There is a distinct difference between the way in which an officially licensed Hackney Carriage Taxi and a Private Hire vehicle is able to carry passengers, and this can be quite confusing for the general public. By law a Hackney Carriage Taxi - which in Southampton are all white in colour - are allowed to pick up passengers when hailed from the street and also ply for trade using one of the official taxi ranks in and around the city centre. However, Private Hire vehicles must always be pre-booked, and must not pick up people without a booking as they are not insured to do so.
The Police and Southampton City Council work hard to ensure members of the public are kept safe when travelling around the city. Recently the Licensing Office, who are in charge of Taxi's and Private Hire vehicles have recently revoked a private hire drivers' licence. Part of the reason was that the driver, picked up a fare from the street without a prior booking, which invalidated their insurance. The police are now pursuing the driver, with the aim of prosecuting for having no insurance.
Alongside this, Southampton City Council licencing staff have carried out an undercover operation to test Private Hire drivers to see if they would take a fare without a booking. Two drivers acted properly refusing the offer of work, and gave proper directions to the officers to use a white Hackney Carriage taxi or pre-book a Private Hire vehicle. However, two drivers did accept bookings which has resulted in their insurance being invalidated, the Council are preparing prosecution papers against these drivers. Apparently, any future misdemeanour's may result in revocation of their licence.
Southampton City Council have warned the operator of the Private Hire company that any future breaches on any condition of regulations may result in the Company operators' licence to be revoked.
It is very unfortunate that a percentage of Private Hire drivers in Southampton act as if they are Hackney Carriages, picking up passengers wherever they wish. This is not the case, if you wish to travel safely, in an insured car always remember that only the white licensed Hackney Carriage Taxis in Southampton are lawfully allowed to pick you up from the street. For your safety, look for the official red licensed Hackney Carriage plate and the taxi sign on the roof on the white taxi's in around and the city:
There is a distinct difference between the way in which an officially licensed Hackney Carriage Taxi and a Private Hire vehicle is able to carry passengers, and this can be quite confusing for the general public. By law a Hackney Carriage Taxi - which in Southampton are all white in colour - are allowed to pick up passengers when hailed from the street and also ply for trade using one of the official taxi ranks in and around the city centre. However, Private Hire vehicles must always be pre-booked, and must not pick up people without a booking as they are not insured to do so.
The Police and Southampton City Council work hard to ensure members of the public are kept safe when travelling around the city. Recently the Licensing Office, who are in charge of taxi's and private hire vehicles have recently revoked a private hire drivers' licence. Part of the reason was that the driver, picked up a fare from the street without a prior booking, which invalidated their insurance. The police are now pursuing the driver, with the aim of prosecuting for having no insurance.
Alongside this, Southampton City Council licencing staff have carried out an undercover operation to test Private Hire drivers to see if they would take a fare without a booking. Two drivers acted properly refusing the offer of work, and gave proper directions to the officers to use a white Hackney Carriage taxi or pre-book a Private Hire vehicle. However, two drivers did accept bookings which has resulted in their insurance yet again being invalidated, the Council are preparing prosecution papers against these drivers. Apparently, any future misdemeanour's may result in revocation of their licence.
Southampton City Council have warned the operator of the Private Hire company that any future breaches on any condition of regulations may result in the Company operators' licence to be revoked.
It is very unfortunate that a percentage of Private Hire drivers in Southampton act as if they are Hackney Carriages, picking up passengers wherever they wish. This is not the case. If you wish to travel safely, in an insured car always remember that only the white licensed Hackney Carriage Taxis in Southampton are lawfully allowed to pick you up from the street. For your safety, look for the official red license Hackney Carriage plate and the taxi sign on the roof on the white taxi's in around and the city.
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and many people will be planning a great night out with their friends and loved ones. When it comes to getting out and about in Southampton one of the safest ways is to use one of the city's licensed white taxis. You can hail these at the roadside, or jump into one at one of the city's many taxi ranks:
- Both sides of the Southampton train station - in Commercial Road side and on theToys R Us side
- West Quay - Portland Terrace opposite main entrance to West Quay shopping centre
- Portland Terrace, near bus stops by Asda
- At the Bargate in High Street by A Plan Insurance
- Town Quay outside Red Jet Terminal (IOW)
- Terminus Terrace, near to Oxford Street
- Above Bar Street, opposite Yates pub
- Church Street in Shirley
- Portswood High Street
- Bitterne - Angel Crescent
- Opposite Debenhams in Queensway
- Leisureworld cinema entrance
- Hannover Buildings outside Santander bank
- Bannister Street outside Night Club (night time only)
- St. Mary's Road outside British Gas offices (night time only)
- London Road (night time only)
Remember, if you hail a white Hackney Carriage taxi in Southampton you are absolutely insured to travel. Private hire cars are not allowed to pick up passengers on the street without a booking, as they will be uninsured. Look out for Southampton's white taxis on Valentine's, and have a great night!
