Tighter checks

NEW measures will safeguard passengers and crack down on unfit taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers, with tighter checks introduced across UK local authorities.

Building on existing legislation, councils in England will now be mandated to use a national database to record instances where taxi and PHV drivers have their licences removed for misconduct. This new law will prevent them from simply reapplying for a licence in other areas by alerting the system to concerns about their prior behaviour.

This will ensure passengers can use taxis and PHVs with greater confidence that these modes of transport are safe, helping to strengthen communities and restore pride in towns and high streets across the country.

While the vast majority of taxi and private hire trips are safe and efficient, there have been a small number of reports linking a minority of drivers to incidents of sexual harass ­ ment, abuse and poor driving.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “The safety of passengers, especially women and girls, is paramount. That’s why I’m bringing in tough new measures to ensure that when you catch a cab, you can be confident your driver will take you from A to B safely and without incident.”

The market for new EVs is still hampered by a lack of affordable choices, with the number of new electric models between £20,000£30,000 decreasing, less than seven years before the government’s ban on new petrol and diesel sales comes into force. Safeguarding passengers.