The photos here certainly don't flatter the trade, showing obvious dents and rust etc
(The first photo is repeated further down in a slightly bigger format.)
This witters on a bit, though, but some interesting bits and pieces.
The usual 'safety is paramount'-style stuff in parts, while others don't really make sense to anora- ,er, nerds like me, at least without further detail
Peterborough taxi rules set for major shake-up with older vehicles facing phase-out
https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/peterboroug ... phase-out/
Hundreds of Peterborough taxi licence holders could be affected by a sweeping shake-up of licensing rules that would end special exemptions for some older vehicles, introduce financial checks for operators and pave the way for a greener city-wide taxi fleet.
The proposals form part of a new five-year licensing policy covering 2026 to 2031. The city council licensing committee on September 10 is being asked to approve a month-long consultation on the changes, which affect drivers, vehicle proprietors and private hire operators across the city.
The review has been prompted by changes to legislation, Government guidance and developments within the taxi industry since the current policy was adopted in 2022.
Report author Jacqui Harvey, the council’s Head of Regulatory Services, said the review was needed to ensure Peterborough had an up-to-date framework for regulating the trade.
She said: “The proposed changes respond to national developments in taxi and private hire regulation, including recommendations arising from the Baroness Casey Review and the wider move towards stronger regulation of the trade nationally.”
Ms Harvey added that the revised policy was intended to ensure “a robust and up-to-date framework is in place to safeguard licensed drivers, operators and members of the public using taxi and private hire services in the city”.
Grandfather rights set to be removed
One of the most significant proposals is the removal of so-called “grandfather rights” for vehicles licensed before July 26, 2022.
These acquired rights currently allow some older vehicles to continue operating under licensing rules that no longer apply to newer vehicles entering the trade.
Removing the exemptions would bring older vehicles into line with the latest licensing requirements and could accelerate fleet renewal.
https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/wp-content/ ... 6x1024.jpg
The committee report identifies the removal of grandfather rights as one of the changes likely to have the greatest impact on the licensed trade. However, the report does not state how many vehicles would be affected.
Push towards hybrid and electric vehicles
The proposed changes form part of a wider review of vehicle age and emissions standards.
The aim is to reduce the length of time petrol and diesel vehicles can remain in service and encourage the transition towards cleaner vehicles.
Under the proposals, zero-emission vehicles would be eligible for licensing up to 18 years old. The council also wants to remove the current maximum CO2 emissions limit and replace the existing ultra-low-emission category with a broader hybrid category. This would cover mild hybrids, full hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
Officers say the changes are intended to support a gradual transition towards lower-emission vehicles while recognising the financial pressures facing the trade.
The review also comes against the backdrop of Peterborough’s climate emergency declaration and its ambition to support a shift towards zero-carbon transport across the city.
Tougher scrutiny for operators
Private hire operators could also face greater scrutiny under proposals to introduce financial checks for all new applications and licence renewals.
The report says the checks would establish whether operators have the financial capacity to fulfil passenger transport contracts and operate effectively. Officers also argue that the process would help reduce the risk of money laundering and organised crime within the sector before licences are granted.
Like the proposed removal of grandfather rights, the introduction of financial vetting is highlighted in the report as a change likely to have a significant impact on operators.
The committee report does not specify what evidence operators would have to provide as part of the checks.
Safeguarding reforms at heart of review
A major driver behind the overhaul is the Government’s response to the Baroness Casey Review into child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The report notes that Baroness Casey highlighted weaknesses in the fragmented system of taxi and private hire licensing across England. It also warned that inconsistencies between authorities could compromise public safety.
https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/wp-content/ ... 6x1024.jpg
The Government subsequently accepted all of her recommendations relating to the sector and is moving towards national minimum standards, stronger enforcement and improved data sharing.
Peterborough is proposing to formally adopt revisions recommended in the Department for Transport’s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, first issued in 2020.
Those standards place a strong emphasis on safeguarding, following evidence that parts of the taxi and private hire trade had been linked to child sexual exploitation in a number of towns and cities.
The council says safeguarding vulnerable passengers is “paramount”, particularly when licensed vehicles are used for school transport, social care contracts, journeys involving children and young people, or trips involving vulnerable adults.
Ms Harvey’s report makes clear that any changes made following consultation must continue to protect public safety and must not weaken the council’s ability to regulate the trade effectively.
Changes to vehicle testing
The council is also considering a substantial overhaul of vehicle testing arrangements.
Members are being asked to support a review of the current testing regime, including replacing the existing certificate of compliance system with a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency MOT-based approach.
The consultation will also explore whether a limited number of additional DVSA-authorised testing stations should be appointed alongside the council’s current provider, Aragon.
Officers say this would improve appointment availability, increase resilience and reduce dependence on a single testing provider.
Aragon would remain the priority testing centre under the model being considered.
Other proposed changes
The draft policy includes a series of other amendments, some of which are more technical. The council wants to review the list of approved hackney carriage vehicles to ensure it reflects modern and affordable options.
The aim is to help drivers replace ageing vehicles while improving comfort and reliability for passengers.
Officers also propose removing the current vehicle critical failure repair requirement.
The report notes that parts shortages and longer repair waiting times have made the existing one-month compliance period increasingly unrealistic.
https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/wp-content/ ... taxi-1.jpg
The requirement to display Part 1 and Part 2 notices inside licensed vehicles would also be removed. According to the report, the notices were intended to help passengers identify drivers but could not be produced because of technical difficulties. Alternative identification measures are now available.
Requirements for internal and external vehicle signage would remain in place, with a £100 fixed penalty for non-compliance.
The council also confirms that it is not currently proposing mandatory CCTV in licensed vehicles. However, it says this position could change if national legislation or statutory guidance is introduced in the future.
Finally, parts of the policy have been expanded and rewritten to improve clarity and make licensing requirements easier for drivers and applicants to understand.
Consultation to follow
If approved by councillors, the proposals will be subject to a one-month public consultation involving drivers, operators, trade representatives, stakeholders and residents.
A further report will then return to the Licensing Committee. It will set out the consultation responses and any recommended amendments before the final policy is considered by Full Council.
Ms Harvey said the consultation would ensure the proposals are “tested openly and transparently”, while keeping public safety, safeguarding and regulatory compliance at the centre of the council’s approach.
