Five taxi drivers’ have had their driving license suspended for refusing short fares

Since September 2015 the Council’s Licensing Section has seen an increase in the number of complaints regarding hackney carriage drivers refusing short fares. Licensing Enforcement Officers have been carrying out investigations from these complaints and so far five drivers have had their licence suspended. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A number of complaints are still being investigated and further ‘mystery shopper’ exercises will continue. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Council officers, South Wales Police and some door staff will also be handing out information cards to potential taxi customers advising them that, taxi drivers cannot refuse a fare that starts and ends in Cardiff without reasonable excuse, and the meter must be used. Details of how to make a complaint are published on the back of the card. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Jacqueline Parry, Chairperson for the Licensing Committee, said: “If members of the public are refused a fare, we ask that you can take note or take a photo of either the driver’s badge number (worn by driver or displayed on the windscreen), the vehicle registration number, or the licence plate number (displayed on rear of vehicle) and report it to Licensing@cardiff.gov.uk . Alternatively the public can call 029 20871651. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We want to work with the public to flush out the minority of drivers that seem to think they can operate in breach of the law. We take complaints very seriously, but it is important to understand that the Council may have to take these matters to court, so complaints can only be investigated if there is sufficient evidence and those making the complaint are willing to provide a statement and attend either the Committee or the Magistrates Court, if the complaint escalates. “ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​