Taxi users asked for views on new vehicles Members of the public are being invited to test new vehicles which may be used as taxis in Manchester.
The vehicles will be available for taxi users during a ‘sit in’ event on Albert Square in the city centre from 10.30am-2.30pm on Wednesday February 20.
Previously, only London style black cabs or the Mercedes Vito could be licensed to be used as hackney carriages, but Manchester City Council started a review of the policy at the end of last year.
A 12 week consultation is currently being held as part of the review, seeking the views of people including cab drivers and owners as well as members of the public.
Taxi users, including disabled people, are being invited to try out several different vehicles, during the sit-in event.
The City Council’s Licensing and Appeals Committee is expected to make a decision about any new vehicles later in the year.
Interim measures are in place while the review is being carried out and any applications to license new vehicles will be considered on their own merits.
Cllr Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “Hackney carriages are an important means of getting around Manchester, transporting thousands of residents and visitors around the city, and it’s important we get this right and make sure our high standards, particularly regarding disabled access to these vehicles, are maintained.
“We’re holding this event to enable members of the public to see different vehicles for themselves and give us their views about whether they are of a good enough quality to be used as hackney carriages in Manchester.”
For more information about the consultation visit:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/HCVpolicyreviewsource:
http://manchestergazette.co.uk/archives/12499