Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Do all taxis charge the same?
A. No. The meter rates will vary between local authorities, but all Rochford Licensed taxis have their meters set & calibrated by the same Hackney Carriage Office. Any difference in charges will be due to time of day or night and/or extras, route taken, traffic conditions etc.. All taxis should have available a current tariff sheet which you may request to see.
2. How many passengers can a taxi take?
A. In my case I can carry 4 passengers. The number a taxi can carry is displayed on the plate at the rear of the vehicle.
3. Can I take my baby in a taxi?
A. Yes. A child seat is preferable although taxis are exempt for short occasional trips. If you have your own child seat and it will fit in the car then you are more than welcome to bring it with you, especially for a long pre-booked trip. A baby or child counts as one of the 4 passengers and cannot be carried on the lap of an adult.
4. Can anyone smoke in a taxi?
A. No. It is against the law.
5. How do I complain about a taxi driver or a service?
A. Make a note of the plate number. It will consist of a single, double or three figure number displayed on the plate on the rear and on the inside of the windscreen near the tax disc. This is the most effective method of getting a complaint dealt with. My number is 209.Hackney Carriage Officer,
Transportation Office,
Civic Suite,
Rayleigh,
Essex, SS6 8EB.
Telephone: 01702 318035
Facsimile: 01702 318010
Email: transportation@rochford.gov.uk
6. How do I know the driver is a genuine taxi driver?
A. Every driver should wear his/her Hackney Carriage drivers licence and it should show a photo and name (on the back) of that driver. If you are not sure ask to see it. If it cannot be produced then get out, note the plate number (see 5 above) and get another taxi. Then report this as in 5 above.
7. What is the difference between Public and Private Hire?
A. Public Hire are taxis which sit on the ranks and use meters to calculate the fares. They can only be driven by Licensed Hackney Carriage drivers. Private Hire vehicles must be pre-booked and the fare is pre-agreed with the customer. These are driven by Licensed Private Hire drivers.
8. Can I hail or flag-down a taxi in the street like people do in London?
A. Yes. That is providing:
the taxi is available for work.
the taxi is within it's own licensing authority area (mine is Rochford district).
the vehicle is a public hire taxi and not a private hire vehicle. Only Public Hire Hackney Carriages can have the word "taxi" displayed and have a roof light.
9. Can I take my dog in the car with me?
A. It is up to the driver whether or not he is happy to have a dog in his car. Simply ask. If you have a guide, hearing or other assistance dog then the driver is obliged to take it free of charge, unless the driver has a genuine reason ie. medical condition like an allergy in which case he/she will carry written authorisation for such. A pet dog counts as one passenger.
10. What is a CRB check?
A. You may sometimes see taxi cab companies advertising their drivers are all CRB checked. This stands for Criminal Records Bureau, and is "to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to support organisations recruiting people into positions of trust". Make no mistake; ALL Hackney Carriage Licenced drivers have to by law be subject to these checks on a 3 yearly basis.