Taxi Driver Online

Not sure if this is anything particularly new, or particularly significant in the grand scheme of things. It's all very messy


Glasgow taxi drivers without retrofit option given temporary Low Emission Zone exemption

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/230 ... exemption/

Taxi operators in Glasgow who do not have access to funded retrofit solutions to meet Low Emission Zone (LEZ) requirements will be given extra time to prepare, Glasgow City Council has confirmed.

It comes after the proposal was approved by the council's City Administration Committee on Thursday.

The plan to grant a ‘time-limited exemption’ of one year to operators under these circumstances would see enforcement of the emission standards required by Glasgow’s LEZ deferred until June 1, 2024.

The temporary exemption reflects that without the availability of retrofit (an option largely funded by a Transport Scotland grant) some taxi operators face additional costs to meet the emission standards required to operate in Glasgow beyond the LEZ enforcement date of June 1, 2023.

Operators who are eligible for funding support, must meet LEZ emission standards by the time of general enforcement as will all other vehicles driving into the zone.

However, should issues arise over grant funding availability and/or retrofitting capacity, the council has previously guaranteed operators a short-term exemption so long as an application for funding has been made prior to 31 October 2022.

Glasgow City Council said the assurance came in response to sector feedback and has been strengthened by a recent £5 million boost to the LEZ Support Fund following dialogue between the council and the Scottish Government. This has since seen operators’ contribution toward the cost of retrofit, significantly reduced.

Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Transport and Climate, said: “The Low Emission Zone is a vital public health measure to tackle longstanding, illegal levels of air pollution in our city centre.

“Our approach to mitigating the impact of the LEZ on taxi operators is aimed at supporting the transition to LEZ compliance by encouraging the uptake by all eligible operators of increased Scottish Government funding for vehicle retrofit.

"Meanwhile, granting a temporary exemption to taxi operators who cannot access a funded retrofit solution to allow some more time to achieve emission compliance is a balanced and practical way to support the sector ahead of next year’s general enforcement of Glasgow’s LEZ.

“This considered approach balances our resolute determination to tackle the pressing public health issues associated with air quality as quickly as we can, with our desire to mitigate as far as possible the cost to operators to achieve compliance.

“I also very much welcome the additional funding that has been made available through the retrofit element of the LEZ Support Fund, and would again encourage the early uptake of this improved funding support for retrofits by all eligible operators.

"As we head toward LEZ enforcement, we will continue to support the taxi sector in achieving compliance, whether that is through the available retrofit funding, or by granting operators additional time to prepare where they do not have that option open to them.”

Glasgow Unite still clearly unimpressed by it all on Twitter, which suggests the stuff above is mere tokenism:

A couple of pieces on the Glasgow Live site. Nothing particularly new here, but just putting these up for the record. First article is mainly official comms blurb ahead of the council meeting.

The second piece is maybe slightly more interesting. It's basically the SNP/Greens v the Tories/Labour on the trade's side. But looks like Labour too busy politicking to really get on board with the Tories to fight the measure. But maybe Labour are just being realistic and that it wouldn't make much difference anyway because of the SNP/Green majority


Glasgow's Low Emission Zone roll out continues amid warning over taxi impact

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... l-25236861

The next phase of the LEZ will come into effect next year, but there are still concerns that it could 'devastate' the city's taxi trade.

The expansion of Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) next June could have a “devastating” impact on the city's taxi trade, it has been claimed.

Glasgow's LEZ, implemented by the city council, will operate 24 hours a day - all year round in a bid to tackle “stubbornly high” levels of air pollution.

It will affect 226 streets throughout the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the South including Argyle Street, Bath Street, Broomielaw, Buchanan Street, Candleriggs, Duke Street, George Square, High Street, Jamaica Street, Mitchell Lane, New Wynd, Osborne Street, Queen Street, St Enoch Square, Sauchiehall Street, Saltmarket and the Trongate.

A paper updating progress on the plans is being brought before the city administration committee tomorrow - but not all councillors agree with the proposals as meeting the statutory requirements could see large costs inflicted on drivers.

Conservative councillor, Thomas Kerr, said: “The introduction of Low Emission Zones has the potential to be devastating for our taxi trade across the city.

