Green light for the ranking for the issuance of 11 new taxi licenses in Modena, thus going from 85 to 96. At least five of the new cars must be specially equipped for the transport of people with disabilities and all vehicles must guarantee a low environmental impact, with rewards for electric-only or “full hybrid” ones.
These are the characteristics of the Municipality’s announcement which included a specific exam, both written and oral, at the end of which the ranking of the 22 aspiring taxi drivers was published. From Monday 1 July the phase begins which involves, based on the ranking, the choice of the type of license.
The competition took place after the approval by the municipal council, last summer, of the new regulation of passenger transport services, and the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the municipal consultative commission, made up of operators in the sector, and the green light from the Transport Regulatory Authority.
“A process which had the aim of adapting the taxi service to the new needs of Modena and to the new social context characterized by a strong growth in tourism, in terms of numbers of presences and overnight stays, as well as by a notable dynamism of the economic sector. Attention to citizens with fragility and to the issue of environmental sustainability is also increasing”.
The announcement, as was the case with the regulation, is the result of a process shared with taxi drivers and trade union representatives of the category, economic and consumer associations.
To issue the license there is a cost of 80 thousand euros, which drops to 65 thousand euros if it is limited to the use of vehicles with at least six seats (plus the driver) only electric or “full hybrid” powered by LPG or petrol and electric system, or seven useful seats equipped with the latest generation fuel system with low environmental impact.
For licenses linked to the transport of people with disabilities the cost is even lower (50 thousand euros) and the notice describes the characteristics that the vehicles must have, in terms of dimensions and boarding platforms.
The licenses remain bound to the conditions of issue even in the event of vehicle replacements or transfers to other entities. Both the service and favor of people with disabilities and the “multi-place” service must be effectively carried out under penalty of forfeiture of the license.
To participate in the competition it was necessary to be registered in the Drivers’ Register and to be in possession of the KB type professional qualification certificate issued by the DTT provincial office (formerly Civil Motorisation) and not already hold a taxi license or authorization of Rental with Driver (NCC) issued by any Municipality and not having transferred it to others in the five years preceding the publication of the notice. Furthermore, the participants had to have various other subjective and moral requirements relating, for example, to any convictions suffered or sanctions relating to the transport activity or consumption of narcotic or alcoholic substances.
