Students encouraged by Coventry City Council to report their taxi experience

Students within the Warwick and Coventry area are being urged to tell the authorities of their experiences when using taxis.

The news follows Warwick Students’ Union’s recent survey which explored the malpractices of taxi drivers on campus.

The survey found numerous examples of alleged widespread malpractice, including the refusal of short fare journeys, discrimination against disabled students and sexism.

As a result of such a survey, Coventry City Council launched a campaign to ensure that both students and taxi drivers have the information needed to avoid any future problems.

A new Safer Student Travel advice card is now being shared among students that explains a few simple facts about taxi travel and encourages passengers to report their experience, both positive and negative, to Coventry’s taxi licensing team.

Both the University of Warwick and Coventry University have pledged their support to the new campaign.

Pat Hetherton, chairman of the council’s licensing and regulatory committee, commented on the campaign: “A few weeks ago University of Warwick students highlighted a report on their experiences of taxi travel.

“It was clear that there was often a misunderstanding about how taxi fares are calculated. For example, if the taxi journey crosses a border between Coventry and Warwickshire, drivers can refuse or charge any price provided the amount is mutually agreed before the journey starts.

“That’s why we wanted to give some basic advice to encourage students to send in any comments, compliments and complaints to the council’s licensing team.”

Rob Ankcorn, of the University of Warwick Students’ Union, also welcomed the development.

“It is great that we have been able to work with the local authority and together can highlight the strengths and challenges that students have with taxi travel in the city and across into Warwick.”

**The article was initially published with the suggestion that the taxi survey was conducted by the Boar. This was certainly not the case and this has been changed on our online article. We apologise profusely for the slip in information.