REFUSING FARES


If you have a booking to attend, it has been argued that you should leave the rank the period of time before the booking is due that it would take you to drive to the furthest point in the district and back. In Northumberland, the prescribed distance from Berwick-upon-Tweed could be as much as 60 miles away or well over two hours to complete the return journey.


Would it be reasonable for taxi drivers working in Berwick to be required to leave the rank a whole two hours or more before their next appointment? The glib licensing officer would probably say yes, coz rules is rules!


This is perhaps the most extreme example, but there are obvious public interest implications here. Given that it is not very likely that your next fare is going to take you to the end of the earth or at least the boundary, it serves the public interest to allow you to stay on the rank until, say, 15 minutes before any forthcoming appointment given that the overwhelming majority of your


fares are local and could easily be completed in that time. Otherwise, the number of licensed taxis available at any given time is going to fall sharply given that all drivers have a life outside of work and most accept some bookings.


If there are plenty of taxis on the rank and you wish to refuse a longer trip for good reason, the passenger can proceed to the next vehicle in the queue. The onus is on you to prove that you had another appointment in the event of any complaint or allegation of refusal to drive contrary to Section 53.


If you are the only driver on the rank because there is a shortage, it is all the more reason not to require drivers to leave ranks prematurely before their next appointments.


Article by Steven Toy, NPHTA Board Member Trade leader of Cannock Chase Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Liaison Group


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