Leaders united against pirate cabbies
THE campaign to clamp down on pirate private hire cabbies has won political support right across Greater Manchester.
Leading councillors from across the region agree it is vital to make private cabs safer for passengers and are calling for a united front to tackle the problem.
Manchester city council has planned a crackdown on private hire cabs to stamp out bogus cabbies and end attacks on passengers. One plan is to paint cabs in a distinctive way so they can be easily identified.
Now prominent councillors from across the county have thrown their weight behind the scheme - which has been highlighted by the Manchester Evening News.
Manchester city council leader Richard Leese called for distinctive paintwork to make cabs stand out from ordinary cars to help passengers and the police spot the rogues.
He said: "If vehicles are painted a certain way they can be identified on CCTV cameras, the public will be much more aware of the type of vehicle they are getting into and the cost would make it less likely for unlicensed drivers to operate."
Safer Travel
He was backed by Bury's leader John Byrne, who said making cabs distinctive like the famous New York yellow taxis would be one way of making travel safer.
David Acton, leader of Trafford council, said: "Any measures that improve safety for people using private hire cabs are a good idea, but the painting scheme would have to run throughout Greater Manchester to be effective. Also, there would have to be an official way of implementing the scheme to make sure nobody could copy the paint."
He also called for changes in the licensing laws to prevent the late night rush for cabs.
In Wigan, council leader Peter Smith said measures to curb rogue drivers were long overdue.
"It is important to get a solution to the problem of rogue drivers and we need a co-ordinated approach across Greater Manchester," he said.
"Many people from Wigan and other towns go into Manchester city centre at night and it is important they can get home safely.
"I welcome any measures to make taxis safer and think painting them a distinctive colour is one way to make them instantly recognisable, both to passengers and the police.
"It would also make sense to stagger closing times by relaxing licensing laws so the demand for taxis is more spread out."
Backing
Roy Oldham, leader of Tameside council, also backed the painting scheme and the leader of Salford council, Bill Hinds, said: "I would welcome any suitable measures which would help the public to travel in a safer manner.
"However, we are talking about a very complex industry and I would like to examine any suggestions in greater detail."
Oldham's chairman of licensing Jim McArdle said: "We are acutely aware of the problems. This is why Oldham council has a policy where it is mandatory for private hire owners to have clear door signs on their vehciles to ensure the public know who they are. The council is determined to safeguard the public from unscrupulous operators."
Coun Guy Harkin, Bolton's deputy council leader, who is an influential figure at the Passenger Transport Authority, is maintaining a keen interest in developments and is expected to make a statement on his town hall's policy later.
Coun Peter Roberts, leader of Rochdale council, said: "I am strongly in favour of strengthening the colour coding of cabs and we need to have a uniform system across Greater Manchester. It is no good having a scheme in Manchester and not expanding that across the other authorities."
He also backed a relaxation of the "archaic and completely outdated" licensing laws.
Coun Paul Porgess, of Stockport council, said: "I would support anything that would make taxi travel safer for passengers. I would be concerned about painting the cars a certain colour as a lot of them are used privately as well, but in principle I agree with the idea."
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