Newcastle’s taxis are set for a black and white makeover in a bid to stop unlicensed drivers preying on vulnerable people.
Council chiefs have announced plans to rebrand the city’s hackney carriages in Newcastle United’s famous black and white colours, in an effort to make them instantly recognisable and crack down on crimes involving sexual violence. Amid concerns of criminals using unlicensed vehicles to pose as taxis and target victims, particularly lone women, official hackney carriage drivers approved by the local authority will soon have to comply with rules to give their cabs a “distinct” look.
Under a new policy set to be signed off next week by Newcastle City Council, hundreds of black cab drivers will have to fit a white wrap around their bonnet in order to ensure they have a “unique branding that is readily identifiable” for passengers. The city’s Street Pastors called the move a “big step towards creating a safer night out”.
Read More: Sam Fender delivers £15m boost for Newcastle as city revels in iconic Geordie weekend
A report to the council’s cabinet states that 96% of drivers surveyed about the changes were against the proposal, with concerns about its cost, but public safety concerns mean that the authority is pressing ahead with the idea. The council is proposing to give a £100 grant to each of the 597 licensed hackney carriage drivers in Newcastle to help with the cost of fitting the white vinyl wrapping.
The black and white branding will only be required on hackney carriages, like those that rank outside Central Station and are licensed to ply for hire, and not for private hire companies that can only pick up pre-arranged bookings. They will also need to display red council crests on the front doors and have a taxi sign on the roof that is white at the front and red at the rear.
Private hire vehicles will have to be adorned with a green council plate and display the operator’s details on the back passenger doors.
Paul Waugh, coordinator for the Newcastle Street Pastors, said: “This will be a big step towards creating a safer night out for people. The hackney carriages would be easy to identify and seen from a distance. The new livery will enable people to feel safe knowing they are in an approved vehicle.”
The council’s proposed new taxi policy also includes a requirement for any new vehicles to be compliant with the environmental standards of Newcastle’s Clean Air Zone.
Labour councillor Paula Maines, the council’s cabinet member responsible for taxi licensing, said: “Everyone who uses a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle in Newcastle should feel safe doing so and that’s exactly what these new measures set out to achieve. The new colour scheme for hackney carriages – chosen to reflect those of Newcastle United – and the signage requirements for private hire vehicles will make it easier for people to identify them.
“This will assure passengers that the vehicle and the driver have passed our stringent vetting processes and they will be collected and transported to their destination safely. It will also help protect people from unlicensed taxi drivers who illegally ply for trade, particularly at night when people are out enjoying themselves.
“This builds on the fantastic work we are doing with partners through the Safe Newcastle partnership to keep residents and visitors to our city safe.”
Read Next:
