St Albans Taxis: Your Essential Travel Guide

Navigating public transport in any district can sometimes feel like a maze, but in St Albans, a vibrant and historic city, the options are clear and cater to a wide range of needs. While buses and trains connect various parts of the district and beyond, taxis stand out as a highly flexible and convenient mode of transport. This comprehensive guide delves into the world of taxis in St Albans District, covering everything from the different types of services available to an invaluable voucher scheme designed to support eligible residents, ensuring you can travel with confidence and ease.

Understanding St Albans' Taxi Services: Hackney Carriages vs. Private Hire

In St Albans, like many parts of the UK, public transport by car is primarily divided into two distinct categories: Hackney Carriages, often simply called 'taxis', and Private Hire vehicles, commonly known as 'minicabs'. Understanding the differences between these two is crucial for a smooth and lawful journey.

Hackney Carriages (Taxis)

Hackney Carriages are the traditional black cabs or other vehicles that you can hail directly from the street or find at designated taxi ranks across the St Albans district. They are easily identifiable by a roof light displaying the word 'TAXI' and distinctive livery, including St Albans Crests and yellow stripes on their vehicles. Crucially, they also carry a yellow licence plate affixed to the rear and a smaller version on the windscreen, detailing their expiry date, licence number, and vehicle registration.

The fares for Hackney Carriages are set by the St Albans City and District Council. For any journey that starts and ends within the district boundary, the driver is legally required to use the meter, and cannot charge more than the metered rate. If your journey extends outside the district, however, the meter is not mandatory, and it is highly advisable to agree on the fare with the driver before your journey commences. All Hackney Carriage drivers must hold a valid Hackney Carriage driver's licence and should display their badge, which you are always welcome to ask to see.

Private Hire Vehicles (Minicabs)

Private Hire vehicles, or minicabs, operate differently. Unlike Hackney Carriages, they cannot be hailed in the street or found at taxi ranks. They must always be pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator, either by telephone or via an app. These vehicles are identifiable by a green licence plate affixed to the rear and a smaller version on the windscreen, showing their licence details and registration.

The fares for Private Hire vehicles are set by their individual operators, meaning prices can vary between different companies. The fare is considered a private contract between the operator and the passenger, so it's always wise to agree on the fare, or how it will be determined, at the point of booking. Private Hire drivers also hold specific licences, and like Hackney Carriage drivers, must display their badge. Some private hire vehicles may hold a plate exemption if they are not used for local work.

Dual Driver Badges

An interesting aspect of St Albans' licensing system is the existence of dual driver badges. These allow a driver to be licensed for both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles, offering greater flexibility. However, a vehicle itself cannot hold a dual licence; it must be either a Hackney Carriage or a Private Hire vehicle, and operate strictly according to its specific licence.

The St Albans Taxi Voucher Scheme: Support for Residents

St Albans City and District Council offers a valuable Taxi Voucher Scheme designed to assist eligible residents with their transport needs. This scheme provides financial support, making taxi travel more accessible for those who qualify.

Voucher Details and Validity

Vouchers are provided in denominations of £5 per voucher. For existing customers already part of the scheme, vouchers to the value of £90 are issued annually. It's important to note that these vouchers are valid for a specific period, from 1st April to 31st March each year.

For new applicants, the Taxi Vouchers are now issued on a monthly pro-rata basis. This means if you apply part-way through the validity period, the value of vouchers you receive will be adjusted accordingly for the remaining months.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this beneficial scheme, you must meet stringent criteria:

• You must have a permanent disability or be over 75 years of age.
• You must not have access to a private car (this applies to both disability and age criteria).
• AND you must be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support (proof is mandatory). Please be aware that the 25% single occupancy reduction on Council Tax does not count towards this criterion.

The council conducts checks to verify eligibility, including whether you have a vehicle and are receiving the stated benefits. Ineligible participants will be removed from the scheme. If you do not qualify, the council advises looking into other potential support avenues.

How the Scheme Works

Once your application is approved, you will receive a Taxi Voucher Scheme Identification Photo Card. This card is essential and must be carried with you, as the taxi driver may request to see it at any time to verify your membership.

A key point to remember concerns journeys that take you outside the St Albans district boundary (e.g., to Watford or Hemel Hempstead). For such journeys, the council's tariff guidelines no longer apply. Drivers are not obligated to travel outside the district, and doing so is entirely at their discretion. It is therefore crucial to discuss and agree on the fare for out-of-district journeys before commencing your trip.

