Manchester Vehicle conditions

Manchester Council have a duty to put  conditions upon Taxi and PH vehicles.

One of the more onerous conditions is an age policy. Hackney vehicles must among other thing have an age limit of 10 years. This can be extended to 12 years, if you have a 'CAT' exhaust system fitted.

Manchester have formally adopted the Metropolitan conditions of fitness. The age limit there is 15 years. The Metropolitan conditions of fitness contains no mention of a requirement for swivel seats. Manchester insists on them. Metropolitan conditions say a cab must have a Vosa MOT every 6 months. Manchester say most Cabs must be examined by them, at an extortionate rate, every 4 months.

These deviations mean in fact, Manchester's claim of adopting the Metropolitan conditions is 'cobblers'.

If you think our conditions are unfair, spare a thought for the 'underclass'. Manchester PH vehicles have a 7 year age limit. There are some exceedingly nice PH vehicles which have to be replaced without any need whatsoever. At this moment in time any 56 plate PH car must be replaced.

This has led to an even more dangerous and unwelcome scenario. This was highlighted to me this weekend outside the Raddisson Hotel, Manchester.

This is Rossendale Hack No 779. The thing that struck me was the stickers in the windows, which I mark with an arrow.

"Not insured without booking from an Operator" (or similar). These stickers are a Manchester Condition attached to PH vehicles.

This vehicle was, until very recently a Manchester PH licensed vehicle. It is a very expensive PH vehicle in good condition. Inspection of the reg show it to be a 56 plate.

Manchester in their wisdom have attached a very onerous condition to this vehicle which has made the owner licence some where else.

Some where who give him a better, cheaper deal. Money supermarket might start promoting Rossendale Licensing. However Manchester are promoting other Council Licensing unit's better than anyone. That is why we have over a thousand vehicles, registered as far away as Cornwall operating as PH vehicles here in Manchester.

The Lunatics have taken over the Asylum.