Taxi passengers in Norwich trust black cabs

Alternative vehicles operating as taxis could lead to passengers using dangerous illegal cabs, according to Taxiwise survey.

Passengers in Norwich feel safer with London-style black cabs and oppose plans to introduce different vehicles to act as taxis, according to new research.

A survey undertaken by Taxiwise, a national campaign group promoting taxi safety, reveals that people are happy with the current stringent rules governing the issuing of taxi licences.

Norwich City Council is considering revising its regulations to allow vehicles other than the distinctive “black” cab to pick up passengers on the street.

But the results of the survey show that plans to allow other vehicles to operate as Hackney carriages – licensed to be hailed on the street without prior booking – could confuse passengers and make them more susceptible to the dangers of illegal taxis.

A total of 88% of people questioned think taxis should be distinct from other vehicles on the road – and 63.1% feel safer hailing a London-style taxi rather than a different type of vehicle.

More than 72% say it is currently clear which vehicles are taxis and which aren't on the streets of Norwich and 70% thought that allowing alternative styles of vehicles as taxis in conjunction with black cabs would only confuse the public.

Hazel Crawford-Upton, spokesperson for Taxiwise, said: “This clearly shows the current system is effective and trusted by people who use taxis.

“At the moment passengers are secure in the knowledge that if they flag down the distinct London-style taxi it is properly approved and regulated.

“Any other vehicle stopping to pick them up could be doing so illegally and could be driven by someone posing as a cabbie, putting the passenger at tremendous risk.”

This danger is very real. More than 20% of respondents said they had been approached by an unlicensed driver on at least one occasion.

Other vehicles can currently be licensed as private hire vehicles in Norwich, which must be booked in advance.

If the rules are relaxed, a host of other vehicles could obtain licences to operate as Hackney carriages, including vans commonly seen on the road which can be owned by anyone. This will make it easier for someone to pretend to be a cab driver and prey on unsuspecting passengers.