Archived press release

Date Published: 11/12/07

Party-goers in Aylesbury Vale should be sorting out their Christmas transport arrangements now to make sure that they are not putting themselves at risk from unlicensed opportunists. That’s the advice from Aylesbury Vale District Council an...

Party-goers in Aylesbury Vale should be sorting out their Christmas transport arrangements now to make sure that they are not putting themselves at risk from unlicensed opportunists.

That’s the advice from Aylesbury Vale District Council and local hackney carriage and private hire operators as they prepare to meet the high demand for taxis over the festive period.

Christmas revellers are being warned that it may be difficult to get a taxi late at night, especially during the Eid-ul-Adha celebration later this month. Eid-ul-Adha is an important festival in the Islamic calendar and will be celebrated by Muslims all around the world.

As the majority of licensed drivers in the district are Muslim, there will be a limited number of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles available between 20 and 23 December when the Eid-ul-Adha celebration takes place.

AVDC and licensed operators are encouraging people to book their cabs as far in advance as possible to ensure they get home safely after a big Christmas night out. Residents are also reminded to be vigilant at this festive time and to only use licensed vehicles and drivers.

Illegal taxis may appear on the district’s streets with drivers trying to make extra money for Christmas, with some unfortunately there to also target lone and defenceless women. These vehicles will not be insured to carry passengers and there are no assurances as to the vehicle’s safety or roadworthiness as they have not been examined by the council.

There are two types of taxis licensed to work in Aylesbury Vale: hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. Only the hackney carriage drivers can wait at taxi ranks and be flagged down in the street. Private hire vehicles are not allowed to ply for hire or pick up passengers who flag them down.

The hackney carriages in Aylesbury display a white taxi licence plate on the rear of the vehicle.

Hackney carriages operating elsewhere in the Vale display a red licence plate. They always have a roof sign, which is illuminated when they are available for hire.

Drivers of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles must wear an identification badge, issued by the council, where it is clearly visible. The badge confirms that the driver has been vetted by AVDC.

Private hire vehicles carry identifying yellow door stickers and a yellow plate on the back bumper. They must always be pre-booked through a licensed operator either by telephone or at the operator’s office.

Passengers are being advised to keep telephone numbers of reputable firms on their mobiles and not to try to stop private hire cars in the street. They cannot wait at ranks and, if they pick up fares from the street, this invalidates their insurance.

Taxi marshals, who are registered with the Security Industry Authority and wear high visibility jackets, will be working in Aylesbury on Friday, Saturday and Monday nights in the busy run-up to Christmas and also on New Year's Eve to make sure people get home safe. The marshals will assist with smooth queuing and ensure that customers use taxis properly.

Councillor Timothy Mills, Vice Chairman of the Licensing Committee, said: “We want residents to get home safely this Christmas. By booking in advance and making sure you use a licensed hackney carriage or private hire vehicle you can be sure the driver and car have complied with strict standards. I know that demand for taxis is high at this time of year, and that people may be tempted to get into the first car that comes along, but I cannot stress enough the dangers of travelling in bogus cabs or without the proper insurance.”

For further information on hackney carriage and private hire licences, please visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/taxilicensing or call the licensing team on 01296 585083.