Rogue and unlicensed taxi drivers put lives at risk

10.59.54am GMT Wed 16th Nov 2005

late at night revellers wait for a taxi in the City Centre

Following a number of complaints, David Jack and the Heath Town Focus team went to investigate for themselves the problems suffered by many people when faced with having to use taxis in the City Centre at night.

Queues across the City's taxi ranks were found to be standing for up to two hours. In other areas of the City, rogue traders, taxis from other towns, were found plying for hire. This is illegal and it not only undermines our own city's taxi drivers' livelihoods but also puts passengers lives at risk.

David Jack said, "It's time for fair and proper enforcement of taxis rules in Wolverhampton. Our own City firms have to pay thousands of pounds to the City Council to work here legally. They cannot ply for hire because of insurance rules and safety issues, yet firms from outside Wolverhampton are flouting the law and putting peoples lives at risk and getting away with it cot free. It's time the Labour controlled Council recognised that more taxis are needed in the City and enforcement needs to fair and consistent."