Application and Renewal

For further information or to obtain an application form, you can contact the council via email or by calling 01727 819406. Renewal forms are automatically sent to existing Taxi Voucher Scheme members annually, simplifying the re-application process.

Booking and Payment: A Smooth Ride

Using taxis in St Albans, especially with the voucher scheme, is designed to be straightforward. Here's what you need to know about booking and making payments.

Which Taxi Companies Accept Vouchers?

The vouchers can only be used with taxis licensed by St Albans City and District Council. It is vital to book through their participating taxi operators. The current list includes:

• A1 Taxi (All Areas)
• Abbey Astar (All Areas)
• Corker Cars (All Areas)
• Euro Cabs (All Areas)
• Gold Line (All Areas)
• Harpenden Taxis (Harpenden & surrounding areas)

How to Book a Taxi with Vouchers

When you phone to book your taxi, it is extremely important to state upfront that you are a member of the Taxi Voucher Scheme. This ensures that the operator dispatches a driver who is part of the scheme and accepts the vouchers. You should also specify whether you require a standard saloon car or a wheelchair accessible taxi, so they can send the appropriate vehicle for your needs.

Using Vouchers at a Taxi Rank

While it is generally easier and recommended to book your taxi by phone when using vouchers, it is possible to use them if you pick up a taxi from a rank. However, you must check with the driver before getting into the cab that they are part of the scheme and will accept your vouchers. Not all drivers at a rank may be participating.

Making Payment

Payment for your journey can be made in a few ways:

• Using Taxi Vouchers for the full amount of the fare.
• Using Taxi Vouchers as a part payment, supplementing with cash or card for the remainder.

Important Note: Change will not be given from your Taxi Vouchers. Therefore, it's advisable to use them for the exact amount or slightly more, paying the difference with cash or card, to avoid losing any value.

Ensuring Your Safety and Rights: Complaints and Accessibility

The St Albans Council is committed to ensuring high standards for all licensed taxi and private hire services, with clear policies on passenger safety and accessibility.

Complaints about Taxi or Private Hire Vehicles

If you encounter an incident where the conduct of a taxi driver, private hire driver, or operator falls below expected standards, you can report it to the council's licensing team. All complaints are taken seriously and investigated.

To report a complaint, email [email protected] and include the following details:

• Your name and contact details.
• Details of the vehicle (plate number, company, colour, badge number).
• The date and approximate time of the incident.
• The name of the taxi firm used.
• Whether the taxi was booked or flagged down.
• A detailed account of the incident.
• Any additional information, such as a photo.

Complaints are investigated by a licensing enforcement officer, and if substantiated, penalties can range from informal warnings to licence revocation. For serious complaints involving criminal offences, the police may be involved, and you might be asked to attend court as a witness. Verbal complaints cannot be investigated.

Reporting Sexual Offences

Passenger safety is paramount. If you experience any behaviour of a sexual nature from a driver, including inappropriate comments or leering, report it immediately. All crimes should be reported to the Police by calling 101 or online (in an emergency, dial 999). For non-criminal but uncomfortable behaviour, you can report it to St Albans Council by calling 01727 819264 or emailing [email protected].

Accessibility for Disabled Passengers: The Equality Act 2010 and 2022 Act

The St Albans Council enforces strict regulations to ensure accessibility for disabled passengers, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022, which came into effect in England on 28th June 2022.

Passengers with Assistance Dogs

All licensed taxi and private hire vehicles are legally required to carry assistance dogs with their owners. It is a criminal offence for a driver to refuse to do so or for an operator to refuse a booking involving an assistance dog. Drivers and operators are also prohibited from charging a higher fare for carrying an assistance dog. This duty applies to dogs trained by charities affiliated with Assistance Dogs UK or similar organisations, as well as owner-trained assistance dogs. Complaints about refusal to carry assistance dogs can be reported to [email protected]. A small number of drivers may hold exemption certificates due to medical conditions, and must display an official notice.

Passengers in Wheelchairs

The council licenses a number of wheelchair accessible vehicles. These vehicles are designated under section 167 of the Equality Act 2010. It is a criminal offence for the driver of a designated taxi to refuse to carry a passenger in a wheelchair, or to refuse to assist them in entering or exiting the taxi or loading luggage. Complaints can be reported to [email protected]. Similar to assistance dog exemptions, a few drivers may hold medical exemption certificates.

New Requirements for Drivers and Operators (2022 Act)

The 2022 Act introduces new duties for all Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and operators, regardless of whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible. Drivers are now required to:

• Accept the carriage of any disabled person, provide reasonable mobility assistance, and carry their mobility aids, all without extra charge.
• Provide any disabled passenger who requests it with assistance to identify the vehicle, at no extra charge.

