Beware of bogus taxi drivers in Plymouth, warn council COUNCIL chiefs have warned people to beware of bogus taxi drivers in Plymouth after reports of fake cabs circulated on social network sites.
A Plymouth resident recently claimed she flagged down a silver taxi by Derry’s Cross after a night out in town, and requested the driver took her and her friend to Plympton.
However, she noted how the meter was “going VERY fast”, resulting in a £20 fare, on a journey she claimed usually costs only £13.
She added: “I didn’t notice until he drove off that he had no plates on his taxi showing he was registered and nothing in his cab.”
Her message, which has been shared numerous times on Facebook, goes on to warn: “Be Careful. If you notice the driver isn’t registered get out – get another taxi. We were lucky, we got home – it could’ve been a different story.”
In response to the messages on social media a spokesman for Plymouth City Council’s taxi licensing department – responsible for licensing hackney carriages and private hire vehicles – said: “A licensed hackney carriage has a distinctive white license plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle, while a private hire vehicle has a yellow plate.
“Both plates should state which type of passenger vehicle it is, the vehicle’s registration number, licence number and the maximum number of passengers that the vehicle is licensed to carry.
“A hackney carriage should also have a distinctive illuminated word saying ‘Taxi’, indicating that the vehicle is available for hire.
“A hackney carriage can operate from the numerous taxi ranks located throughout the city or can be 'flagged down' in the street, a private hire vehicle must be booked in advance.
In addition, both types of vehicles can only be driven by a licensed driver who must be wearing his licence badge.
“It is very important for passenger safety that you do not get into any vehicle that you suspect is not licensed, and we would encourage anyone who is worried about the licensing of a vehicle or driver to report their concerns to us.
“If you suspect that a person is operating a vehicle as a taxi or private hire vehicle without proper licences, please take down as many details as you can, make model, registration of the vehicle, when and where you have seen it operating and contact the licensing office on 01752 304141.”
Read more:
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Beware- ... z3TniL9qDH
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