passengers to pay for their trips by credit or debit card. Following requests by members of the public for card payment facilities to be made available in all black cabs, members approved the installation of electronic payment devices as part of revised carriage licence conditions on 6th June 2018. Hackney Carriage drivers will also be asked to prominently display signage in their vehicles, making it clear that card payment is available. Cllr Tony Page

Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:

“A growing number of people no longer carry cash and only use card payments on a day to day basis. It makes sense therefore to require all licensed black cabs in Reading to offer their passengers this choice of payment. Cash payment will of course still be taken, but from 2nd January 2019 I’m pleased to say card payments will be an additional option in every hackney carriage in Reading.” Only Electronic payment devices approved by the Council will be used as part of the change, the cost of which will be covered by the hackney carriage owner as part of their licensing agreement with the Council.  

Ends

Notes

View the report at Licensing Applications Sub-Committee 3 on 6th June 2018: www.reading.gov.uk/media/8874/Item-4/pdf/Item_4.pdf