Drivers Fear Future Over New Emissions Rules
Strict new rules on emissions will see nearly half of Edinburgh’s taxis being forced off the road. Black cabs more than ten years old face a ban within 18 months following the councils plan to meet EU guidelines. Drivers have slammed the proposed plans as being rushed and poorly researched, claiming many are likely to quite the trade. A new Edinburgh City Council policy will state that cabs older than ten years be replaced by 2020, forcing some drivers to pay £62,000 to upgrade to a new taxi as the industry faces a £20 million upgrade bill.
Edinburgh Taxi Association chairman, Mark McNally, said: “We want to be part of the solution on air quality and we should be getting support from the council but we feel we’ve been singled out as a group and the benefits are insignificant. We feel let down in being asked to jump through hoops. It’s unacceptable.”
Drivers fear for their future as some simply cannot afford the cost of buying a new taxi. Mr McNally commented: “Some of these guys are 55 or 60 plus and they won’t be given finance to renew these vehicles.” He assured these vehicles are still viable despite many taxi drivers using cars more than ten years old, saying: “Some of these guys keep older vehicles on the road relatively cheaply, but they have to pass the same tests as a brand-new car. If it doesn’t pass, then it’s taken off the road.”
Taxi Trade Set On Improving Air Quality
Mr McNally notes that the taxi trade is committed to helping improve air quality in the city. However, measures have been adopted way ahead of other initiatives, including low emission zones. McNally said: “We find ourselves singled out with no evidence to show what impact this will have on improving air quality.”
The Edinburgh Taxi Association polled its 500 members with four in five saying they would struggle to continue in the trade following the new fleet requirements.
Edinburgh cabbie, Patrick Gallacher, 44 from Moredun, has been in the trade for over a decade and drives a 12-year-old vehicle. Mr Gallacher, said: “I found out in March it had to be off the road next April, 13 months’ notice, whereas in London they got five years notice. There’s guys in their 50s and 60s taking part-time work because they can’t afford 50,60 or 70 grand on a new taxi.”
A council spokeswoman said drivers were informed in June 2016 and that proposals were drawn up to bring Edinburgh in line with other UK cities. She said: “The council is responding to growing public concern about the impact of air pollution on their health by introducing a range of measures to ensure people can breathe clean air in the city.”
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