Hartlepool’s yellow hackney rule looks set to stay after a public consultation overwhelmingly backed the colour — even as Blueline warns of costs and EV barriers.
Tees Durham Post reports Licensing Committee papers for 23 September: 418 of 491 respondents want yellow retained. Blueline (Taxi Cab Services) says professional AA Yellow spray/wrap exceeds £2,000 and blocks ready Tesla colours, proposing cheaper partial wraps (£368–£600 + VAT). Officers note retaining the policy could risk losing Blueline as an operator, while changing it could lose other hackneys; they still recommend no change on consultation strength. Hackney numbers cited fell from 164 (2013) to 119 (2024). Private hire may be any colour except yellow.