Licensing Enforcement Officers and Greater Manchester Police were out in force on 28th May in an operation clamping down taxis illegally plying for hire. Four drivers of vehicles being used as private hire cars illegally picked up passengers when they were flagged down in the street.
Licensing legislation only permits licensed hackney cabs to pick up without a prior booking, private hire vehicles operating in this fashion do so illegally and will not be insured.
Officers also checked the condition of the vehicles stopped and that the driver and vehicles were correctly licensed. Investigations into the private hire vehicles seen to be illegally plying for hire are continuing.
Cllr Chris Gordon, Stockport Council’s Chair of Licensing Environment & Safety Committee, said:
“Private hire drivers, who illegally ply for hire, put their passengers at risk as they will not be covered by their insurance. Their actions also undermine our licensed hackney carriages. Licensing enforcement staff undertakes regular operations with Greater Manchester Police and we will continue to take robust enforcement action against any drivers found to be breaking the law.”
Members of the public wishing to report taxi licensing issues are advised to call the Council’s Licensing Team on 0161 474 4181.
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