What is the difference between a taxi and a private hire
vehicle?
Hackney carriage taxis can be hailed in the street or from a
taxi rank. They will display a white licence plate at the rear of
the vehicle.
Private hire vehicles, must be pre-booked - either by phone, post
or in person at the operator's office. They will display a yellow
licence plate at the rear of the vehicle.
Where can I find a taxi?
Up to date list of taxi
ranks.
What do taxis charge?
Up to date fares
information.
How are taxi and private hire fares calculated?
All hackney carriages (taxis) are fitted with taxi meters.
These calculate the fare based on the distance travelled and any
'waiting time' which includes time when the taxi is stopped in
traffic. Fares are the same in hackney carriages regardless of
whether it is day or night. There is a different price around
Christmas and new year. We set a maximum tariff but taxi
drivers can charge less and may offer special promotional
discounts. They also offer fixed fares for journeys to
airports. Private hire fares are not subject to council
regulation and you should agree a fare (or rate per mile) with the
operator when booking the journey.
How is the taxi fare tariff set?
When a proposal for a change in the Hackney Carriage table of
fares is received from the taxi trade, a consultation is carried
out to assess the level of support for the proposal. The
matter is normally discussed at the Taxi Trade Consultative Group
prior to consideration by the Licensing/Appeals Committee. If the
Committee agrees to proceed with the proposal, it is advertised in
a local newspaper. Any one who objects to the change can make
written representation to us. These comments will then be
considered by the Committee before a final decision is reached. If
no objections to the proposal are received, the new table of fares
automatically comes into force on the date stated.
What should I do if I think I've been overcharged?
The fare may be higher if you are held up in a traffic jam or
stop at traffic lights. If the taxi takes a different route to
avoid a known hold-up this can make the journey longer but it may
still work out cheaper than if you had sat in traffic, clocking up
"waiting time". Having taken these things into consideration, if
you think that you have been overcharged and are unable to resolve
the issue with the driver/company,
please contact us. You will need to
provide the following details:
- Date and time of the journey
- Pick up point and drop off point
- Route taken
- Fare charged
- Number of passengers
- Details of the vehicle, including Hackney Carriage Licence
Number
- Driver's Licence Number or name (if known)
- Your name, address and contact phone number
What do we do to make sure that the meters are accurate?
All taxi meters are tested by us. Meters are calendar controlled
and charge single fares at all times . All meters are calibrated
over a measured mile and we give them a colour coded seal to show
that they have been tested and to prevent tampering.
I need a wheelchair accessible vehicle who can I
contact?
All hackney carriage vehicles are wheelchair accessible, some
private hire vehicles can accommodate wheelchairs too.
What do we do to make sure that taxi and private
hire drivers are suitable?
We work to ensure the safety of the public by ensuring all
drivers are CRB checked on application and PNC checked on their
renewal. They are subject to a five year certificate of good
conduct. All drivers must make an application, undergo an enhanced
Criminal Records Bureau check, provide a satisfactory medical
report and pass our knowledge test. We also set pre-licensing
conditions and any application which does not meet these standards
is referred to the Licensing/Appeals Committee for consideration.
We also set standards of behaviour through the Hackney
Carriage Byelaws and the Driver Licence Conditions.
How do I make a complaint about the behaviour of my
driver?
If you were the hirer or passenger in a taxi or private hire
vehicle and have a complaint about the conduct of the driver and
are unable to resolve the issue with the driver/company,
please contact us. You will need to
provide the following details:
- Date and time of the journey
- Pick up point and drop off point
- Details of the vehicle, including Hackney Carriage or Private
Hire Vehicle Licence Number
- Driver's Licence Number or name (if known)
- Nature of the complaint
- Details of any witnesses
- Your name, address and contact phone number