Private Hire operators are required to accept bookings for disabled persons if they have a suitable vehicle available. Non-compliance can lead to prosecution and/or referral to the licensing sub-committee, potentially resulting in licence suspension or revocation.

Lost Property: What to Do

Losing an item in a taxi can be stressful, but there's a clear process to follow in St Albans.

If you have lost something, email [email protected] with the following information:

• Your name and address.
• Your contact telephone number.
• The date and approximate time you were in the taxi.
• The name of the taxi firm you used.
• Whether the taxi was booked or flagged down.
• Details of the vehicle (plate number, company, colour, badge number), if known.
• A detailed description of all missing items.

Private Hire Operators typically do not handle lost property; it is the driver's responsibility to check their vehicle at the end of their shift. Drivers are required to bring all lost property to the reception at the council offices in St Peters Street, St Albans. An officer will contact you if your property is handed in, and you will need to show identification to collect your items.

While drivers are encouraged to check their vehicles after each journey, there's no guarantee that items will be found and returned, as other customers might have discovered them.

Navigating to the Council Offices in St Albans

While this article primarily focuses on taxis, it's useful to know how taxis fit into the broader public transport landscape when travelling to key locations like the St Albans City and District Council Offices (postcode AL1 3LD).

• By Foot: Walking is encouraged for health benefits and to reduce congestion. Map search engines can provide walking routes.
• By Bike: Cycle routes are available via map search engines, and there are bike racks at the front of the District Offices.
• By Train: St Albans City Station is about a 10-minute walk from the Council Offices. Upon leaving the station, turn right onto Victoria Street, continue past the shops to High Street, then turn right. The Council Offices are set back by Barclays Bank and the Alban Arena. St Albans Abbey Station, linking to Watford Junction, is also an option, requiring a walk up Holywell Hill to St Peters Street. Several buses run from both stations to the town centre, and importantly, there is a taxi rank available at St Albans City Station for convenient onward travel.
• By Bus: Most local bus routes stop in St Peters Street, near the Council Offices. Intalink provides up-to-date public transport information for Hertfordshire, including timetables.
• By Car: For those driving, use postcode AL1 3LD. Nearest car parks are in Bricket Road, Drovers Way, and the Maltings Shopping Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Taxi companies will accept the vouchers?

The vouchers can only be used with taxis licensed by St Albans City and District Council when booked through their participating taxi operators, which include A1 Taxi, Abbey Astar, Corker Cars, Euro Cabs, Gold Line, and Harpenden Taxis (for Harpenden & surrounding areas).

How do I make payment?

Payment for your journey can be made by using Taxi Vouchers for the full amount, or by using Taxi Vouchers as part payment combined with cash or card. Please remember that change will not be given from your Taxi Vouchers.

How do I book a taxi company that accepts Taxi Vouchers?

When you phone to book your taxi, it is crucial to state clearly that you are a member of the Taxi Voucher Scheme. Also, specify whether you need a standard saloon car or a wheelchair accessible taxi so they can dispatch the appropriate vehicle and driver.

Can I use the vouchers if I pick up a taxi at a rank?

While it's generally easier and recommended to book your taxi by phone, as some drivers at ranks may not be part of the scheme, you can attempt to use vouchers from a rank. However, it is vital to check with the driver before getting into the cab that they accept the vouchers.

What should I do if I lose something in a taxi?

If you lose an item, email [email protected] with your name, contact details, date and time of journey, taxi firm used, whether it was booked/flagged, vehicle details (if known), and a detailed description of the missing items. Lost property found by drivers is brought to the council offices.

Are taxi fares set in St Albans?

Yes, fares for Hackney Carriages (taxis) are set by the St Albans Council for journeys entirely within the district, and the meter must be used. For Private Hire vehicles, fares are set by the individual operators, and it's advisable to agree on the fare at the time of booking.

Are all taxis in St Albans wheelchair accessible?

No, not all taxis are wheelchair accessible. However, the council licenses a number of designated wheelchair accessible vehicles. When booking, especially if using the voucher scheme, make sure to specify if you require a wheelchair accessible taxi so the operator can send an appropriate vehicle.

St Albans provides a robust and regulated taxi service, offering convenient and accessible transport solutions for residents and visitors alike. With a clear understanding of the different taxi types, the invaluable voucher scheme, and the commitment to passenger safety and accessibility, navigating the district by taxi is a straightforward and dependable option.

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