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Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Euro 6
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Author:  StuartW [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Euro 6
New rules blamed for dramatic slump in number of taxis on Shropshire roads

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/tra ... ire-roads/

The number of taxis on county roads are declining because drivers can no longer afford to keep up with regulations imposed by Shropshire Council, it has been claimed today.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed the number of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles licensed in Shropshire over the last five years has fallen drastically.

The figures from the authority showed 1,295 private hire vehicles were licensed in Shropshire Council in 2014/15 compared to just 798 in 2018/19.

The council licensed 254 hackneys in 2014/15 and only 147 in 2018/19.

Drivers have said the rules enforced by Shropshire Council are making taxi driving financially unviable.

But Tim Higgins, owner of Higgins Taxis in Oswestry, said the proposals, which include introducing Euro 6 cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles for all hackneys by 2021, would kill the trade.

He said it will force drivers to either license in neighbouring authorities where the rules are not as stringent, or give up all together because they cannot afford a new car.

"Everywhere else in the country there is a growth in the taxi industry year on year," Mr Higgins said.

Purchasing

"But in Shropshire there has been a rapid decline since 2011. The biggest issue is the strict emissions policy."

Mr Higgins, who has been in the business for 30 years, said under the plans, anyone applying for a new license or renewing one will have to have a Euro 6 car which is a 2016 plate or newer.

"The problem is many drivers have still not recuperated the cost in purchasing the vehicle they had to when the council made everyone buy a Euro 6 car.

"The council is really not considering the impact it is going to have on Shropshire taxi drivers."

Nick Cox, of Oswestry Cabs, said he will be hit because, as a hackney driver the proposals mean he will have to purchase a wheelchair-friendly car.

He said he has spent £50,000 in the last three years on his two cars and cannot afford to buy new vehicles.

The Strategic Licensing Committee will discuss the plans on Wednesday at Shirehall.
Author:  StuartW [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Eu
Quote:
The figures from the authority showed 1,295 private hire vehicles were licensed in Shropshire Council in 2014/15 compared to just 798 in 2018/19.

The council licensed 254 hackneys in 2014/15 and only 147 in 2018/19.


Certainly massive drop in numbers here, but isn't Shropshire one of those areas particularly affected by influx of cars plated in Wolverhampton and elsewhere?

So although figures do suggest huge drop in numbers, it doesn't mean that the amount of cars working in the area will have dropped by the same amount - it just means they'll be licensed elsewhere. In fact, the amount of cars actually working in Shropshire may actually have increased, but no way of knowing for sure.

Quote:
"But in Shropshire there has been a rapid decline since 2011. The biggest issue is the strict emissions policy."

Mr Higgins, who has been in the business for 30 years, said under the plans, anyone applying for a new license or renewing one will have to have a Euro 6 car which is a 2016 plate or newer.

"The problem is many drivers have still not recuperated the cost in purchasing the vehicle they had to when the council made everyone buy a Euro 6 car.


Another confusing aspect of the article. Its says cabs have to be Euro 6 from 2021, which hardly explains a numbers decline from 2011. And it then says that drivers have already been *made* to purchase a Euro 6. Of course, some may have purchased a Euro 6 in anticipation of the new rules, but whole thing seems to need more analysis and explanation [-(
Author:  StuartW [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Eu
Quote:
Mr Higgins, who has been in the business for 30 years, said under the plans, anyone applying for a new license or renewing one will have to have a Euro 6 car which is a 2016 plate or newer.


Pretty sure there are Euro 6 cars on 2014 plate or even older?

Maybe he just means that *all* cars manufactured by 2016 had to be Euro 6, but a tad misleading to imply that there aren't cars older than 2016 that meet the Euro 6 criteria.
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 10:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Eu
Think it is the WAV requirement more than the Euro VI to be honest.
Author:  StuartW [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Eu
Chris the Fish wrote:
Think it is the WAV requirement more than the Euro VI to be honest.


Yes, you're probably right as regards HCs, but article seemed to brush over the WAV bit, and again the precise policy isn't clear from the article, so difficult to assess the precise implications.

And numerically the PH angle a lot more significant, thus presumably only the Euro 6 requirement is a factor here rather than the WAV element.
Author:  edders23 [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Eu
before Wolverhampton; Shropshire was the council of choice for Brum PH drivers so figures a few years ago are inflated by that !!
Author:  Sussex [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Eu
Quote:
The number of taxis on county roads are declining because drivers can no longer afford to keep up with regulations imposed by Shropshire Council, it has been claimed today.

Can no longer afford, or can no longer be bothered, and have gone to the next bottom of the barrel council?
Author:  Sussex [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shropshire trade claims rapid slump in numbers due to Eu
Quote:
The biggest issue is the strict emissions policy

I don't think so? :---)
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