Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 - This consultation has now ended

This consultation ran between 8 October and 3 December 2021.
Licensing Authority proposals aim to improve uniformity to its Hackney Carriage fleet (taxis) by reverting all 700+ vehicles to a base of black and also applying a white wrap to the bonnet to show their unique service in being able to pick up without pre-booking, as well as making them clearly identifiable in the night time economy.
The Authority urges people using taxis to first make sure they are getting into cars which are appropriately licensed. They can do this by checking the vehicle licence plate, door markings and the drivers’ identification badge which should be visible at all times.
Only Newcastle City Council licensed Hackney Carriages are legally permitted to pick up from the street without a pre-booking. It is an offence for a Hackney Carriage Driver to refuse a fare that starts and finishes in Newcastle.  It is also an offence for a driver not to use the fitted meter or to charge more that the legal tariff of fares displayed in the licensed vehicle.
The consultation was carried out by the Public Safety & Regulation team, please contact Jonathan Bryce, Licensing Team Manager, at: licensingconsultation@newcastle.gov.uk.
Wards

Start Date

08 October 2021

End Date

20 December 2024

Participants
0

Days Remaining

0

Result

Thank you to everyone who took part. A summary of the findings is here:  
6.1 The Policy was subject to public consultation between the 8th October and 3rd December 2021.
6.2 Over 270 comments were received in respect of the Policy. The overwhelming majority of these comments were received from the trade. 96% of responses from hackney carriage drivers were opposed to the white bonnet proposal and against the proposal to remove advertising from cars. It should be noted that although the figure of 96% seems to be particularly high, on closer scrutiny the responses were formulaic in nature and did not state why the drivers were opposed to the proposal, other than cost implications. 
6.3 Comments in support of the policy proposals, specifically referencing the proposed white bonnet application were received from: 
  • Security Industry Authority (Night-time Economy Door Supervisors, Rank & Street Marshalls)
  • Newcastle Street Pastors 
  • Community Safety (Violence Against Women & Girls) 
  • Violence Against Women & Girls Providers Strategic Forum including Newcastle Women’s Aid, Action for Children, Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service, Rape Crisis Tyneside & Northumberland, Barnardos 
  • Northumbria Police Traffic Unit 
  • British Transport Police 
  • Newcastle City Centre Pubwatch 
  • Phoenix Taxis 
  • Automotive Group (Hackney Carriage Proprietors & WAV fleet Developers) 
  • Monument Ward Councillors 
6.4 All positive comments reflect the policy objectives and have safeguarding focus to improve hackney carriage vehicle identification, to build brand and from that public understanding and awareness.
6.5 Northumbria Police in their consultation comment also recognise that a distinctive corporate colour scheme will aid with addressing illegality by deterring bogus and private hire drivers from attempting to ply for hire.
You can find out more about this by emailing: licensing@newcastle.gov.uk or visiting our website: New measures to keep taxi passengers safe

Tags

  • Consultations
  • Licensing

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