Taxi passengers in Bradford are set to be told how to get a better deal from their ride, courtesy of a new information leaflet.

The City Council is to offer an action plan spelling out the kind of services on offer and how to complain if they are not properly run.

It follows rivalry over the years by people using hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.

There have also been allegations about people being picked up in bogus taxis.

Safety tips in the leaflet include:

l always use licensed taxi services;

l when travelling by private hire, always pre-book your journey and check that the vehicle used is with the company you booked with. Passengers who do not book journeys are not covered by insurance;

lfasten your seat belt.

Deputy chairman of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing and Enforcement Panel, Susan Dewdney, said: "Travellers can complain using the number from the driver's badge or vehicle registration number if they are concerned about fares, the driver's conduct, or anything else.

"Disability accessible taxis are also available for the general public and can be very useful for parents with pushchairs, or shoppers, with lots of bags.

"The new leaflets will let the public know the basic rules and regulations covering taxis in Bradford. "

The leaflets also give information about services for people with mobility problems and contact numbers for the 11 hackney carriages fully accessible by people in wheelchairs.

They also sets out differences between hackney carriages with their distinctive green stripes, and private hire vehicles.

The vehicles are controlled by law and the Council regularly examines them. Drivers undergo special training.

The leaflets, which will also be printed in Urdu, will be available at outlets including council offices, neighbourhood forums and community centres.

Chairman of the Bradford chapter of the National Private Hire Association Linda Dixon welcomed the leaflets but added: "I don't think they go far enough."

Mrs Dixon said private hire cabs, like hackney carriages should be able to carry roof signs, like hackney carriages, to show clearly where they were from.

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