The Municipality of The Hague, Stichting Taxibelang Haaglanden (STH) and Taxivervoer Nederland (KNV Taxi) are joining forces in order to improve the service and quality offered by The Hague’s taxis.
On 8 December Deputy Mayor Peter Smit (Transportation) of The Hague, Jan Zaaijer, director of KNV Taxi and Erik Camerlink of STH signed the new Hague Taxi Covenant. The covenant covers a three-year period.
The goal is to introduce a stamp of approval (Haags Keurmerk) for taxis which meet the conditions stipulated. In the near future only certified taxis will be able to drive in the car-free zone in the city centre.
The city’s taxi service should be a calling card for The Hague for (international) visitors in addition to a well-functioning public transportation service. The covenant binds taxi companies to invest in training for their drivers. The training will emphasise competence, customer service and a good knowledge of the city. In addition drivers will be trained in hospitality under the ‘Be my guest!’ project.
The Hague’s taxi covenant can be seen as the forerunner to the new Taxi Act.