They're active, used to be used by Councils, etc, but they've since migrated to mobile phones.
The frequencies are 163mhz base TX, 158mhz mobile TX (roughly).
You do need a tone, but you also need a PMR type approved radio. These can be found on ebay for as little as £15, and all type approved radios have CTCSS.
People using it aren't required to get a licence. I've got the licence for the "CBS", and that licence covers all the mobile units.
It's a very generic licence - I would issue "sub licences" to interested users, permitting them to use the frequency, as is the nature of PMR.
