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Councillors to decide if Smart cars would be a smart choice for private hire vehicles



A proposal to introduce the use of Smart cars as private hire vehicles will be discussed by councillors this week in what could become a first for Scotland.

It is understood that most of the nation’s councils don’t license Smart cars but a Perth private hire operator wishes to provide a “more environmentally friendly” vehicle by introducing them to his existing fleet.

It would be a radical change for Perth and Kinross Council if its licensing committee agrees to the proposal as its “blue book” states that a private car hire shall be either a saloon or estate car with four doors and an engine classification of not less than 1300cc.

They should measure at least 122cm across the back seat and be large enough to carry no fewer than four and not more than five passengers.

A council spokesman said the company concerned cannot be named for data protection reasons.

A report, drawn up by Moina McLaren, solicitor with the council, to be discussed by the licensing committee on Thursday, states that this private hire operator has a licence for an eight-seated car and has become involved in the bus replacement scheme known as demand responsive transport.

The scheme provides a public transport service in rural areas or areas of low passenger demand. Councillors will hear this operator has observed that a large number of journeys are made with only one passenger, so they are “uneconomical”.

As a result he wishes to provide a more environmentally friendly service using Smart cars.

Ms McLaren has pointed out that some female passengers may be “uncomfortable”.

Her report states: “It is recognised in the industry that some passengers, especially lone females, may feel uncomfortable having to sit alongside, rather than behind the driver.

“Therefore, it would be expected that any issues of this nature would be addressed by the operator at the time of the booking.

“In considering whether it wishes to license Smart cars for private hire purposes, the committee needs to be satisfied the vehicle is in a suitable mechanical condition, safe and comfortable.”

Perth city centre councillor Peter Barrett has urged members of the committee to reject the application.

He said: “The Smart car is simply not even close to being suitable. Firstly, it can only carry one passenger. Secondly, its lack of boot space means that disabled customers who have wheelchairs or walking frames will be excluded from use.

“Thirdly, there are umpteen vehicles capable of carrying four passengers and achieving similar or better levels of fuel economy.”

source: http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/ ... s-1.727492

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Perth and Kinross Council puts brakes on Smart cars cab decision

Plans to bring in Smart cars as private hire vehicles have been delayed.

Perth and Kinross Council has delayed the decision on a controversial plan to introduce Smart cars as private hire vehicles to allow a “wider discussion” on the matter.

The local authority’s licensing committee was due to discuss the matter recently but has now decided to postpone action on the issue.

It had been suggested that the radical plan should be approved, despite it not meeting the requirements of the local authority’s “blue book”, which governs the criteria private hire vehicles must meet.

The book states that a private hire car should be either a saloon or estate vehicle with four doors and an an engine of not less than 1300cc.

The regulations also dictate that the cars should measure at least 122 centimetres across the back seat.

Concerns had been raised about some female passengers travelling in the Smart cars.

It was suggested that lone women, in particular, may feel “uncomfortable” at having to sit alongside the driver.

That issue was highlighted in a report drawn up by council solicitor Moina McLaren.

She said: “It is recognised in the industry that some passengers, especially lone females, may feel uncomfortable having to sit alongside, rather than behind the driver.

“In considering whether it wishes to license Smart cars for private hire purposes, the committee needs to be satisfied the vehicle is in a suitable mechanical condition, safe and comfortable.

“However, there should be no increased risk to passenger safety from the use of a Smart car, as the vehicle will be subjected to the same testing requirements as the rest of the private hire car fleet.”

The issue will now have to wait until next year to be discussed.

A council spokesperson said that the matter is now “going before one of the policy committees, instead, to allow for a wider discussion of the topic”.

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/ ... n-1.739626

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin