Taxi Driver Online

Driver told his 28-year-old Volvo can no longer be used as a taxi



It has been a “good and reliable” runner for nearly three decades - but now John Winlow has been told he can no longer use his 28-year-old Volvo as a taxi, because it is too old. Mr Winlow has kept hold of the J-registered Volvo 940 GL for the last 18 years of his 44-year career.

In that time, he could’ve changed his vehicle for something more up-to-date and with modern touches, such as a built-in sat nav or Apple CarPlay. However, he has elected to keep the car on the road because it is comfortable to drive and continues to be reliable and requiring low maintenance.

Yet now, Ipswich Borough Council has refused his application to retain the taxi licence on his car before it expires on June 30, citing environmental grounds.

Current council rules state taxi drivers’ vehicles must be no more than 15 years old, before the limit reduces to 10 years in 2025. It is all part of a bid to help improve air quality in the town, due to high levels of the pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).

Mr Winlow hopes to appeal the decision, arguing the car should be exempt from the rules because it is historically significant - an argument supported by Ipswich Transport Museum.

The 64-year-old said: “People realised these are good and reliable cars so they became a popular choice among taxi drivers. “I’d say at one point maybe 75% of taxis and private hire vehicles were Volvos – they are part of the town’s history.

“It has always been a good and reliable car for me – I feel just as comfortable sitting in the driver’s seat today as I did when I first bought it. “Customers are always giving me positive comments about the car too. Even people who know nothing about cars appreciate it.”

In a committee meeting on Wednesday, June 17, councillors recognised the vehicle remains in good condition – except for a small amount of rust which is due to be repaired – but remained concerned over emissions.

One councillor, Stephen Connolly, said: “I’m sure that the owner of this vehicle considers it special, but I do not. “It is a Volvo, it is an old Volvo and therefore its emissions would be substantially greater than a newer vehicle.”

Mr Winlow added: “The main point they made is about emissions – but Volvos were well known to be ahead of their time. It has a catalytic converter and emissions have always been low when tested.

“I don’t want to go down the new vehicle route – someone has offered to buy my licence if it has to come down to that, but I could also go into pre-booked private hire and keep the car.

“It is such a difficult time to be a taxi driver.”

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IDFIMH

I get what the council are saying, but surely any issues arising in year 28 must have arisen in year 27 and 26 etc etc.

Have any punters moaned about it, has it failed any emissions tests?

If not let it be re-licensed even if only for the smile it's put on my face tonight.

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IDFIMH

Is it petrol or diesel fuelled,the NO2 emissions argument fails if it is petrol,resulting the license should be renewed.

most likely the 2.3 litre petrol

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J273UMO
VOLVO 940

Check another vehicle

Colour
Blue

Fuel type
Petrol

Date registered
1 March 1992

MOT valid until
14 June 2021

And only 272,393 miles on the clock....not much for a car of that age and line of work.

According to its MOT record its been on that mileage of 272,393 since 2009.

Its earliest MOT online is 2006 and it was on 247,993

I wonder when the age limit was introduced and what consultation took place before introducing it?

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Grandad,
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maybe the Odometer has packed in after all it is quite old. That said I would assume a car of that age there would be a transducer fitted for the meter as it wouldn't have an electronic speedometer

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And I don't think a working odometer is required for an MoT, so that would explain that, but doesn't say much for the integrity of the MoT records

Another funny thing, though, is that the 2007 mileage is 270,789, then it's identical a year later. Then it jumps to 272,393 in 2009, where it's been ever since.

So maybe it stopped working between 2005 and 2006, then started working again for a couple of thousand miles, then packed up for good


I've changed my mind slightly about these things over the years, but historically these types have made me shake my head

If this council only issue C of C then the mileage will not be recorded as it is not a requirement.

the mileage is always recorded on our paperwork

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See it from a customers perspective ,would you rather ride in a 3/4 year old car or 28 year old one. I know where my money would go. He is probably a tight arse .

You couldn't make it up.

Too old for hackney work, but just ticker-tee-boo for PH work.

Clearly the emissions level when being used for PH is lower, and the car is safer for PH work.

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/ipsw ... -1-6723267

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IDFIMH

Seems to be more about an age rule rather than emissions per se, but obviously a different age rule for PHVs.

But wonder how much he got for his plate? Not much at the moment, I would guess.