THE Infrastructure Minister has signalled his support in principle for a backbencher’s proposal to update the law in a bid to crackdown on unregulated taxi operations such as Jersey Lifts – but is seeking to change how the work would be taken forward.
Constable Andy Jehan has lodged an amendment to a proposition from Deputy Catherine Curtis, who is pushing for new legislation “to allow for the prosecution of illegal taxi services”.
The use of online forums such as Jersey Lifts, where Islanders without the relevant licences, background checks or insurance can post that they are available to offer transport for cash, has been an issue faced by successive governments.
The Jersey Taxi Drivers Association has repeatedly raised its frustration over the lack of prosecutions of those operating services outside of the law.
Explaining her proposition, Deputy Curtis argues that the current wording of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935 “is inadequate for effective prosecution of the illegal lifts service”.
She cites Jersey Lifts as an example, stating that it “advertises a service on Facebook groups that is unregulated and requires no DBS checks for drivers. One group has approximately 14,000 members and another has approximately 28,000 members.
“Clearly, it’s not just a group of friends giving each other lifts and sharing the costs. There are regular drivers advertising their availability, occasionally stating their charges, which are most often arranged through Facebook messenger or in the car.”
Deputy Curtis goes on to note that “the main concern is that there could be an accident which is not covered by insurance, or an assault on a member of the public”.
She adds: “Often members of the public using this service may be young, and especially vulnerable following a night out. In fact, this may have already happened, with people feeling unable to come forward.”
Deputy Curtis also gives examples of potential wording that could be used to update the law, such as “a person must not cause or permit to operating or facilitating a paid lift sharing service without authorization”.
Mr Jehan said that he was “supportive of the principle and purpose” behind the proposition.
He continued: “As the minister responsible for the regulation of public service vehicles, including the taxi service, it follows that I do not condone any activity which falls outside of the law, and I am open to proposals which seek to uphold the integrity of the regulated service.”
If approved, Mr Jehan’s amendment would broaden the responsibility to consider and bring forward legislation from his remit to the Council of Ministers, either by updating the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935 or creating new statutory offences, as well as extending the timeline for doing so from 31 March 2027 to 30th June 2027.
“This amendment seeks to enable the work which is being sought by Deputy Curtis and
is intended to be helpful,” the minister added.
“It aims to ensure that the proposition is suitably flexible, so that it allows for proposals to be brought forward which are effective in further deterring illegal activity in this area and increasing the potential for successful prosecutions.”
