Confusing taxi rules 'risk people's safety'

Taxi driver Ian Tyson said he has to pay thousands of pounds more because of rules in his area

People are facing problems getting taxis because of “confusing” differences in rules left over after the merger of old councils, drivers have said.

Cumbria has six different licensing systems inherited from the county’s old district councils, which were abolished in 2023.

One driver said there was a risk to people’s safety due to difficulties getting taxis at night.

Cumberland Council said it was working to “create one system”, while the Westmorland and Furness authority said it was "committed to improving" many of its services.

Last year, Cumbria’s county council and six district councils were replaced by two unitary authorities which took over the function of taxi licensing.

'Not allowed to park'

George Harkin, a driver from Barrow-in-Furness, said differences in fares and rules in Barrow and nearby Ulverston made it hard for people to get taxis between the two towns.

They used to be in different districts, but are now both in the Westmorland and Furness Council area.

“Barrow taxi drivers are not allowed to park on the Ulverston rank and Ulverston taxi drivers are not allowed to on the Barrow rank,” he said.

Mr Harkin is also a founder of an app-based taxi-booking service called Appy Cabs, but he said it was impractical for Ulverston drivers to use the platform because they charged higher fares than drivers in Barrow.

He said: “There’s always been a problem of safety with people getting home.

"I’ve found people walking up a bypass in the pitch black, trying to get maybe seven miles from Ulverston to Barrow, because they haven’t been able to get a taxi.”

Although the issue predates the move to a unitary council, he said Westmorland and Furness should have created a single taxi policy across the whole area by now.

A spokesperson for the council said a new policy was under development and a consultation was anticipated to start in the summer.

"This consultation will take into account the harmonisation of all aspects of the licensing of Hackney carriages including fares across the former authority areas in Westmorland and Furness," they added.

"Following this, any recommended proposal will require approval from the Secretary of State before any changes can be applied.”

'Can't compete'

Workington taxi driver Ian Tyson said firms in his area have to have their cars tested at a garage four times a year, while those in other parts of Cumberland needed fewer tests.

He said: “It’s thousands of pounds into our costs, what the others don’t have. You can’t compete.”

A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: “We acknowledge that there are some differences in the approach to licensing within the Cumberland area.

“As a new authority we are working to create one system and this will be shared for consultation over the next few months.”