Take care over the 'cab' you get in to, Carlisle party-goers urged
By Pamela McGowan
Last updated 14:06, Thursday, 11 December 2008
Revellers are being warned to take extra care on their way home this party season and get cab-conscious.
Carlisle City Council is urging party-goers only to use licensed hackney carriage or private hire vehicles.
Their top tips for being cab-conscious are: always keep a taxi number handy; pre-book your cab wherever possible; always have your fare ready to pay the driver; and never get in a taxi if you have concerns about its authenticity.
Licensed taxis in Carlisle are either the traditional London cab design, wheelchair-adapted people carriers, or white saloon type vehicles, all of which have a licence plate on the rear. They can be hailed from the street or at a rank and have metered fares.
Private hire vehicles, which also have a licence plate on the rear, can be pre-booked by phone or in an office.
All legal vehicles have a plate on the back of the vehicle with the vehicle licence number and the number of people it can carry. The driver should also be displaying a badge to prove they are licensed.
The council says care should be taken when hailing taxis on the street, particularly over the festive season.
Councillor David Morton, chairman of the regulatory panel said: “Although Carlisle hasn’t traditionally had a problem with illegal taxis, it is on the increase in some parts of the country and it pays to be vigilant – especially at this time of the year.
“I would encourage people only to use licensed taxis and private hire vehicles this Christmas – vehicles that have been registered with us. They are regularly checked for safety and the drivers are also vetted with a CRB check.”
If you have any doubts about either the driver or the vehicle, don’t get in.