Council chiefs battle to shut down "illegal" taxi service

Online group Southampton Town Lifts is being used as a platform for motorists to cash in as unofficial taxi drivers offering cheap rides for as little as £5 in private vehicles.

But politicians and taxi chiefs warn passengers seduced by an easy ride home are "putting their lives at risk" - leaving themselves open to injury, being attacked or sexually abused by strangers.

Now Southampton City Council chiefs warn drivers could face fines, penalty points and the reality of losing their licences.

The crackdown comes as thousands of revellers prepare to hit the city centre tonight for New Year's Eve celebrations - many who could put their safety at risk while desperate to get home.

Last night a man at the forefront of the group - which was set up on social media site Facebook - claimed he was unaware he was doing anything wrong - claiming most people on the site were known to each other.

PICTURED: The logo on the group's Facebook page

He promised to shut down the operation and urged unlicensed drivers not to advertise there.

But senior cabbies warn the site is just the tip of the iceberg and criticise transport chiefs for failing to heed their complaints that unlicensed taxi drivers have been running lifts for money in the city for years - threatening their own livelihoods.

Southampton Town Lifts - which has attracted at least 615 members - promotes itself with the tagline, "Doing lifts/need a lift to town? Post here!"

People can request lifts on a message forum while motorists use the board to notify when they are on standby for pick ups.

Last night journeys were being advertised for as little as £5 within Southampton and £10 to other locations such as Totton.

A number of drivers announced they are available to ferry revellers to and from pubs and bars tonight, with one saying: "town lifts for NYE all night shout me".

Yet site administrators have failed to ensure drivers are sufficiently insured to carry passengers - a sum which can rise to nearly £200 a month for licensed cabbies and private hire drivers.

Unlicensed motorists face fines of up to £5,000 and six points on their licences.

Southampton Hackney Association chairman Ian Hall said he reported unlicensed operations to the council when he uncovered a group called Southampton Doing Lifts he says has since disappeared.

He told the Echo he has witnessed unlicensed drivers boasting online that they are paid up to £200 a night – more than double some bona fide drivers make - who in turn pay up to £3,000 a year for insurance covering £10million public liability costs.

He said: “This is highly dangerous. Luckily nothing serious has happened yet but you can imagine what will happen when an accident does happen and someone is seriously injured but there is no insurance to cover? It’s dangerous for young women who are alone and they don’t know who the driver is.”

“They are taking money for financial gain and it’s having an impact on the taxi trade."

Clive Johnson, who is chairman of both Radio Taxis and Southampton Trade Association, called for swift action, warning revellers that what seems like a cheap deal could be more expensive in the end.

He said: “Our message is don’t get into a car that isn’t licensed. Drivers haven’t been vetted by police and they could be putting lives in danger of young ladies could be open to attack. People should be sensible. As soon as they have got in the vehicle they are extremely vulnerable. There’s no control over prices. The council should be coming down hard on this.”

PICTURED: Clive Johnson, chairman of both Radio Taxis and Southampton Trade Association

Jim Martin, vice chairman of Southampton Hackney Association, said: "It's a nightmare because they take twice as much money as we do as proper drivers. Is it going to take something like a fatality or a serious accident for something to be done."

Council licensing chiefs are investigating the claims and have already written to the Southampton Town Lifts demanding them to stop.

They warn anyone who carrying out lifts in exchange for financial reward without specialist insurance could be prosecuted because their actions will invalidate their insurance.

Council leader Cllr Simon Letts said it is difficult to control postings on Facebook where friends can legitimately group together to share costs of lifts.

But he said: "Commercial arrangement between strangers should only happen if the person providing the service is properly checked has appropriate insurance and the vehicle used is licensed and safe. Anybody taking advantage of this sort of service is taking a real risk and I urge them not to use it.

"It is likely that anybody offering this service is doing so illegally and they may be prosecuted if we are provided with evidence."

Superintendent James Fulton, from Hampshire Constabulary, said: “All taxi and private hire vehicles should be licensed through the city council and their licensing team will investigate any individuals operating without a license that they are alerted to by members of the public.”

Warning revellers, he said: "My advice is to always use a licensed vehicle as the appropriate safety checks will have been carried out. While unlicensed taxi drivers may offer a cheaper alternative following a night out, you are putting yourself at risk by getting in an unlicensed vehicle for the sake of a couple of pounds."

• YOUNG people involved in running the web page Southampton Town Lifts have promised to shut down the site.

Last night a man serving as a administrator for the group said he was unaware drivers posting there required specialist insurance until the council wrote to him.

The man denied he previously knew motorists could be breaking the law and added: "I was aware until they told me. They have spoken to us and we are dealing with it."

He said that they restricted membership to potential drivers and passengers in their social circle and added: "We only accept them if they are friends of mutual friends. If they look dodgy we don't accept them."

But he was unable to confirm when it will close.

A further message posted on the site added: "I have been warned that the Licensing Department take matters such as this very seriously and if this site is to continue and/or drivers continue to seek reward for giving lifts, we risk prosecution under the above legislation.

"Therefore we will be closing this site soon and would advise that as passengers, for your own safety you ensure that you use only properly licensed vehicles and drivers should not do lifts for payment with immediate effect or they will risk prosecution."