Hartlepool’s distinctive fully yellow hackney carriages will stay that way after the Licensing Committee rejected a change request.
On 23 September 2026 councillors sided with a summer consultation in which 418 of 491 respondents wanted cabs to remain yellow. Operator Blueline had sought partial yellow liveries or exemptions for electric vehicles, citing respray costs and factory EV colours. Cllr Carole Thompson said drivers and the public want yellow and that colour recognition is a public-protection issue; Cllr Sue Little called the cabs a matter of local pride. Private hire vehicles remain barred from yellow.