Why traintaxi™?

Many people would rather travel by train than by car, especially for longer journeys. It's often quicker, cheaper, more comfortable and avoids the stress of driving on Britain's congested roads. Also, it allows you to make better use of your time to work, read or rest.

But what stops many people taking the train is the problem of how to bridge "those final few miles" to their destination.

Now all that's changed. traintaxi:

traintaxi Limited has researched this information carefully and selected what it considers to be suitable operators for each station. It is the only comprehensive and unbiased source of such information available. We hope you find it useful.

The traintaxi name and traintaxi logo are trademarks of traintaxi Limited.

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Taxis and Private Hire: what's the difference?

Hackney Carriage is the proper term for a taxi, but in the rest of this help system, we'll stick to "taxi". The key difference between taxis and private hire vehicles is that taxis are legally allowed to ply for hire in the street, whereas private hire vehicles are not. "Cab" is a word widely used to denote both types of service. "Minicab" is mainly used in London and the South East of England to mean a private hire vehicle.

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Taxis and Private Hire outside London

Taxis are often (but not always) London-style cabs, seating a maximum of 8 passengers. Each must have a plate on the back stating that it is a Hackney Carriage, its number, who it is licensed by and how many passengers it is licensed to carry. Drivers must wear official badges.

A taxi can be flagged down in the street or taken from a rank within its own licensing district, and cannot refuse a fare without reasonable excuse. Taxi drivers may not approach you offering you a journey for payment.

Taxi fares are charged according to a local scale, based mainly on distance, usually as measured by a meter. Taxi drivers can agree to charge less than shown on a meter, but are breaking the law by charging more. You can require a taxi to take you anywhere within the taxi's licensed area or a prescribed distance, even onto private land. Taxis may take you further, but don't have to. Charges may be made for telephone bookings and certain extras such as luggage.

Private Hire vehicles are usually saloon or estate cars carrying up to 8 passengers. Each must have a plate on the back stating that it is a Private Hire vehicle, its number, who it is licensed by and how many passengers it is licensed to carry. Drivers must wear official badges.

Private Hire (PH) vehicles may only pick up passengers on the basis of previous bookings. Fares are a matter for agreement between driver and passenger(s). If a meter is used, it must be of an approved type and have been tested. Licensed PH vehicles may pick up and put down passengers outside their own licensing district. Any sign or marking that might reasonably lead people to mistake a PH vehicle for a taxi is illegal.

Drivers of both taxis and PH vehicles are checked by district licensing authorities to see that they are "fit and proper". This will usually include licence, medical and police checks. Vehicles are subject to annual mechanical examinations, usually going beyond "MOT test" standards.

Legislation governing taxis and private hire is complex. Some goes back to 1847. Nothing within this help system should be taken as a definitive statement of the law.

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What's different in London?

In London, taxis are regulated to high standards by the Public Carriage Office, which is part of Transport for London. Most taxis are the famous "London cabs", which now appear in a variety of colours. Drivers have to demonstrate a very high standard of knowledge of London streets, buildings and routes before being licensed. This often called "the knowledge". Most pre-booking of taxis in London takes place via sophisticated marketing networks, most of which accept cash, credit card, debit card and account payment. London taxis tend to serve the central business and tourist areas of London rather than the suburbs, although there are exceptions.

Private hire vehicles ("minicabs"), drivers and operators have existed in London for many years but have only recently become fully regulated by the Public Carriage Office to broadly the same standards as in the rest of Britain. Private hire vehicles are nearly always saloon cars, estates or MPVs, and tend to serve the London suburbs rather than the central areas of London. Unlike in the rest of Britain where licence plates are fitted to just the rear of private hire vehicles, in London yellow PCO licence badges must appear in both the front and rear windscreens.

Legislation governing taxis and private hire is complex. Some goes back to 1847. Nothing within this help system should be taken as a definitive statement of the law.

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Booking taxis and private hire

To book a taxi or private hire vehicle:

Try to give as much notice as possible. Operators understandably resent "no shows" and waiting for delayed trains. So, if your plans change or your train is delayed, please let the operator know.

Some stations have more than one entrance, so when booking to be met at an unfamiliar station it can be helpful to state the direction of travel of your train.

Generally, no indication is given in traintaxi listings as to whether the operator is a taxi operator or a private hire operator, since many are both. If you particularly want a taxi or a private hire vehicle, you must make this clear when booking.

Taxi firms are unlikely to accept bookings to collect you from station at which taxis are generally available at a rank outside.

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Using taxis and private hire vehicles

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Disabled passengers

Taxi and private hire operators understood to offer at least one wheelchair-accessible vehicle are indicated by a wheelchair symbol in the traintaxi listings.

Within London, all licensed taxis are wheelchair-accessible and taxi drivers must convey wheelchair passengers on the same basis as any other passenger.

Outside London, legislation is compelling taxi operators to provide for the needs of disabled passengers - particularly passengers in wheelchairs. Many taxi and private hire operators have done so willingly and expertly for years. However, the speed at which provision is being made varies from area to area. So our advice is to discuss any requirements that you have when enquiring or booking. If the first operator you call can't help, go elsewhere!

Throughout Britain, both taxis and private hire vehicles must take assistance dogs on request unless the driver has a medical exemption certificate (usually because of an allergy to dogs). So we again recommend checking before travelling.

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Bikes, buggies, prams, child seats and pets

Neither taxis nor private hire vehicles are obliged to carry bikes, buggies, prams or pets - even if space is available. So once again, we recommend checking before travelling. Of course, most will be happy to help if at all possible.

Although children under a certain age and height normally must use child seats in cars, they are exempted from doing so in taxis and private hire vehicles. Our survey has shown that very few operators will provide child seats on request, although most are happy for a child to use a child seat approved, supplied and fitted by an accompanying adult.

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Your feedback is valued

As a user, if you feel that a taxi or private hire operator should not be listed, then please:

e-mail us at: feedback@traintaxi.co.uk

fax us on: 01733 239933 (+44 1733 239933 from outside the UK)

write to us at: traintaxi Limited, PO Box 366, PETERBOROUGH, PE2 6QH, England

Thank you!

As an operator, if you feel that you should have been listed or excluded, then please write to: traintaxi Ltd, PO Box 366, PETERBOROUGH PE2 6QH

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Quality, safety, copyright and liability

Although taxi rank, taxi operator and private hire operator information is given in good faith, and care has been taken in compiling the information, traintaxi Limited does not accept any liability for any inaccuracies which may exist nor the consequences of any such inaccuracies. traintaxi Limited has no direct or indirect business relationship with any taxi or private hire operator listed. Inclusion of any taxi or private hire operator must not be taken as an endorsement of that operator. Exclusion of any taxi or private hire operator must not be taken as commenting in any way on the quality or probity of such an operator.

Like most activities in life, travelling by taxi or private hire vehicle involves some risks. But many will regard these risks as small compared with the risks of driving long distances and hours on Britain's congested roads. Let the train take the strain.

© Copyright, traintaxi Limited 2000-2015. All copyrights are database rights in the traintaxi data, the traintaxi name, the traintaxi logo and all material on this website are the exclusive property of traintaxi Limited, of Registered Office 8/12 Priestgate, PETERBOROUGH, PE1 1JA, England. Registered in England and Wales; registration number 3812928

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Traintaxi information helps to bridge "those final few miles" between station and final destination. We hope you find it useful.
You may like to view advice on booking and using cabs, information for disabled travellers and information about quality, safety and liability.
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