Taxi Driver Online

This letter has drivers fearing Newcastle is set to introduce a 'congestion charge'

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... t-15508043

Newcastle City Council say nothing is decided yet, but drivers of vehicles which aren't eco-friendly could have to pay every day under idea mentioned by council


Image: Newcastle Chronicle

A 'fresh air tax' could see anyone driving older cars potentially charged thousands each year to drive in Newcastle City Centre.

Newcastle City Council is being forced to consider ways of cutting pollution.

But taxi drivers have received letters warning they may face a daily 'congestion charge' if their vehicle isn't eco-friendly.

One's accused the authority of "shafting" drivers. The authority say measures are needed to improve public health.

Other cities have proposed charging up to £12.50 a day to drive in pollution hotspots.

But one driver fears the mooted charge would hit already struggling taxi drivers even more.

"Once again Newcastle City Council is shafting private hire and Hackney drivers, forcing us to replace our vehicles at our own cost or pay a massive daily charge," said Noda's Gareth Horsley.

"(That's) after they doubled the amount of private hire drivers by dropping the locality test a few years ago."

A council letter seen by ChronicleLive states the council has "not determined" if a charge is actually needed - or how much it would be.

But one driver fears the mooted charge would hit already struggling taxi drivers even more.

"Once again Newcastle City Council is shafting private hire and Hackney drivers, forcing us to replace our vehicles at our own cost or pay a massive daily charge," said Noda's Gareth Horsley.

"(That's) after they doubled the amount of private hire drivers by dropping the locality test a few years ago."


Image: Newcastle Chronicle

A council letter seen by ChronicleLive states the council has "not determined" if a charge is actually needed - or how much it would be.

Leeds, Sheffield and Southampton have already released plans to charge Hackney cabs, and one driver fears it could cost them a fortune.

The letter does state however that: "Charging clean air zones target only the most polluting vehicles."

However other drivers told ChronicleLive such a toll would mean shops "suffer the most".

"The council has spent several years making congestion on our city’s roads worse which is one of the major factors contributing to pollution and bad air quality," added taxi driver Daz Proctor.

"Reducing road space by building new cycle lanes and bus only lanes, replacing roundabouts with traffic lights as well as traffic calming measures (traffic congestion measures) throughout the whole of Newcastle that have made commuting around Newcastle at peak times and weekends virtually impossible.

"I personally haven’t worked a weekend night shift since the changes made to the Central Station part of the city due to spending more time sitting in traffic.

"The council removing the locality test and handing out taxi licenses and plates irresponsibly has led to a huge increase in private hire vehicles in the city.

"All of these poor decisions have contributed to the rise yet councillors now want residents and taxi drivers to pay for their mistakes."

So nothing about the polluting buses and lorries that enter the city centre on a daily basis, not forgetting the diesel trains pulling in and out of the station.

Hit the Taxi Drivers in the pocket again.

Taxi drivers call for clean air toll plans for Newcastle roads to be scrapped

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... r-15543997

More than 1,000 people have backed by petition against the plans, which councillors argue will help cut pollution levels

More than 1,000 people have backed by petition by taxi drivers to stop a clean air toll being imposed on Newcastle's roads.

The Newcastle Hackney Carriage Drivers Association fears that council bosses are set to impose a charge of up to £12.50 a day for vehicles entering the city centre, in a bid to cut pollution levels.

Drivers say that any such move would force a hike in bus and taxi fares, and have urged resident to "fight against the injustice".

Newcastle, Gateshead, and North Tyneside councils have until December 31 to put forward proposals for tackling emissions in three hotspots - the Central Motorway between the Tyne Bridge and the Swan House roundabout, stretches of the A1 past Swalwell, Whickham and Blaydon, and the Coast Road near Wallsend.

Newcastle City Council's cabinet member for transport has reiterated that no decisions have been made over whether a charging zone is needed, how much would be charged, or which vehicles would affected.

Any alternative plans the councils put forward must be as quick and effective in addressing the pollution problem as a charging zone, which would only target the most-polluting vehicles - likely to include taxis - and not newer cars.

A change.org petition, started by Hackney Carriage driver John Hirst after the council wrote to all of the city's drivers about the plans, states: "If you enter the city centre by vehicle we have been informed you will pay between £9/ £12.50 per day.

"Bus companies will also be charged for entering the congestion charge area too but this will be at a greater rate. This will mean it's extremely likely there will be an increase in bus fares.

"Taxi and Private Hire vehicles will also pay the congestion charge - drivers who are already struggling to make a living in Newcastle will then be expected to pay a further £350 per month. This cannot be justified and fares will increase. The public will, therefore, pay for the increase in fares.

"Lorries will also be charged at much higher rate. This means an increase in food supplies costs meaning the public pay more."

Mr Hirst added that the taxi and private hire industry "cannot justify paying ridiculous amounts" to purchase new emission-free vehicles.

Coun Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality at Newcastle City Council, said: "At this stage we do not yet know whether we will need to introduce a charging clean air zone, how much it would be or which types of vehicles would be hit by the charges.

"We do know that Government does not expect a potential charge to be implemented before 2021.

"This will cause concern for many private hire and hackney drivers whose vehicles are so closely linked to their livelihood. With that in mind we took the decision to write to every single licensed driver in Newcastle, to make sure they are aware of what Government is making us look at. We will continue to keep private hire and hackney drivers informed.

Will they be contacting all the license holders from other licensing authorities who drop off or pickup passengers on a regular basis,I very much doubt if they will as this is typical Council tick box actions with regard to looking good.

I suggest the trade lobby the council to exempt them and charge non local cars the fees.

Like happens in London.

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IDFIMH