A revised Clean Air Plan for Greater Manchester, which includes a continued commitment to avoid charging drivers, is set to be submitted to the UK government.

The updated plan would see £86.7m invested in cleaner buses, Taxis/PHVs and measures to manage traffic flows on some roads in Manchester and Salford – using funding already awarded to Greater Manchester by government.

Under the revised Clean Air Plan proposals Manchester could meet legal limits for nitrogen dioxide by 2026 at the latest through:

CLEAN TAXI FUND

•  £22.5m to offer grants of between £3,770 and £12,560: Would support upgrades to every non-compliant eligible hackney cab and private hire vehicle licensed with a Greater Manchester authority by 1 October 2024. l

• £8m for electric hackney upgrades: Providing grants of between £7,530 and £12,560 to support owners of GM-licensed hackney carriages who meet the minimum emission standard upgrade to a zero-emission capable vehicle.

• Upgrades would need to meet new minimum emission standards being introduced by Greater Manchester local authorities by 31 December 2025 (date to be reviewed if government does not agree to the Clean Taxi Fund).  

• Compliant vehicles: Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles with an internal com-bustion engine would need to be either Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel or be a fully zero-emissions capable electric vehicle.

• Proposed taxi grants are aligned with those offered under the 2021 GM Clean Air Plan with an uplift of 25.6%, reflecting inflation and changes in prices since grants were originally developed.

PLUS

• £51.1m investment in 40 new zero-emission electric buses, EV charging infrastructure at bus depots, and upgrading 77 buses to be Euro VI (clean air compliant).

AND

• £5m investment in local traffic measures:  To manage traffic flow on roads in Manchester and Salford.

• The plan also proposes removing over 1,000 Clean Air Zone signs across the region.

• Evidence shows that the proposed investment-led Clean Air Plan will improve air quality faster than a Clean Air Zone – and without causing hardship to residents or businesses.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Clean Air lead for Greater Manchester, expressed confidence in the government's approval of the revised plan.

He said: "The latest air quality monitoring data shows a really encouraging trend and we’ve done this without the hardship to residents and businesses that a charging Clean Air Zone could cause.

“Given some of the changes that have occurred in the last nine months, there was a need to adapt and update our proposals for an investment-led, non-charging GM Clean Air Plan.

"We’re now in a position where that work has been done and, subject to approvals, we can submit our updated plan to the new Government as soon as possible and await their decision."

The GM Air Quality Administration Committee will consider the plan on October 1 and recommend its submission to the government, although it's for Government to decide what the final Clean Air Plan includes. 

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Two Johnstone taxi companies have united in a bid to catch those responsible for a recent spate of vandalism targeting their vehicles.

Alpha Taxis Johnstone and Johnstone TOA Taxis are offering a financial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits.

The companies say that their drivers have been left "distressed" and out of pocket after their vehicles were damaged.

Windows have been smashed, and personal belongings stolen, causing significant financial losses.

A statement was posted to their social media on Wednesday 18 September which stated: "As you will all be aware there has been a recent series of attacks on taxis across the area whereby the windows have been smashed and items removed from inside the vehicles.

"This has caused a significant amount of distress to the drivers involved and has cost a lot of money in repairing the damage along with a significant loss of earnings to our drivers.

"We would like to advise everyone that none of our drivers leave anything of any value within their vehicles, this includes money!

"Both Alpha Taxis and Johnstone TOA are now prepared to offer a financial reward for the successful apprehension and subsequent conviction of the individual (s) involved in this spate of attacks.

"Should you have details of who is / has been responsible then please get in touch with the taxi office and ask for the office manager."

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This partnership signals TakeMe's continued growth across the UK and strengthens their network by bringing together local expertise with the power of a national brand.

David Hunter CEO of TakeMe said: "Together we are stronger, reflecting our belief in supporting local businesses to succeed on a larger scale.

"With cutting-edge technology, data-driven insights, and our nationwide reach, Saltire Private Hire is set to expand into new markets and elevate its service for both drivers and customers.

"Exciting times ahead as we continue to drive innovation and growth!"

Rob Finlayson from Saltire Private Hire said: "We now have a full team behind us, and TakeMe can push us into new areas.

"We have ambitious plans, and I’m really impressed with their new data analytics teams that can do clever things through the digital sphere to attract both drivers and customers."

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David Hunter, CEO of TakeMe said," a big shout out to Roger and Leanne Bridge for leading this next chapter for their business.”

Driven Taxis will now benefit from:

• Centralised support: Access to our accounts department, marketing resources, and national buying power for fleets and utilities.

• Digital transformation: Enhanced online presence with our state-of-the-art app, helping drivers and customers connect seamlessly.

• Increased efficiency: Streamlined operations with access to our call centre, allowing more time for what's important—serving the community.

• Local expertise, national reach: While retaining their deep local knowledge, they now benefit from being part of a larger, national network.

"It’s fantastic to see more independent companies joining our mission to transform the private hire industry, bringing unparalleled service to their customers.

"Welcome to the future of transport! "

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Taxi drivers across the UK are facing a continuing threat from potholes, with many forced to take evasive manoeuvers to avoid damage or accidents. 

A new survey by SimplyQuote, (https://www.simplyquote.co.uk/taxi-insurance/) based on Freedom of Information data, reveals that 92% of drivers believe the pothole situation in their local areas is deteriorating.

The survey also found that 94% of taxi drivers have swerved dangerously to dodge potholes, despite the risk of fines, penalty points or even disqualification for careless driving. 

These actions can result in fines of up to £2,500.

Potholes are a significant financial burden for taxi drivers, with 83% of those who have suffered damage having to pay for repairs out of pocket. 

Only 6% have chosen to file insurance claims, which can lead to loss of no claims discounts and increased premiums.

Taxi drivers can seek compensation for pothole-related damage by filing claims with the local council, road authority or their insurance provider. 

However, gathering evidence such as witness statements, mechanic reports and photographs of the pothole is essential for a successful claim.

Chris Richards, CEO of SimplyQuote, said: “Taxi drivers across the UK are undoubtedly struggling as the pothole situation worsens.

"Costly repairs are the last thing drivers need when they’re already battling the challenges of earning a living in today's climate. But we want to raise awareness about the options available to those who suffer damage due to an unrepaired pothole.

“Unfortunately, many drivers aren’t aware that swerving to avoid potholes could land them in trouble with the law. Our survey found that 66% of drivers didn’t realise it was illegal to swerve.

“If your local council rejects your claim, you can turn to your insurance provider for support. Just be mindful that doing so may impact your no claims bonus, so it’s worth checking the fine print on your policy.

"You might also want to get a quote with the claim added to see how much your premium could increase before making a final decision.”

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