Public Hire

Taxi drivers have become an extra emergency service this year, as ongoing travel disruption has led to misery and chaos across the country.

Cancelled flights and industrial action on the railways have seen more people choose to stay at home this summer, while many have had their plans ruined at the last minute.

There are few places you can go today without being picked up by an array of security cameras.

Whether it is in a bank, shop, or just walking down the street, the average person is filmed about 70 times a day.

After enduring two of the hottest days on record, it’s typical that the temperature drops and it starts raining as schools break up for the summer holidays.

But don’t let the weather spoil your plans for the summer holidays. Whether you’re going to be jetting off, heading out on day trips, or enjoying nights out, you can rely on taxis to safely get you where you need to go.

Cash has always been king in cabs, but the improving technology followed by the pandemic have seen a major switch change in direction away from notes and coins.

As payments by card and by mobile phone have become the norm in shops, restaurants and businesses around the world, advances in mobile technology have meant people can use their cards on the go.

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.

Switching from trusted diesel black cabs to an electric vehicle causes a dilemma for taxi drivers – when do they swap something that is reliable and has plenty of life left in it and shell out for an electric taxi?

With the ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol taxis from 2030, drivers have difficult decisions to make.