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TAXI TRADE CONCERNS TRIGGER ACTION: Joint council enforcement team checks private hire vehicles at Lancaster station
Lancaster City Council has carried out a targeted taxi and private hire enforcement operation at Lancaster Railway Station following concerns from the local trade about out-of-area licensed private hire vehicles operating in the district.
Council licensing officers worked alongside counterparts from Blackburn with Darwen Council last week after an increase in reports alleging that vehicles licensed elsewhere may have been operating improperly in Lancaster.
The joint team inspected licensed vehicles arriving at and departing from Lancaster Railway Station. Checks included driver and vehicle licences, vehicle details, signage and wider compliance with licensing requirements.
Officers also specifically looked for evidence of illegal passenger pick-ups. Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked and cannot lawfully ply for hire or accept passengers who approach them without a booking.
Despite the concerns that prompted the operation, Lancaster City Council said the “vast majority” of vehicles checked were found to be operating lawfully.
However, enforcement action was taken against one driver who was suspended from operating after failing to display the required driver identification badge.
Several other minor compliance issues were identified during the checks. These related to vehicle signage and the positioning of licence plates and were addressed by officers.
The involvement of Blackburn with Darwen Council reflects the cross-border nature of private hire licensing and enforcement. Vehicles licensed by one authority can undertake pre-booked journeys in other licensing areas, meaning enforcement operations can require co-operation between councils where concerns involve vehicles licensed outside the district.
Out-of-area private hire working remains a significant issue for licensing authorities and local taxi trades because the authority responsible for licensing a driver, vehicle or operator may be located some distance from where journeys are actually being carried out.
Lancaster City Council has also reminded passengers to use legitimate licensed taxi and private hire services. Drivers should display their identification badges, while licensed vehicles are required to carry valid licence plates.
Councillor Paul Stubbins, Lancaster City Council’s member with responsibility for licensing, said: “We received reports about out-of-area licensed vehicles operating in the district. Where issues and concerns are reported to us, they are taken seriously and investigated.
"These checks are about safeguarding passengers, ensuring licensing standards are being met, and ensure that drivers and operators who follow the rules are not placed at a disadvantage.
"It was encouraging to find that there was no evidence of illegal passenger pick-ups and the overwhelming majority of drivers were complying with the law.
“The licensing team will continue to prioritise working with neighbouring authorities to investigate reports, carry out compliance checks and where issues are identified, we will take appropriate action.”
