
Hartlepool hackney carriages look set to stay yellow after council officers advised members to reject a rule change ahead of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Licensing Committee meeting on Wednesday, 23 September at the Civic Centre.
Local operator Blueline (Taxi Cab Services (Hartlepool) Ltd) has been pushing for the colour requirement to be reconsidered. The company first approached the council in September 2025 to argue that mandatory full-body yellow resprays or wraps add over £2,000 extra per vehicle.
The firm says this blocks modernising fleets with electric vehicles such as Teslas, which only come in standard factory paint such as red, blue, black, white and grey.
As a cheaper fix, Blueline suggested partial yellow wraps priced at £368, £550 and £600 plus VAT.
Blueline also pointed to a shrinking local trade, noting Department for Transport figures showing licensed hackney carriages dropped from 164 in 2013 to 132 in 2019 and 119 by 2024, pressured by smartphone booking apps like Uber.
Under existing rules, private hire vehicles can be any colour except yellow, while hackney carriages must be yellow.
Public and trade feedback strongly rejected a policy shift. Out of 491 consultation responses gathered between July and August, 418 wanted hackney carriages to stay yellow, arguing the colour supports local identity and safety for vulnerable late-night passengers.
A similar push by Blueline for colour flexibility was previously rejected in 2019.
Council officers recommend keeping the yellow policy intact, warning that relaxing the rule could risk losing other hackney vehicles or drivers.
Councillors will make the final decision on 23 September.

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