Plymouth Cabbies Fear New Policy Will Drive Them Out

Plymouth's iconic black cabs, a familiar sight on the city's streets, are facing an uncertain future. The Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association (PLTA) has voiced strong opposition to a newly approved taxi policy by Plymouth City Council, arguing that its measures will not only impose significant financial burdens on drivers but could ultimately drive many out of the profession. The association is calling for a complete halt and reconsideration of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2022, set to take effect on May 1st.

The Core of the Controversy: New Livery and Payment Systems

At the heart of the PLTA's protest are two key changes mandated by the new policy: a requirement for all licensed taxis to adopt a new, specific colour scheme – green and white – and the mandatory installation of card payment devices in all cabs. The PLTA contends that these changes, particularly the livery update, represent a substantial and unwelcome expense for drivers, especially when coupled with the already high cost of modern taxis, which can range from £46,000 to a staggering £70,000 for electric models. The cost of repainting an older cab alone could reach up to £2,700, a figure the PLTA believes will deter older drivers from investing in the required upgrades.

"We would like it put on hold and discussed thoroughly, with all bodies concerned. It was rushed through," stated John Beaumont, Chairman of the PLTA. "None of those councillors knew what they were voting for, I doubt they read all 116 pages (of the policy document). We want to have face to face meetings. We have got to get someone to listen to us and hold the policy or else we will lose drivers hand over fist.”

The "Knowledge" Test Blunder: A Sign of Hasty Policy-Making?

Adding fuel to the fire is a significant oversight admitted by the council concerning the renowned "knowledge" test, a rigorous examination of a driver's familiarity with the city's streets and routes. A council blunder meant that new private hire taxi drivers would be exempt from this test, a decision that was accidentally approved by councillors. The PLTA points to this error as evidence that the policy was not adequately scrutinised and was pushed through the voting process too quickly. This mistake, they argue, undermines the integrity of the policy and justifies a complete review.

Plymouth City Council has acknowledged the mistake, stating that the line referring to the exemption for the Topographical Knowledge of Plymouth (KOP) test should have been removed. However, they intend to proceed with the policy as approved by the full council, meaning private hire applicants will indeed be exempt from the KOP test from May 1st. The council has apologised for any confusion and indicated they will review the situation to determine if the policy needs to be returned to the full council for further debate.

A Shrinking Workforce: The Looming Driver Shortage

The concerns raised by the PLTA are exacerbated by the current state of the taxi industry in Plymouth. The city is already facing a shortage of licensed taxi drivers, with many of the existing drivers being over the age of 60 and approaching retirement. Recent figures reveal a stark reality: only two black cab drivers are under 30, while a significant proportion, 81 out of 309 currently licensed hackney drivers, are over 60. This demographic imbalance, coupled with the new policy's potentially prohibitive costs, paints a grim picture for the future availability of taxis.

The PLTA estimates that as many as 400 hackney and private hire drivers left the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the number of private hire drivers has dwindled from 803 to 690, with many more reducing their working hours. John Beaumont has warned that several drivers are planning to leave the trade this summer, and there is a real possibility that the city may not have enough drivers to fulfil essential school contracts in September. "They will struggle to find enough drivers to take children to school," he warned.

Consultation Disregarded?

The PLTA also expressed dismay over what they perceive as a disregard for the results of a public consultation on the new licensing proposals. According to Mr. Beaumont, 72% of respondents were against a livery change, 75% opposed the scrapping of the knowledge test, and a majority did not favour lifting the cap on hackney licences. Despite these clear preferences expressed by the public, councillors approved all these measures. "It is beyond me," Mr. Beaumont stated, expressing his astonishment.

While the consultation did show a majority (60%) in favour of installing card payment systems, the PLTA argues that this, too, adds to the financial strain on drivers. "Everything they want to introduce will bring additional costs to drivers," Beaumont reiterated.

Council's Stance: Consultation and Review

Plymouth City Council, however, maintains that the new taxi policy underwent a thorough consultation process. A spokesperson for the council stated that relevant documents were made available online for a 12-week period, from November 25th to February 17th, and that emails and letters were sent to all drivers, proprietors, and operators, as well as various agencies and community groups, inviting feedback. The consultation reportedly received 338 responses, which were fully considered before the policy was presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and subsequently approved by the full council in March.

The council acknowledged the error regarding the knowledge test, stating that the policy would be implemented as published. However, they also committed to reviewing the situation to determine if the policy should be brought back before the full council. This suggests a potential, albeit uncertain, avenue for the PLTA's concerns to be re-addressed.

Key Considerations for Taxi Drivers

The new policy introduces several significant changes that taxi drivers in Plymouth need to consider:

What Does This Mean for the Future of Taxis in Plymouth?

The situation highlights a growing tension between regulatory bodies and the taxi trade, particularly in the face of an aging workforce and the increasing costs associated with operating a taxi. The PLTA's fight against the new policy underscores the need for better communication and collaboration between the council and the drivers it impacts. The potential exodus of drivers, if the policy is implemented without significant revision, could lead to a reduced service for the public, affecting everything from daily commutes to vital school transport.

The coming weeks will be crucial as the council reviews the situation following the admitted blunder. Whether the policy is revisited, or if drivers are forced to bear the brunt of these new regulations, remains to be seen. The future of Plymouth's black cabs, and indeed the livelihoods of its dedicated drivers, hangs in the balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the main changes in Plymouth's new taxi policy?
The main changes include a mandatory new livery (green and white) for taxis and the requirement for all cabs to have card payment devices. There's also an exemption from the "knowledge" test for new private hire drivers.

Q2: Why are Plymouth's black cab drivers unhappy with the new policy?
Drivers are concerned about the significant costs associated with the new livery, the mandatory payment devices, and believe the policy was rushed and the consultation results were ignored. They also cite a recent blunder exempting private hire drivers from the "knowledge" test as evidence of poor policy-making.

Q3: Is there a shortage of taxi drivers in Plymouth?
Yes, the city is experiencing a shortage, with many existing drivers being over 60 and nearing retirement. The PLTA fears the new policy will exacerbate this issue.

Q4: Will drivers have to buy new taxis?
While not explicitly stated that all drivers must buy new vehicles, the cost of repainting older cabs is high, and the cost of new taxis is substantial. Drivers are concerned that older drivers will retire rather than invest in upgrades.

Q5: What is the council's response to the concerns?
The council acknowledges a mistake regarding the "knowledge" test exemption but intends to implement the policy as approved. They state the policy underwent a full consultation and will be reviewing the knowledge test situation.