Nearly 500 complaints against Oxford’s taxi and private hire drivers revealed last year

Oxford City Council has reported receiving 493 complaints against taxi and private hire services in 2023, according to a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

The data sheds light on the level of public dissatisfaction and raises questions about the operational standards within the local transport industry.

Out of the total complaints, Hackney Carriage vehicle drivers accounted for 98. Hackney Carriages, often referred to simply as 'taxis', are the iconic black cabs that can be hailed on the street or found at taxi ranks across the city. These vehicles are licensed to pick up passengers without a prior booking, offering a flexible transport option for those in need of immediate travel.

In contrast, the private hire sector, which received the bulk of the complaints, operates differently. Private hire vehicles, which include minicabs, must be pre-booked through a licensed operator and cannot legally pick up passengers who hail them on the street. This category also includes drivers working through ride-hailing apps.

The FOI data reveals that 17 complaints were specifically directed at private hire operators, the entities responsible for managing and dispatching these vehicles.

The remaining complaints were attributed to private hire vehicle drivers and other unspecified categories. These figures reflect a broader dissatisfaction that spans both sides of the city's taxi and private hire services.

The number of complaints is likely to fuel ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of current regulations and the quality of service provided by both Hackney Carriages and private hire vehicles in Oxford.