Fears that Christmas partygoers, especially younger people, might put themselves in danger by getting lifts from unlicensed taxi drivers have prompted a safety drive by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The council’s licensing team has joined forces with the Hackney Carriage Federation on the ‘Who’s Taking You Home?’ campaign urging people to check that a car is licensed before they get into it. Although the council has had no reports of bogus drivers in the borough this year, reports from London and other areas have led to the team warning residents of the need to stay vigilant.
The campaign aims to highlight the two types of licensed ‘taxi’ vehicles in the borough – hackney carriages and private hire cars.
Hackney carriages, recognisable by their distinctive ‘London cab’ design, are found at the taxi ranks in Basingstoke town centre at Festival Place, Caston’s Yard, Joices Yard, Church Street and the railway station. They can be hailed in the street when their yellow ‘taxi’ light is illuminated and can also be pre-booked.
Private hire cars must always be pre-booked through a licensed operator. They must also display licence plates, front and back, and have a ‘No Booking, No Ride’ sticker on the side doors. If this identification is not visible then people are urged not to get into the car as it will not be licensed and therefore will not be insured to take them home, putting them at risk. Passengers can also ask to see the driver's private hire badge, which displays a photo, licence number and date of expiry of licence.
For further information please download the taxi safety guide below
