Taxi users needed for Lancashire safety survey

Have you used a taxi in Lancashire in last 12 months? If so, researchers from the University of Central Lancashire need your help.

Professor Joanne Westwood and Dr Helen Richardson Foster have teamed up with Chorley Taxi Association to explore people’s feelings regarding safety when using taxis in the red rose county.

Taxi users are being asked to undertake a short anonymous survey during November to help understand what concerns they have. Their answers will potentially shape future improvements.

Professor Westwood, from the University’s Connect Centre for International Research on Interpersonal Violence and Harm, said: “This survey is sense checking Lancashire’s taxi users.

“People use taxis for all sorts of reasons and sometimes it’s the only mode of transport available.

“Despite a range of safety features being in place, we’ve heard anecdotally that some people don’t feel safe being in taxis so we want to capture people’s thoughts and discover what makes them feel unsafe.

“Our aim is to get a clear picture and then see what can be done to help users and the taxi drivers.”

The academics were approached to undertake this research by Shaz Malik, from Chorley Taxi Association.

Shaz, who has owned Four Sixes’ Taxis in Chorley for seven years, commented: “Taxi drivers play a vital role in our local communities and are a key cog in our transport link. Our goal is to ensure that traveling by taxi is as safe as possible for both passengers and drivers.

“The safety standards in our local boroughs, like Chorley, exceed those in other areas. All vehicles are rigorously maintained to guarantee their roadworthiness, and comprehensive tests are conducted before a driver is issued a badge.

“Despite these precautions, we recognise that some individuals still have safety concerns. Therefore, as an industry, we are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that our customers feel secure and satisfied when utilising taxi services.”

Participants need to be aged 18 and over and to have used a taxi within Lancashire in the past year.

The study, which is being funded by  the Interrelate Institute, is not asking for responses on Uber or Rideshare taxis. The survey ends at the end of the month.