Taxiwise continues to work hard to promote the message of taxi safety this festive season.
We remain committed to fight the cause in order to highlight the potential dangers faced by revellers who use unlicensed taxis to travel home. Through our website and quarterly newsletter we hope to convey the message of ‘be taxiwise’ to thousands of passengers across the country.
When travelling at night its important to remember your personal safety. After a long night fuelled with mulled wine and kisses under the mistletoe you may want to jump into the first vehicle that you see, but how do you know that you are getting into a safe vehicle? Here at Taxiwise we think it is critical at this time of year to make sure the vehicle you get into is not an unlicensed cab.
To ensure your journey is a safe and comfortable one, hail either a hackney carriage or plan ahead by prebooking a licensed private hire vehicle.
Classified only as a hackney carriage, a taxi which can be hailed in the street, each vehicle features an illuminated taxi sign on the roof and a licence plate that can be found on the rear of the vehicle. All drivers will carry official identification.
The distinctive London Taxi or Black cab is one of the most recognisable vehicles on our roads today. An integral part of our transportation system, the vehicle is accessible, safe and secure for all kinds of passengers.
Licensed private hire vehicles must be pre booked by telephone or at a booking office. Virtually any type of vehicle can be licensed for private hire use but a licensed vehicle can be identified by the usual presence of the companys phone number and the license plate located to the rear of the vehicle. The driver will also carryidentification.
A text service is being launched that will let partygoers know where their nearest available licensed taxi is.
People who need a cab on a night out in the Gwent Police force area can text CAB to 83222 for numbers for the three firms operating closest to them.
Taxiwise would like to congratulate the Gatecrasher nightclub in Birmingham for their work in promoting taxi safety since its opening in September 2008.
The club offers a waiting and prebooking facility for both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles to deter patrons from using unmarked vehicles. With taxi ranks in close proximity to the venue, that are marshaled by security, one of the UK’s most influential dance clubs are doing all they can to prevent the illegal operation of unlicensed minicabs.
Unlicensed minicabs continue to pose serious risks for passengers throughout the UK. This is the main reason why Gatecrasher is also offering a free taxi for parties of females from anywhere within the city, to ensure their safe arrival to the club.
Simon Raine, Managing Director of Gatecrasher said: “The safety of our patrons is absolutely paramount in everything we do. To have the ultimate nightout, people need to feel safe, so we have invested a lot of time and money ensuring we get this right. We are working with West Midlands Police and Broad Street BID to underpin Broad Street as a safe and exciting entertainment destination for both out of town and local customers”
Maria Holmes-Wood, a Taxiwise spokesperson, commented: “It’s great news for Taxiwise when we hear about the lengths that the entertainment industry goes to in order to encourage personal safety. Gatecrasher is a shining example of this and we hope that other venues will follow suit.”
Cardiff Council is hoping to influence revellers at Christmas and New Year by promoting the use of properly licensed taxis and private hire vehicles in the City.
Taxiwise is fully supportive of Cardiff Council who ensures that the licensed vehicles within the City are safe and comfortable and that all drivers have a good knowledge of the area.
Taxi marshals will be helping to keep festive partygoers safe throughout Leeds city centre this December. Patrolling across three sites in the city, marshals will help improve safety and efficiency in queues during peak periods on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Noda Taxis, Newcastle’s biggest taxi firm, has launched a safety campaign to warn people about the dangers of getting into unlicensed cabs.
The company will be handing out pocket safety guides, using posters, leaflets and advertisements and will have a marshal on duty at the Central Station rank to ensure people get into cabs that are registered, licensed and safe.
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The proportion of women using illegal taxies is at an all-time low, but some are still putting themselves at risk, warned the Mayor of London, the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London.
Taxiwise, the campaign dedicated to the safe use of taxis, encourages women to remain vigilant when it comes to catching a taxi home. This Christmas, with the party season now underway, keep these top tips handy to use taxis safely. Remember, unlicensed cabs pose a real danger to women travelling at night.