Row brewing as cabbies angered at planned rule changeA ROW is brewing between cabbies and licensing chiefs over a planned U-turn on rules governing the age and mileage of Neath Port Talbot's taxis.
The council's proposal to lift the rules — adopted in September last year — which stipulate that taxis and private hire vehicles must be under five years old and have clocked up less than 75,000 miles has been branded as "pathetic" by some, who argue the move would be unfair.
Neath Port Talbot Council's registration and licensing committee will come to a decision on the policy change when it meets on Tuesday, but angered taxi bosses have voiced anger during the plan's consultation period which ended in August.
Mike Davies, of Dial a Dap taxis in Port Talbot said he would be seeking legal advice if the measures are adopted.
In consultation responses added to the meeting's agenda he said: "If you change policy are you going to compensate the drivers who have upgraded cars to adhere to the existing policy?" He added: "Policy is put in place to be followed not challenged."
Another driver, Gary Irwin, responded by saying: "What is the point of a licensing committee who approve policies, only to override them when it suits themselves? Pathetic."
The report argues that the council has adopted the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire National Inspection Standards and nine of the 12 consultation respondents were in favour of the move.
It adds: "The proposal to remove the age and mileage restriction from the policy will mean that the mechanical and physical condition of each vehicle will be assessed on its own merits and where the vehicle is capable of passing the council's inspection, it will be deemed suitable for licensing."
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