ROUND THE COUNCILS LEEDS:
DRIVERS FUND EXTRA TAXI MARSHALS
Taxi drivers have collaborated to fund taxi rank marshals on Fridays and Saturdays. Drivers in the city say they fear customers and pedestrians are at risk from traffic, anti-social behaviour and unmarked cars at taxi ranks as they try to make their way home. While using a rank, hackney carriage drivers are required to follow a queuing system on a first come first served basis. The Leeds Taxi Volunteer Group says failure to follow these rules can lead to disorder and danger. The group is pooling donations from taxi drivers to fund marshals at the ranks to help stop unauthorised parking and assist people who are trying to find their pre-booked cars. Leeds City Council also employs street marshals as part of the authority’s night safe initiative. The council’s marshals work for a security service, are fully SIA licensed and undergo rigorous training in de- escalation techniques, safeguarding and spotting vulnerable people. They also focus on promoting women’s safety and identifying risks associated with drug or alcohol use, according to the council. However, the Leeds Taxi Volunteer Group says more marshals are needed. A spokesperson for Leeds City Council says they are “aware and supportive of a trial of a taxi marshalling system”. “This is a positive development expected to help passengers access hackney carriage services in a safe and orderly manner, and which mirrors a successful, long-standing arrangement at Leeds Train Station, which is funded by the Hackney Carriage Joint Trade Committee.”
SOUTH OXON/VoWH: TAXI POLICY CONSULTATION
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are inviting residents, businesses and the taxi and private hire trade to share their views on proposed updates to their Joint Taxi Licensing Policy. The councils are proposing updates including: l Cashless convenience – all taxis and private hire vehicles to accept card and mobile payments. l Cleaner, greener travel – moving the zero-
PHTM FEBRUARY 2026
emissions target from 2030 to 2045 – balancing environmental goals with affordability for drivers.
l Safety first – daily vehicle checks to keep passengers safe.
l Tinted windows – adjusting the rules to allow more flexibility while maintaining visibility.
Review the full policy and share your thoughts by visiting:
southandvale.gov.uk/taxi-licensing-policy The survey is open until Tuesday 10 March 2026. After the consultation closes, the officers will review all feedback and present a summary to the licensing committees before publishing the final policy.
ROTHER: COUNCILLORS BACK TOUGHER PENALTIES
Taxi and private hire drivers in Rother face a stricter disciplinary regime after councillors moved to overhaul the authority’s penalty point scheme. At a meeting on Monday, January 12, Rother District Council’s Licensing and General Purposes Committee threw its support behind proposals that introduce new triggers for disciplinary action. Under the current system, any driver or operator who “accrues more than 11 points is referred to a council licensing panel,” which holds the power to decide if further sanctions are necessary. The updated scheme targets modern nuisances and accessibility issues. New rules would penalise drivers for: l Vaping and Parking: Both “vaping in vehicles” and “parking on pavements and/or disabled bays” would now result in three penalty points.
l Assistance Needs: In a move to protect vulnerable passengers, drivers would be penalised for “deliberately driving away from a taxi rank while a passenger with assistance needs is approaching.” This offence carries a heavier six-point penalty. The committee opted to toughen the original proposals regarding road safety. While the initial draft suggested a nine-point penalty for drivers caught using a mobile phone, councillors voted to increase this to 12 points. This change essentially creates an “automatic panel hearing” for any driver caught using a phone behind the wheel, bypassing the usual cumulative warning system. The revised scheme will now move forward to a final stage. Following the committee’s endorsement, the “changes are due to be put to a full council vote” at the authority’s next major meeting on February 23.
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