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.
The plan, which aims to replace all taxis with ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs), has sparked outrage amongst Reading's taxi drivers.
"We feel like we've got a noose around our necks," said Rashid during a recent council meeting. "Every so often, another regulation tightens the grip."
Rashid acknowledges the environmental concerns behind the phase-out but argues that the financial strain on drivers is too significant.
He highlights the high cost of ULEV taxis, which can reach £72,500 according to Rashid, compared to the £3,000-£6,000 government grant available to assist with the transition.
"This policy is going to destroy the trade," he warned.
Councillor David Stevens (Labour) echoed Rashid's concerns,emphasising the risk of pushing drivers out of the industry entirely due to the financial burden.
Rashid further claims the council has not fulfilled its promise to waive cab licence fees in conjunction with the phase-out.
He threatened to leave the trade himself if the situation worsens, citing his 25 years as a cab driver and 15 years as the RTA chairman.
Reading Borough Council implemented its vehicle emissions and age policy in October 2019, aiming for a net zero carbon Reading by 2030.
The policy initially targeted the removal of the oldest and most polluting cabs by October 2022,with a complete phase-out originally planned for December 2020.
However, this deadline was extended to October 2023 following a request by the RTA.
The latest proposal seeks to require all replacement vehicles to be ULEVs, less than five years old by October 2028.
Additionally, the age policy would mandate the retirement of all ULEVs after 15 years, with a potential one or two-year grace period based on individual vehicle assessments during driver licence renewals.
The council's licensing applications committee unanimously agreed to begin a consultation process regarding the proposed additions to the policy. The results of this consultation are expected to be discussed in November.
Dorset Council is set to review taxi fares across the region later this year, excluding Weymouth and Portland which have separate regulations.
This follows a request from a local taxi company proposing an increase of 40p for the first mile and 20p for each subsequent mile, along with the introduction of a booking fee.
The last adjustment to maximum taxi fares in the Dorset Council area (excluding Weymouth and Portland) occurred in April 2022.
A Dorset licensing committee will now decide whether to initiate a review process by means of:
Currently, Dorset hackney carriage fares are set in three bands:
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.
Muldoon, a former chef, initially failed to appear for his trial in March 2023 but later surrendered to police and pleaded guilty to the robbery charge.
The court heard that on May 30th, 2023, Muldoon took a taxi from Chichester Gardens to Hopefield Avenue.
After exiting the vehicle, he requested to change a £20 note but upon seeing the driver's limited change, Muldoon violently attempted to steal the money box.
The taxi driver, fearing for his life, reported punches thrown and threats before Muldoon fled the scene empty-handed.
Despite admitting to the taxi ride, Muldoon denied the robbery attempt during police questioning.
A pre-sentence report indicated a high risk of Muldoon re-offending, and the court noted he was already under probation and a suspended sentence for previous offences.
The court heard Muldoon has 40 previous convictions, including four entries for burglaries and ten for thefts.
Defence barrister, Kelly Doherty, argued the attempted robbery involved a small sum and minimal physical harm.
Judge Philip Gilpin, however, emphasised the violent nature of the crime, its targeting of a taxi driver while working and the psychological impact on the victim.
In a letter handed into court, Muldoon wrote that he wanted to apologise to the taxi driver ''for what I did to him that night''.
West Suffolk Council is seeking feedback from residents on the accessibility of the local taxi service.
This follows the council's decision in July 2022 to remove the mandatory wheelchair accessibility requirement for new and replacement taxis.
A survey launched by the council targets not only taxi users but also businesses, healthcare professionals, and organisations supporting people with disabilities. Their experiences will be used to assess if the current taxi service meets the needs of all residents.
“We want to ensure everyone in West Suffolk, regardless of mobility or disability, has access to taxis when needed,” said Cllr Gerald Kelly, Cabinet Member for Governance, Regulatory and Environment.
The survey covers various aspects of taxi accessibility, including the location and number of taxi ranks, as well as the types of vehicles available. It also welcomes input from those who avoid taxis due to accessibility concerns.
The council previously conducted a similar survey gathering feedback from taxi drivers and operators.
“Following the surveys,” Cllr Kelly explained, “we will collaborate with the taxi trade to explore potential improvements.This aligns with our strategic goals of promoting sustainable growth, thriving communities, and environmental responsibility.”
The goal is to create a thriving taxi industry that offers a decent living for drivers, prioritises passenger safety, caters to diverse needs across the district and minimises its environmental impact.
The public survey closes on August 11.
A Glasgow man, Darren Gray, 31, launched into a verbal tirade and racially abused a taxi driver on Paisley Road West at 2.55pm on August 19th, 2022.
He approached the taxi and asked to be taken to the Southside and then started shouting and swearing.
He told the driver: “Get out and go back home, I will spit on you, black b*****d”.
The incident escalated when Gray smashed the taxi window causing it to smash and glass to fall onto passengers who had since got in.
Gray was traced, arrested, cautioned and charged. The damage he caused was £580.
Gray pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including acting aggressively, uttering derogatory and racially aggravated comments and punching the window.
The court also heard of a separate charge of threatening a former partner.
Sheriff Vincent Lunny condemned Gray's actions, describing them as "appalling" and highlighting the possibility of jail time.
However, Gray received a two-year probationary sentence. This includes mandatory attendance at addiction services, 135 hours of unpaid work, and a curfew restricting him to his home address between 7 pm and 7 am for 163 days.
Sheriff Lunny concluded the hearing with a stern warning to Gray, stating, "You should be utterly ashamed of yourself."
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.