Taxi Driver Online

Taxi wars hot up in York as cabbies and Uber clash

Hackney drivers demand level playing field

York council blames Government changes and less rigorous councils

Uber says its drivers are acting perfectly legally

TAXI operators have raised further concerns about drivers from outside the city operating in York.

They claim operators are travelling from Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and elsewhere to pick up fares, mainly on weekends, in part due to a lack of enforcement but also due to a new company starting up in York.

Keith Hatfield, director of York Station Taxis, met the council last week and said changes to council policy meant it was easier for other companies to work in the city.

He said: “We’re not afraid of York competition that’s what we’re after, that’s fine. But as long as it’s a level playing field, that’s all we’re asking for.

“They can join Uber from York, we don’t have a problem with that, but these people haven’t gone through the local knowledge test, which takes quite a while. I know people who’ve been waiting to get through that for nine months, it’s a tough test, but makes you a better driver.”

Mr Hatfield said some Uber drivers had refused to move from Hackney ranks while waiting for a pickup, and “we have had to put rank marshals to move them”.

Dave McTernan, from Getaway Cars in York, said “dozens of out of town cars are patrolling the streets of York and working night and day”, and called it “a bad situation”.

He said: “It’s not being dramatic to say it’s out of control.

“It’s a free for all in York at the moment. We’re controlled by strict CYC regulations for everything, but getting all these cowboys coming into town and doing things illegally so it’s very aggravating.

"With Uber, the reason they are putting so much pressure on is because they know they’ve to have cars here and are paying drivers £14 an hour to come across here without bookings.”

A spokeswoman for Uber said there had been “interest from dozens of local drivers”, and all their drivers “must hold a valid private hire licence from their local city council and must maintain valid insurance and vehicle maintenance”, which also included going through an enhanced background check (DBS).

She said: “Regulations governing private hire are quite clear. Drivers licensed for private hires can pick up and drop off anywhere in England and Wales so long as their driving licence and vehicle licence match the operator licence that processes that booking.

“Uber holds operator’s licences in York, Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield among others and drivers across the UK can use the Uber app to collect fares in compliance with their local licence.”

Matt Boxall, acting head of public protection at City of York Council, said the authority’s standards for drivers was high, but “other local authorities apply their own level of checks prior to licensing drivers and their vehicles, and now government laws have made it easier for licensed drivers to work in different towns”.

The council’s enforcement team currently includes 12 officers to cover “taxi licensing, environmental health and trading standards”, and two more officers were due to be appointed this week.

Mr Boxall urged anyone with concerns about drivers or vehicles to phone 01904 551525 or email public.protection@york.gov.uk

source: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/1481684 ... ber_clash/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

He won't say that if they nick the station contract.

With lots of out of town vehicles going to York - it kind of makes a joke of this eh?

Thursday, 12th May 2016

Council sets a single, greener taxi licensing policy

City of York Council’s newly approved taxi licensing policy aims to cut pollution from York’s fleet.

The new policy which consolidates all previous taxi licensing decisions into one single formal document, restricts harmful emissions from taxis and private hire vehicles as part of an over-arching strategy to improve air quality in the city.

The council currently licenses183 hackney carriage and 580 private hire vehicles, this fleet of 763 vehicles has a significant impact on air quality in the city. So, York’s new policy focuses on requiring the purchase of replacement vehicles which meet certain emission standards. These will help cut levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulates in the city’s air that can damage health, as well as cutting down on carbon dioxide, a ‘greenhouse gas’ which has an environmental impact.

Vehicles applying to be licensed as taxis must meet European Standards known as minimum Euro 5 for petrol*,  Euro 6 for diesel*, or ultra low emission vehicles from 1 June 2017 for replacement hackney carriage vehicles, and from 1 November 2017 for replacement private hire vehicles.

Currently one in ten York taxis are a hybrid or electric taxi due to City of York Council establishing the UK’s first low emission taxi incentive scheme to encourage uptake and embed knowledge and confidence in these vehicles.

Following an eight-week consultation and representations from taxi and private hire operators, an amendment was made to the policy to reflect that the choice and costs of buying wheelchair-accessible vehicles is relatively limited.

Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “I welcome the support from local taxi drivers, and our NHS partners, for a taxi licensing policy which will cut emissions, and improve air quality. Yet again York is at the forefront of policies to reduce pollution, protect health and improve the environment.”

Cllr Ian Gillies, Executive Member for Transport and Planning, said: “With 763 licensed vehicles on York’s roads it’s important to provide a safe and reliable service. Encouraging the trade to invest in modern, lower-emission vehicles should help running costs as well as creating an even more pleasant atmosphere in the city.”

Brian Golding, Director of Estates and Facilities at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Trust recognises the health impact that poor air quality has in urban areas and so supports and encourages the work that City of York Council is developing as part of its commitment to sustainability and clear air through its taxi policy. This is something which we are also hoping to encourage through the Trust’s own use of taxis in future contracts.”

Any taxi driver about to replace or renew their vehicle and who has any queries can contact taxi.licensing@york.gov.uk or visit http://www.york.gov.uk/info/20169/busin ... e_licences

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

What about all the private cars,buses,coaches and HGV vehicles that enter York,pick on the easy prey and load more costs onto the trade unnecessarily.