The Government has launched a public consultation on sweeping reforms to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing aimed at reducing out-of-area working and strengthening passenger safety, particularly for women and girls. Under proposals published by the Department for Transport (DfT), responsibility for issuing taxi and PHV licences would be consolidated from the current 263 bodies to around 70 local transport authorities. These LTAs already oversee local transport planning a

A joint taxi enforcement operation was carried out in Walsall on 28 November 2025, with officers inspecting licensed vehicles as part of ongoing work to maintain safety and licensing standards across the West Midlands. The operation involved Walsall Council, City of Wolverhampton Council and West Midlands Police traffic officers. Checks took place in Walsall town centre between 8pm and 1am and formed part of routine compliance activity carried out across the borough. In total

Image credit: Barty Taxi Barty Taxi has opened limited testing of a unique new mobile application built specifically for licensed taxi drivers across the UK, positioning the platform as a street-work support tool rather than a booking or dispatch service. The app, developed by Barty Taxi , is designed to consolidate real-time, driver-shared knowledge into a single system that can be used while drivers are working ranks and streets. Licensed drivers interested in participating