Peterborough taxis and minicabs targeted following reports of non-isolating drivers and unclean cabs

Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers in Peterborough are being targeted by the police and the council’s licensing team after reports of non-isolating drivers and unclean cabs.

According to Peterborough City Council (PCC) fewer people are using taxis and private hire vehicles due to coronavirus lockdown measures put in place by the Government. The council’s licensing team has however continued to monitor how firms are operating in order to protect passengers and drivers.

Information gathered by PCC suggests that some vehicles are operating without the necessary cleaning products to protect against COVID-19. Evidence also suggests that some drivers are not isolating after positive virus tests, others are unaware of the need to wear face coverings and passengers are making non-essential journeys.

This week the team have worked alongside Cambridgeshire Police to carry out compliance checks on vehicles, with officers looking to ascertain the following details:

• Passengers are wearing face coverings

• Passengers are undertaking essential travel

• Passengers are not mixing households

• Drivers have the necessary cleaning materials in the vehicle to clean after each passenger

• Checking that drivers are not supposed to be isolating

• Checking that drivers are wearing face coverings - not legally required but operators have confirmed they are instructing their drivers to do so.

Information from the compliance checks will be reviewed and the team will then consider whether to extend the operation or take any further action.

Councillor Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities, said: “Our utmost priority is the safety of the general public and we are committed to working with our partners to ensure safety regulations are being carried out in taxis and private hire vehicles.

“This operation is not about enforcement. Our key aim is to help operators, drivers and passengers to understand their roles in controlling the spread of the virus. The response to the compliance checks has been positive. We will review findings and then decide on next steps.

“We understand that these are difficult times, but it is essential that everyone follows the national safety guidelines. This way we can work to drive down virus case numbers, which are still high in Peterborough.”