ROUND THE COUNCILS CUMBERLAND: DRIVERS OBJECT TO NEW POLICY
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods. Cumberland Council, formed by the merger of Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle councils, is consulting on a new policy set to be implemented next April. The proposals have sparked outrage among drivers and owners across West Cumbria. A key sticking point is the age limit for taxis. Under the new rules, only vehicles under ten years old would be eligible to operate as private hire or hackney carriages. Tanisha Dobinson, who runs Stainburn Travel in Workington, estimates this would affect a staggering 90% of cabs in the former Allerdale and Copeland areas.
"These vehicles pass strict tests every four months," argues Dobinson. "Suddenly, they're not good enough? Replacing them with new cars is simply unrealistic in today's economy." Dobinson fears the policy could force 250 taxis off the road and cost up to 15 drivers their jobs. She warns this will worsen the existing shortage of taxis, impacting services like late-night rides, assistance for the elderly, adult social care, school and NHS transport. The proposed code of conduct has also ruffled feathers. While drivers support measures related to safety and passenger well-being, they object to the suggested dress code and behaviour protocols. "We're not in a big city," says Dobinson. "These rules feel completely out of touch with our rural reality. Who dictates what I wear at 3 am behind the wheel?" The ban on eating in-vehicle for both drivers and passengers is another point of contention. Drivers with medical conditions such as diabetes highlight the safety concerns of working long hours without sustenance. The council, however, maintains these changes are necessary to ensure passenger safety, accessibility, and environmental efficiency. It emphasises that the consultation is open for feedback, and the final policy will be shaped by responses from drivers and the public. The council also clarifies that the suggested age limit is just a proposal, and the consultation aims to gather feedback on all aspects of the policy, including dress codes. Cumberland Council encourages everyone to
54
participate in the consultation, as only these responses will be considered when finalising the new policy. The official Cumberland Council consultation can be filled out here:
https://shorturl.at/xg1Hy by Friday 30 August 2024.
SHEFFIELD: CONSULTATION ON FEE INCREASE
Sheffield City Council's waste and street scene committee is proposing a hike in taxi licence fees for the first time since 2016. The move comes after it was revealed the council spends an average of £146,000 more a year on taxi licensing services than it receives in fees. Members were told: “Licence fees were last reviewed in 2016 and despite an increase in service costs during this period, additional costs have not been passed on to licensees and applicants.” In summary: The driver licence options will be reduced to one or three years, instead of one, two or three years. Private hire operator licences will be reduced to one or five years, instead of one, two, three, four or five years. The current bandings for private hire operators of 0- 50 and 51+ vehicles will be replaced with 1-50, 51-100, 101-250 and 251+ vehicles. Among the proposed fee changes were the increase in getting a new driving licence for a year (from £169 to £223), fees of renewal for drivers’ licences (one year – from £97 to £223, three years – from £217 to £268). Also, hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licences (renewal) would be increased, as well as all of the operators’ costs. Taxi representatives slammed the proposals, calling the council's licensing service a "failure" and criticising a lack of detail on what drivers would get in return for the higher fees. Former councillor Ibrar Hussain, told members “this is a failed licensing service, you have failed taxi drivers in Sheffield”. He criticised the council for not answering the telephone, the IT system being of poor quality, and enforcement being “zilch”. Despite concerns, the committee voted to send the proposals to public consultation, meaning residents will have a say before any changes are implemented. The new fees could come into effect as early as October 1st, 2024.
AUGUST 2024 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
