How do you call a taxi in Bristol?

Bristol Taxis are licensed under Bristol Council Bristol offers two different taxi service options: private hire and hackney carriage.  For calling or hiring one of these two categories of taxi services, there are various legal requirements.

Hackney Carriage Taxis can be found in Bristol Taxi Ranks as well as on the streets (info on where to find Bristol Taxi Ranks is provided below).  Some of them include phone numbers, so you can call them as well. 

Private hire taxis must be reserved in advance by calling a nearby cab company or via a taxi app.

Hackney Carriage Taxis in Bristol are painted Blue.(Bristol Blue)

 

Credit:Claudio Divizia, Shutterstock

An interesting fact: The term "Bristol Blue" refers to a very particular hue of blue. It originates from the city of Bristol, where blue glass has been produced since the 18th century. The city's industrial prosperity was partly attributed to the dark blue glass, which was used for everything from flower vases to gin bottles. It is appropriate to paint Bristol cabs this colour because it represents an iconic part of the city's past.

1. Use a Taxi App:Private hire businesses in the area frequently have their own taxi applications. However, they are mostly only helpful in Preston and the nearby environs. There is minimal benefit to downloading them unless you anticipate using taxi services frequently.  Once downloaded, you can use other, national apps throughout the UK.    However, national applications like taxicode charge the private hire company a commission for each booking, so businesses sometimes raise their costs to account for this expense.   

   Although Uber has its own nationwide pool of drivers, the company has come under fire for its surge pricing. i.e., they raise their prices when it is busy.

2. Call a Local Taxi Company: You may check for local private hire businesses in Bristol by searching business directories like yelp or thomson. Alternatively, search engines like Google and Bing will list local private hire cabs. 

   You can contact the phone number listed in the ads, whether they are in a business directory or a search engine, and the operator of the taxi company will respond and take your reservation. 

   The booking will often be added to their computer dispatch system. 

   
   

   This allows you to reserve a taxi for "now" or a future time, such as in 30 minutes, the following day, or the following week. 

   Popular private hire taxi companies in Preston included V Cars or AA Taxis Bristol or
   
   All Bristol Cars
   
   
   

   
   
   

1. Which provides taxis services in Bristol and surrounding areas including Ashley Down, Barton Hill, Brislington, Easton, Fishponds, Frenchay, Montipelier, Redfield and St Werburghs.

2. Hail a Taxi: Bristol City Council allows the public to hail Hackney Carriage taxis in Bristol, the council sets the price tariff  

3. Visit a Taxi Stand/Rank: Bristol may have designated taxi stands or ranks where taxis wait for passengers. You can go to one of these stands and wait for the next available taxi. A map of Bristol taxi ranks can be found here
   

 

1. Airport or Train Station: If you are at the Bristol train station or airport, there are usually taxi ranks or taxi services available on-site. You can simply follow the signs or ask the staff for assistance.

Prior to beginning your trip, confirm the fare with the driver or the taxi company. For your protection, make note of the taxi's licence number. Make sure you have a way to pay as well because some taxis may only accept cash payments while others might accept credit cards.

It's a good idea to check for any updated information or local recommendations for taxi services in Bristol because taxi services and rules are subject to change.