Taxi Driver Online

Protests look to have ended council’s bid to force cars over five years old off the road

Authority expected to backtrack over taxi age limits

Council bosses are expected to perform a U-turn on controversial plans to impose strict age limits on taxis operating throughout Aberdeenshire.

It follows scores of complaints from furious local businesses, who claimed their livelihoods would be at risk if the proposal went ahead.

Aberdeenshire Council is considering forcing most taxis which are older than five years off the road.

The local authority said action was needed because too many taxi and private- hire vehicles were failing their road tests.

However, The Press and Journal understands that the proposal will soon be dropped after a tide of protest from local operators.

They argued that many companies, which were already under pressure from rising fuel costs, could not afford to replace their fleets.

Last night, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of legal services Karen Wiles stressed that the suggestion was only a proposal.

“There has never been a commitment from the council to force operators to replace vehicles over five years old,” she said.

“The suggestion was put forward to get the trade’s views, on the basis that a higher proportion of vehicles of that age are failing MOT tests at centres in Aberdeenshire.”

She said: “We realise, as it seems does the trade, that there are alternative ways to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles which are not so financially onerous.”

Stewart Wight, owner of Safe Drive taxis at Laurencekirk, said: “We are open to any suggestions from the council about how to improve the way services operate, but these suggestions have to be well thought through and make sense. This one clearly wasn't.”

The five-year ban would only affect taxis which were not wheelchair accessible.

The consultation, which will be raised with councillors in the coming weeks, includes a proposed revision in taxi fares, an increase in operators’ fees and a system requiring taxis to display their vehicle insurance details.

The law requires the council to undertake a fares review every 18 months, but in Aberdeenshire – at the request of the taxi trade – it is done every year.

All licensed taxis are inspected by the council every six months.



source: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/

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

5 years?

Thats a bit harsh.