Plymouth taxi drivers step up fight to reverse jeans ban and keep cabs black

Plymouth's hackney carriage association writes to all councillors claiming licensing policy should be revisited

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17:55, 16 NOV 2022

Taxi drivers on the streets of Plymouth — Black cab Hackney carriage taxis on the streets of Plymouth (Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)

Plymouth’s taxi drivers have written to all city councillors asking them to drop a ban on jeans and scrap plans to turn hackney carriages green and white. The Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association has penned the strongly worded letter claiming there has not been a proper consultation on the new taxi licensing policy.

The association has listed a range of grievances it says need addressing including the unpopular dress code which bans jeans, sandals and t-shirts. The letter said: “While licensees agree that drivers' dress should be of a certain standard, they strongly object to not being permitted to wear jeans that are in a good condition.”

The letter, signed by PLTA secretary Marin Leaves also asks for a rethink on moves to order all cabbies to change the colour of black hackney carriages to green and white by 2027. Mr Leaves’ letter said: “Rather than imposing a costly livery with consequences not considered an alternative is the Plymouth City Council coat of arms on the two front doors for which we are seeking permission through the correct channels for up to five vehicles to test public reactions and seek licensing authority approval. Additionally, the LA taxi Licence number could be placed upon the roof for easy identification by safety cameras.”

In April, Plymouth City Council approved the hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2022, which stipulated the famous black cabs must change hue. The council said the new livery will improve the visibility of cabs and reassure passengers that they are travelling in a licensed vehicle.

It also brought in other changes, but hackney drivers have never been happy with them and the letter says they have caused a “great deal of anguish” within the trade and are having a “detrimental effect” on the service to the public.

Mr Leaves’ letter states legislation says licensing authorities should consult on proposed changes in licensing rules that may have significant impact on passengers and/or the trade. He claims the council only carried out a survey and not a full consultation.

He wrote: “We submit that our licensing authority conducted a survey which is the collection of data for mapping an organisation or body of people for that purpose. It is also our opinion that our licensing authority has failed to consult as required by the Department for Transport.”

It was reported that the changes went out for consultation in November 2021 but Mr Leaves disputes this. He claimed that no councillor, or committee, has “sought information or advice, discussed or jointly considered, any detail with a single licensee”.

Among other issues raised in Mr Leaves’ letter, the PLTA is asking for card readers and CCTV in cabs to be optional. The association also wants private hire vehicles to have neither roof signs or the work taxi on them, saying that it confuses the public. It wants private hire vehicles to have their licence number written on the roof so it can be seen by safety cameras, and for the operator’s name to be on the rear door.

Mr Leaves said the PLTA wants a meeting with the portfolio holder and the taxi licensing committee, and to be consulted on the current policy and its suggestions “for an amicable solution to the current unrest of licensees”.