Eco backing for Smart "private-hire" idea
Peterborough City Council chiefs plan to slash red tape to allow a one passenger-only 'private-hire vehicle' to operate in the city.
The move comes after bosses of Green Leaf Cars, in Lynch Wood, Peterborough, applied to have their environmentally-friendly Smart Cars – which carry only a driver and one passenger – licensed to be used as private hire vehicles in Peterborough.
The eco-friendly firm, which has been operating in the city for a month using a hybrid Toyota Prius, hopes to attract passengers to the smaller 'private-hire vehicles' by being able to introduce a smaller fare.
But before they can take to the road, Peterborough City Council will have to change licensing regulations to allow the Smart Fortwo to be used as a 'private-hire vehicle'.
Current regulations say a private hire vehicle should have five doors and an engine size of 1300cc, while the Smart has just 799cc. However, it will travel about 85 miles on a gallon of fuel and has carbon dioxide emissions of only 87 grams per kilometre
The application would see the Smart used for single passenger journeys only, but there would be enough room in the car for luggage or a wheelchair.
Tod Howard, owner of the firm, said he hoped the cars would be on the road by the end of the summer.
Mr Howard said: “We are the first company to run a hybrid vehicle in Peterborough, and we will be the first to run a Smart if we are successful in our application.
“Because of the cheaper running and purchase costs, fares could be reduced by up to 20 per cent.
“We have had a great reaction from people since introducing the Prius, and we are sure the Smart will get a similar reaction.
“We have chosen Peterborough because of its environmental capital aspirations.
“We work very hard to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We were looking at possibly using electric vehicles in our fleet, but there are not enough charging points available.
“Often you see dozens of 'taxis' waiting in the city, and it is not very green – we hope that in the future more firms will switch to cars like a Smart.”
Ian Robinson, the city council’s enforcement regulatory officer, said: “Statistics from the National Travel Survey suggest that depending on the time or day, around 40 per cent of all taxi and private hire journeys involve a single passenger.
“Using a Smart car for these single passenger journeys is better for the environment than a larger vehicle, and supports our ambition to be as clean and green as possible in every aspect of our work.”
Kim Coley, green business officer at Peterborough Environment City Trust, said: “Green Leaf Cars, which is working towards top level green accreditation, is doing everything possible to be the greenest private hire company in Peterborough.
“It drives some of the greenest vehicles on the market and does not use paper in the office. Being the greenest private hire company in Peterborough is an amazing statement for Green Leaf to make. Its businesses like these that will build a great reputation for themselves and be promoted throughout the city.”
People are being invited to comment on the proposed change in licensing requirements.
Comments should be made in writing to the Taxi Enforcement Office, The Bungalow, Bridge House, Peterborough, PE1 1HU, by July 31.
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/
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