Wolverhampton cabbies warn festive revellers to stay safe
Taxi drivers in Wolverhampton are urging revellers to travel safely and avoid unregistered vehicles.
Parminder Sekhon, chairman of the Wolverhampton Taxi Owners' Association, has warned at this time of year rogue drivers are out to cheat passengers.
He said: "We are urging everyone who is out over the festive period to travel safely.
"Do not just jump into anything that resembles a cab.
"There are plenty of black cabs in the city so there should be no problem with people getting a legitimate taxi ride home."
Hackney carriages should be charging fare-and-a-half on New Year's Eve.
In previous years some taxi drivers have charged more than double the normal fare and Mr Sekhon warned rogue drivers could again be looking to implement the double charge.
The Wolverhampton Taxi Owners' Association, which represents black cab drivers, supported recent protests by private hire drivers in the city.
The latter group has been campaigning for the last year to see the base fare rate rise from £2.80 to £3.50 but have grown frustrated at the lack of progress.
They also want Wolverhampton council to reduce the number of badges being issued to new drivers and are calling for a reduction in the licensing fee.
