CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT
FOUR MAJOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES UNITE TO CALL FOR HELP TO SUPPORT TAXI AND PRIVATE
Four of England’s major local authorities and city-regions have united to ask government for an urgent meeting, following concerns from the taxi and private hire trade that the impacts of the pandemic combined with current government policy may threaten livelihoods and the sector as a whole.
A letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, copied to the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit, calls for an immediate review of government policies – and adequate funding to ensure there is enough support for the trade.
Concerns are raised that current policy may significantly reduce wheelchair accessible hackney carriage provision, in a sector that forms a key part of the transport network and lifeline for many, including people with mobility issues.
Local authorities and city-regions in Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Sheffield have all been directed by government to introduce Clean Air Zones (CAZ) to tackle nitrogen dioxide levels on local roads – affecting taxis and private hire vehicles that don’t meet emissions standards.
The local authorities all support the case for better air quality and are driving forward region-specific plans. They are also urging government to ensure funding levels support drivers and operators to move to the more expensive lower- emission vehicles required for hackney cab services in Clean Air Zone areas.
There is also a renewed call to close the legal loophole that jeopardises passenger safety by allowing private hire vehicle drivers and vehicle owners to dodge more stringent local driver and vehicle regulations by being licensed anywhere in the country.
Greater Manchester recently carried out two major consulta- tions on proposals for a CAZ, and Minimum Licensing Standards for taxis and private hire, and the responses are currently being analysed by an independent organisation.
A Greater Manchester-wide CAZ – the largest in the UK outside London – is expected to be introduced in spring 2022 to tackle air pollution on local roads.
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, said: “The pandemic has hit the taxi and private hire trades hard and they have told us that Covid-19 – alongside government policies – poses a very real threat to the future of the
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industry. And when you factor in the potential costs of upgrading to CAZ vehicle standards, and the competition from out-of-town private hire services, there’s an even bigger impact on thousands of drivers who have families to support in what has been an incredibly tough year.
“Of course we are absolutely committed to improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions and improving standards for our locally licensed fleets. We’re taking action locally, but we need the government to come to the table and discuss ways it can properly support the sector. We need the right regulatory tools and funding to support the trade to move to cleaner, more accessible vehicles, and protect customers by making sure local private hire is regulated locally.”
Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham’s hackney carriage and private hire community provide an invaluable service to the people who live, work and visit our city.
“We have already put schemes in place to help this community prepare for the CAZ and that recognises the financial challenges brought about by the pandemic. But this is not just a challenge that local authorities must shoulder, which is why we are adding our voice to this call for national action.”
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “Many industries have been impacted by the pandemic but for the taxi industry, inadequate national government policies are threatening their livelihoods. Not to mention the inadequate funding that is being provided to help them make their vehicles less polluting so they are not charged to travel in the government-imposed CAZ that we must launch before the end of the year.
“The pressure on the taxi industry is relentless and I, along with other local authorities want the opportunity to discuss this with government during one of the toughest years we have experienced.”
Cllr Robert Johnson, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re asking the Secretary of State to understand the pressures taxi and private hire fleets are under and show fairness after a difficult 12 months. Closing the loophole that allows for private hire drivers to work out of their licensed authority would be a major step towards a level
MARCH 2021
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