CHRIS VINCE MP: ‘I hope we can work together to solve it’ says MP on cross border taxi challenge
The issue of cross-border taxi licensing has long been a source of frustration for drivers across England, and Harlow is no exception. As TaxiPoint caught up with Harlow’s MP, Chris Vince, the challenges facing local drivers and potential impact on passengers came to the forefront.
In recent years, cross border hiring has caused concern for taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers in areas like Harlow. Local drivers, licensed under stringent local authority rules, feel that their competitors from other districts are not held to the same standards.
Vince told TaxiPoint: “Taxi drivers in Harlow feel there is an uneven playing field. Harlow taxi drivers have always held an extremely high standard and this is in part down to the level of scrutiny they receive from the local authority. Taxis and PHVs which are licensed elsewhere are not subject to the same scrutiny.”
The concerns don’t stop with drivers. Customers may also be affected. It was argued that local passengers should be confident that the taxi or PHV they are stepping into has been rigorously checked and vetted. However, with vehicles licensed in other areas, this standards cannot always be guaranteed. The lack of uniformity in regulations across districts presents a challenge to passenger safety and trust.
Vince said: “Ultimately we want passengers to feel safe getting into a taxi and to be confident that both the driver and vehicle are fully vetted/checked. This cannot be guaranteed when the vehicle is licensed out of area.”
So, what’s the solution? Vince has a clear vision. He suggests that licensing standards must be harmonised across all authorities. “Ensuring that all licensing authorities have the same high standards is the ultimate goal,” he said. Additionally, he believes that vehicles should be licensed where they primarily operate, which would help resolve the cross-border issue. While taxis and PHVs do often move across districts, Vince argues that they should be licensed in the areas where they pick up or drop off most frequently.
Political momentum is also growing around this issue. Vince highlighted the wide support he received during a recent parliamentary debate, showing that this is not just a local concern but one felt by MPs across the UK.
Vince said: “The amount of MPs from across the house at my recent adjournment debate shows the strength of feeling on this issue across the country and I hope we can work together to solve it.”
The call for change is becoming harder to ignore. As drivers and passengers alike face the consequences of uneven regulatory standards, the push for a unified approach to taxi licensing continues to gather pace. The solution, as Vince sees it, lies in levelling the field to ensure both safety and fairness in the industry.
