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Call to get tough on the ‘cowboy’ cabbies
PROPOSALS to get tough on taxi-touts in the West End have been attacked as too lenient.
A report to the London Assembly this week suggested a “three strikes and you’re out” rule for minicab drivers caught touting for passengers on the street.
Legitimate minicab companies welcome the action but say a zero tolerance approach is needed if the West End is to be free from “cowboys”.
The 400,000 licensed private taxi drivers in the capital are only allowed to carry customers who have pre-booked – but the report says that a significant number of drivers are breaking the rules and ply for trade outside nightclubs and bars.
Steve Wright, chairman of the Licensed Private Hire Car Association said: “People think that the problem is just unlicensed minicabs, but that’s not true at all. We are pleased that the issue is getting some attention but three strikes is far too lenient. These drivers are nothing but cowboys and lunatics. The fact they have licences in the first place means nothing. Not only are they stealing business from legitimate minicabs but they pose a serious danger for people stupid enough to get in them.
“A lot of these drivers get licences and then go off the radar the next day. We have had people raped, robbed and left stranded in these vehicles. In some ways the situation is worse than ever because people know how to get the licences and can hide behind them. There should be zero tolerance because they are not safe.”
The report, by Peter Hulme Cross, says taxi-related sexual offences have fallen by 46 per cent over the last five years.
The assembly heard difficulties in getting home from the West End, late at night, including a shortage of black cabs, are a major cause of touting.
Mr Hulme Cross said: “Around 1.4 million journeys are made every week in London’s minicabs. However, many people still do no know they are taking a big risk when they flag down a licensed minicab. If the minicab is not pre-booked, it is not insured to carry passengers, and it is much more difficult to detect offenders if a crime is committed.” |
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