LAW changes to crack down on illegal taxi services have been approved by the States Assembly – the day after a heated public clash exposed deep divisions over Jersey’s current system.
Friday’s vote followed a fiery exchange during All Island Media’s cost-of-living-themed Question Time event, where politicians and campaigners clashed over the rise of platforms like Jersey Lifts.
Politicians approved an amended proposal from Reform Jersey’s Deputy Catherine Curtis that will see the Council of Ministers consider an update to the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935, or the introduction of new statutory offences in separate legislation, “to further support the investigation of illegal taxi services by the States of Jersey Police”.
This will be done “with the aim to deter this practice by increasing the potential of successful prosecutions for unlawfully driving passengers for reward”, with the necessary legislation to be brought forward before 30 June 2027.
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, have garnered tens of thousands of members over the years.
It has drawn frustration from successive ministers, as well as the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association, over the lack of prosecutions of those operating services outside of the law.
Deputy Curtis – who accepted an amendment from Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan widening the ministerial scope and extending the timeline of her proposal – told States Members 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”.
“The illegal operation of offering lifts by unregulated, uninsured drivers in Jersey has grown to become a threat to the regulated taxi service and a potential risk to passengers and drivers, as well as a loss in revenue through untaxed earnings,” she said.
The issue had been fiercely debated the previous evening, when Value Jersey’s Samantha Gleave told the Question Time audience that Jersey Lifts was “the symptom of a problem, not the problem itself”, arguing that government should instead look more closely at regulating taxi pricing. She added that Value Jersey’s consultation showed strong support for attracting cheaper providers – including companies like Uber – to the Island.
Responding, panellist Health Minister Tom Binet – a former Infrastructure Minister with responsibility for taxi regulation – said he was more distant from current discussions but stressed that taxi drivers still needed to earn a decent living in the face of rising costs.
Deputy Montfort Tadier also challenged the campaign group, asking whether it would prefer an unregulated industry where passengers – particularly young women – could face greater risks to their safety.
Addressing comments on cost of legitimate taxis during the States Assembly debate on Friday, Deputy Curtis said: “This is an expensive Island with high costs to run a business, and regulated taxi drivers must adhere to strict standards which are not cheap to implement.
“There is nothing to stop any States Member bringing in measures which aim to make the service less expensive. More competition might help, but that won’t happen while an alternative illegal service is permitted to flourish.”
Her proposition was adopted by 36 votes in favour with four abstentions and no votes against.
