Private hire drivers in Hull are worried that the increase in initial licence fee costs and the introduction of a compulsory qualification for new applicants has led to an alarming situation for the trade.
Hull City Council introduced new rules 18 months ago that saw any budding private hire drivers having to obtain a compulsory Business and Technology Education Council (Btech) qualification and outlaying approximately £600 in fees.
Unable to Meet Public Demands
Drivers in the city say they told the council, at the time of the decision, that it would only lead to a decrease in new drivers. They suggested it was a bad move at a time when the trade is already overrun with demand, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Hull Private Hire Association (HPHA) spokesman, Magnus Murray, said: “It’s a fact that all private hire offices in Hull can no longer meet the demand of the public and provide or fulfil their obligation to provide bookings on demand, due to the shortage of private hire drivers.”
Members of the Public at Risk
“It’s a fact that all private hire offices in Hull can no longer meet the demand of the public.”
The HPHA is highlighting the fact that, as a result of the Council’s actions, there is insufficient numbers of drivers available and this in turn is putting members of the public in danger.
Recently, an 18-year-old girl was sexually assaulted after walking home from a night out because she was unable to find a taxi.
Mr Murray, a driver at Seven0SixCars, commented: “What happened to that poor girl who couldn’t get a taxi home really brings the situation to light.
“You shouldn’t have to wait hours to get a taxi on a Saturday night. That is not the case in any other major city.”
Formal Complaint
The HPHA reports that approximately 20,000 jobs are being missed each week across the city due to the shortage of drivers and the group has written a formal letter of complaint to Hull City Council regarding the introduction of the “restrictive policy”.
Mr Murray said: “The restrictive policy is now impacting on the functioning and future of private hire operators.
“The current policy is totally unnecessary; it’s too expensive and too lengthy a process. We believe the introduction of the Btech along with monetary factors is contributing as a deterrent towards new applicants.
“The situation has recently worsened by Hull City Council’s decision – without consultation – to require newly passed applicants to wait a further prolonged period of time in order to present themselves before the licensing committee. Only then will they grant a licence.”
Firms Unite
There are currently nine private hire firms with around 900 active operators working across the city but the HPHA say this is nowhere near enough to cope with the demands of the trade.
Chris Davison of Hull Cars said: “Everyone knows there’s intense rivalry between the taxi firms here but this has really united us.
“We want to do our best for the City of Culture, and the way things are looking at the moment, this won’t be possible.”
Council Response
A Hull City Council spokeswoman commented: “I can confirm that a letter has been received. Any letters of concern received by Hull City Council will be submitted via our corporate complaints process and will be progressed as appropriate. “