Cabbie says 'crazy' policy will 'put me out of work'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyd655zg5johttps://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/9 ... b.jpg.webpA taxi driver has said he and other private-hire cabbies are being "forced out of business" because their cars fall foul of clean air rules, despite passing emissions tests.John Moreton, 63, from Wigan, will be unable to use his hybrid vehicle beyond 2026, because of a council policy banning cars older than 12-years-old from being used as private-hire taxis.
"This rule will put me out of work and onto benefits, it's crazy", said Moreton.
Wigan Council said its age policy ensured vehicles were "safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable". However, it did say it would give "further consideration" to drivers' concerns.
Moreton said his "pristine" 17-year-old Toyota Prius had passed three separate MOTs in the past 12 months, two of which were requested by Wigan Council.
"To buy a new taxi will cost me between £20-25,000. Would I really want to take on that finance at 63 years old?" he said.
Moreton, who has been a cabbie in Wigan for more than two decades, said he knew of "at least seven or eight drivers" who were in the same position as him.
Wigan Council is one of a number of local authorities in Greater Manchester that have introduced the age-related policy for private-hire vehicles.
However some councils, including Bolton and Stockport have, for the moment, decided to judge vehicles on emissions rather than age.
Moreton described the inconsistency as "ridiculous".
"It means if I sell my car, someone from outside Wigan could buy it, put a taxi licence plate on and then come and work in this area."
Another private-hire driver, who spoke to the BBC anonymously, said they were "frightened of upsetting Wigan Council" if they spoke publicly about the issue.
"I borrowed money to buy a car two years ago, before the 12-year age policy was in place, and now my licence runs out in October," they said.
"It's unfair and pushing drivers out of the taxi business."
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/9 ... f.jpg.webpThe drivers have been supported by Maureen O'Bern, an independent councillor on Wigan Council.
"The rule is clearly unfair and there's no logic to it", said O'Bern.
"The council should be supporting long-standing local drivers, who we know are safe. They're now going to be put of work.
"Yet, people with even older taxis from other areas can come into Wigan and take that business," she added.
David Lawrie, director of the National Private Hire Association, said he "understood the frustration" of drivers affected by the age policy.
However, he said he believed the government would soon introduce a standard age policy across the country.
"The level of variation is getting ridiculous", Lawrie said.
"The idea of this national standard is to level-up so that everyone is working on the same level playing field. There's a strong appetite for it."
Julie Middlehurst, assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services at Wigan Council, said: "An age limit provides a clear, consistent, and enforceable framework for maintaining a high-quality fleet, while also supporting public confidence and ensuring vehicles remain fit for purpose.
"This policy was agreed over four years ago with an appropriate implementation period, however, we will give further consideration to the concerns that drivers are raising with us."
In a statement, Transport for Greater Manchester said: "Councils are responsible for setting standards and licensing private-hire vehicles.
"Greater Manchester is working with the government and the taxi trade to support the transition to cleaner vehicles, in line with licensing emissions standards."
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