Local cab drivers are being undercut by unlicensed ‘ghost cabs’ flouting the law and undercutting cabbies who now accuse the county council of ‘doing nothing’ to stop the scourge.

Long-serving Hackney carriage drivers in Abergavenny are battling with moonlighters who shun the law and hoover up business with cheaper fares, hitting struggling cabbies in the pocket, and stoking tensions on the ranks.

By eschewing the proper licensing, insurance and medical requirements, ghost cabs can chop the price of a typical fare, by saving thousands after avoiding stringent regulations set by Monmouthshire County Council, a local has cabbie said.

Cabbies incensed by the 12 or so ‘ghosts’ operating in Abergavenny have grown frustrated with the council after they claim they’ve spent months collecting photos and other evidence of unlicensed cabs for MCC to ignore their pleas for help.

One driver, who asked not to be named, has served the town’s passengers for decades, and fears the tension between the legitimate cabs, and the moonlighters, is beginning to boil over.

“They use their own cars, without insurance, without background checks, without medical certificates.

“They’re going around Abergavenny, flouting the law, picking up passengers from designated places and charging sometimes exorbitant prices. Other times they are undercutting us normal taxi drivers,” he said.

“One guy was caught, and ended up at Magistrates’ Court. He was back a fortnight later. Nothing is being done, and we are getting hurt, big time.”

The disgruntled cabbie told the Chronicle that ghost cabs can afford to undercut rivals by saving thousands, after flouting the law. Proper insurance for a Hackney cab can cost in the region of £2,000 per year, a figure that veers north of three thousand pounds after licensing requirements are met.

He said that unlicensed ghost cabs are risking passenger safety, given that in the event of a crash, the passenger would not be covered by the insurance, despite the potential for serious injury or even death.

The bigger problem, he said, was the effect that ‘ghosting’ has on his, and his fellow cabbies’ pockets.

“Eight per cent of the drivers in Abergavenny are owner-drivers, so they only have one vehicle. They rely on that income to support their families.

“These ghost cabs are undercutting us all something terrible, and now people are not using the legitimate cabs,” he said.

“There’s a lot of tension out there and the council is doing nothing about it. We have supplied them with information with evidence. All they say is ‘it’s in the pipeline and they’re working on getting it sorted.’

“We need something to be done by the licensing department. They need to get off their backsides and get into town on a Friday and Saturday night.”

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council said they had previously clamped down on unlicensed cabs, but were not aware of an ongoing issue.

“Monmouthshire’s licensing officers investigate complaints about unlicensed drivers and unlicensed taxis and we will take legal action when we have sufficient evidence to prove an offence. 

“For instance, the authority successfully prosecuted an unlicensed taxi driver in May this year.  

“We ask anyone wishing to provide information regarding unlicensed taxi driving to contact our licensing team on 01873 735420.  We’re not aware of unlicensed drivers operating in the Abergavenny area other than one complaint received about an individual.

“The Welsh Government is currently reviewing the law affecting taxis and we hope that new legislation will improve local government enforcement powers and clarify some points of law.

 “We advise anyone subjected to threatening behaviour to contact Gwent Police.”