CTA - Customer Safety Campaign

The people of Chorley can now feel much safer travelling by taxi around town, thanks to the recently launched ‘Get Home Safe’ campaign by CTA.

The CTA is keen to warn and protect those especially travelling at night in Chorley. In recent years the dangers of illegal taxis on the roads has been highlighted in Chorley, with Uber picking up unlawfully not being insured, and with this in mind it is important that members of the public are able to understand the difference between the different types of taxi available, as well as being able to recognize the legitimacy of the cabs they plan to travel in.

Hackney v’s Private Hire

Hackney Carriage taxis are often referred to as ‘black cabs’, however in Chorley the Hackney Carriage taxies are white licensed vehicles that can be flagged down in the street. This type of taxi is often found parked up on a taxi rank waiting for passengers to approach but they can also be pre-booked if required. Ranks are usually situated near other public transport hubs such as train or bus stations. Most importantly, a hackney carriage taxi driver must hold a special hackney carriage driver’s license. The hackney carriage taxis have a taxi roof sign, a meter on display and a taxi license plate on the back of the vehicle to provide its license information.

Private hire vehicles use coloured vehicles whereas the Chorley hackney carriage taxies use white vehicles. Private hire taxis should have door signs displaying their company name and a licence plate on the rear of the vehicle. If choosing to travel in a private hire taxi you are required to pre-book by contacting the companies booking office or accessing the firms mobile app. Private hire drivers are not allowed to enter taxi ranks or pick fares up on the street without prior arrangement.

Awareness is key

People need to be aware that it is an offence for any private hire driver to pick up fares on the street at any time. This is extremely important from a health and safety perspective for several reasons. For any passenger it is unsafe because the driver isn’t insured for the ride, and because there would be no booking or tracking details are available. By pre-booking via the taxi office or the app, much more information on the journey including the route and time taken are available on the operator’s system.

Shaz Malik, the CTA director mentioned, “Its about transparency and customers don’t understand the difference. After a night out, most people prioritize getting home fast and might overlook the risks of not pre booking a private vehicle beforehand.”

Take Simple Steps To Stay Safe

To stay safe while using licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, please make sure you:

1. Never get into a private hire vehicle if you have not booked it through an operator – whether that’s by phone, online or via an app

2. Check that the vehicle you’re getting into is the vehicle you booked

3. Don’t tell the driver your name; ask what name is on the booking

4. Look for the required taxi signage on the vehicle

5. Always try to take down the vehicle's plate number or registration number

6. Drivers licensed by Chorley Council must display their taxi photo badge, they with license number and expiry date. Ask to see the badge before getting in the vehicle.

7. For an extra peace of mind, when using CTA services, it is always a good idea to ask the driver if they are a member of the CTA. By doing so, you can ensure that you are receiving the same level of recognition and professional standards that the CTA strives to provide to its passengers. Knowing that your driver is a CTA member can instill a sense of confidence and trust as you travel to your destination. So don't hesitate to inquire and enjoy your CTA experience to the fullest!

Thank you to all the CTA members who have currently joined the safety campaign. Let's continue to make Chorley a safer place!