PEOPLE booking private hire services next month may find the company picking them up is not the firm they booked.

Changes to taxi legislation which come into force on October 1 will allow private hire firms to sub-contract customer bookings to other companies, which may or may not be based in the same council area.

The changes have been criticised in some quarters, as they could make it harder for customers to ensure they are being picked up by drivers they know.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is advising residents to take precautions once the changes come in.

A spokesman said the council's licensing team advises residents to:

  • Make clear when they make a booking that they want to be collected by a driver from the company they are calling
  • To ensure they check when a driver turns up that they are licensed and have their full details.
  • If at all unsure, phone the company you booked through again, and check the vehicle that has arrived is the one they have sent