Taxi drivers in Dundee have expressed frustration with the city's Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which has forced many to make costly upgrades or leave the industry altogether.

Drivers of diesel wheelchair accessible taxis have been worst effected by the LEZ, which came into force on 30 May 2024, as some of their vehicles didn’t meet LEZ requirements.

Graeme Stephen, chairman of the Dundee Taxi Association, told STV News that the high cost of upgrading vehicles, combined with the difficulty in obtaining electric wheelchair accessible options, has led to a decline in the number of taxi drivers in the city compared to 2023.

He said: "The WAVs were still working very well but drivers had to go and order other ones which were very, very hard to get hold of.

“You don’t get an electric wheelchair accessible vehicle. There was one, but Nissan is no longer doing that, and you were only getting 80 to 90 miles with that, which is no use.

“Taxi drivers are getting on a wee bit but [are] still willing to work on. If they try to get a loan for a new vehicle, it’s very difficult because of what taxi drivers are earning and the price of a new vehicle, especially WAVs; companies are not willing to lend that kind of money.

“I’m led to believe that some just threw the towel in and put their licence away and gave it up."

More than 5,500 fines have been issued in the first three months of Dundee’s LEZ. Latest figures from Dundee City Council show the total value of fines issued up to August 25, 2024 amounted to £454,320, but only £95,550 has been paid so far.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

A taxi driver in Plymouth has been left traumatised after being attacked and robbed by his passengers.

The driver, who has requested anonymity, picked up three individuals, two men and a woman, on September 22.

During the journey, the passengers asked him to drive down a narrow lane, where the men exited the taxi and returned with what the driver believed to be marijuana plants.

When the driver refused to transport the drugs, the passengers threatened him and assaulted him, punching him from the back seat.

The driver managed to call 999 but was prevented from making the call by the female passenger.

He eventually stopped the taxi and sought help from nearby residents, who contacted the police. The attackers then fled the scene with the driver's cash, car key and the plants.

The incident has left the driver fearful and anxious, prompting him to temporarily leave the UK. He has provided the police with a photo taken by a witness that shows the attackers fleeing the scene.

Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating the incident and have appealed to the public for any information or witnesses, on 101 or via their website quoting occurrence number 50240240799

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

Plans to increase taxi fares in Fenland District have been put on hold after concerns were raised by drivers and residents.

A decision on the proposed fare hikes was deferred by councillors at a recent meeting to allow for further discussions with the taxi industry.

The proposed increases included a 5% rise for the first two miles of a journey from £4 per mile to £4.20, and a 50% increase for subsequent miles from £2.20 per mile to £3.30.

Councillor David Patrick, who is also a taxi driver, argued that the increases were "unreasonable" and could lead to job losses.

He expressed concerns about the impact on residents, particularly those in rural areas with limited bus services.

However, Samantha Hoy, the council's portfolio holder for licensing, disagreed with Mr Patrick's analysis, stating that the proposed increases were reasonable.

The various concerns raised were included in the report given to councillors.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

PC Patrick Quinton — Bristol Taxicop caught an unlicensed man driving a taxi with passengers on board. 

PC Quniton said: “Good evening all, at Colliters Way earlier I found this taxi with passengers on board being driven by an unlicensed driver. This means he was uninsured so I've had it towed away.

“Further enforcement action to be taken against BOTH driver and operator.

“Have a safe shift.”

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

A High Wycombe man has been denied a taxi licence after a court upheld Buckinghamshire Council's decision to refuse Mr Asghar a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence based on its policy.

His application was rejected on 13 September, due to a history of poor driving, including a crash with a motorbike in November 2020.

The council successfully defended its decision in Wycombe Magistrates' Court, citing Mr Asghar's seven penalty points on his driving licence for driving without due care and attention following the crash and a previous revocation of his licence in 2018 for poor driving standards.

The council's policy states that applicants with serious motoring offences, such as those resulting in injury or property damage, are barred from obtaining a licence for at least seven years.

Mr Asghar was ordered to pay the council's legal costs of £2,451.92.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it