World Cup revellers urged to travel in safety
WORLD Cup revellers are being urged to stay safe and give the red card to unlicensed taxis.
Many people will be using taxis to get home after enjoying the football and a pint at the pub this June – but is the vehicle you’re getting in licensed?
If it’s not then the person behind the wheel won’t have undergone the necessary stringent tests that all licensed taxi drivers and their vehicles have to go through.
All drivers that are licensed by Lancaster City Council have undergone an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check to ensure that they are 'fit and proper persons' to be transporting members of the public.
In addition, all vehicles licensed in Lancaster have undergone a taxi compliance test and are subject to regular spot checks to ensure that they are safe.
Unlicensed taxis haven’t gone through these stringent tests and should therefore not be used.
Coun Tony Wade, Chairman of the council's Licensing Regulatory Committee said: “Thankfully reports of illegal trading are rare but do happen on occasion so we’re asking people to stay safe and always double check that the taxi they are using is properly licensed.”
How to spot a licensed taxi
Hackney Carriages are authorised to ply for hire on the streets or pick up passengers from designated taxi ranks. Passengers are advised to check for the following:
- A blue and white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle showing the make, model, registration and seating capacity in black characters
- Roof sign
- Council door signs with the wording ‘City of Lancaster’ in white characters, together with the plate number
- Taximeter fitted
- That the driver is displaying his/her identity badge issued by Lancaster City Council
Private Hire Vehicles are not authorised or insured to pick up passengers unless a prior booking has been made with the company operating the vehicle. Having pre-booked the private hire vehicle passengers are advised to check for the following before getting into a vehicle:
- A yellow licence plate is affixed to the rear of the vehicle showing the make, model, registration and seating capacity in black characters
- Door signs in yellow with the wording `Private Hire Pre-Booked Journeys only’, together with the plate number
- That the driver is displaying his/her identity badge issued by Lancaster City Council.
Any complaints about a vehicle or driver should be made to Lancaster City Council’s Licensing Office, Legal Services, Dalton Square, Lancaster LA1 1PJ or by telephoning on 01524 582033 or emailing at licensing@lancaster.gov.uk.
Date Published: 09/06/10