If You Thought A Two Tier Taxi Rank System Couldn’t Be Done... Think Again, They’ve Already Done It In Holland

In 2013, Amsterdam introduced a new policy that regulates taxis that are engaged at a licensed taxi rank or hailed on the street. Since then, the number of taxis in the city has grown and there have been rapid technological advancements. 

New regulations are needed to deal with these changes, and in particular the use of app-based private hire services. At present, the regulations governing private hire vehicles are still determined at the national level.

Amsterdam’s taxi policy

Amsterdam’s taxi policy contains the following goals:

• Higher quality traditional taxi services (rank and hail)
• Better consumer protection for taxi passengers
• Cleaner, greener taxis
• Less traffic disruption and inconvenience caused by taxis

Policy changes

In December 2017, the city council approved a number of measures designed to improve the quality of Amsterdam’s approved taxi organisations (toegelaten taxiorganisaties, or TTOs). The following changes went into effect on 1 February 2018:

• Stricter regulations concerning the conduct of drivers waiting at taxi ranks.
• Special agreements between the City of Amsterdam and TTOs concerning:
• Avoiding disruption and inconvenience at and around taxi ranks
• Limiting the number of taxis at taxi ranks to a maximum for each location (Central Station, Leidseplein, Nieuwmarkt, Arena, Oudebrugsteeg, and the pop-up taxi rank at Rembrandtplein).
• Stricter requirements for roof lights, which include displaying Amsterdam’s ‘TaXXXi’ logo in order to clearly distinguish between TTOs and other taxis.

Evaluating Amsterdam’s taxi network

In addition to the policy changes outlined above, Amsterdam’s entire taxi network will be evaluated in 2018. This analysis will include topics such as the growth of the private hire market and the technological advances made in recent years. Based on these conclusions, it may be necessary to make adjustments to the city’s taxi policy.

All taxis emissions-free by 2025

Fresh, clean air is a basic necessity for all Amsterdammers. The City of Amsterdam is currently working with taxi organisations to keep our city healthy and to ensure that the entire taxi sector is emissions-free by 2025. The ‘Clean Taxis for Amsterdam’ agreement (PDF, 681 KB) (in Dutch) contains a number of clear goals. The most important of these is to make all taxis fully emissions-free by 2025. To accomplish this ambitious goal, the city government is taking the following actions:

• 'Green' taxis will receive priority
• The taxi ranks at Central Station and Leidseplein are now only open to low-emissions vehicles.
• Environmental zones for taxis in effect from 2018 onwards
• Diesel taxis from 2008 or earlier are prohibited from entering the city.
• More rapid charge points for electric taxisTo allow taxis to recharge quickly in between fares.
• Free parking at all charging pointsFor electric taxis with a parking permit.

Enforcement

The objectives listed in the city’s taxi policy will be strictly enforced. Most importantly, all taxi customers have a right to:

• A safe journey
• Guaranteed service (no refusals)
• Fair, honest treatment (correct fares)
• Drivers who are knowledgeable about the city and who obey codes of conduct

City officials, the police, and the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate will also monitor taxis to ensure that they obey traffic laws and avoid causing disturbances, and that the TTOs fulfil their roles effectively. The TTOs themselves are responsible for monitoring the drivers they employ.

TAXI LEAKS EXTEA BIT : 

According to Nissan, Amsterdam is the electric taxi capital of the world. There are companies, Taxi Electric, Connexxion and TCA who operate more than 170 Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 electric vehicles for all passengers and those with restricted mobility.

The LEVC TXe has been available in Amsterdam since 2017,  diesel Taxis older than 2008 are banned.
Just recently, Tesla have made a debut into the ranks of Amsterdams Taxi and Private Hire Trade

I have been informed by my good friend Stanley Roth that in Amsterdam, a number of TX4 taxis have successfully been converted to electric by a Dutch company. 

However a number of these vehicles have caught fire.