Taxi Driver Online

Portsmouth taxis: Rules set to be relaxed to let drivers use older vehicles

Rules around the age of taxis in Portsmouth are set to be relaxed in response to calls from drivers concerned over the cost of new cars

Under the current policy, vehicles must be under eight years old – a measure introduced to try and make sure the fleet is safer, better for travellers and less polluting.

But plans were drawn up last year to extend this to 12 years for wheelchair-accessible cars due to their cost which ‘far exceeds’ that of a standard taxi and to increase the number operating in the city.

A consultation found most people supported the move, however dozens of people requested the extension be a blanket policy for all vehicles due to financial pressures facing the industry.

Their position has now been backed by the council, with a report published ahead of Friday’s meeting of the licensing committee recommending the original proposal be extended.

‘The question which elicited most responses related to the proposed recommendation to extend the upper age limit for wheelchair-accessible vehicles,’ the report says. ‘Whilst the overall view was supportive of the proposal, many responses were received, presumably from licensed drivers and Hackney vehicle proprietors, that the amendment to the policy should apply to all licensed vehicles.

‘Having due regard to the views expressed, the recommendation in relation to the upper age limit for licensed vehicles has now been amended to reflect an increase for all licensed vehicles.’

It adds that the proposals would also provide ways for council licensing officers to better monitor the maintenance of taxis and to intervene when needed.

Councillor Scott Payter-Harris, the committee’s chairman, said he hoped it would also discourage drivers from being licensed further afield, particularly in Wolverhampton, where older vehicles are already allowed.

‘This is a sensible idea,’ he said. ‘These changes would give us greater oversight locally making the trade safer while also making it easier for drivers.’

Alongside the proposed rules around vehicle ages, the policy would also be updated to provide better monitoring and checks of drivers, including the council joining a national register on licence suspensions or revocations. These details are already shared between councils in Hampshire.

Certificates of good conduct required for anyone who has lived oversea at any point since the age of 10 to check criminal records would also be required.

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IDFIMH

So what happens when a driver returns to his homeland to visit his family for 3-6 months?

And how is that enforced?

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IDFIMH

Unlike the West Midlands article, this one at least has a proper strapline, which provides a bit more information rather than just repeating the headline.

But what's the point of the two photos? The first one is just a close up version of the second...


Portsmouth Taxis: Rules relaxed so drivers can use older vehicles after some licenced in Wolverhampton

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/polit ... on-4041593

Changes to taxi policy in Portsmouth, including relaxing rules around the age of cars, were approved unanimously by councillors on Friday (February 24).


Image: Portsmouth News

The move to increase the upper limit from eight years to 12 came in response to pleas from drivers who said the increased cost of cars was making it more difficult to make a living.

‘This is about giving the trade a fighting chance moving forward,’ licensing committee chairman Scott Payter-Harris said after the changes were agreed. ‘We’ve heard about the burdens they have and we need to go out there and give them an opportunity to earn a living.’

Several drivers and industry representatives spoke at the meeting in favour of the change while concerns were also raised around their treatment by the city council.

Driver Viv Young said the increase needed to go even further to make it more viable to drive wheelchair-accessible vehicles and that more needed to be done to help the industry which is already the subject of stringent checks.

His comments were echoed by Uber representative Peter Sutherland who also urged councillors to consider delaying the introduction of rules requiring taxis to be electric-powered.

‘I would applaud the move to 12 years for all licensed vehicles. It’s hurting us, it’s hurting the trade. Vehicles are a lot more expensive,’ he said.

‘I understand the desire to move to an all-electric fleet but common sense has to prevail but that date must move further and further away – it’s becoming less and less attainable. It’s not a reality in 2025.’

Bruce Hall, the general manager of Aqua Cars, also raised concerns around new requirements for DBS checks and the introduction of new driver registers.

But councillors said the rules were important to ensure the safety of people using taxis.

‘Safeguarding of the public is absolutely paramount so trust in the trade is really important,’ councillor Lee Hunt said. ‘That’s why we have these policies.

‘I can’t see anything in these recommendations that isn’t common sense. It safeguards the trade and it safeguards the public.’

Cllr Payter-Harris said the response to the consultation on the changes was the largest the council had ever had and reflected the views of the industry.

He said he hoped it would also make the city more attractive for drivers to be licensed, in response to concerns around the number going as far afield as Wolverhampton to receive their licence.


Image: Portsmouth News