Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver: 'Bristol needs environmentally-friendly cabs'


Tim LLoyd, the former chairman of the Bristol branch of the National Taxi Association, said that rules and regulations are preventing drivers from investing in cleaner, hybrid vehicles.

A taxi driver has slammed Bristol City Council for failing to prioritise environmentally-friendly cars.

Hundreds of the Bristol blue Hackney carriages trundle in and out of the city centre every day, giving off emissions which impact on air quality.

And Tim LLoyd, the former chairman of the Bristol branch of the National Taxi Association, said that rules and regulations are preventing drivers from investing in cleaner, hybrid vehicles.

The 54-year-old said: "We are European Green Capital this year and we should be concerned about air quality.

"There have been issues regarding local emissions around the city.

"We are missing an opportunity with taxis."

Bristol City Council has decided that their entire fleet of blue Hackney carriages must be wheelchair accessible.

Government guidelines state that only 30 per cent of fleets must fit this requirement, but in Bristol, it has been expanded to include every taxi in service.

Tim said: "Having a wheelchair-accessible van means they must be large vehicles, usually run on diesel.

"Currently, we are upgrading the fleet to make sure they meet European requirements, so now would be a perfect time to review policies and make it easier to have hybrid vehicles."

Tim suggested that 30 per cent of the fleet become diesel-run, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, allowing the rest to be smaller, hybrid cars.

He said: "We'll be stick with these new cars for ten years so it is important to consider air quality now."

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: "After working with a number of groups in the city, the council took the policy decision to make all of our Hackney Carriages wheelchair accessible to make sure that everyone in the city has equal access to our fleet.

"This does mean that the vehicles need to be larger than a normal family saloon.

"Bristol City Council's taxi policy does not prescribe the type of fuel either private hire or hackney carriages vehicles must use.

"Such a policy would unnecessarily restrict choice at a time when technological advances in engine technology is changing at a rapid rate."


Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Taxi-drive ... z3ow8TpW55

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

But who would have to pay £30,000 + for a motor.

And who would have to pay £15,000?

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