A request by the taxi trade in Torridge to allow it more time to go fully electric has been refused.
The North Devon Gazette reports that Torridge District Council’s licensing committee has decided to stick to its current policy relating to vehicle emissions in a bid to get better infrastructure like more EV charging points in place sooner rather than later.
The Torridge taxi liaison committee had asked the authority to push back compliance times for its 130 licensed taxis to go electric to April 2035 in line with the change in government policy.
They also asked that they be given more time to replace their vehicles with lower emission cars to meet the Euro 6 standard, which is the current standard that all cars sold in the UK have to meet.
Only 35% of the taxis in Torridge currently meet that standard.
But councillors decided to keep the 2026 deadline for Euro 6 compliance and 2030 for electric cars adding that this will apply to all vehicles licensed for the first time.
Existing stock will be allowed to continue below the required emission standards until they reach the end of their natural life.
Representatives from the taxi liaison committee said this would be 'an acceptable compromise' as most of the taxis on the road at the moment were ten years old and would be off the road in five years’ time anyway.
They said that the way the economy was going it was not feasible to change all the vehicles to Euro 6 at this time or even in two years time.
Until sufficient charge points were in place, having electric vehicles was not workable, and in rural areas with big hills and full loads of passengers, electric taxis would only do 200 miles not the 300 or 400 suggested, said one taxi company.
Firms say that trade has still not returned to pre pandemic levels. The night time economy had particularly been affected and the main nightclub in Bideford had not re-opened since enforced closure.
The cost of new and second hand vehicles had increased substantially and there had not been sufficient progress in respect of charge-points or the availability of cost effective and suitable electric vehicles to operate in a large rural district.
Committee chairman Chris Bright (Lib Dem, Torrington) said the government pushing back its deadline to end sales of petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 was making everyone slip back and the economy too.
“The decision is affecting everyone’s opinion of it. If we still aim for that 2030 date there will be more impetus to get more charge points in quicker.”
Cllr Anna Dart (Ind, Hartland) said electric vehicles were not fit for purpose in Torridge for the majority of residents let along taxi drivers and there must be a place for hybrid vehicles
“It’s absolutely ludicrous, and moving the deadline once, the government is going to do it again if the infrastructure still isn’t there. Everyone is seeing sense, the economy isn’t up to standard, people cannot afford to do this.”
The committee was told that a second hand hybrid taxi vehicle could cost £45,000 and £60,000 or more new, and an electric one in the region of £80,000.
Cllr Stephen Gibson (Con, Broadheath) who runs a fleet of transport vans said he has been Euro 6 compliant for many years and moving deadlines was a dangerous thing.
“If that deadline stays, our businesses will find a way, you have got to have these deadlines in place or we will keep moving back and sending out the wrong message on the environment.”
The introduction of Manchester’s Clean Air Zone could see progress in the coming months, with decisions expected later this year potentially helping Andy Burnham launch new scheme proposals.
GB News reports that there were plans for Greater Manchester to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone on May 30, 2022, where the most polluting vehicles are charged a daily fee, although private cars would have avoided charges.
Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone would have been one of, if not, the biggest emissions-based charging zones in Europe.
It would cover an area of 495 square miles and include 10 boroughs - Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.
However, plans were halted last year because of fears around people being able to access cleaner vehicles and avoid the expensive costs.
In April earlier this year, the Government announced a review of its national bus retrofit programme given a “variable” performance in reducing emissions.
The aim of the review will be to investigate the causes and how the performance of the programme can be improved.
It is expected that the findings will be released in autumn, with this set to have an impact on the future of the Clean Air Zone.
Andy Burnham launched the Bee Network this year with 50 British-built zero emission electric buses on the roads, with 50 more to come in the future, despite some criticism from some local MPs.
Speaking to GB News Political Editor, Christopher Hope, Andy Burnham called on the Prime Minister to back the Bee Network, as it would support the city, residents and taxi drivers in the process.
He added: “We are confident and that the evidence backs this up that if we were to if the Government was to back the Bee Network i.e., help us bring more electric buses into service across the city region.
“But if it was also to back us with investment to help our taxis improve, our Hackney cabs upgrade, we believe we can do it via an investment-led approach rather than a charging-based approach.
“Can we now then agree that a Clean Air Zone is not right for Greater Manchester charging zone?”
Using the Clean Bus Funds, Greater Manchester has been able to “retrofit” more than half of the region’s buses with emission-reducing technology.
Because of the delay to the national scheme, Clean Air Greater Manchester has been unable to submit evidence to the Government about an “investment-led, non-charging” Clean Air Zone.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been adamant that he would not allow a Clean Air Zone to be active in the area if it was charging drivers.
