Taxi Driver Online

Tuk-tuks given the green light - but only for tours
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news ... ?ID=478602

Tuk-tuks will soon be appearing on Cambridge’s streets but you won’t be able to hail themTUK-tuks will be on the historic streets of Cambridge this summer - but don't expect to be able to hail one.

The motorised rickshaws will be allowed to operate as 'private hire vehicles'.

But as they do not meet disability discrimination laws, they will not be allowed to operate as hackney carriage taxis, meaning people will not be able to hail one in the street.

Council officers have recommended the three-wheeled carriages be available for pre-booked guided tours only Cambridge city councillors approved the plans by entrepreneur Malcolm Fulcher to bring tuk-tuks to the city despite opposition from taxi drivers, who believe the lightweight carriages are unsafe.

Glenn Hall, chairman of Cambridge City Licensed Taxis Ltd, said: "I don't think they are suitable for Cambridge.

"They might be OK as a tourist gimmick in the Far East, but I won't be looking forward to seeing them on the streets as a taxi driver.

"Our main concern has always been for the safety of the public and there have been numerous accidents with these tuk-tuks operating in other cities in the UK.


"Cambridge's roads are already congested and dangerous enough without adding more problems."

However, Mr Hall welcomed the recommendation to ban the tuktuks from operating as taxis.

"There was one councillor pushing for this, but it's not practicable. Hackney carriages have to be able to take people on all types of roads and comply with the disability Act - tuk-tuks clearly aren't able to do either."

In a report due to be considered by a Cambridge City Council licensing committee on Monday, officers said there was a duty on local authorities to ensure licensed vehicles were able to carry people with disabilities.

By allowing tuk-tuks to operate as taxis, the council would be failing to promote access for disabled people because the vehicles could not carry wheelchairs.

Cllr Simon Sedgwick-Jell, county councillor for the Abbey ward, and a Green party member, thought tuk-tuks would be a great way to get around the city centre.

He said: "I think it would be a good idea to have them.

"One would assume they would be used almost invariably used within the core historic centre.

"I can't see them wandering up to the back end of Kings Hedges, and I don't suppose anyone would want them to."

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