Private Hire

The biggest industrial action on the railways for decades has seen mixed fortunes for taxi drivers.

Those desperate to reach their destination are jumping in a cab due to the rail strike.

With just a month to go before Manchester has to submit its revised Clean Air Zone plan to the government, there are calls for it to be reduced by 95 per cent to only include the city centre.

The original zone included all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, with thousands of taxi, bus, van and lorry drivers and businesses facing eye-watering charges for driving anywhere in the region from May 30.

As we look forward to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this bank holiday, taxi drivers will be doing everything they can to help people get to and from events safely.

However people are celebrating, they will all be looking forward to raising a glass to toast her majesty’s 70-year reign.

As with standard car insurance, most taxi drivers take out annual cover and renew their taxi insurance policy every 12 months.

But there are cases where policies can be taken out to provide cover for only weeks or months at a time.

Patons Insurance is continuing to expand its taxi customer base in the North East.

Following the acquisition of Teesside-based insurance broker ‘SurePlan’ in 2020, from June this year, we will welcome Newcastle-based Bestford Insurances’ taxi insurance customers, too.

As we continue to feel the pinch at the petrol pumps, taxi drivers across the country have been calling for a taxi fare increase.

While some are calling for modest increases, others feel action is needed and are calling for rises of 20% to help taxi drivers meet rising costs.

Taxi drivers are being urged not to risk vehicle safety when it comes to car maintenance as we all continue to feel the pinch.

The call comes as the cost of living continues to rise and soaring fuel prices mean it costs more to keep taxis on the road.

Whether you are new to taxi driving or are an experienced driver who wants to take the next step, there are some key points to setting up a private-hire taxi business.

It can seem complicated at first, but the most important thing to remember is that it is a business in a regulated industry and it has to be run properly.

Choosing the right insurance is vital for keeping your taxi – your livelihood – on the road.

It is natural that drivers look for the cheapest quote when taking out or renewing their taxi insurance because no one likes paying more than they have to.

When private hire taxi drivers are looking for their next vehicle, there are several key factors they have to take into account.

As well as taking out private hire taxi insurance, wherever they operate, drivers need to consider that the future of private hire is going to be green. They need to choose something that will help reduce running costs and is better for the environment.

We all look to make savings where we can and there are things you can do to reduce your taxi insurance.

But it is worth remembering that cheap taxi insurance doesn’t mean it’s the best policy for you.

After the upheaval and uncertainty of the pandemic, many people are reconsidering their career choices, especially their work-life balance.

People want to spend more time at home with loved ones and leave the rat race and slog of the daily commute.