Yesterday the Southampton Taxi Trade received welcomed news with regards to a contract that was signed between Associated British Ports (ABP) and Southampton City Council (SCC) for taxis to ply for hire within the Docks.
This is a five year contract renewed every year.
The Southampton Hackney Association played a big part in securing these terms, working closely with officers of our Licensing Team and Management from ABP.
Well Done to everyone for their hard work.
The Southampton Hackney Association (SHA) welcome Mr Nick Ridehalgh as the new Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton Port Director.
As the Premier Taxi Association in Southampton, the SHA wish him all the very best in his new role and hope to form a long lasting relationship with him, as we did his predecessor Mr Doug Morrison
who has retired after nearly nine years as Port Director.
All at the SHA send our best wishes to Doug on his retirement.
Other news at Southampton Docks is the arrival of a new security company called Profile Services Security Ltd.
The company was established in Aberdeen in 1980. The SHA will endeavour to work with Profile in providing a safe, secure taxi service and wish them all the best for the future.
Southampton police have issued a safety campaign in the press today. Their key message is for Christmas and New Year revellers to stay safe by using licensed taxi's.
You can follow The Southampton police on twitter @sotoncitycops.
With the party season now in full swing, Hampshire Police's Drink-Drive Arrests are up 126% campared to their recent Christmas figures. Operation Holly was launched on December 1 and is aimed at targeting drink and drug drivers around the festive season, in just four days the police have stopped 338 vehicles and carried out 320 breath tests across Hampshire. Superintendent Chris Brown, head of Roads Policing for Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, said:
“Drink or drug driving is a choice you make. If you make the wrong decision you face a driving ban, up to £5,000 in fines and a criminal record – and that’s only the best case scenario...It’s a choice that costs people their jobs, their relationships and their lives, not to mention the lives of others. Our message is very simple, very clear. Do not drink and drive. Do not take the risk.”
The Southampton Hackney Taxi Association members will be available in their licensed white taxis around the city and Southampton area right over the Christmas period. You can always find a white taxi at the city's taxi ranks and also by hailing them at the roadside in Southampton. This makes it easy for people to get home safely rather than risk a ride with a friend who has taken a drink, or by driving themselves and risk losing their license, killing or maiming others in an accident.
Hampshire Constabulary are asking people to text 80999 to report anyone they suspect of drink or drug-driving. Include the car number plate, location and direction of travel if you can.
Supt Brown said:
“By reporting those you suspect of driving under the influence of drink or drugs you could be saving their life, or the lives of others. I’d urge people to remember the 80999 number this Christmas and most importantly, not drink and drive."
Take a white taxi this Christmas - don't drink or drive, and don't risk a ride with a friend if they have been drinking.
The SHA receives many emails and telephone calls regarding property lost in taxis in Southampton. However, because The Southampton Hackney Association is not a taxi company, we are unfortunately unable to help locate lost property left in any taxis.
The Southampton Hackney Association (SHA) was established in 2001 to promote and benefit Southampton Hackney Taxi drivers in the city. We are approved by Southampton City Council with whom we regularly consult. Southampton Hackney Carriage drivers are all licensed, and regulated by Southampton City Council.
The SHA are here to promote the Hackney carriage trade in Southampton, and all of our members are self-employed Taxi drivers.
Please do get in touch if you are a passenger looking for more information or advice on how to use the Southampton licensed white taxis or a taxi driver thinking about becoming a member of the SHA.
At the Southampton City Council Taxi Licensing Committee meeting held on Thursday 19th September 2013, it was decided that it would now be mandatory for CCTV camera's to be installed in all taxis and private hire car's. All taxi cabs and hire cars are to be fitted with permanent visual recording and audio recording facilities, which will be activated by the driver.
At the moment there are three camera manufacturers who meet the Southampton City Council's (SCC) condition. They are Verifeye, Pageantry and Brigade and these agents can be contacted by contacting the Licensing Department.
Southampton City Council state that "If you are considering applying for a new vehicle licence or replacing your existing vehicle, an approved taxi camera will be required in the new vehicle. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has confirmed that vehicle proprietors may claim back the net cost of camera installations against tax over one year".
This year Halloween falls on Thursday, with the weather having turned stormy and wet, forget the tricks....why not treat yourself to a white Southampton cab for your halloween parties?
Southampton's white taxis are all licensed to be safely hailed by the roadside or you can jump into them at one the city's many taxi ranks.
Keep yourself safe, dry and happy this Halloween - use a taxi!
« Back to all posts
