HACKNEY carriage and private hire taxi drivers have joined forces to speak out against proposed changes in Cheshire West and Chester which could force them out of their jobs.
Taxi drivers in Chester, Ellesmere Port and Winsford are deeply concerned over plans to impose a maximum age limit for cabs in the county, as well as mandatory new driving tests for all.
They also fear a bid to lift restrictions on the number of taxis in Ellesmere Port, claiming Chester suffered when restrictions were lifted there.
Richard Barker, chairman of the Chester Hackney Carriage Association, said: “We are all agreed that putting an age limit on the taxis is wrong. Roadworthiness should be based on its quality, not age. If a vehicle is more than 10 years old, give it an extra test.
“We are all for road safety, but this is not the way to go about it and we are united against this.”
Under the proposed changes to licensing and regulation, as well as a licence only valid for taxis up to 10 years old, any new vehicles purchased should be under one year old.
Taxi drivers say as a new Hackney carriage costs £43,000, while even a one-year-old private hire saloon car would cost at least £13,500, the expense is too much during these economic times.
Dave Steele, vice chairman of the Winsford Taxi Association, said: “There are some months when I am using my tax credits to pay for fuel. These plans are coming when we are struggling to make a living and we are not earning enough to be burdened with this.”
Plans to implement new driving tests which would have to be taken by every driver in the next six years have also been criticised.
Mr Barker said: “I accept the test can be introduced for new drivers but for ones who have been on the roads a long time, it should be voluntary and have a benefit to it, like a reduction in insurance if the driver passes it.”
In addition, an authority-wide proposal aims to unify the policy on whether there should be a restricted number of taxis for each area.
Currently, there are a maximum of 51 cabs permitted in Ellesmere Port, one of the few areas left in Cheshire West which is limited.
However, the new rules could lift those restrictions.
Taxi drivers argue lifting the restrictions would be disastrous for the area, as when the limit was removed in Chester it led to 144 taxi drivers struggling to park in just 43 allocated spaces.
A Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesman said: “Both the public and Hackney carriage and private hire trades were asked for their views on an advanced driving test for new drivers beginning in April next year and for other taxi drivers during the next six years.
“The overwhelming response from the public was in favour of a test. It must also be remembered all other driving occupations which involve carrying the public also include a regular driving assessment.
“We are also carrying out a further consultation exercise with the Hackney carriage and private hire trades regarding proposals for an age policy for licensed vehicles on the grounds of improving passenger comfort and improving air quality by reducing overall vehicular emissions.
“This consultation ends in March and we would urge the trade to take part in the consultation exercise.
“A separate trade and public consultation is also being undertaken on the possible lifting of the restrictions on Hackney carriage numbers in the Ellesmere Port and Neston zone.”
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/chest ... -32415758/
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and remember who influences the politicians the UNIONS get em in with you and you could win and set an example to the rest of the Country Hack and PH work together brilliant