Getting into any minicab without booking is illegal, potentially dangerous and can pose the serious risk of sexual assault. Sounds a bit harsh doesn't it? Unfortunately though, this is a truth that many people still fail to recognise.
That's why a new major campaign 'know what you are getting into' which is part of the Safer Travel at Night initiative was launched. Since it was launched six years ago the number of women willing to take illegal cabs has dropped by almost 80 per cent, while the number of cab related sexual offences has almost halved. However a small but significant number of younger women continue to use illegal cabs despite the dangers they pose.
It is illegal for any minicab, even if they hold a TfL licence, to tout for business on the street or to carry out a journey that has not been booked through a licensed operator. Booking guarantees that your trip will be with a licensed driver in a licensed vehicle. It also means that a record of your journey, your driver and vehicle will be kept so in the event of any problems the driver can be traced. Only licensed taxis (black cabs) can be hailed in the street or picked up at a rank without a booking.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “London is one of the safest big cities in the world but it is hugely important that everyone takes this message on board - minicabs that haven't been booked are illegal and a threat to your personal safety. Don't take the risk and don’t let your friends do it either. Save the Cabwise text number, 60835, in your phone and use it.”
Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Community Safety, Enforcement and Policing, said: “Revellers should be aware that only black cabs can be stopped and picked up off the street without being booked. Illegal cabs put people, particularly women, at risk of sexual attack and by booking your minicab you’ll ensure a record of your trip is kept and in the event of any problems the driver will be traced.
“Remember - never approach minicab drivers and if any minicab driver comes up to you, they’re acting illegally so don’t get in.”
The Safer Travel at Night initiative is a partnership between Transport for London (TfL), the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the City of London Police (CoLP). It aims to make people travelling at night, in particular women, aware of the dangers of picking up unbooked minicabs off the street, as well as informing them of the best ways to get home safely.
Since it launched in 2002 cab-related sexual offences have fallen from an average of 15 to eight offences each month and the number of women using illegal cabs has also fallen from 19 per cent in 2003 to four per cent in 2009.
Essential late night travel information in London:
- The Tube
Last Tubes leave central London at around 00.30 Monday to Saturday nights (Excludes Waterloo & City and Circle lines).
- Night buses
There are now more night buses available than ever with 114 routes (Information relevant for 2am on Saturday morning - correct as at October 2009) running through the night and all are fitted with CCTV cameras. For help finding your night bus home call the 24 hour London Travel Information line on 020 7222 1234.
- Taxis and licensed private hire vehicles (including minicabs)
There are around 25,000 licensed taxi drivers and more than 50,000 licensed private hire drivers in London.
- Marshalled taxi ranks and private hire schemes
Late night marshalled taxi ranks or private hire schemes have been established in areas of London which are particularly busy late at night. Marshalled taxi ranks are situated at Cranbourn Street (near Leicester Square Tube station), Bromley, Beckenham, Kingston, Liverpool Street and Romford and there are late night marshalled private hire schemes operating in Kingston.
- Cabwise
A text service which provides two minicab numbers and one taxi (black cab) number of cab firms in the area you are in by texting ‘CAB’ to 60835. Texts are charged at 35p per enquiry plus standard text message rate. Roaming rates apply to overseas networks. Customers on the 3 network need to enter different information. See tfl.gov.uk/cabwise for further details.
- Findaride
Passengers can visit tfl.gov.uk/findaride to search for licensed minicab operators in any part of London and book a licensed minicab for later on in the evening.
- TfL’s Travel Information Centre
TfL’s 24 hour travel information call centre can provide information and phone numbers for taxi and private hire services in London. Call 020 7222 1234.
- Traveltools
For information about Cabwise, Findaride, Journey Planner and all travel information visit tfl.gov.uk/traveltools.
Don't fancy the journey home or waiting for a taxi? Why not book a last minute hotel in London this New Years Eve
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