He said: “No I won't have one. I said when I came in, I wouldn't have a congestion charge and I also said I wouldn't have a charge in a Clean Air Zone.
“Why? Because, I mean when we first developed the clean air zone idea, it was meant to be enough money in the system to help everybody upgrade their vehicles.
“And then with the pandemic the cost of vehicles spiralled and hence there was the backlash which was understood and justified and why GM is now in a different position. We are saying that you can do this in a different way.”
Clean Air Greater Manchester said a GM Clean Air Plan will achieve compliance and that it remained committed to an investment-led, non-charging Clean Air Plan and is continuing to work towards being a cleaner, greener city-region – including through delivery of the Bee Network.”
Under the previous rules, hackney cabs and private hire vehicles would have been charged £7.50 per day, although an exemption was in place for local vehicles until June 2023, had it gone ahead.
Source: https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/manchester-clean-air-zone-national-bus-scheme-review
Transport for London (TfL) has said it is considering increasing black cab fares in the capital as taxi drivers cope with increased running costs.
MyLondon reports that a public consultation is underway on the proposal, which will see the public give their feedback before a final decision is made.
Officials say cabbies' operating costs have increased by 5.2 per cent, partly as a result of increases in vehicle costs, electric and charging costs and insurance costs.
The change has also been proposed when considering average national earnings. This year, this has increased by 3.7 per cent.
Bosses may increase the fares for shorter taxi journeys (Tariffs 1, 2 and 3), as well as and make the fares for longer taxi journeys (Tariff 4) higher.
The authority is also proposing changes to the extra charge for booked taxis, the additional charge for taking a taxi from one of the taxi ranks at Heathrow Airport, and the fixed-fare shared-taxi scheme that operates during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
Here is how long you can travel under each tariff:
Tfl has provided some examples of how the plan would affect prices. For instance, the fare for a one-mile journey on Tariff 1, based only on distance but not time, is £6.80. This would change to:
A spokesperson for the authority wrote online: "It is important that taxi drivers are able to cover their operating costs and are fairly paid. This helps ensure that working as a taxi driver remains an attractive choice of career.
"Taxis provide an important service, including for people who are less able to use public transport. They also provide an alternative to using a private car, which can contribute to improving congestion and air quality.
"When we review taxi fares and tariffs we try to strike an appropriate balance between drivers being fairly paid and taxi users getting fair and affordable fares."
You can provide your feedback to TfL's proposal here: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-fares-review-2023
Source: https://www.mylondon.news/news/transport/london-black-cab-fares-could-27920538
A taxi driver was caught by police doing almost 100 mph on the M20.
KentOnline reports that following a traffic operation in Folkestone area on October 17, the driver was spotted going 94 mph.
The vehicle was stopped by police after being suspected to be driving carelessly at a high speed on the motorway.
The driver was issued with a traffic offence report and his details will be shared with the taxi licensing authority.
Officers and staff had been on patrol in marked and unmarked vehicles including a police motorcycle and a speed camera van.
The one-day operation was led by Kent Police’s road safety unit, who worked with the proactive target team, local officers as well as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and HM Revenue and Customs.
Sgt Grant Steele from the road safety unit said: “My team regularly carry out traffic operations around the county and on this occasion, we worked with local officers to look into any areas where concerns regarding road safety have been reported in and around Folkestone.
“We ask people to drive safely and in accordance with the law, or else risk action being taken against you. Everyone has a responsibility to keep our roads safe.”
All taxis will be required to offer card payments after unanimous agreement at a full council meeting on Thursday 19 October.
Councillors said it was a necessary step to provide greater safety to locals, as many residents had said they had been turned away from taxis because they wanted to use cards instead of cash.
KentOnline reports that there was cross-party support for the proposal as members from all sides said it was important no-one would get stranded late at night, particularly young women on their own.
Cllr Dan McDonald (Lab), who introduced the item, said: “Firstly I would like to express our gratitude to the taxi trade for their willingness to adopt this change.
“Taxi and private hire drivers are often the forgotten essential link in our transport system, serving Medway residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Promoting contactless payments aligns with our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
"For individuals with mobility challenges or who may struggle with handling cash, having the option for contactless payments ensures they can access taxi services with ease.”
Cllr Matt Fearn (Con) said: “It was very reassuring to hear that the Medway Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association had held drop-in sessions for the trade to receive guidance on using card readers.
“Whilst I appreciate that there is cost associated with the card payment facility, I see a big step in the right direction addressing the safety for all, but especially for the vulnerable passengers late at night.”
Some councillors raised issues of connectivity blackspots, particularly in rural areas, which may pose a problem but were reassured this was being investigated and procedures for mitigation were being explored.
No date is currently set for when the mandate for card readers will come into effect.
The crackdown targeted drivers operating across council boundaries to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations.
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On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.