Shake-up for hire cars as new ideas get green light

THE taxi and private hire car trades in West Lothian are set for a makeover after new policies were given the green light.

The West Lothian Council executive agreed to a number of improvements at a recent meeting. A new style of licensing plate has been designed to ensure that members of the public can easily distinguish between private hire cars and taxis.

The new private hire car plates will feature a band of the West Lothian Council tartan across the top of the plate, while the taxi plates remain pale blue.

Members of the executive also decided not to make it mandatory for all hire car vehicles to have CCTV systems installed.

The executive also decided to reduce the current fee of 100 for advertising on taxis to 70, and 35 for advertising on the side of taxi vehicles only.

Executive councillor for the environment, Robert De Bold, said: "A number of reports will be considered that aim to address proposed changes."