Today, following public consultation, the NTA Board approved the signing of two sets of emergency regulations, as below. Both amendments were made as exceptional provisions and emergency measures resultant from the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that public transport, specifically including small public service vehicles, is deemed by Government an essential service.
Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Fees) Regulations 2021
The purpose of the Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Fees) Regulations 2021 is to give effect to a renewal fee waiver by temporarily amending the renewal fees referenced in Schedule 1 to the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 through a standalone, time bound clause for the calendar year 2022.
As a result ‘standard’ renewal fees will be waived for the calendar year 2022. After 1 July 2022, a reduced late renewal fee will be payable in respect of renewing an expired SPSV licence until 31 December 2022. SPSV licensing fees will revert to those set out in the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 for all renewal fees on 1 January 2023.
Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Expired Licence) Regulations 2021
The purpose of the Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Expired Licence) Regulations 2021 is to double the period (to 24 months) that taxi, hackney and limousine licences may rest in inactive status after expiry prior to losing the capacity to be replaced.
As a result of this emergency measure being introduced into law, an SPSV licence may rest in expired status for a period of 24 months, after which it can no longer be replaced. This is a permanent amendment to the current Regulations and, as such, benefits can be availed of by all SPSV licence holders.