
Licensed hackney carriage drivers in Southampton are urging the city council to change regulations, allowing them to accept private hire bookings in a bid to offset the "detrimental impact" of an "influx" of outside private hire vehicles, including those operating for Uber.
Currently, licensed hackney carriages in the city are prohibited from undertaking private hire work within Southampton, while private hire vehicles licensed elsewhere are free to operate in the area.
Ian Hall, chair of the Southampton Hackney and Private Hire Association, addressed a recent city council licensing committee, arguing the current rules are causing "significant financial strain on the local taxi drivers and vehicle owners."
Mr. Hall stated: "Southampton City Council licensing department has allowed a large number of Uber private hire vehicles and likely others from various companies to operate within the city. This influx has had a detrimental effect on the local hackney carriage trade.
"A key issue is that Southampton licensed hackney carriages are not permitted to undertake Uber or other private hire jobs within the city, while out of area private hire vehicles can freely operate here. This imbalance has caused significant financial strain on the local taxi drivers and vehicle owners."
Making an amendment to the city’s table of fares would enable hackney carriages to accept local private hire bookings.
Council licensing manager Russell Hawkins, who put forward the suggestion at a June taxi forum meeting, told the committee on Wednesday, November 12: "I installed the idea of it earlier this year and it’s building fruition. I think that’s now gaining support amongst the hackneys."
This sentiment was echoed by Perry McMillan (pictured), a Unite the Union representative with a taxi licence, who confirmed: "Anything that helps hackneys get work we are more than happy with."
Mr Hawkins told councillors it was a case of “watch this space” as the matter related to the table of fares rather than the statement of taxi licensing policy, which was being considered and approved by the committee.

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These are the thoughts on this post shared by Rob Finlayson from Saltire Private Hire:

Agree or disagree with this member of trade's email to Thanet council .

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