Blackpool Council officials are considering a review on the age limit currently in place on wheelchair accessible taxis, proposing a reduction from 14 to 12 years.
Town hall executive committee members are to decide on whether a new limit should be implemented. The new rule would require hackney taxi operators with wheelchair taxis to replace their cab once it reaches 12 years old.
Council chiefs say they want the age reduction to ensure passenger safety and maintain the highest possible standards for all taxis.
Taxi Trade Opposition
However opposition has been voiced by Bill Lewtas, secretary of Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators’ Association. Speaking to Blackpool Today he said: “Our opinion is this would not be fair in the current economic climate, given these vehicles cost three times as much as ordinary taxi saloons.
“We believe this measure will encourage taxi drivers to switch over to saloons when clearly the wheelchair accessible vehicles are much needed by disabled people.”
Mr Lewtas also explains that the Council’s proposed age limit comes in direct opposition to Department of Transport guidance, which recommends no age limit for taxis.
He continues: “We are doing our part by improving taxi maintenance and cabs are now given VOSA Certificate of Compliance 40 minute tests up to three times a year.”
Lewtas added: “But even the owners of new cabs are finding suspension and steering parts need to be replaced due to the appalling state of our roads.”
Black Cab Service Crucial for Visitors
Leader of Blackpool Council, Councillor Peter Callow, told Blackpool Today: “For many, hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are the first service visitors make use of and they are therefore a very important part of making a good first impression.
“We must drive up the quality of these vehicles and as such the revised policy aims to remove old, shabby vehicles from service.”
Blackpool Council claims that the recent economic climate has been recognised in the recent decision to reduce the age limit to 12 years, as an age limit of 10 years currently applies to saloon cars taxis.