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| Wigan hackney drivers not happy with compulsory WAVs http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41217 |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Wigan hackney drivers not happy with compulsory WAVs |
Wigan drivers up in arms over plan for all taxis to be wheelchair accessible https://www.wigantoday.net/news/transpo ... le-5001544 Wigan taxi drivers are campaigning against new rules which state all hackney carriages have to be wheelchair accessible. They fear the requirement will be costly for drivers and could see them switching to private hire or operating in other local authorities. They are calling on Wigan Council to instead accept a mixed fleet of vehicles. David Lawrie, director of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, said there was “no justification” for every hackney carriage to be wheelchair accessible. He said: “There are a number of problems with wheelchair accessible vehicles. They are expensive to buy, especially with local authorities pushing towards electric or hybrid vehicles – you are looking at £100,000. "Ninety per cent of disabled people can’t get in them because they are too high, so you are actually discriminating against people with disabilities.” Mr Lawrie said drivers may switch to private hire vehicles or work in other areas, rather than spend so much money on a car. He says he had a wheelchair accessible vehicle for four years, but it was only used eight times to transport people using a wheelchair. Mr Lawrie launched a petition against the change, which has been signed by more than 400 people. He said: “The petition is to maintain a mixed fleet. We are not saying don’t have any, we are simply saying there should be a mixed fleet policy.” Charles Oakes, from the Hackney Drivers and Private Hire Association, said: “There is a petition by drivers and members of the public in Wigan because we believe it’s a backwards step. It’s a step which drivers will not be able to afford and it will see the end of hackney carriages all over the country.” He believes passengers who cannot get into wheelchair accessible vehicles will switch to private hire, so the drivers will lose trade. Julie Middlehurst, Wigan Council’s assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services, said: “Wigan Council has joined all Greater Manchester authorities in committing to making all hackney carriage vehicles wheelchair accessible. “Many wheelchair users rely on public transport and it’s important our local transport network is accessible, welcoming and fair. “Residents shouldn’t have to be forced to wait at a taxi rank for a wheelchair accessible vehicle to come along, just because they have a disability.” |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wigan hackney drivers not happy with compulsory WAVs |
Quote: He said: “The petition is to maintain a mixed fleet. We are not saying don’t have any, we are simply saying there should be a mixed fleet policy.” But who decides who has to buy a new £60-100,000 motor, and who can buy a new £18-25,000 motor? |
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| Author: | rashid [ Sun Feb 23, 2025 2:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wigan hackney drivers not happy with compulsory WAVs |
Sussex wrote: Quote: He said: “The petition is to maintain a mixed fleet. We are not saying don’t have any, we are simply saying there should be a mixed fleet policy.” But who decides who has to buy a new £60-100,000 motor, and who can buy a new £18-25,000 motor? If their is a limit in place & they don’t accept Wav demand by Date then council will remove the limit & give New additional plate for WAV That’s what’s been happening most towns City’s around the country Same what happened in MK around 20 years ago We had 70 saloon plates with around 7-8 WAV plates then council decided on 100% WAV drivers disagreed protested, Signed petitions etc but then after a few years of this council decided to Allow the Saloon plates (Grandfather Rights) & started to give out new plates to WAV The plate numbered plumbed to nearly 300 until a limit was Replaced in 2014 & Since then especially WAV plate when vehicle expires 90% hand back their plate just around 210 Plates currently to date |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wigan hackney drivers not happy with compulsory WAVs |
I get councils wanting more WAVs available, thus issuing more WAV-only plates. What I don't get is a driver, or drivers, saying I'm ok with my £15,000 saloon, but you must buy a £60-100,000 WAV. How would you or anyone feel if half the trade had to buy fuel at £2.50 a litre, and/or pay £5,000 a year for insurance, whilst the other half didn't? I would imagine there will be an outcry, yet large chunks of the trade feel it ok to say likewise when it comes to vehicle costs. |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wigan hackney drivers not happy with compulsory WAVs |
I think it's time for a serious discussion about wether wheelchair transport provision should be a burden on the trade or should be provided by councils. |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Mon Feb 24, 2025 9:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wigan hackney drivers not happy with compulsory WAVs |
edders23 wrote: I think it's time for a serious discussion about wether wheelchair transport provision should be a burden on the trade or should be provided by councils. I agree, and if all of a sudden it was down to the authorities to fund WAV work, it would soon go down their list of priorities. |
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