Laura Smith Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to safeguard taxi drivers from taxi fare evaders.

    Hansard source
    (Citation: HC Deb, 21 November 2018, cW)

Nusrat Ghani Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)

The Department’s Best Practice Guidance suggests that signs or notices that set out the expectations of passengers when travelling in a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) are displayed. This could include that passengers ensure they are aware of the fare on the meter and notify the driver if it is approaching the limit of their financial means. When a fare has been agreed before setting off passengers should ensure they have the means to pay before travelling.

Legislation allows taxi drivers to recover unpaid fares and costs to be recovered should a passenger refuse to pay.