SO BEGINS ANOTHER BRIGHT Taxi or Private Hire Vehicle?
Article by Dave Lawrie, Director NPHTA 0161 280 2800
info@nphta.co.uk
Much has happened through 2022, some campaigns have been touched on, and many topics covered with articles, interviews and meetings nationwide.
Now we launch into 2023, and this year, along with anything else that pops up we will be focusing on three main topics.
There may well be mixed feelings on some of these issues, which is to be expected, but as an association we have to raise the concerns of our members
BUS LANES AND BUS GATES
Across the UK there is a confusing pick and mix of traffic regulation orders and very little consistency:
• Some areas are not affected as they do not have any bus lanes or bus gates large enough to create any significant impact on traffic flow
• Some areas allow hackney carriages to use them but not private hire vehicles
• Some areas allow locally licensed private hire vehicles but not PHVs licensed elsewhere
• Some areas allow any licensed taxi or private hire vehicle to use them
We all know (or should know) the differences between a taxi and a PHV and the way in which each can work; but for anyone who does not fully grasp it, I will clarify the main points below:
Taxi / Hackney Carriage: • Can make use of ranks • Can be flagged down by any member of the public whilst within its licensed district
• Can accept its own bookings from any source including jobs from a private hire operator • Must have a taxi roof sign
Private Hire Vehicle: • Can only receive work from an operator licensed by the same council as the driver and vehicle licence
• Cannot use taxi ranks • Cannot be flagged down in the street • Cannot accept its own bookings (excl Scotland) • Should not have a roof sign
Very different – but oh so similar
However, once a passenger has been collected and is en route to their destination, the role of a taxi and private hire driver is identical - to transport the public from A to B safely and efficiently in a fully licensed and insured vehicle.
Therefore, surely it is only fair that BOTH taxis and private hire vehicles should be able to efficiently navigate through traffic and not be forced to unnecessarily prolong journeys.
As such, bus lanes and gates should be open to ANY and ALL licensed taxi or PHVs - in much the same way as the CAZ charges apply to a licensed vehicle regardless of where they are licensed.
VEHICLE LIVERY / SIGNAGE
There are such wide-ranging conditions and requirements by different councils that the general public cannot possibly know what to look for from one region to another. It is both confusing and dangerous: • Some only require a vehicle plate to be attached • Some require a council logo on doors - some on front doors, others on back doors
• Some require company signage on remaining doors • Some demand permanent stickers
32 FEBRUARY 2023 PHTM
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