Have you ever walked out of a train station and jumped in a
black cab only to see the meter racking up an ever bigger bill? Have you then
wondered what the difference is between a mini-cab firm and a cab hired from a
rank? The laws which control them both are complex and diverse but I will
attempt to shed some light.
A black cab in the UK (or taxi) is also known as a Hackney Carriage
and is licensed under the Town and Police Clauses Act of 1884. The law dates back
to the days before motor cars were invented and relates to Hackney, not a borough
of London but a breed of horse which could be hired with a carriage to transport you to a
destination. The original law even stated the carriage must carry a bale of hay
for the horse to eat.
These days, A Hackney usually has a light on the top; can be
hailed in the street; it is often purpose built; has wheelchair access and
charges on a meter which starts from the point of hire. Meter rates are set by the
local government (or council) relevant to each area of the UK. Hackney carriage
vehicles can park on a rank and while the driver and vehicle need to be licenced,
there is no need for an operator.
If you are in a city, a train station or an airport then a
hackney carriage (black cab) is a great option for a short trip. You can hire
the vehicle on the spot for convenience and the driver usually has very good
local knowledge which saves time reaching your destination. Typically a black
cab’s meter rate will be higher than a private hire’s price list.
It is worth asking what the rate is in advance and even
comparing the rate with different drivers on a rank. Some will quote a
destination for a fixed cost and while it is legal to charge less than a meter
may read, it is illegal to charge more. If you are travelling a longer distance
or need a pick-up for a set time then consider a private hire vehicle – a subject
for my next blog!
