PINK Ladies taxis are lobbying Parliament to prevent changes that would stop the firm operating without a licence under a legal loophole'.
The taxi firm - which is exclusively for female customers and employs female drivers - has a licence to operate in Warrington, which expires at the end of September. It also has franchises around the country, but none of these operates with a licence.
Pink Ladies co-founder Andrea Winders argues that the firm, which employs uniformed women drivers guided by satellite navigation systems, is completely different' to a normal private hire firm.
Ms Winders, of Newton, said: "We are not trying to cheat. We are just trying to provide a safe service for women."
She says that because they have a membership scheme where customers receive top-up' cards to use in Pink Ladies taxis instead of paying by cash they do not require a licence as the contract is between the company and its members' club. This differs, she says, from traditional licensed private hire firms, where the contract is between a customer and the driver.
She said the company wants a restricted licence allowing Pink Ladies drivers to work for Pink Ladies only. She said the taxi knowledge' test was not right for their employees, many of whom are mums returning to work.
In setting up a national franchise business, the firm encountered inconsistencies in the licensing laws around the country. She says they took legal advice, and believed Pink Ladies was exempt.
Although launched in Warrington, the company now has franchises in St Helens, Carlisle, Plymouth and London.
Ms Winders said the firm, which is based at Hawthorne Business in Bewsey, uses enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks, and uses new vehicles that are checked by a mechanic once a week and replaced after three years.
Pink Ladies appears to inspire loyalty among its 7,500 members.
Joan Allcock, aged 71, from Callands, said: "They have given me back my independence because I don't drive. Being with a woman driver is a lot safer."
Marie Leather, aged 55, from Orford, who works at Marks and Spencer, said: "I am registered blind and I used to travel with another taxi firm and that was a nightmare. Pink Ladies are fantastic. They always turn up on time."
The lack of licensing has raised concerns among private hire drivers.
Bruno Beliznia, chairman of Warrington Taxi Drivers Association, said: "Members have been upset and it seems unfair, but the important point is that they are operating within the law."
If Pink Ladies continued to operate in this way other companies might follow suit.
Bryan Rowland, editor of Taxi and Private Hire magazine, said: "It is not so much the impact of Pink Ladies as the potential impact."
Pink Ladies started in May 2005 and was welcomed by council officers as a breath of fresh air.
But the council decided it could not allow the restricted licences because of issues with the satellite navigation systems and the computer fare system.
It was wary of whether an unlicensed firm could match the level of public safety provided by the licensing regulations. The council called a conference of local authorities with Pink Ladies franchises in July.
"The view from everybody present was the law needed to be sorted," said Phil Barnes, the taxis licensing officer.
Soon afterwards the Government announced a bill to close the loophole'. It will go before Parliament in October and get on to the statute books by next year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article