Taxi Driver Online

Taxi boss slams rivals operating outside city

Taxi drivers are putting passengers at risk by illegally ferrying them into Cambridge, a cab company boss has said. Lee Cave, who runs Cambourne-based firm 079 Call a Cab, says many taxi drivers are ignoring strict licensing conditions to pick up fares in rural Cambridgeshire and run them into town.

Under existing rules, hackney cab drivers licensed by Cambridge City Council are only allowed to tout for custom or pick up fares within the city limits. But Mr Cave says he has seen many drivers operating in South Cambridgeshire towns without permission – a move that could void their public liability insurance if an accident occurred.

He said: “Once Cambridge city drivers drop off their passengers in Cambourne, they then turn on their taxi top lights trying to get a quick job to take them back into the city. “I see it on a daily basis and have even witnessed drivers approaching people at bus stops in Cambourne offering a discounted fare into town.

“If police knew someone was driving without insurance, they would stop them. Exactly the same thing is happening here – it’s no different.

“In fact, it’s worse because they are carrying members of the public who would not be covered by the driver’s insurance in case of any accident. “I am licensed to pick up fares off the street only in South Cambridgeshire, so when I’m in the city I make sure that my taxi top light is not illuminated.”

Mr Cave, 33, who has been a taxi driver for five years, says he is reporting incidents of illegal fares to South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) in an effort to stop the practice. He said: “I am making a stand because they are breaking the law. Everyone should play by the rules.”

A spokesman for Cambridge City Council said: “We will certainly look into any reports of taxi drivers operating illegally outside of the city.” An SCDC spokeswoman said: “Private hire drivers licensed by Cambridge City Council should not be touting for business within South Cambridgeshire.

“Because passenger safety is important to us, we do take part in local operations with the police and other agencies to clamp down on all illegal activity where private hire vehicles are concerned. Cambourne is an area we concentrate on. “Private hire drivers operating illegally risk prosecution through the courts.”

_________________
IDFIMH

First time I have heard rural drivers moaning about city drivers poaching their work.

Nearly always the other way around.

_________________
IDFIMH

We often have this in our town. Taxis from Leicester city will bring a punter back from the city and then try and do a couple of pick ups around our town before we can get to them and "politly ask them to return to the city".

_________________
Grandad,

we get it as well but with PH cars from peterborough trying to rank one back

I'm not sure that public hire insurance is invalid if picking up fares outside the licensing district it is against the rules though