Cozycars taxis

01/10/2026

14/08/2026

🟨 GREATER MANCHESTER MAYOR HOPEFUL FOR NEW LAWS TO CRACK DOWN ON CROSS-BORDER WORKING

Greater Manchester mayor, Bev Craig, says she is hopeful the region will soon receive new legal powers to tackle the rising number of out-of-town private hire vehicles operating on local streets.

The issue has long frustrated local residents, many of whom have questioned why so many vehicles carrying passengers hold licences issued by distant authorities such as Wolverhampton and Sefton rather than Greater Manchester.

The topic was brought to the forefront during a recent BBC Radio Manchester hot seat programme when a Stretford resident named Bob questioned the mayor about what he described as an appalling practice.

Responding to the resident's concerns, Mayor Craig acknowledged that the situation has bothered local leaders for a long time. She explained that the region has been lobbying the government to change the law so that any PHV working within Greater Manchester must also be licensed locally.

"It’s something that’s been bothering us for a long time, we’ve all seen it loads of PHVs, be it Wolverhampton or Sefton, you see them coming in from out of town," Mayor Craig said.

"We’ve been asking the government, fighting the government for more power and a change in law, that would give us the power in Greater Manchester to have PHVs that are here working in GM, licensed in GM."

The mayor stressed that the push for local licensing is not an attack on specific councils, such as Wolverhampton, but rather a necessary step to ensure consistent safety standards.

She noted that local authorities need uniform rules regarding vehicle security, background checks for drivers and local route knowledge. Craig added that she is hopeful legislative changes could arrive during the autumn.

The issue has also received attention at the highest levels of government. Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham frequently criticised out-of-town operators during his tenure, previously dismissing government proposals on the matter as inadequate before becoming Prime Minister in July.

Mayor Craig revealed that she spent a long time discussing the crisis with Mr Burnham and has even held direct talks with Wolverhampton council officials.

With her former colleague now leading the country, Craig remains optimistic that national action will close existing loopholes and standardise regulations across the UK.

She clarified that a national law would not prevent drivers from taking fares across borders, but would ensure that drivers are registered where they primarily live and conduct business.

14/07/2026

16/05/2026

🟩 GOVERNMENT UNVEILS MAJOR REFORM TO TAXI INDUSTRY IN KING'S SPEECH

The British government has announced a massive shake-up of taxi laws to fix a broken system that dates back to the era of horse-drawn carriages.

Outlined in the King’s Speech, the new Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill marks the most significant change to the industry in over a century, ensuring passengers receive consistent, reliable services wherever they travel in England.

It also aims to stop drivers from licensing their cars in one city while working hundreds of miles away in another.

Wolverhampton has been nicknamed the "taxi capital" of the UK after recent figures show the city licensed nearly 34,000 private hire vehicles in 2025, a huge jump from about 10,000 in 2020. Remarkably, up to 96% of these drivers do not actually live in Wolverhampton.

Other local councils have complained that this "out-of-area" working makes it impossible to enforce safety rules, as they have no power over drivers licensed by a different authority.

The government warned that "enforcement activity and resources remain misaligned," which has damaged public trust and created a "patchwork" of different safety standards across the country.

The new Bill aims to create a single, consistent framework for all of England. Key changes include the creation of a mandatory national database of every licensed vehicle and driver, ensuring that authorities can share information instantly to protect passengers.

Regulators will also receive much stronger powers to take "swift and effective action" against drivers who break the law or fail to meet safety standards.

Public safety is at the heart of the reform, following major reviews into child exploitation and passenger security. The government stated the new laws will fix a "fragmented system that has not always protected passengers as it should."

The plans also focus on making travel easier for disabled passengers, who rely on taxis significantly more than the general population.

The City of Wolverhampton Council said it "wholeheartedly" supports the changes. A spokesperson explained that they have been calling for "uniform standards, uniform fees and improved cross-border enforcement powers" for years.

The council also clarified that they do not profit from the high number of licences, as the fees are legally required to be spent only on licensing services.

James Button, President of the Institute of Licensing, welcomed the move, calling the reform "long overdue."

He said the industry needs a modern system that fits the 21st century and keeps taxis a vital part of the public transport network. While the new rules will apply across England, the government confirmed that Wales will not be covered by this specific Bill.