Take a licensed taxi and get home safely 26 Nov 09
24 November 2009
Merrymakers enjoying the festive spirit of Christmas in the Harrogate district are being urged to make sure they get home safely.
There are two types of vehicle that carry fare-paying passengers taxis (which can be picked up from a rank or on the highway) and private hire vehicles which have to be booked in advance.
Both types of vehicle operating in the district have to be licensed by Harrogate Borough Council.
Councillor Les Ellington, Cabinet Member for Public Safety, said:
"We not only want everyone to enjoy their Christmas parties in Harrogate and other town centres, we also want them to get home safely.
"Whilst we have been fortunate that we have no personal experience of people using non-licensed vehicles who have come to physical harm, it has happened in other parts of the country.
"All vehicles licensed by the council have to show licence plates.
We have a very good relationship with taxi and private hire drivers and their associations who join the council in issuing this warning."
Regardless of how 'merry' you may be, if there is any doubt about the vehicle you are getting into check to see whether it has licence plates on the front doors and rear bumper taxis have blue door signs, a black rear plate and a roof sign, private hire vehicles have red door signs, a white rear plate but no roof sign.
All will show the council's logo.
As an extra precaution you can ask the driver to show you their own licence which is a credit card sized badge.
There are 150 taxis and 450 private hire vehicles licensed by Harrogate Borough Council to operate in the district.
FURTHER INFORMATION
:
Councillor Les Ellington is available for comment on 01423 712461.
Further technical information is available from Mr Gareth Bentley, Licensing Manager on 01423 556843.
Media contact, Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager on 01423 556022 or email lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk