Taxi chiefs call on council to crack down on vehicle colours
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/1628096 ... e_colours/
SOUTHAMPTON cabbies are calling on the council to enforce a taxi-colour rule which they say is being exploited by rival firms.
Currently, as part of legislation, all licensed Hackney Carriages in Southampton must be painted white.
These are the taxis that can be hailed from the kerb and park at taxi ranks.
The rule also states that all other licensed taxis in the city, such as private hire – which have to be pre-booked, must not be white.
Ian Hall, chair of the Southampton Hackney Association, said: “There are 284 licensed taxis in the city which are white, but now there are out-of-town vehicles, and non-Hackney Carriages, coming into the city also coloured white, which is not right.
A lot of them are coming in for a single reason – to pick up fares. Drivers have also been told to buy white cars as they will look just like a Southampton taxi, increasing their chance of a fare.”
Taxi driver and union representative Perry McMillan said: “Corporate colour is supported by a lot of the Southampton taxi trade. It identities Southampton Hackney Carriages. However, cross-border hire firms have made a mockery of this and so I do sympathise with those who want any colour.
Corporate colour, as in silver in Portsmouth and yellow in Bournemouth, helps for safety reasons and identify which are the licensed taxis in particular cities.
“The council should do more to promote this.”
Uber, one of the firms which has been criticised by local cabbies, did not respond when asked for comment.
In response, City Council transport boss Jacqui Rayment said: “It is not just the colour of the vehicles that causes concern but that the out of area vehicles do not require cameras. The law allows these vehicles to come into Southampton and work - Southampton City Council cannot stop them.
“In response we have adapted the knowledge test for private hire drivers so they are only tested on the legislation, not the geography of the area, as this was the main barrier to drivers getting licensed here.
“Since this change was made, there has been a significant increase in applications for drivers and a significant drop in out of area vehicles entering the city.”
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