Sheffield City Council's waste and street scene committee is proposing a hike in taxi licence fees for the first time since 2016.
The move comes after it was revealed the council spends an average of £146,000 more a year on taxi licensing services than it receives in fees.
Members were told: “Licence fees were last reviewed in 2016 and despite an increase in service costs during this period, additional costs have not been passed on to licensees and applicants.”
In summary:
The driver licence options will be reduced to one or three years, instead of one, two or three years.
Private hire operator licences will be reduced to one or five years, instead of one, two, three, four or five years.
The current bandings for private hire operators of 0-50 and 51+ vehicles will be replaced with 1-50, 51-100, 101-250 and 251+ vehicles.
Among the proposed fee changes were the increase in getting a new driving licence for a year (from £169 to £223), fees of renewal for drivers’ licences (one year – from £97 to £223, three years – from £217 to £268).
Also, hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licences (renewal) would be increased, as well as all of the operators’ costs.
Taxi representatives slammed the proposals, calling the council's licensing service a "failure" and criticising a lack of detail on what drivers would get in return for the higher fees.
Former councillor Ibrar Hussain, told members “this is a failed licensing service, you have failed taxi drivers in Sheffield”.
He criticised the council for not answering the telephone, the IT system being of poor quality, and enforcement being “zilch”.
Despite concerns, the committee voted to send the proposals to public consultation, meaning residents will have a say before any changes are implemented.
The new fees could come into effect as early as October 1st, 2024.
Leading taxi app, FREENOW, is joining efforts with bp to support all drivers on the platform.
Through this collaboration with bp, the company takes a step forward by providing additional benefits that give drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network, including fast, rapid, and ultra-fast chargers, and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Currently, 70% of FREENOW’s taxi trips in the UK are done with zero-emission capable black cabs and this percentage is expected to grow as more drivers switch to EV vehicles in the upcoming years.
However, FREENOW is also aware that the high costs associated with purchasing or renting EV taxis mean that not all drivers were able to make this transition.
To ensure those drivers don’t get penalised and can still get support through this cost-of-living crisis before they transition to an electric vehicle, FREENOW is also including fuel discounts as part of the agreement with bp.
Andrew Hurdle, Network Commercial Director at bp pulse, said: “We’re delighted to be working with FREENOW to offer their drivers discounted EV charging and fuel through the bp Fuel and Charge Card, helping more drivers make the switch to electric with access to our network of on-the-go charging.”
Nour Rasamny, Head of Operations at FREENOW UK, said: “Passengers and drivers are our number one priority at FREENOW. While we offer a wide range of EV taxi options to our passengers, we also want to continue to support drivers with EV charging.
"This collaboration with bp pulse allows us to offer drivers on the FREENOW app a great package that ensures they have access to EV charging while also supporting drivers who weren’t yet able to make the transition to an EV with fuel discounts and other perks.
“By reducing reliance on private cars in city centres and promoting the use of shared vehicles, we can change the way we move around our cities.
"At FREENOW, we know this change requires collaboration, and that is why we will continue to work closely with our partners' drivers and passengers to drive this change forward.”
FREENOW is committed to making cities more accessible and less congested by offering diverse, and accessible transport options for all.
This collaboration with bp is helping work towards this overall commitment by facilitating access to reliable, convenient EV charging at fast, rapid and ultra-fast speeds in the city, as well as high quality fuel.
On Monday 15th July, Wakefield Council Licensing Enforcement Officers, working alongside colleagues from West Yorkshire Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team and Police Intercept Team as well as DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
This was an operation targeting illegal vehicles around the Lupset and Thornes area. In total 62 vehicles were pulled into the static site for checks, and many more were checked by officers who were patrolling the area.
Below is a summary of some of the results:
DVSA: 3 serious faults which had to be rectified before the vehicle moved away and 2 tyre defects where the cords were showing
DVLA: 6 vehicle seizures for no tax and 5 warnings issued
Traffic Offence Reports were issued to 3 drivers for no seatbelts and one was issued due to an illegal number plate
The off-road bike team recovered a stolen motorbike and seized two vehicles, one for no tax and one for no insurance
Of the vehicles stopped Wakefield Licensing Officers checked 32 taxis and private hire vehicles
6 were suspended due to various issues
8 written warnings (Breach of regulations)
and 3 Rectification notices
Paul Sullivan, a Licensing Enforcement Officer at Wakefield council commented “ We are using our powers under section 68 LGMP Act 1976 to carry out spot checks to ensure vehicles remain safe in between regulatory Tests at the Depot.
