There are growing calls for major law changes on how taxi licensing is carried out
A hackney cab on Ranelagh Street in Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A Liverpool taxi driver has warned that the ‘wild west’ system that sees out-of-town private hire drivers flooding into Liverpool is ‘killing’ the cab trade in the city after he saw his takings drop by around 50% in just a year.
Rich Hughes only took up driving a black cab in Liverpool two and a half years ago, but said the ‘free-for-all’ rules that mean private hire drivers can travel from places as far away as Birmingham, Lincolnshire and Wolverhampton to Liverpool to pick up fares is pushing local drivers to the brink – and leaving members of the Liverpool public at risk.
While Liverpool black cab drivers like Rich, from Walton, have to be licensed here and pick up fares within the city council area, this is not the case for private hire drivers, who can be licensed elsewhere in the country but head to busy cities like Liverpool to pick up work.
Local drivers say this system is making it very difficult for them to earn a living, but is also creating other problems around safety and service.
Black cab driver Mr Hughes told the ECHO: “It’s getting harder and harder to do the job. This issue is just getting worse and worse. Last weekend I saw private hire plates from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Lincolnshire, they are coming into Liverpool from all over the country.
“They are coming from quieter places to Liverpool because this is a busy city and there is more work. But there isn’t enough work for them and the taxis who are actually from this city.”
Explaining the unfairness of the system, he adds: “As a Hackney driver you can’t do what they do. I am licenced in Liverpool. If I take a fare from Liverpool to Manchester Airport, I have to come back to Liverpool to get my next job. Those are the rules. But these guys don’t have those rules. All we are asking for is a level playing field.”
Speaking about the safety and accountability issues, he added: “It is a big problem because when an out of town driver comes into Liverpool, the city council here have no jurisdiction to check the car or the driver, this leaves the passengers at risk. It is a complete and utter free-for-all. It is like the wild west.”
“On match days these drivers from out of town are illegally touting for business, picking people up off the street and charging them flat fees to get to Anfield. They are not allowed to do that. Black cabs are the only ones who can be flagged down by law.
“It makes it hard to earn a living. My earnings are 40-50% less than they were 12 months ago. I am having to work 6 days a week and do 15 hour shifts at weekends just to make any money. This is a national issue and it needs action.”
This issue is one that has been raised nationally by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is calling on the government to make a major law change to fix what he says is a ‘broken taxi system.’
Mayor Burnham pointed out that more than 11% of England’s private hire vehicles are licensed by one local authority, City of Wolverhampton Council, up from below 0.5% less than a decade ago.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is calling for major changes on taxis (Image: Vincent Cole/PA Wire)
The Greater Manchester leader called for the government’s English Devolution Bill to both devolve power on taxis to Mayoral Combined Authorities and put a stop to ‘out of area’ licensing.
When asked for a response on the issue, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member responsible for licensing, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “This is a national issue, and while we fully understand the frustration felt by some drivers, unfortunately, without a change in legislation, there is currently no action we can take. As the law stands, drivers with vehicle licenses issued by other authorities are legally permitted to operate in Liverpool, and the City Council has no legal power to prevent this.
“It’s important to note that many of these drivers are, in fact, based locally. However, they choose to obtain their licenses from areas such as Wolverhampton, where the licensing criteria differ. This is often due to the more robust standards set by Liverpool City Council, such as comprehensive training requirements, which we’re very proud of, as residents and visitors traveling around the city can expect the highest standards from our licensed taxis.
“The Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, has formally raised these concerns with counterparts in Wolverhampton and we are committed to continuing discussions with other local authorities and the government in order to push for legislative changes that will address these issues and better support both drivers and passengers in Liverpool.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Passenger safety is our top priority, and since 2023 local authorities have been required to use a national database which shows them when a license has been refused, suspended, or revoked on safety grounds, ensuring safer journeys.
“We are aware of the concerns about taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, including out-of-area working, and are considering options to improve the current situation.”
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority declined to comment on the issue.