SPRAYED OR WRAPPED: Hartlepool Council to review distinctive yellow taxi livery colour rule after concerns over costs raised
- Perry Richardson
- 58 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Hartlepool Borough Council is set to consult on whether its fleet of Hackney Carriages should remain the town’s distinctive yellow or move to a more practical colour option.
The council’s Licensing Committee has agreed to consider a request from Taxi Cab Services (Hartlepool) Ltd, part of the Blueline Group, to review the existing colour requirement. Under current policy, all Hackney Carriages must be professionally painted or wrapped in a non-standard yellow shade, either Land Rover AA Yellow or Fiat Giallo Ginestra.
Blueline’s Managing Director, Ian Shanks, wrote to the council in September arguing that the rule adds unnecessary cost at a time when taxi numbers are falling. He said wrapping or spraying vehicles to the required standard now costs more than £2,000 and leaves some drivers resorting to cheaper finishes that fade quickly and reduce vehicle value. The company has proposed allowing a standard manufacturer colour or an alternative livery design at lower cost.
The Licensing Committee report confirmed that members of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Working Group had mixed views. Some drivers strongly opposed any change, citing the visibility and public recognition that the yellow cars provide. Others questioned why the issue was being revisited so soon after a full policy update in July.
The committee agreed that a formal consultation should take place to gather wider feedback from the trade, passengers and other stakeholders. Responses will be presented at a future meeting before any decision is made.
The current yellow colour rule was introduced to make licensed taxis easily identifiable to the public and enforcement officers. The consultation will explore whether that objective can still be met through alternative designs or colours that reduce financial pressure on the trade.
