A Leeds councillor has called on the Government to compensate hundreds of taxi drivers who paid thousands for new eco-friendly cars, should a review conclude they were not needed.
It follows an announcement last month that funding of the £20m-plus clean air charging zone (CAZ) would be suspended while the authority worked with the Government to understand whether pollution could ever again reach illegal levels.
The CAZ was due to make a daily charge to buses, HGVs and taxis or private hire vehicles driving in certain parts of the city if their engines did not meet eco-friendly requirements.
Many self employed taxi drivers spent thousands upgrading their vehicles in readiness for the scheme, which was expected to be up and running in 2021, only to be told work on the scheme was suspended due to improving air pollution levels in the city.
Taxis and private hire drivers in Leeds have spent thousands upgrading their cars in preparation for a scheme that may no longer take place.
A conclusion of the review into the scheme is set to go before councillors in October’s council executive board meeting, but Labour councillor Javaid Akhtar claimed the government should pay drivers who upgraded their vehicles, should the scheme be scrapped
Coun Akhtar said: “Many businesses have suffered, and the private hire and taxi trade is no different. We know many hundreds of drivers have invested thousands of pounds in the cleaner vehicles.
“Can I now ask the executive board member to join us to campaign for a compensation for those drivers who have already invested in hybrids or electric cars, so the Government has to pay those drivers off during these difficult times.”
Coun James Lewis (Lab), executive board member for resources and deputy council leader, said: “The implementation is under review due to the improvement of air quality since March. It is important that the outcome is not pre-empted.
“I know many taxi and private hire drivers have been in touch since we instigated the review making similar points to those you have made.
“First of all, I would say we have to wait for the outcome of the review.
“Air quality has improved – if the review suggests we don’t need to implement a charging zone, we will make the case to government that the money allocated to us and remains unspent, we continue to support businesses to keep those vehicles on the road, and to invest in new clean vehicles.
“I know Coun Akhtar will make that strong case to the Government. We, should the review say we don’t need a clean air charging zone, will continue to do that.”
Plans for Leeds’s clean air charging zone would see older models of buses, taxis and HGVs travelling in areas around north Leeds and the city centre pay a congestion charge.
The fees would be administered via a £6m camera network, which would identify number plates of cars that didn’t meet green requirements so that drivers could be charged.
It was originally expected to be up and running by January 2020 but, following numerous delays from central government in creating a vehicle database, it was announced in July 2019 that the charging zone should be going live “some time in 2020”.
Last month it was announced that work on the scheme would be halted.
https://tinyurl.com/y694o9vl
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Independent taxi drivers in Inverness are implementing a new initiative to “reclaim the streets” in a bid to fight back from the downturn in trade during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inverness Taxi Alliance chairman Andrew MacDonald, 75, owns several cars which trade under Caley Taxis and Black Mercedes Taxis, and hires his vehicles to self-employed drivers.
He is urging independent taxi drivers across the city to “reclaim your streets and your livelihood”.
He said: “Here in Highland there are over 1,000 taxi drivers, many are self-employed independents who depend on working the few available ranks.
“Too many are trying to share an ever decreasing slice of the cake.
“Many of this beleaguered section have no choice but to continue working to try and scrape a living. Times were hard prior to Covid – they are significantly worse now.”
Mr MacDonald said he is trying to bring together independent drivers to join an initiative which will provide a 24 hour, seven-day-a-week service which will take many away from waiting hours for a shout on a rank.
He added: “This is an appeal to all independent drivers to reclaim the streets and get their due without dues, reduce pollution and their fuel costs and maximise what work is available.”
Caley Taxis has purchased a phone system that incorporates both the firm’s advertised numbers as well as the drivers’ mobiles.
Calls will be directed to the drivers’ mobiles when a call comes in, and the first to answer will get the job.
The calls will be rotated in sequence to registered drivers.
Mr MacDonald said: “Obviously, an appropriate number of cars are needed to cover 24 hours/seven days will be required.
“This is therefore an appeal to local drivers to join what will basically be a workers’ co-operative – no dues, and no commission for the duration of this crisis.
“The only pre-condition will be that drivers will take a maximum of an eight-hour shift and be available exclusively to the number at those times.”
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STAFFORDSHIRE
A terrified 11-year-old girl ran for her life after a taxi driver tried to lure her into his cab as she walked home in North Staffordshire.
The youngster was heading past Blythe Bridge train station, in Uttoxeter Road, when a car pulled up alongside her.
The cabbie - described as Asian with stubble and spiky black hair - then tried to persuade her to get in at around 5.30pm on Tuesday (September 15).
It is believed the same driver had approached the victim around an hour and 20 minutes earlier.
Sharing details of the incident on Facebook to warn other parents, her mum said: "My daughter came in and said that a taxi asked her to get in his car.
"He slowly drove up to her and she knew something was wrong. He also approached her a bit lower down the road too some time earlier.
"Please spread the word as I want to make other children aware.
"My daughter's fine and did the right thing by running straight home."
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