Get home safely this Christmas with Cab Safe

The council launched the Cab Safe texting scheme in December 2008.

When somebody uses their mobile phone to text the word ‘CAB’ to 83222 they are located via their phone signal and automatically sent a reply with the contact numbers of up to three local hackney carriage/private hire companies. The service costs just 50 pence plus the standard messaging rate.

Cab Safe was introduced following a number of incidents in the UK concerning unlicensed cab drivers, where passengers were assaulted or injured. These incidents occur when people are unfamiliar with an area and don’t know any local cab company phone numbers. Often people start walking home and flag down a passing car, resulting in them taking an unlicensed cab. This scheme will give the public a greater choice and added protection from illegal operators.  

Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly Councils are on board with the scheme, which is particularly relevant at Christmas. Posters and beer mats will be distributed to a number of clubs and pubs, with further information being supplied to shops, libraries, schools and colleges shortly.

Linda Gorman, Principal Licensing Officer, said:

“Lots of people go out more over the Christmas period and we want to make sure they get home safely. Our aim through Cab Safe is to promote a safer environment and ensure that the public are aware of the dangers in taking an unlicensed vehicle”.