Taxi Driver Online

Well this is confusing. Starts off saying that the planned new seat rules are for HCs, but I'm not so sure. Maybe PH, or maybe both. Tried to find the LO report mentioned, but no luck.


Coventry Council could scrap taxi seat size rules

https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/cou ... les-16191/

TAXI DRIVERS in Coventry could soon be allowed to drive alternatives to traditional Hackney carriage cabs.

Coventry City Council’s current taxi regulations mean cabbies can only drive vehicles with at least four seats, with a minimum width of the rear three seats.

Officers would also be given discretion to judge passenger space in taxis. They have traditionally used the ‘Coventry measure’ wooden frame to check three people can sit in the back of a cab.

A mandate that taxis must be petrol or diesel powered will also be scrapped, to allow taxi drivers to take advantage of electric vehicles.

Battery powered London cabs are built near Coventry at Ansty Park, by the London Electric Vehicle Company.

The council believes new car technology means the regulations must be changed, to allow cabbies to adapt to competition from app-based ride hailing services.

New electric taxis would automatically be eligible for private hire licensing.

Rules to provide adequate legroom for passengers, plus adequate luggage space, would remain in place.

In a report to the council’s licensing committee, to sit December 2, Mick Coggins, senior licensing officer, said: “Given the current propensity of smaller numbers of passengers requiring a vehicle it is believed justified that the seating capacity of passengers is lowered.

“It is also believed justified that electric and electric hybrid vehicles are suitable to be licensed as private hire vehicles, which is currently not the case.”

Implying that HCs might be allowed to take less than four people?


Sounds more like a saloon thing that, thus PHVs in Coventry?


Seating *capacity* means numbers? So they're going to allow less than four people? HCs or PHVs?

Or is capacity referring to the seat width, thus less will be available to passengers because there isn't three in the back so often these days?

Suspect it's all a bit clearer in the actual report, but this press report lacks clarity

More likely they are going to tailor it to the dimensions of the leccy taxi built locally to ensure all drivers buy those

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Yes, I think the leccy aspect is probably part of all this, but was thinking more along the lines of accommodating smaller cars like the Nissan Leaf (which are quite common in Dundee now).

I'm assuming the latest LEVC model is similar to previous TXs in terms of passenger accommodation, so no change required in that department.

This alternative article specifically states that it's *not* about HCs.

And apart from the word 'taxi' in the headline, it's quite specific about the rule change only being about PHVs.

But still not 100% clear whether it's about seat width, passenger capacity, or both


Taxis in Coventry could soon have less seats - and be electric too

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/ ... s-17311745

The city council is making changes to legislation impacting private hire vehicles

Electric private hire vehicles will be allowed in Coventry under changes proposed by the city council.

Minimum seat sizes will also be scrapped, with both plans set to go before the cabinet member for city services, Cllr Pat Hetherton, on Monday, December 2.

Currently private hire vehicles – largely those from app-based firms – have to run off diesel or petrol, while they must also have a minimum of four seats with space for three people in the back measured by a wooden frame.

Changes would apply to private hire vehicles such as Ola – an Indian app firm which launched in the city in May.

Changes will not impact Uber as the popular app-based firm is not licensed in Coventry as it has not applied to the city council.

However, Uber drivers are able to operate in the city with licences from other authorities.

Changes also do not impact hackney carriages.

Why less seats?

Representatives of Coventry’s taxi trade, Unite Union, have been consulted, but no objections have been noted by licensing officers Mick Coggins and Andrew Walster.

Ahead of the meeting, they said in a report: “Given the current propensity of smaller numbers of passengers requiring a vehicle it is believed justified that the seating capacity of passengers is lowered.

“It is also believed justified that electric and electric hybrid vehicles are suitable to be licensed as private hire vehicles, which is currently not the case.”

Why will black cabs not be affected?

The black cab industry has already undergone changes to help clean up their emissions as part of the city’s clean air fight.

Earlier this year, a new emission-based licensing requirement for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles was approved to help reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide.

From January 2020, only vehicles with Euro 4 engines will have licences renewed, and new applicants must all have zero emission capability.

All vehicles must have zero emission capacity from 2024.

Clearly the council want more electric vehicles.

But as they are usually small at the moment, or Tesla expensive, the council are having to adjust their licensing requirements to allow for that.

Good move by the council.

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IDFIMH

Probably, but the LO makes it sound like the seating thing is all to do with a greater propensity for single passengers, or at least smaller groups than previously.



Which sounds like the kind of rationale I've read in the past for allowing Smart cars, etc.

Don't know if it happens elsewhere, but I think some years ago Fife Council plated a Ford Escort as an HC, but would only allow two back seat passengers because of the rear seat width.

It didn't last long on the ranks, apparently.

Driver here had a Volvo V40 recently, but only kept it a few weeks because of the lack of rear seat width, and customers complaining, although it was plated for four passengers, as per normal.

Not sure how the Dacia Sandero is plated for four in Dundee, though

Of course, appearances can be deceptive, but I'm guessing the back seat is narrower than any other HC I've seen.