Taxi drivers celebrate three year battle to allow tinted windows
https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/16986 ... d-windows/
Image: Dudley News
TAXI drivers are celebrating a council decision to allow tinted windows on their vehicles.
Private hire and Hackney taxi drivers said they took action because they were being forced to pay for expensive replacement glass on new vehicles to pass as a Dudley licensed plate.
The majority decision in favour of the changes took place at Dudley Borough Council's taxi committee meeting on Thursday evening (October 11).
It follows a three year consultation period after the committee was asked to reconsider its policy.
Shaz Saleem, Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association chair, said: "We are very pleased that the 23-year-old policy has come to an end.
"It's important we move with the times, 60 per cent of the councils in the country allow manufactured tints.
"Our association is the most active in the country in terms of raising safety awareness and no evidence has ever been produced to suggest manufactured tints influences crimes.
"Policies must be based on facts not on opinions.
"Thank you to all councillors of the taxi committee, the public and more importantly to our 700 members who have remained patient in the three year battle."
The policy will be reviewed in 12 months.