HELP OUR TRADE
• MoT failures: We are hearing reports of vehicles failing council MoT tests for petty reasons such as fitting catalytic convertor guards, having seat covers or tiny scratches/dents to bodywork. We appreciate that safety of our trade’s vehi- cles is paramount, but these irrational failures result in vehicles unnecessarily being taken off the road, the impact of which in the current climate is utter madness.
• Tinted windows: The mix and match of policies from councils across the country is beyond ridiculous! These policies ultimately exclude the majority of modern vehicles, particularly EVs, from being able to satisfy licensing conditions as there is no clear glass option available to purchase for most of them. Many councils with such a restrictive policy, use “public safety” as an excuse! The truth is that clear glass actually has a negative impact on public safety since it increases exposure to UV rays. There is another major flaw in any policies that force vehicles to be modified this way, M1 type approvals are granted to vehicles as manufactured, changing the glass in this way is classed as a structural change, which would mean that the M1 type approval is no longer valid. So, our trade is being forced to invest in these newer vehicles, and then told they cannot be licensed – a ludicrous scenario, time to choose: new green cars or clear glass - you cannot have both anymore!
• Training courses: It is important that all drivers, particularly new drivers, have some training. However, unless training course subject matter is going to vary every three years, making them mandatory for ALL drivers at each and every renewal application becomes neither sensible or practical and will achieve nothing other than additional costs and wasted time for drivers as well as extra processing of unnecessary paperwork for licensing officers.
HACKNEY FARE INCREASES AND WAVs
With rising overheads (extortionate house prices in some parts of the county) and fierce competition in the work marketplace it is imperative that our drivers are able to earn a decent living wage for the job that they do. The hackney trade is struggling and facing extinction in some parts of the country. You only need to look at our hackney fare league tables on pages 72-73 to see the disparity in the 2-mile fare rate in different areas. It is patently illogical.
The significant cost of WAVs means that some councils seri- ously need to reconsider their rule that all hackneys must be wheelchair accessible, as was recently submitted to Sheffield City Council by way of a signed petition. There is no practical or lawful reason to maintain a 100% WAV policy. In fact, doing so could actually be a breach of the Equality Act 2010, since many of those with disabilities are unable to get into
NOVEMBER 2021
high up WAVs and it has also been shown that only a small percentage of less able-bodied people are completely wheelchair bound.
Meanwhile, minimum wage has yet again been increased and public sector wage rises have just been approved by the Government so it is therefore unfair and unreasonable that some councils are rejecting or ignoring requests for hackney fare increases, despite the local trade justifying the need.
Without some vehicle flexibility and relevant fare increases it is likely that many hackney operators in some areas will leave the trade completely or perhaps change their licence to private hire. Obviously, this is not an ideal outcome for any council and/or its residents.
CONCLUSION
To be clear, without swift intervention, our trade will be decimated forever with driver numbers so depleted that it will be impossible to service the needs of local communities. This in turn will cause chaos on UK streets and inevitably result in dire consequences
We hear repeatedly: “We have a duty to protect the public”, and we agree, you do! Especially when you acknowledge that members of our trade are also members of the public! Just ask yourself one question: when there are no taxi or pri- vate hire drivers left, through lack of protection and support, how safe then will the public be? The public out and about late at night in the towns and cities, walking home alone in the dark, housebound and unable to get to bus stops or to get to doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, schools and everywhere else where they rely on us, the taxi and private hire industry?
How will the loss of “an integral part of the public transport infrastructure” result in the public being ‘safe and protected’? - the oft-repeated local authority matra.
NOW is not the time for rhetoric NOW is the time for nationwide action!
HELP our trade to continue to HELP ensure the safe transportation of the public
PHTM and NPHTA appeal to ALL local councils and the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Governments to: listen to our plea.
HELP US NOW! BEFORE IT REALLY IS TOO LATE! 7
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