Glasgow taxis to get chip-and-pin
Taxis in Glasgow are set to be the first in Scotland to introduce chip-and-pin payment machines.
Glasgow Taxis predict the scheme will benefit people in the business community and those making their way home late at night without any cash.
The plan was approved at the company's AGM last month, and it is hoped it will be piloted within the next few weeks.
Initially passengers will only be able to pay for fares above £12 with the chip-and-pin service.
Robert Dunabie, secretary of Glasgow Taxis, said it had been too expensive to introduce the facility until now.
Owner-drivers will have the option of having the machines fitted to their cabs under the trial. Payments would go straight to their bank accounts, including any tips.
He said: "Everyone tends to use cards these days. Taxi drivers are often asked to stop at cash machines for passengers, and this will mean they no longer have to.
"It will be good for people who are coming home late at night who might not have any money, but they've got a cash card."
The company is waiting for Glasgow City Council to approve the wording of an advertisement before the pilot goes ahead.
Mr Dunabie said about ten taxis should have the chip-and-pin facility within the next few weeks and these cars will primarily target business customers.
"We've got to try and get it up and running first, and then we will hone it to suit everyone's needs," he said.
Gary Clark, policy manager at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said the business community welcomed the idea.
He said: "We can see real attractions in the roll-out of chip-and-pin facilities in taxis. From a business perspective, the ability to make a direct charge to a company account without going through a reclaim of expenses procedure is potentially both time saving and financially efficient."
Taxi companies in London and Manchester already use chip-and-pin.
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