
A taxi driver in the West Midlands has spoken of his deep frustration as crumbling road surfaces can leave him facing weekly repair bills of nearly £500.
Mohammad Khan says the constant battle with potholes is making his job nearly impossible, explaining: "You try to avoid one pothole, you'll end up in another one and it's damaging the car. I'm having to go to the garage every week."
Beyond the direct mechanical costs, Mr. Khan warned that the poor road conditions are damaging the reputation of the taxi profession.
He noted that drivers often face unfair criticism from those they are transporting, stating: "Passengers can give a bad rating because of the driving, hitting the potholes but also trying to avoid them.
"It's really frustrating and it isn't our fault."
He added that the downtime is a double blow to his livelihood: "You're wasting your time as well, because you can't earn money while your car is off the road."
In response to growing anger over the region's roads, Mayor Richard Parker recently announced a £240m plan to tackle repairs across Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
The investment, which begins in 2027 if approved this week, is seen as a vital step for the local area.
"It's a big commitment to improve transport investment in the region because transport connectivity is key to people's daily lives and it's key to growing our economy," the Mayor said.
The West Midlands Combined Authority Board is set to vote on the funding proposal this Friday, February 13.
Reflecting on the plan to help local authorities fix the broken infrastructure, the Mayor added, "I'm really reassured that we're doing the right thing, having listened."

Caerphilly CB Council, Gwent Police, and local taxi firms have teamed up to ensure matchdays remain safe for both passengers and the drivers working hard to get them home.

Over the weekend of February 7 and 8, carpet tacks were deliberately scattered across taxi bays at the bus station, causing a string of punctures for local firms.

The partnership provides tens of thousands of drivers across 180 major cities including the UK and Ireland, with access to discounted public charging and a simplified system for finding power points.

The decision follows a petition from drivers who asked for a 10 per cent increase to the daytime rate and a rise in the minimum fare from £6 to £7. Nighttime rates and bank holiday prices will remain the same.

The investigation centres on an evening confrontation on Matilda Street that took place around 7:15 pm on Sunday, January 18.

Rashid Kwabena Boachie, 44, is now on trial facing charges of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault.

Derek Andrew Simpson faced Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 9 February, where he pleaded not guilty to a single charge of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm.

A Bolton private hire driver has had his licence suspended for eight weeks after council officials ruled he was not a "fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time."

Ceredigion County Council’s Licensing Committee is set to meet on 12 February, to discuss a proposal that could see the cost of travel rise significantly for the first time since 2022.

Fresh drainage surveys in Southampton City Centre, at a busy junction have sparked a backlash from traders and cabbies who say constant disruption is driving people away.

Kelvin Ndoro, 41, lured the victim into his car in Nottingham city centre in the early hours of the morning by offering her a lift home.

The initial phase will see 100 fully autonomous vehicles hit the roads, with plans to eventually expand the fleet to more than 1,000 taxis.

As major redevelopments such as the Avenues project and George Square upgrades move forward, the city's fleet of hackney drivers say the sheer volume of construction is strangling trade.

A Bradford private hire driver has criticised the city council after 100s of motorists fined for using bus lanes on Christmas and New Year’s Day - dates many believed were exempt from enforcement.

In October 2024, a private hire vehicle was detected speeding in Somerset. 

Nottingham firm Ideal Cars have asked PHTM to share their complaint they recently sent by email to the Access to Work team.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, 8 February, a couple of passengers approached a taxi waiting on the rank in Wigan town centre and asked for a price to be taken to a club in Bolton.

The Australian case, brought by Rideshare Drivers Network, mirrors arguments rejected by UK courts, where Uber mischaracterised its relationship with drivers in to deny their statutory rights.

The proposal is designed to modernise the licensing system, reduce duplication, and improve efficiency while maintaining all required safety, knowledge, and training standards.

At Bolton Council’s licensing committee on January 6, the council highlighted its strict stance on driver conduct, resulting in one suspension and one final warning for the operators involved.
