Cab drivers: Licence changes are ‘a joke’
March 2007
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk:80/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=473320
CARLISLE taxi drivers predict that changes designed to increase the proportion of wheelchair-friendly taxis will have the opposite effect.
The city council has decided that from August 1 no new licences will be issued for white saloon-car taxis.
Drivers of existing white taxis will be able to replace them but anyone entering the taxi trade must buy a larger vehicle, such as a London-style black cab which can carry a wheelchair.
Owner-driver George Corry described the change “a joke”. He said: “There will be a mad rush for white-car licences before the August deadline.
“Instead of having fewer saloon car taxis there will be more of them.”
Some drivers have predicted that white-taxi licences, issued for £25, will change hands for up to £10,000 on the black market once the new regulations come into force.
The council has also decided to introduce an age limit for black cabs.
They must be under three years old when first licensed and retired at 10 years unless in “exceptional condition”.
Sixteen taxis older than that are likely to have to come off the road immediately.
Ray Thompson, a self-employed black-cab driver from Harraby is among those affected. He bought a 10-year-old London-style black cab for £1,500 in December.
He said: “This is basically going to put me out of work.
“I can’t afford to buy a newer cab and if I change to a saloon car I’ll lose social services contracts that require my cab to take a wheelchair.”
Another self-employed driver, Stephen Matthews, who has a seven-year-old black cab, said he was “totally against” age restrictions on vehicles.
He added: “A taxi has to pass the equivalent of three MoT tests a year. If it does that it should be good enough whatever its age.”
But David Morton, chairman of the council’s regulatory panel, defended the new regulations.
He said: “There has been no indication that there will be a rush for saloon-licence plates.
“Any such applications will be monitored over the next 12 months and if there is any change in the pattern then it will be reported to panel for consideration.”
Mr Morton said the changes had been introduced in the best interests of all concerned, including the public.
And he said the new rules anticipated future legislation that will mean all taxis must be able to carry a wheelchair.
Carlisle Taxi Association meets tonight and may ask the council to reverse the changes.
Carlisle currently has 203 taxis, of which 94 are equipped to carry wheelchairs.