Taxi Driver Online

Blackburn and Darwen taxi drivers' protest
3:10pm Friday 6th February 2009

By Tom Moseley »

TAXI drivers have protested at controversial proposals that would mean two thirds of their fleet have to be replaced.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is considering imposing a 10-year age limit on Hackney carriages in an attempt to hit EU air pollution standards.

But drivers have slammed the plans, with 44 out of the 68 licensed black cabs in the borough already over 10 years old.

About 50 drivers came to the town hall on Thursday night where the licensing committee sent the proposals back to the ruling executive board with a recommendation to raise the age limit to 15.

The committee also wants to see drivers given help buying replacement taxis where necessary, either through subsidies or loans.

The decision was welcomed by Makbul Patel, vice chairman of the borough’s Hackney Carriage Association.

He said: “It’s not bad, 15 years is better than 10. I am not 100 per cent happy, but it’s better.

“It would be good it the council helped us to buy the new vehicles. They subsidise buses “If we had to replace vehicles it would cost us £20,000 then they would be worthless after 10 years. We would have to scrap them.

“It’s absolutely unfair. Average earning for taxi drivers are only about £6,000 at the moment, so we won’t get finance.”

When the original plans were announced, 64 objections and a petition were submitted to the licensing committee in protest.

Labour Coun Jim Smith, who sits on the committee, said: “The council wants them to have these new taxis, but they can’t afford them in the current climate, so we need to find a way to help out.

“It’s about giving them a fighting chance”.

The executive board will take a final decision on the matter in the coming weeks.

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

I wonder if the association has pointed them in the direction of London, or Blackpool where they get London's rejects or anyone's
Even though I hate the fecking things, as they are purpose built like busses there should be no age limit on WAVs

FFS.

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IDFIMH

If that's the aim, why not insist on this standard for all new licences or substitutions. They could then give everyone else 2 or 3 years to comply.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Perhaps the new association will rectify the situation

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin