Petition Statement: Safeguarding Barnsley’s Taxi Trade and Public Safety

We, the undersigned, urge our Member of Parliament and Barnsley Council to take immediate and decisive action against the unchecked influx of out-of-town private hire drivers operating within Barnsley. This situation is compromising public safety, undermining local licensing standards, and threatening the livelihoods of our dedicated local drivers.

Safety and Identification Concerns:

Barnsley-licensed private hire vehicles are required to display prominent council-issued door signage, identification badges, and rear plates to make them easily identifiable and accountable. These safety features reassure the public that they are using a legitimate and properly vetted service.

However, many out-of-town drivers operating in Barnsley lack these identifiers, as their licensing councils may not require the same display standards. This makes it extremely difficult for passengers to know if a vehicle is safe, fully insured, or properly licensed. The absence of uniform visual standards poses serious safeguarding risks for vulnerable users, particularly late at night or in isolated areas.

Economic Impact on Local Drivers:

The continued arrival of large numbers of out-of-town drivers is flooding the local market. As a result, many Barnsley-licensed drivers are now struggling to earn even the minimum wage across a full 8–5 shift—before accounting for fuel, maintenance, insurance, and licensing expenses. When those costs are factored in, take-home earnings fall drastically below acceptable levels.

These conditions are unsustainable and are forcing many long-standing, professional drivers out of the trade.

Traffic Congestion and Overcrowding:

The volume of vehicles operating in the town centre has increased dramatically. Out-of-town drivers are contributing to congestion, gridlock, and increased competition for rank and pickup space—particularly during peak hours and weekends. This is not only frustrating for the public, but it directly affects the ability of local drivers to complete jobs efficiently and safely.

Legal and Regulatory Challenges:

Due to a legal loophole, private hire vehicles can legally operate across local authority boundaries, provided they meet the “triple licensing” rule (vehicle, driver, and operator all licensed by the same authority). While legal, this undermines local standards and enforcement.

Currently, Barnsley Council has no power to enforce rules on drivers licensed by other authorities, even when they are working extensively within our borough. This leaves our council unable to regulate safety, signage, or behaviour for those drivers, and the public exposed to inconsistent standards.

Our Demands:

We call on our MP and Barnsley Council to take the following actions:

Lobby for Legislative Reform: Work with Parliament to push for changes to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and related legislation, so local authorities can regulate all private hire vehicles operating within their area, regardless of where they are licensed.
Enforce Local Standards: Introduce new policies and bylaws requiring all private hire vehicles working in Barnsley to meet Barnsley’s visibility and safety standards, and pursue joint enforcement agreements with neighbouring authorities to allow better monitoring of out-of-area drivers.
Limit Cross-Border Hiring: Campaign for a review of cross-border hiring practices and seek restrictions to prevent councils hundreds of miles away from licensing vehicles that regularly work in Barnsley without oversight.
Support Local Drivers: Work to protect the viability of local taxi and private hire drivers, who are fully invested in our community and have worked hard to meet Barnsley’s licensing standards.

Conclusion:

Barnsley residents deserve a safe, reliable, and accountable taxi service. Our local drivers deserve a fair and level playing field. The current system is failing both groups.

We urge our MP and Barnsley Council to act now—before the damage becomes irreversible.

A Call to the People of Barnsley: Sign for Your Safety

This petition is not only about protecting the livelihoods of local drivers—it’s about protecting you, the people of Barnsley.

By signing this petition, you’re standing up for:

Your right to a safe journey in a clearly marked, properly vetted vehicle.
Your confidence in knowing who is picking you or your loved ones up—especially at night, or when travelling alone.
Your town’s standards, which are being eroded by unregulated, unidentified vehicles from out of the area.

We need your support to show Barnsley Council and our MP that this is a community issue, not just a trade issue.

Help us push for a safer, fairer, and more accountable private hire system in Barnsley—sign for your safety and the safety of others in your town.