Taxi Driver Online

Well this looks like potentially more of a screeching handbrake turn than just a U-turn

And this seems to be only about HCs.

And as well as the age and emissions stuff, the list of potential vehicles at the bottom look like it's about a wider relaxation of spec, but it's not specifically clear without looking at the details - turning circle, maybe?


Council set to u-turn on taxi emission rules and allow vehicles over 15 years old

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/ ... i-32153648

Tighter taxi emission rules may be put on ice and an age limit on cars could be scrapped

A rule forcing new and replacement taxis in Coventry to be capable of zero emissions could be put on ice over fears that it would seriously reduce the number of vehicles available for hire. Further changes could mean that a 15-year age restriction on cars is abolished and the list of suitable vehicles could be rewritten to allow drivers to choose from more manufacturers - Ansty-based LEVC is currently one of just three on the list.

The changes were agreed at the latest cabinet member for city services meeting at Coventry City Council. They will now be subject to an eight-week public consultation starting from August 8. With regard to the emissions policy, it is proposed that the deadline for changes be put back to the start of 2030. The scrapping of the 15-year-old limit on cars would be in place from next January.

Debbie Cahalin-Heath, strategic manager within the council's regulatory services, told the meeting: "Should the proposed amendment to the policy in respect of vehicle emissions not be approved, over 400 vehicles would be required to be replaced by the taxi licensing trade. The operating fleet would be seriously reduced and that would have an impact on the vehicles able to undertake school contracts within Coventry and Warwickshire as a lot of the licensed hackney carriage vehicle fleet is contracted to do such work.

"There would also be a reduction in the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles because currently only hackney carriage vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Extending the policy also allows sufficient time for the trade to prepare and we have done this in conjunction with the climate change team."

In her report which was considered at the meeting, she added that drivers had suffered significant commercial loss from the Covid pandemic, the cost of living crisis and due to the availability of vehicles licensed outside of the Coventry boundary. The report also stated that the DfT's best practice guidelines strongly suggested that the imposition of arbitrary vehicle age limits may be inappropriate and counter-productive, recommending that local authorities focus on condition and standards, including roadworthiness and emissions.

Among the models of vehicle which could be added to the list are ones from Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Peugeot and Volkswagen. Mercedes and Nissan are already included along with LEVC, maker of the traditional and iconic black cab.

In time it will get through to all those councils that operate a mandatory WAV hackney fleet that the vast majority of drivers can't afford to purchase new WAVs.

Some already get it, and it appears Coventry is one of those, but too many councils are sticking their heads in the sand and hoping the fairies are going to solve their lack of WAV problems.

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IDFIMH