Stay safe this festive period

Residents and visitors are being urged to stay safe over the festive and New Year period by preparing for journeys in advance.

Revellers are being asked to consider pre-booking their taxis to and from their night out and advised to only use licensed taxis and private hire vehicles to get home safely.

Councillor John McNaughtan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Regulatory Functions Board, is encouraging party-goers to look after their friends while out enjoying the festivities.

Councillor McNaughtan said: “During the festive season, people are out and about more often than at other times of the year which can lead to an increase in demand for taxis.

“It is important that people are safe when out enjoying themselves and pre-booking your taxi home can save you and your friends waiting about in the cold weather.

“We want everyone to enjoy their time visiting Renfrewshire so make sure you plan in advance and make sure everyone in your group gets home safe.”

Taxis for public hire in Renfrewshire are all white in colour, can be hailed in the street or pre booked, and rank at Glasgow Airport and Paisley Gilmour Street Station.

While private hire vehicles must be pre booked in advance through a private hire car company, of which there are several in Paisley, Johnstone, Linwood, Renfrew and Erskine.

All vehicles should have a Renfrewshire Council taxi or private hire plate on the front and rear of the vehicle and the driver should be displaying a badge within the vehicle, with private hire vehicles also having window stickers displaying the licence details on rear passenger windows.

For more information visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/taxisandprivatehires.