“Drivers and the industry were already hugely damaged by the effects of the pandemic and continued restrictions, yet have less than a year to prepare for this being rolled out.

“Everyone understands the need to reduce emissions, but there has been a typical lack of engagement from the SNP administration with our taxi drivers about the reality of these zones.

“Having met with many of them myself alongside Conservative colleagues, up to 1000 of them could lose their livelihoods.

“The SNP were too slow in getting grants out to our taxi drivers during the pandemic and have failed to outline what support, if any, they will get ahead of the roll-out. That isn’t good enough especially during a cost-of-living crisis and it is time they stepped up to support them.”

All vehicles will be affected by the roll out except for motorcycles and mopeds as well as vehicles for people with a disability.

It’s the second phase of the city council’s mission to reduce air pollution and harmful nitrogen dioxide levels following the introduction of phase one on December 31, 2018 which only applied to buses.

While phase two will be enforced from June 2023, residents will have an extra year to comply meaning enforcement for vehicles registered to a residential property will begin June 2024.

Sustrans, a organisation which promotes the National Cycle Network and traffic free paths, says the LEZ will be a “key step forward” in the reduction of emissions in Scotland’s largest city.

Karen MacGregor, Scotland Director, said: “Sustrans welcomes the expansion of the LEZ in Glasgow. Sustrans Scotland campaigned for the creation of this LEZ along with LEZs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. This development of Glasgow’s LEZ will be a key step forward in the reduction of emissions in Scotland’s largest city.

“LEZs have specific air pollution-related aims, but should be seen as a complementary part of a national movement to reduce the number of private vehicles in town and city centres. LEZs should be implemented alongside measures that support public transport, car-free school streets and the reallocation of road space from private vehicles to walking, cycling and public transport.

“Scotland is facing numerous challenges in the fight against climate change, in particular the target of a 75% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. This makes prioritising transforming town and city centres to promote walking, cycling and public transport an essential action in this net zero transition. Low Emission Zones are an important element of this.”

A spokesman for the Council said: “The Low Emission Zone is an essential measure if Glasgow is to tackle the pollution that has dogged parts of the city centre for decades.

“Poor air quality presents a serious risk to public health and the LEZ will help bring pollution down to acceptable levels.

“Since the LEZ was first agreed in 2017 there has been extensive engagement and dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, including the taxi industry.

“Financial support for drivers wishing to upgrade their vehicle has been available over the past three financial years and there is still time for drivers to access grant assistance.

“The City Administration Committee is also due to consider a proposal that will grant a one year exemption for the minority of drivers who can’t for whatever reason access funding linked to LEZ scheme.”

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate and Transport said the LEZ was vital in tackling "stubbornly high" levels of air pollution.

He added: "Glasgow has made good progress in tackling air pollution in recent years, thanks in no small part to the success of the first stage LEZ roll-out which has substantially improved the emission standards of buses on our city centre streets.

“But we still have stubbornly high levels of harmful air pollution in some parts of the city centre which is why widening the scope of the scheme from next year to include all vehicles is a necessary step to maximise the health and environmental benefits that can be delivered. Air pollution is linked to an array of health impacts, and improved air quality benefits all users of Glasgow city centre.

"We will continue to raise awareness and understanding of Glasgow's LEZ ahead of full enforcement as well as encourage and support compliance through a range of initiatives and projects, including those that encourage a switch to active and more sustainable forms of travel and reduced reliance on private cars."

Official LEZ signage will be installed on city streets and the M8 motorway by December. Failure to comply could result in a £60 fine.

Letters have already been issued to zone residents and a further reminder will be sent out shortly.

A full list of the streets impacted by the change can be found here https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler ... =53703&p=0

Glasgow plea for extra taxi funding as LEZ roll out dates confirmed

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/profile/g ... g-25256304

A bid to push the start of enforcement for the city's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) back by a year was defeated, but councillors will ask the Scottish Government to provide more help for taxi drivers.

A plea for more funding to support taxi operators across Glasgow will be issued to the Scottish Government before the low emission zone (LEZ) is introduced.

