Taxi drivers: "We need a better deal"CABBIES in Chelmsford have warned their fares will go up, unless they are given a better deal by the council.
To help save cash, the Chelmsford Hackney Carriage Association is proposing to raise the age limit of replacement vehicles from four to six years – and the maximum age of a licensed cab from ten to 15 years.
Taxi drivers believe the current system is making it too difficult for drivers to keep financially afloat, while keeping fares affordable.
Chelmsford Council’s Licensing Committee will now consider a proposal to change licence conditions for taxi ages.
Then next Monday, the authority’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be asked by the Chelmsford Taxi Association to launch a major review of the council’s licensing policies.
Ian Vernon, chairman of Chelmsford Taxi Association, said: “We think the policies need to be totally reviewed.
“What we want to do is the right thing for our passengers, which is to be able to provide an effective service at an affordable price.
“We also have to be able to trade effectively as well, so what we need is to review the number of taxis in the city, the facilities for taxis here and the costs of licensing and fares.”
Earlier this year the council refused an additional tariff which taxi drivers felt would help them reinvest in their trade.
A Chelmsford City Council spokesman said: “The trade has requested we review the age limitations on licensed vehicles, which we are doing, and the number of taxi and private hire vehicle licences issued is reviewed every two years.
“The number of licensed vehicles has only increased by one since the last report, and we have seen no indication that vehicle licences are being surrendered due to hardship in the trade.”
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