Taxis working out-of-area will be 'reduced' under new government plans — but Andy Burnham says that's 'not good enough'.

The mayor launched a campaign to ban cabbies working outside their licensed area last year because nearly half of Greater Manchester's private hire drivers are registered away from the region. Many are licensed by Wolverhampton council, responsible for more than one-in-10 British minicabs.

The government announced on Thursday morning (January 8) it aims to 'reduce' out-of-area working by cutting the number of licensing authorities. However, it appears the government has stopped short of proposing an outright ban or limits on cabbies plying their trade away from where they're licensed.

That means the 'Wolverhampton problem' could persist, and the mayor says that's 'not good enough'.

"We were saying end out of area working, not reduce. I do not think we should have plates on taxis from 75 miles away," Mr Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester when news broke on-air.

"We are beginning to look more at a Greater Manchester system to manage this. We want to be in charge of our own standards.

"It would not be good enough if it's just 'reduce'. If 'reduce' means 'practically end', that's what we want."

One in 10 British minicabs are licensed by Wolverhampton Council (Image - Eugene Chystiakov / Unsplash)

Later in the day, Mr Burnham thanked transport secretary Heidi Alexander 'for listening' at a press conference. He added: "We've been heard, that's the first thing I would say. But I'm not then going to say 'this is perfect'. 

"It sounds like a significant move to what we want, but I won't be able to say job done unless I can look any resident of Greater Manchester in the eye and say 'we can vouch directly for the standards of safety in relation to both driver and vehicle."

Specifically, the government plans to make local transport authorities responsible for taxis, so Transport for Greater Manchester would issue and enforce licences, not the city's 10 councils. 

By doing so, the number of bodies permitting taxis would fall from 263 to 70. The government argues having fewer authorities means drivers will cross fewer boundaries, 'reducing' out-of-area working.

The government plans also include a drive to raise safety levels with new 'minimum standards', Bolton-born local transport minister Lillian Greenwood said: "Passenger safety is at the heart of everything we do. 

"These proposals, combined with the introduction of national minimum standards, are important next steps to making taxis and private hire vehicles as safe as possible. By moving licensing to all local transport authorities, we're encouraging greater consistency and stronger enforcement across the country."

The Department for Transport and Transport for Greater Manchester have been contacted for comment.

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