Category: General Taxi Issues

The Miscellaneous Committee meeting today (Friday 20th November 2020) discussed and considered the proposed amendments to the Licensing Conditions of Vehicles, in relation to vehicles age and specification, specifically focusing on Zero emission vehicles and Euro 6 for Diesel, and Euro 4 for Petrol.

There were 4 representatives of the trade present, Dan A2B Truro, Mrs J Arnold Truro Association, Abacus Falmouth and myself.

‘To kick a man when he’s down is to attack at the persons weakest moment.’

There were representations from the trade stating reasons to be more lenient and consider the current crisis, and members also stated similar concerns. The point was strongly made from representatives of the trade that now was not the time, and asked for the matter to be deferred for now.

It was first proposed to defer ‘Phase 2’ of the recommendations until 1st April 2022 by Sarah Kent of Licensing, but Councillor Biscoe put forward a proposal to set up a ‘Working Group’ to include appropriate members of council services and members of the trade, in order to collaborate together to set up a workable strategy for the trade to work toward zero emissions, and report back to committee with a view to then further consult the trade.

So for now there is no change, and the matter is deferred until successful completion of the working group, to be referred to the committee for a further consultation with the trade.

I know I cringe when I here the phrase “these uncertain times” or a similar phrase, but what also makes me cringe is the fear that despite the fact most of us in the Taxi or Private Hire business are facing a very uncertain future, with little promise of any light at the end of the tunnel for a good year or more, and just grateful to be able to pay the bills and buy food – the fear that the council will still push ahead with expensive policies (expensive for us that is) when we can least afford any drastic changes due to the current crisis, especially when forward planning is financially impossible for the foreseeable future.

I have previously emphasised the TINY contribution toward diesel pollution the licensed vehicle trade makes, based on the actual figures provided by one of the council officers, where we are only 0.47% of the problem! So making changes in the licensed vehicle trade alone will do pretty much nothing toward the pollution problem, it will just be political window dressing.

Furthermore, the recent consultation with the trade over Vehicle Specification & Age was done pre-COVID, so as the landscape has changed so dramatically, is it now out-of-date and irrelevant?

If we are to see an age limit introduced (for Restormel re-introduced), I think a max age of 12 years, with 10 years on first application would be a much more manageable option. This would see all new vehicle applications meeting the EURO 6 standard by 2025, so still proactive, but more sympathetic to the current problems we face.

As for EVs, it should just be left to take it’s natural course for the future, and we will adopt whatever the future is in due course.

Don’t forget the 3rd SEISS grant from the 30th November! Apply here