Taxi drivers concerned about cab colour change
Plans to give Newcastle’s black cabs a distinctive makeover have been parked for now following concerns from the city’s taxi drivers.
Newcastle City Council planned to introduce white bonnets to the city’s fleet of almost 600 public hire black taxis – to reflect Newcastle United’s famous black and white shirts – in a bid to make travelling by taxi safer for everyone.
Cabbies treat Veterans to a day at the seaside
It is great to see kind-hearted taxi drivers once again give up their time to give veterans a well-deserved treat.
The popular trips have been taking place for 75 years and are a highlight for those who have served our country and are testament to the taxi drivers who volunteer their time to treat our veterans, giving up a day’s pay when they still have bills such as maintenance and taxi insurance coming in.
Taxi boss wants black cabs and PHVs to be treated equally
Plans for a £36 million city-centre pedestrianisation scheme have come under fire from private hire taxi drivers who would be banned from the area, while black cabs would still be allowed to operate.
And STV News reports that Edinburgh Council could face legal action from at least one private hire boss who called the decision to ban PHVs “ludicrous”.
What gadgets can taxi drivers not do without?
Taxi drivers spend most of their time in their cars which must be able to do everything they need to earn a living.
As technology improves, there are more gadgets and features to make life on the road easier and more enjoyable. So, what could you not do without in your next taxi or private hire vehicle?
Financial help to replace Newcastle’s most-polluting taxis
Like several other cities, Newcastle has introduced a Clean Air Zone to cut pollution – and is offering financial assistance to help taxi drivers meet the cost of replacing older, more polluting vehicles.
The Clean Air Zone was introduced on January 30 to help to improve air quality by reducing the number of high-polluting vehicles on the roads both within the zone and in the surrounding areas.
What do you think of plans for national taxi legislation?
Safety is key to the taxi fleet and there are rules in place to make sure taxi drivers are fit and proper people to pick up fares, as well as checks to ensure their vehicles are safe to carry passengers.
Whether it is a black cab or private hire vehicle, all drivers must comply in order to work in the fleet, and they must be licensed with their local authority.
Top five taxi insurance myths
Taxi drivers hear all sorts of stories about savings and pitfalls when purchasing Taxi Insurance and there’s varying degrees of truth behind them.
As with anyone who earns their living on the road, having the right insurance is not only vital to protect their business, it is also a legal requirement.
Taxi drivers could take over from James Bond
Move over 007 because MI6 is turning to the real professionals – taxi drivers – to carry out special assignments across the capital. But you won’t need a Licence to Kill – a green or yellow taxi badge will get you in.
After decades of watching Britain’s most famous spy tear through the streets of the capital during high-speed chases and explosive shoot outs, it turns out that London’s black cabbies are the best qualified to get behind the wheel of secret service vehicles.
Choosing the right level of taxi cover
Every taxi business is different which is why an insurance broker can help drivers find the right taxi insurance for their specific needs.
Buying a taxi is a huge investment, so having the right insurance in place is vital to protect the driver in the event of a claim and to get the vehicle back on the road after an accident.
How to make your taxi stand out from the crowd
When we think of taxis, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a black cab or private hire vehicle. But what passes as a standard taxi varies depending where you are in the world.
We have recently seen some interesting articles which got us wondering what’s the wackiest taxi you’ve ever seen?
Separating fact and fiction of what you can and can’t do driving a taxi
We all know that using a mobile phone while driving a taxi is illegal, but what about eating a snack, wearing Ugg boots, or having fluffy dice hanging from the mirror?
Will sipping tea or coffee, or driving at night with the interior light on earn a taxi driver points on their licence?
London’s taxi fleet has hopefully turned a corner
Soaring costs and frozen pay have caused real problems for taxi drivers in London, forcing some to find other ways to make a living, while those who stay struggle to recover with the effects of the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Covid-19 restrictions had a huge impact on London’s black taxi drivers who missed out on the millions of tourists and visitors they would normally transport around the capital.