Despite a bid to push back the start of the LEZ by a year, members of the city administration committee agreed on Thursday to push ahead as planned and implement the measures from next June.

The restrictions will be in place 24 hours a day, all year round, to try and tackle the high levels of air pollution Glasgow faces.

The LEZ will affect 226 streets throughout the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the South including Argyle Street, Bath Street, Broomielaw, Buchanan Street, Candleriggs, Duke Street, George Square, High Street, Jamaica Street, Mitchell Lane, New Wynd, Osborne Street, Queen Street, St Enoch Square, Sauchiehall Street, Saltmarket and the Trongate.

Residents will have an extra year to comply with the new rules meaning enforcement for vehicles registered to a residential property will begin June 2024.

But concerns have been raised by both Labour and Conservative members about how this will impact the taxi trade, with drivers having to spend vast amounts of money on retrofit devices to make sure their vehicles comply with the statutory requirements by next June.

Glasgow’s conservative group wanted to delay the introduction of the LEZ by a year for non-residential vehicles in line with other Scottish cities, while Labour asked the administration to write to the Scottish Government to request more funding to support the taxi trade.

Labour initially said they would be supporting the amendment from Conservative councillor Thomas Kerr alongside their own planned amendment which called for more support to be given to taxi drivers and the industry, but stopped short of calling for a further delay.

Following the meeting councillor Kerr said this lack of an agreed position on Low Emission Zones is an “insult” to taxi drivers who are fearing the loss of their livelihood.

He said: “Labour are all over the place when it comes to the introduction of Low Emission Zones in Glasgow.

“Their lack of decision making at this committee meeting was nothing short of a shambles. They appeared happy to back my plans for a further delay to the introduction of the policy next year, only to then decide they couldn’t.

“Our hard working taxi drivers deserve better than that. They are worried about what this will mean for their livelihoods which is particularly pertinent during the cost-of-living crisis.

“Labour backed an adequate transition period in their council election manifesto but now can’t even define what that would be.

“I’ve been proud to stand up for and engage with taxi drivers across the city since this policy was first mooted and I was proud to do so again today through my amendment.

“I will always be on their side and look to safeguard their future as much as possible if this policy does come into force next June. The onus is on Labour now to urgently clarify if they are in any way still on the side of taxi drivers after their mixed messaging at this meeting.”

Leader of the Labour group, councillor George Redmond, responded: “Labour could have made the easy choice today and simply dug in our heels for a proposal that we knew would not succeed.

“There were not enough votes in the room. Instead of playing games like the Tories, we made the choice to be realistic, win support and get what support we could for taxi drivers.”

Brass neck of these people. Glasgow Greens hellbent on taking the HC trade out at the knees, while a Glasgow Green councillor moaning here that hospitality venues not paying for taxis for staff to get them home safely in the early hours


Bar and club staff in Scotland 'should get free transport home from work' if finishing late

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/poli ... d-28232061

The Scottish Greens will vote on the motion this weekend at their party conference in Dundee.

Hospitality staff working late-night shifts should be offered free transport home, the Scottish Greens conference will be told.

Party members will be asked to support a motion this weekend calling for licensed venues to place more emphasis on worker safety.

Trade union Unite has long campaigned for employers to accept a duty of care for their employees travelling home at unsocial hours.

Some workplaces already book taxis for staff who finish in the early hours of the morning but it is not a mandatory requirement in law.

Unite and the Greens' trade union group will propose the motion at the conference in Dundee, which starts tomorrow.

Dan Hutchison, a councillor on Glasgow City Council, said: "Assault, threatening behaviour and dangerous routes home are all too common for workers in hospitality.

"Every shift staff are left wondering whether they will be forced to walk home in the dark if they’ve not made enough tips to pay for a taxi, or whether they’ll make it home safely at all.

"Employers and governments across Scotland must play their part in preventing this cycle of anxiety for staff, and this motion would ensure that many of the barriers to a safe working environment for those working late can be brought to an end.

"Unite’s excellent work in improving safety measures on public transport and taking the burden for paying for safe travel away from workers could be transformative to the thousands working in late night bars and clubs.

