A proposed rule change to make taxis more accessible could "finish off" the trade, North Yorkshire councillors have been warned.
North Yorkshire Council is proposing that all new hackney carriage vehicle licence applications should be for a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV), a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).
Officials say the policy would address the shortage of WAVs currently operating in the county.
The council currently licenses 60 wheelchair accessible hackney carriage vehicles, which represents one for every 10,250 people.
The best performing rural authorities provide one for every 2,000 to 3,000 people, according to council officers.
But taxi drivers have warned that the new policy could damage their businesses, which they say are already struggling.
Ripon-based Richard Fieldman, who represents around 100 members of the North Yorkshire Taxi Drivers group, said:
“I just cannot believe what they’re trying to do.
“The taxi trade is already in a massive decline due to Uber and one thing and another, and what they’re trying to do will just finish us off.”
He added:
“There’s absolutely no way, and I’m speaking personally here, that I would have a wheelchair vehicle or an electric vehicle, so myself, like many others, will just pack in.”
Mr Fieldman said WAV vehicles were unpopular with the trade because they were expensive to buy and drivers were not paid any extra for the time taken to load and unload wheelchairs, while electric vehicles were not suitable in a rural county like North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive members will be asked to approve the updated hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy next Tuesday.
Executive member for licensing, Cllr Richard Foster, 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.
“Hackney carriage and private hire services play an important role in transporting members of the public safely, and our plans would ensure that there is a mixed fleet, which is in line with the Government’s guidance, and will help to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
“The aim of the new policy is to increase the number of WAVs 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.”
A hackney carriage vehicle can be hailed by passengers on the roadside, stand on a rank, or be pre-booked, while private hire vehicles can only operate through pre-booking.
Under 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 council says the proposals have been prepared following consultation with the trade, wheelchair users and groups who represent them.
Councillors will also be asked to adopt a new ISP focusing on the needs of people whose access requirements are apparent when using public transport as well as the needs of people with less-visible disabilities, including autistic people or those with mental illness.
If introduced, a review of the policy would be carried out after a year to decide whether any changes are needed.
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