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There are two types of taxi operating in Southampton - Hackney Carriages
and Private Hire Vehicles.
Hackney Carriages
How to recognise a Hackney Carriage
* they will display a full roof sign with the words 'Taxi - 'Southampton
City Council'
* they will be predominantly white
* they must display a windscreen badge which shows the vehicle licence
number
* they will display a red square plate, with black writing, on the
rear of each vehicle which shows the taxi licence number
* the taxi licence number is also on the rear passenger doors by
the door handle or on the top edge of the door
How to get a Hackney Carriage
* they can be hired from taxi ranks
* they can be hailed on the street
* they can be booked by telephone or by going to a taxi office
Cost
Hackney Carriages can only charge up to the metered rate set by
the Council for journeys taking place within the city. These will
be on display in each vehicle and a meter will calculate the fare
expect to pay extra between 11pm and 6am and on Sundays & Bank
Holidays. For any other journey the fare is negotiable with the
driver before the start of travel the usual 'over boundary' charge
is 25% on top of the metered fare, this extra charge is NOT obligatory
and is NOT sanctioned by the Council.
Private Hire Vehicles
How to recognise a Private Hire Vehicle
* they can be any colour other than white (see picture)
* they must display a windscreen badge which shows the vehicle licence
number
* they must display a council plate which is white with black writing
on the rear of the car which shows the vehicle licence number
* the vehicle number is also on the front doors just below the windows
How to get a Private Hire Vehicle
* they can only be booked by telephone or by going to a booking
office
* they cannot be flagged down and may are not insured for street
hiring
Cost
Most Private Hire cars have meters set to the same fare as Hackney
Carriages for journeys within the city, these will be on display
in each vehicle. For all other journeys or where no meter is used,
the fare is negotiable with the driver before the start of travel.
Remember that only West Quay Cars operate a single rate fare structure
which remains the same 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Be safe - not sorry
All drivers must be wearing a badge showing their licence number
and date of expiry. Vehicles and drivers are controlled by very
stringent bylaws and licensing conditions.
Do only
use Southampton City Council Licensed Hackney Carriages or Private
Hire Vehicles in Southampton
Do telephone
a reliable taxi or private hire company or go to a taxi rank
Do sit in
the back of the car and fasten your safety belt
Do ask for
a vehicle with wheelchair access if it is needed
Do ask for
a quote if your journey takes you outside Southampton
Do ask for
a receipt if you think you have been charged too much
Do have
small value notes and check your change before leaving the vehicle
Do ask to
see the driver's badge and note the number if you have cause to
complain. Also, note the vehicle license number on the doors, windscreen
or rear of the car
Do respect
the driver and the vehicle you are travelling in
Do ask for
a vehicle that allows smoking if you wish to smoke
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