"Scottish Greens must make clear our unwavering support for workers in the hospitality sector by backing this motion and making our towns and cities safer for everyone in them."

Caitlin Lee, a member of Unite's hospitality group, is supporting the motion after previously being the victim of sexual assault while walking home from a late-night shift at a Glasgow hotel.

She said: "I don’t want what happened to me to happen to any other worker, which is why we launched Get Me Home Safely. For this campaign to succeed we need buy-in from employers, workers and politicians.

"Support from the Scottish Greens Conference this weekend would send an unequivocal message through the Scottish Government that employers have a clear duty of care obligation to protect their workers by providing transport home after the last bus or train.

"As a party of government the Scottish Greens should support using every lever available to them to ensure workers no longer have to put themselves in danger just to get home from work."

Greens never make sense.

Learnt that from many years of Green councillors down here.

Nice people in all fairness, but clueless about business.

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IDFIMH

Nothing particularly new here, but interesting that the SNP's licensing chair is casting doubt on the LEZ implementation timetable (highlighted).

Other than that, it's the usual spiel from the eco-zealots in response


Glasgow taxis facing 'a number of challenges' over Low Emission Zone

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... r-25599805

The new rules started on May 31 but enforcement won't be carried out until June 1 next year. Taxi reps have warned it could force drivers off the road.

Glasgow’s SNP licensing chief has said it “may have been more suitable” to give taxi and private hire drivers more time to comply with Low Emission Zone [LEZ] rules.

Cllr Alex Wilson, who chairs the city’s licensing committee, said he understands drivers are facing a “number of challenges” regarding the LEZ.

The second phase of the zone, which applies to all vehicles, began on May 31 but enforcement won’t start until June 1 next year. It has been rolled out in a bid to tackle pollution in the city centre.

Taxi and private hire drivers have repeatedly called for more time and financial support to upgrade their vehicles. Union representatives have said the LEZ roll-out could force hundreds of drivers off the road.

Last month, the council’s city administration committee agreed a ‘time-limited exemption’ for taxi operators who do not have access to funded retrofit solutions. It means drivers without funding support will be exempt from enforcement of the emission standards required by the LEZ until June 1, 2024.

The committee noted that taxi operators and the council/Scottish Government agencies continued “to differ on the capacity to perform the necessary retrofit”.

After the meeting, Cllr Angus Millar, SNP, the city’s transport and climate convener, said the LEZ is a “vital public health measure”

He said the council was taking a “considered approach” which balances “our resolute determination to tackle the public health issues associated with air quality as quickly as we can, with our desire to mitigate as far as possible the cost to operators to achieve compliance.”

However, concerns over the impact on the taxi trade were raised by both Labour and Conservative councillors. The Conservative group wanted to delay enforcement by another year while Labour said more funding should be made available by the Scottish Government.

Now, the SNP’s licensing convener has said: “In terms of the LEZ and when it comes in, we do understand there are a number of challenges that are faced by our drivers out there.

“I’m pleased that for vehicles that cannot meet the standards, they are given an extra year, a longer period may have been more suitable but that’s down to the CAC committee [City Administration].”

Cllr Wilson was speaking as the licensing committee agreed to amend its policy on the licensing of taxi and private hire car vehicles in relation to the LEZ.

It updated the policy to reflect the roll-out had been delayed due to covid and the city administration committee’s decision on time-limited exemptions. The required emissions standards are: Euro IV for petrol vehicles and Euro VI for diesel vehicles.

A council spokesperson said: “Although we’ve made good progress in recent years to improve Glasgow’s air quality, some of our city centre streets continue to have stubbornly high levels of harmful air pollution, which is why restricting access to the most polluting vehicles from next year is vital to protect public health.

“Granting a time-limited exemption of one year for taxi operators who are not eligible for Scottish Government vehicle retrofit funding to meet the emission requirements, represents a balanced and practical way to support the trade ahead of next year's general enforcement of Glasgow's LEZ.

“LEZ legislation restricts time-limited exemptions to a maximum of one year.

"This considered approach balances our resolute determination to tackle the pressing public health issues associated with air quality as quickly as we can, with our desire to mitigate as far as possible the cost to operators to achieve compliance.”