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10
Mar
New taxi licensing policy to be approved in North Yorkshire
A new taxi licensing policy that aims to make vehicles more accessible for people with disabilities is set to be approved — depsite concerns from cabbies.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive members will be asked to approve an updated hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy, and a new inclusive service plan, at a meeting next Tuesday (March 17).
The policy aims to address the lack of licensed wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the county.
However, local taxi drivers have objected and said the changes could damage the trade.
Currently, the council licenses 60 wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages, which is one for every 10,250 people.
The national average across rural areas is one wheelchair-accessible vehicle for every 8,150 people.
To improve its numbers, the council is insisting all new hackney carriage vehicles would need to be wheelchair-accessible vehicle, a zero-emission vehicle, or a hybrid electric vehicle.
Existing licensed hackney carriage vehicles would retain "grandfather rights" until they are no longer fit for purpose and would not need to be upgraded to meet the new requirements.
Cllr Richard Foster, the council’s executive member for licensing, said:
We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, so the aim of the policy is to improve the access and availability of licensed vehicles across the county.
The aim of the new policy is to increase the number of wheelchair-accessible vehicle on our roads whilst balancing its impact on the trade. We have consulted with the trade, wheelchair users and groups to help shape the updated policy.
Cabbies object
Richard Fieldman, Ripon taxi driver
But the plans have been strongly opposed by some North Yorkshire cabbies.
Ripon-based taxi driver Richard Fieldman said the changes "beggared belief".
Mr Fieldman, who represents around 100 members of the North Yorkshire Taxi Drivers group, said they would devastate the trade by making it harder for cabbies to make a living.
Regulated taxi drivers are already being replaced in North Yorkshire towns by Uber drivers, he said:
We are already being swamped and overtaken by a massive influx of Uber cars in North Yorkshire.
They have a distinct advantage over us regarding licensing conditions and we must be able to have equal choice of vehicle over them.
Speaking today, Mr Fieldman said wheelchair-accessible vehicles were too expensive for many drivers and weren't required by many disabled passengers.
He added electric vehicles weren't viable because of the lack of charge points and vehicles not staying charged long enough for cabbies' needs.
Under the new plans, private hire operators would need to identify a passenger’s accessibility needs prior to taking a booking, to ensure that an appropriate vehicle is provided.
The report, which will be presented to members of the council’s executive next Tuesday, can be viewed here.
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