Calls for higher standards of taxi legislation
There have been calls for national taxi legislation to ensure standards across the UK, as well as closing loopholes that benefit some taxi drivers over others.
One of the biggest issues has been legislation which allows taxi licences to be issued by one authority while the driver is actually operating in another. A consequence of this loophole has been that some drivers have benefitted from some licensing authorities charging different fees.
Should taxi drivers ask for payment upfront?
Taxi drivers can ask passengers to pay their fare at any point during a journey – even before the ride has begun.
The biggest reason for this is to stop passengers leaving without paying or refusing to pay the full fare for a journey which, to be clear, is theft. They are using a service they know they have to pay for but are cheating the driver out of the rightful fare.
Taxi drivers concerned about cab colour change
Plans to give Newcastle’s black cabs a distinctive makeover have been parked for now following concerns from the city’s taxi drivers.
Newcastle City Council planned to introduce white bonnets to the city’s fleet of almost 600 public hire black taxis – to reflect Newcastle United’s famous black and white shirts – in a bid to make travelling by taxi safer for everyone.
Taxi boss wants black cabs and PHVs to be treated equally
Plans for a £36 million city-centre pedestrianisation scheme have come under fire from private hire taxi drivers who would be banned from the area, while black cabs would still be allowed to operate.
And STV News reports that Edinburgh Council could face legal action from at least one private hire boss who called the decision to ban PHVs “ludicrous”.
What gadgets can taxi drivers not do without?
Taxi drivers spend most of their time in their cars which must be able to do everything they need to earn a living.
As technology improves, there are more gadgets and features to make life on the road easier and more enjoyable. So, what could you not do without in your next taxi or private hire vehicle?
Financial help to replace Newcastle’s most-polluting taxis
Like several other cities, Newcastle has introduced a Clean Air Zone to cut pollution – and is offering financial assistance to help taxi drivers meet the cost of replacing older, more polluting vehicles.
The Clean Air Zone was introduced on January 30 to help to improve air quality by reducing the number of high-polluting vehicles on the roads both within the zone and in the surrounding areas.
What do you think of plans for national taxi legislation?
Safety is key to the taxi fleet and there are rules in place to make sure taxi drivers are fit and proper people to pick up fares, as well as checks to ensure their vehicles are safe to carry passengers.
Whether it is a black cab or private hire vehicle, all drivers must comply in order to work in the fleet, and they must be licensed with their local authority.
Top five taxi insurance myths
Taxi drivers hear all sorts of stories about savings and pitfalls when purchasing Taxi Insurance and there’s varying degrees of truth behind them.
As with anyone who earns their living on the road, having the right insurance is not only vital to protect their business, it is also a legal requirement.
How to make your taxi stand out from the crowd
When we think of taxis, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a black cab or private hire vehicle. But what passes as a standard taxi varies depending where you are in the world.
We have recently seen some interesting articles which got us wondering what’s the wackiest taxi you’ve ever seen?
What taxi would you trust to look after your pet?
We have always been a nation of animal lovers so it should come as no surprise that there are taxi services dedicated to transporting our pets.
Whether it is a licenced breeder or an owner who can no longer look after a beloved pet, finding loving homes for them isn’t always easy.
Separating fact and fiction of what you can and can’t do driving a taxi
We all know that using a mobile phone while driving a taxi is illegal, but what about eating a snack, wearing Ugg boots, or having fluffy dice hanging from the mirror?
Will sipping tea or coffee, or driving at night with the interior light on earn a taxi driver points on their licence?
How the fear of failure can cripple taxi drivers
Taxi drivers earn their living on the road and the fear of losing their job can take a huge toll on their mental health.
Driving a black cab or private hire vehicle is still a male-dominated industry in which there remains a stigma about asking for help or showing anything perceived as weakness.