Manchester removes private hire livery requirements after GMB campaign

Manchester City Council has removed its requirement for all private hire vehicles to display an operator’s name or company livery, following a GMB Union campaign.

The council’s Licensing Committee agreed to remove operators’ names and bonnet stickers, which will allow drivers to work for multiple operators rather than just one, bringing Manchester into line with London and many other cities. Manchester’s decision follows similar GMB wins over private hire livery in Southampton and Oldham.

The Manchester authority also agreed to improve vehicle testing procedures and emissions legislation, as well as amend age limits, to assist drivers.

Habib Rehman, GMB lead representative, said: “Manchester private hire drivers have been waiting for this change for a very long time. This move now means drivers will no longer need to display operator stickers, freeing them up to work for more than one operator.”

“They will no longer be driving around advertising operators for free or be restricted to working for one operator – as well as giving more passenger choice and speed of service too.”

Rehamn concluded: “We at GMB Union welcome Manchester licensing departments decision around signage on Private Hire Vehicles and Taxi and will continue working with them to bring about more positive changes.”