Hackney Carriage and a Private Hire vehicle Differences
A Hackney Carriage is often referred to as a taxi. It can be hired by going to a taxi rank or waved down in public streets within the area. (In which they are licensed to operate.) They do not need to be pre-booked.
Private Hire is when an operator takes bookings from customers and passes them on to licensed drivers and vehicles. Private Hire vehicles must always be pre-booked and should never be waived down in the street.
Note: A Private Hire vehicle that is not pre-booked is not insured if it is involved in any incident.
- All Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers must display and wear their badge. This should be on the outer part of their clothing, so it is clearly visible when driving.
- All vehicles should have a numbered plate displayed at the rear of the vehicle. Hackney Carriages should also have a fare card inside the vehicle.
Passengers who use wheelchairs
All Hackney Carriages are accessible.
Many private hire vehicles will carry wheelchairs, but you need to check when you make the booking.
How fares are calculated
We set Hackney Carriage fares and journeys must be charged using the meter, except for negotiated fares.
- A fare can be negotiated before the journey;
- and anything less than the tariff can be charged.
Please note: You can never be charged more than the tariff.
- Some Private Hire vehicles have tariff meters, but we do not regulate those. (These are are set by the Private Hire operator.)
- You are advised to negotiate a final fare, before the start of your journey.
More information
Complaints
All complaints must be sent in writing, by email or use our Licensed activity complaints form.
If you cannot do this, let us know and we will arrange to take your complaint in some other way.
Where possible, please include:
- Description of the incident driver's badge.
- Plate number or registration number of the vehicle.
- Date and time of the incident and journey details (from and to).
- Other passengers present.
- Private Hire operator name.
- Your contact details.
For complaints that may go to court, we will need witness statements from those present at the incident. If you do not want to give a statement:
- the complaint cannot go to court;
- and will be dealt with in a less formal way.
We will acknowledge your complaint within 10 working days. This can take longer due to the investigation needed, which differs and depends on the complaint.
If you are not happy with your response, you can ask for your complaint to be reviewed. Please contact the Registration and Licensing Services Manager, email: licensing@calderdale.gov.uk.
Hackney Carriage demand survey
Proposed review of:
- The Hackney Carriage Licence Quantity Control Policy within the Halifax zone. (The current policy limits the number to 37.)
- and the policy in regard to accessible and saloon vehicles within the outer zones.
Local authorities to licence taxis within their area. This is under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (Section 37) and amended by the Transport Act 1985 (Section 16).
The number of Hackney Carriage licences issued can be restricted, if we are satisfied there is no major unmet demand.
- The number of Hackney Carriage licences in the Halifax zone will be kept at the current level. There was no evidence of any unmet demand for the services of Hackney Carriages within the Halifax zone.
Hackney Carriage Fares
Maximum from 29th April 2022
Tariff 1 - Daytime rate
From 6am to 11pm.
- £2.80 for the first 621 metres (679 Yards).
- £0.10 for each subsequent 72 metres (78 Yards) or part thereof.
Tariff 2 - Night rate
From 11pm to 6am.
- £2.90 for the first 460 metres (503 yards).
- £0.10 for each subsequent 62 metres (67 yards).
Tariffs 1 and 2 - Waiting time
- £0.21 for each period of 36 seconds or part thereof.
Tariff 3 - Daytime rate
From 6am to 11pm.
- Tariff 1 fare plus half the meter fare where five or more passengers are carried.
Tariff 4 - Night rate
From 11pm to 6am.
- Tariff 2 fare plus half the meter fare where five or more passengers are carried.
Extra Charges
- £0.10 for each article of luggage or pram conveyed in the luggage compartment (max. charge 50p).
- £0.10 for each person in excess of two.
- Tariff 2/Tariff 4 rates apply for hirings started from
- 6pm on 24th December to 6am on 27th December.
- 6pm on 31st December to 6am on 2nd January.
- £25 for soiling.