When you require a taxi in Southampton, there are three ways that you can do this -

Phone for one, flag one down, or approach a taxi which is sat on a taxi rank at the roadside

All the licensed white cabs in Southampton are fully insured to pick people up from the roadside. These have an identification licence plate on the back outlined in red.  White saloon car taxis also have a large roof box which clearly identifies them as a taxi, and Multi-Purpose Vehicle taxis including the famous London cab, have a taxi sign on the roof.

It's really important for people to know that if they get into a Southampton Private Hire Vehicle at the roadside, without it having been specifally pre-booked for them the insurance is invalid - leaving them at risk should there be an accident. Private Hire Vehicles do not have a taxi sign on their roof , and can be any colour except white - so it is very easy to tell the difference.

There is to be zero tolerance towards Private Hire's touting for work at the roadside, as it is illegal and dangerous.  Additionally, these vehicles are costing the Southampton Taxi Drivers who are licensed to pick up people from the roadside, a serious loss in income which they simply cannot afford.

Private Hire drivers who commit misdemeanours, such as picking up people without a pre-booking will be reported to the Southampton City Council Licensing Department.

Remember - White Taxis (like the one above) in Southampton are fully insured to pick people up from the roadside and taxi ranks.

Private Hire Vehicles (which are any colour except white) can only pick people up who have pre-booked a ride - otherwise their insurance is invalid leaving their passengers at risk.

We are often asked as a Taxi Association what conditions do Southampton City Council Taxi Licensing Department have regarding medical conditions and tests? 

The answer is when a taxi or private hire driver reaches the age of 45, 50, 55 and 60 years - they have to provide the council with a full medical report. 

When drivers reach the age of 65 years it is annually thereafter.  These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of the public. Do check the Southampton Taxi & Private Hire Licensing noticeboard for more information.  

With regards to the DVLA - when everyone reaches the age of 70 years, driving licences expire and must be renewed every 3 years thereafter. If you wish to retain certain categories on your licence for example B+E, C1 +E, D1 and D1 + E - the so called 'Grandfather Rights' which you might have had are not renewed automatically; if you wish to retain them after the age of 70 years - you must provide a medical certificate. It is advisable to check with the DVLA regarding your licence.

Thank you to all the Southampton taxi drivers for supplying a good service to the Cruise Industry this year - we are looking forward to the calendar of extra cruise ships coming to the port  in 2013!

We also welcome 'Oceans' in Southampton, a new business venture opposite The Bargate Taxi Rank which will have luggage storage facilities for people with suitcases - very useful for holiday makers who might want to take a tour in one of Southampton's white taxis whilst they are waiting for onward travel.

Using one of Southampton's white taxis this Christmas will not only keep you and your friends safe, it means you can have fun and that extra glass of mulled wine!

Taxis are available to hail at the roadside, or you can pick one up at one of the many taxi ranks in the city: 

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)

Make your Christmas a White Christmas - use a taxi to get you home!

See you soon!

The Southampton Hackney Association are pleased to welcome Sea Shepherd to our partners page. 

Established in 1977,  the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is a charity whose aim is to preserve wildlife in our oceans. This international organisation's mission is to end the destruction of marine wildlife and their habitat by safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced ocean ecosystems.

If you are interested in finding out more about Sea Shepard, volunteering or donating money why not visit their website here.

We are always looking for more businesses and organisations to advertise on the SHA partners page, if you would like to appear with a link to your website and contact details, why not drop us a line to find out more?

Are you cruising to or from Southampton?

Did you know that the Southampton Hackney Association offers a pre-booking service for transfers to and from the cruise ships, and for a range of local area tours? Simply complete our Trip Enquiry Form and we will provide a price quotation.

We are proud to be connected with ABP who manage Southampton Port. When you disembark from your cruise ship look out for our white Hackney Carriage taxis at the cruise terminal. Our licensed taxis will have a white taxi sign on the roof, a red Hackney Carriage License plate and a coloured permit inside the windscreen. This shows the driver is permitted to transport passengers from cruise ships.

The driver will assist you with your luggage and get you home or to your hotel safely, or can provide a wide range of excursions across the South of England. Do get in touch to discuss your requirements, we look forward to hearing from you!

There are to be improvements made to Platform Road in Southampton, these will be carried out to reduce traffic congestion in Canute Road,  and to support the expansion of the Port of Southampton. It is hoped that the highway improvement project entitled 'Platform for Prosperity' will boost economic growth within the Port and Southampton City Centre. Southampton City Council state that -

"The main improvements will provide a new section of dual carriageway along the full length of Platform Road, from Town Quay through to Canute Road, which will enable the existing gyratory around Queen’s Park to be downgraded to a local access route."

You can find out more on Southampton City Council's website by clicking here. An image of what the new road layout will look like is here, and a downloadable leaflet about the project is here.

Always remember to check that you have all your personal belongings with you when you leave a taxi, especially when on a night out...

The Southampton Hackney Association receive around 10 phone calls a week asking if wallets, mobile phones and even shoes (!) have been handed into our office.

The Southampton Hackney Association is a group representing many (though not all) of the taxis drivers who drive white licensed Hackney Carriage taxis in the city. Unfortunately, therefore we have no system to contact all of the individual Hackney Carriage drivers in Southampton to locate or help with tracking down lost items for people. 

Students....when you get into a taxi at the kerbside or from a taxi rank in the city always make sure that it is a licensed white Southampton taxi. These are the only cars which are lawfully allowed to pick you up without a booking.

The driver should be wearing or displaying his badge, and situated on the inside of the front windscreen (near-side) should be the license plate number of the taxi.

Remember these three important visual clues: White Taxi, Badge and License Plate - and check the taxi you are getting into has them for your own personal safety reasons.

Another tip is - Unless you have made a verbal contract with the driver on a certain price for your taxi fare - the meter should be run at all times so that you know exactly how much you will need to pay at the end of your journey. Find out more here.

The 3 Taxi Safety Checks   = White Taxi, Badge, License Plate

When are you likely to use a taxi in Southampton?  

Do you or Would you:

Use a taxi after a night out to get home safely?

Use a taxi so that you can have a drink?

Use a taxi after a long walk to get home?

Use a taxi because its raining?

Use a taxi to save on parking fees at the station etc.?

Use a taxi to help you with your shopping?

Use a taxi because you cannot drive?

Use a taxi as you prefer it to the bus?

Use a taxi to get to the airport?

Use a taxi as a treat?

Use a taxi to go on a day out?

Use a taxi to get to a special event?

Use a taxi when on professional business?

Use a taxi in place of buying a car?

Use a taxi for another reason which is....

Here at the Southampton Hackney Association we would love to know your thoughts, do email us on info@southamptontaxis.org, use our contact form , Comment on this post at our Facebook Page or contact us on Twitter @SHATaxis thank you :O)