"We checked vehicles in the area that were licensed from Wolverhampton, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. Whilst a large number drivers were seen to keep their vehicles in tip top condition, sadly there were a number who would drive around in an “old boot” if they could get away with it.
"There are no excuses for any vehicle to be working with bald tyres, as they don’t lose their tread overnight and drivers are required to carry out daily checks. We have a great relationship with the local police and these operations are now set to be carried out on a regular basis."
Roads Policing Officers dealt with a number of offences including defective tyres, mobile phone offences and one disqualified driver.
There was also a vehicle which failed to stop for officers in Lupset and after a short pursuit the driver and three other males were detained. The driver was arrested for dangerous driving, failing to stop, disqualified from driving, and also over the prescribed limit through drugs. The passengers were searched and later released.
The Police Intercept Team had a KTM motorbike Fail to Stop in Lupset in the afternoon, so the team utilised the drone, the vehicle and driver were located and detained by officers and arrested for the offences of failing to stop and dangerous driving.
Hackney carriage drivers in Cardiff can now apply for grants to upgrade their vehicles to cleaner, more environmentally friendly models. The Cardiff Hackney Emissions Reduction Grant Scheme (CHERG) aims to reduce emissions and promote sustainable transport in the city.
Who's eligible?
How to apply?
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How much can I get?
Grants range from £5,000 to £10,000 depending on the type of upgrade:
BEV Bonus:
For BEV purchases, drivers will receive the grant in two installments. The first half is paid upon vehicle purchase, with the second half coming after 12 months, provided the taxi remains licensed and actively used for the past 6 months.
What documents do I need?
Important notes:
The decision process:
After receiving the grant:
Going green for cleaner Cardiff streets:
The CHERG scheme presents an opportunity for Cardiff taxi drivers to contribute to a more sustainable city while potentially receiving financial support for vehicle upgrades.
Local taxi drivers are expressing growing concern over the potential impact of Uber’s expansion into the town.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.
Hackney carriage drivers fear a surge in Uber vehicles could overwhelm the local market, potentially forcing many out of business.
They are urging the council to impose the same stringent regulations on private hire drivers as they face.
While Uber’s application may come as no surprise, given the increasing number of its drivers already operating in the town, local taxi drivers are bracing for a significant shift in the industry.
They highlight the challenges they face, including declining earnings and the necessity to diversify their services, such as offering school runs.
Local drivers emphasise their in-depth knowledge of the area and the consistency of their pricing compared to Uber’s fluctuating rates. They also argue that they are held to a higher standard of regulation than private hire drivers.
Darlington Borough Council has confirmed that Uber’s application will be considered by a licensing committee on August 13, adhering to relevant legislation and council policies.
Uber has defended its operations, claiming to meet industry standards and comply with regulations like other private hire operators.
The potential arrival of Uber in Darlington is set to ignite a fierce competition for customers, with local taxi drivers fighting to protect their livelihoods.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.
A pilot emissions reduction grant scheme providing financial support for hackney carriage drivers to upgrade to cleaner EURO 6 and fully battery powered vehicles has been launched.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.
Darlington could soon see Uber cars on its streets after the ride-hailing giant applied for a licence to operate in the town.
Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has revoked the licences of two taxi drivers following a series of speeding offences.
A Northampton taxi driver has been found guilty of trafficking cocaine between his home city and Milford Haven.
The move comes after concerns were raised by the taxi industry about the rising cost of purchasing new vehicles.
Guide Dogs charity has asked licensing authorities in England for their support in sharing guidance on the law on carrying guide or other assistance dogs with all taxi and private hire operators.
Reading Taxi Association (RTA) chairman Asif Rashid has slammed Reading Borough Council's proposed phase-out of older petrol and diesel cabs by 2028, calling it a financial burden for drivers.
Dorset Council is poised to review taxi fares across the region, excluding Weymouth and Portland which have separate regulations.
A North Belfast man, Ruairi Fintan Muldoon (31), has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with an additional 12 months on supervised release for a botched attempt to rob a taxi driver.
Passengers are been invited to take part in a survey aimed at finding out if the taxi trade in West Suffolk is accessible to all.
A Glasgow man, Darren Gray, 31, launched into a verbal tirade and racially abused a taxi driver on Paisley Road West on August 19th, 2022.