Fears that a 'crisis' is facing Edinburgh's taxi trade over policy to outlaw older cabs
https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/ed ... i-15722160
Cab drivers in Edinburgh are set to unionise for the first time over proposals which a union says could cost the trade almost £30 million
Image: Edinburgh Live
Around 200 Edinburgh taxi drivers met to discuss controversial proposals which would force firms replace all black cabs which are more than 10-years-old.
Union Unite Scotland say that a "crisis" is facing the trade in Edinburgh as an estimated £28.3 million investment would be required to meet this demand.
The measure is being introduced by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of their Taxi and Private Hire Cars Age Limitation and Emission Standards policy.
The aim is to improve emissions standards in the city.
However Unite say that firms are being forced to fork out up to £60,000 or face being "forced off the road".
And it is one of a number of reasons cab drivers are looking to create a new union branch in the capital – the first time this has happened.
Mark Lyon, the union's regional industrial officer, also said that drivers in the city were growing frustrated at growing instances of 'pirate' taxi drivers.
He said: "There is a crisis facing the taxi trade in Edinburgh. The meeting involving Unite Scotland was very positive and attended by hundreds across the different sectors in the trade.
"A number of key issues were discussed such as illegal plying for hire, no dedicated inspectors to deter pirating, and the massive costs associated with the city council's emissions policy.
"As such the drivers present resolved to work together by creating a new Unite branch, to initiate an organising campaign to put pressure on the relevant authorities and to drive up standards."
Mr Lyon was present at last night's meeting at the taxi drivers' club in Bonnington, told Edinburgh Live: "It was an emotional meeting. The room was packed out and there was standing room only.
"All the major taxi companies in the city were involved, and people are really upset over what is going on"
A spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Council said: "Licensing Sub-Committee Convener, Councillor Catherine Fullerton, said: “Air pollution is a real concern in Edinburgh and in cities around the country, and this is something the council is working to address through a range of measures, including plans to introduce a Low Emission Zone.
“In March 2018 Regulatory Committee agreed to introduce an age limit and emission standards for all taxis and private hire cars, with a view to reducing the number of polluting vehicles on our roads and bringing Edinburgh in line with most other cities in the UK, where age limits have been introduced to licensed taxi fleets.
“There has been extensive public consultation and detailed dialogue with the taxi trade going back to June 2016, during which time representatives of taxi businesses raised a number of concerns.
"These were reflected in changes made by the Licensing Sub-Committee and include setting out a 10 year instead of five year age limit originally proposed as well as extending the life of taxis which are converted to less polluting engines.”
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