Safety fears raised over late-night unlicensed taxis operating in Bangor

Dale Spridgeon, local democracy reporter

Cabbies fear un-licensed taxis are operating in a city centre that could be putting people’s lives at risk whilst taking away income from legitimate firms, it has been claimed.

Bangor cab drivers and a Gwynedd councillor claim  ‘illegal’ taxi services have been operating – particularly  late at night and into the early hours near  the Cube nightclub.

Gwynedd Council say the claims are a “matter of great concern” and it has urged anyone with information to report it to the council’s licensing service.

Bangor taxi driver Heulwen Jones, 51, says on one busy weekend her takings were down at least £200 due to the issue.

Heulwen,  a mum of four, said her concerns were more about the “risk,” particularly to youngsters out for a boozy night out, getting into unregistered taxis.

Heulwen who runs Tacsi HJ Taxi, said: “It has been a real problem. I have reported it to the police but I am disappointed nothing has been done about it yet.  The situation is very concerning.

“It seems to be predominantly young people from Anglesey and Bangor running late night delivery for other youngsters coming out of the pubs and nightclubs around Dean Street and the Cube area, they are well organised they even advertise their services on Snapchat.

“What worries me, is they are not properly insured as taxis, we see young girls, very drunk, skirts at half mast falling and giggling into these unregistered cars, you don’t know who these drivers are.

“I would urge parents to encourage their young people always to go home in a licensed vehicle. We have to have a hackney carriage car license and private driver license issued by the council and we have proper taxi plates.

“We are safe and legal, we have to have two MOTs a years, we have to be DBS checked,  and we spend thousands in insurance and for our vehicles, we are safe and experienced drivers. I have been driving 33 years.

Problem

Another Bangor tax driver Mark Dunning, 49, who is a freelance driver  for King’s Kabs, said: “I have not seen the illegal drivers myself, but I have heard other drivers talk about it and it is a problem.

“As a dad, I would hate to think of my daughter and her friends getting into these unregistered vehicles. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

“I urge people always to use legitimate taxi cabs, and always look for out our official license. I also think all cabs should have their business name and number painted on the side of their vehicle.”

Gwynedd Councillor Dylan Fearnley who represents Dwyrain, Bangor, said he had heard from taxi drivers expressing concerns.

He said “Some drivers have raised it about these taxis, suspected of being unlicensed, some coming from other areas,  plucking up their fares.

“Several reported it, we have reported it to the police, we aim to be speaking to the local police inspector soon.

“If people get into unlicensed vehicles they are putting themselves at risk on so many levels, they don’t know who they are getting into a vehicle with, if there was an accident the drivers may not be properly insured. It is also taking away the income of legitimate of local taxi firms.”

A council spokesperson said: “Allegations of  unlicensed individuals plying for hire in unlicensed taxis is a matter of great concern.

“We would urge anyone who has information about any individual who is picking customers up illegally to report the matter to the council’s licensing service.

“Illegal taxi drivers may be dangerous individuals; or there is no guarantee that their vehicle is safe; or insured.

“If anyone suspects they have paid a taxi fare to a person who is operating illegally, please get in touch  with the licensing service at Gwynedd Council to provide more information – such information is vital to help stop illegal operators.”

North Wales Police have been approached for comment.