Festive taxi warning

December 23, 2008

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PARTYGOERS this Christmas have been warned to look out for unlicensed taxis which can be illegal and unsafe.

Council chiefs say getting in an illegal cab could end in assault, robbery or the danger of getting involved in an accident because of the vehicle might be unroadworthy.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England, says: "Getting into an unlicensed taxi can be no different from getting into the car of a kerb crawler."

Illegal taxis appear on the streets as drivers try to make extra money for Christmas and some target lone and defenceless women.

Some councils run `taxi marshals' outside pubs and clubs say punters should always check for an official yellow identification mark on the windscreen and ensure that the driver is wearing ID.

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Calamity (23/12/2008 at 12:20)

I recently got a taxi from Manchester United to Park road Timperley after a party. The taxis just kept drawing up as people were waiting in a queue. When it came to my turn I confess that I did not take a lot of notice about the cab. The driver asked where I was going and I told him and he asked for £20 up front. I told him that was ridiculous for such a short journey but in the end, as I was holding the queue up I gave him the money. He did not have a meter. Next day I phoned up a local taxi company and asked what they would have charged and they said half of what I had been charged. I think that it must have been a bogus cab, and wish I had taken his registration number. I am just glad that I got home safely.

Sir Hugo White -Wong, Manchester (23/12/2008 at 12:38)

I'm not a betting person, but I'd put my life savings on a bet that the licensing department from the town hall are not out on the Bank Holidays checking up. Words' words, lets see action.

RED RAZOR-WATCHING FROM THE PUB (23/12/2008 at 13:02)

Calamity, the £20 up front is a scam that has been going on for some time.

LittleMancMinx, Ashton Under Lyne (23/12/2008 at 13:24)

A few years ago I got in to a taxi with my sister and friend and the driver refused to put his metre on. We were going from manchester to danebank and then to ashton, this driver insisted on a set fare of 35 pounds, we all knew that this was well over what we should be paying but we were cold and a little worse for wear. I asked him to put his metre on but he refused and tried to chuck us out in the middle of Gorton at 4 in the morning, In the end we just shut our mouths and paid the fare. My biggest regret was not getting his number!

RED RAZOR-WATCHING FROM THE PUB (23/12/2008 at 14:17)

Editor I hope you find yourself in Piccadilly Gardens in the taxi queue after you have lost your money.

Gratis (23/12/2008 at 14:31)

I've suffered this "negotiated charge" apparently they are allowed to do this if you live outside the licensing area, when I questioned this, by email, with the licensing authority I was told my address was right on the boundary and the driver should have given me the benefit of the doubt, I now carry that email with me if likely to need a taxi.

It's interesting that no on line maps showing these boundaries appear to exist

andanotherthing, East Mcr (23/12/2008 at 16:12)

I have never, never had a problem wiyh a manchester black cab. They are great...Happy christmas Cabbies

So when are the resignations then?, Spaced out (23/12/2008 at 16:50)

even in legal cabs....its daylight robbery what they charge you

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