Glasgow cabs will not get blanket extension to become LEZ compliant

Glasgow City Council have agreed not to issue a blanket extension to taxi drivers to comply with new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) regulations on vehicles.

The Glasgow Cab Section of Unite the Union has long been fighting to see private and public hires handed a two-year extension to acquire compliant vehicles, before the introduction of the zones in June 2023.

The LEZ in Glasgow city centre will restrict the types of vehicles which can enter the area, meaning that emission-heavy cars will be fined.

Cab drivers argue the industry has not yet recovered the incomes lost during Covid-19 lockdowns, and that global supply shortages mean that new and electric vehicles are difficult and expensive to obtain.

Unite estimates that around 1,000 taxi drivers will be taken from Glasgow's streets come June.

Protestors from the trade union gathered outside of Glasgow City Chambers before the meeting.

Extension proposed

Conservative Councillors John Daly and Thomas Kerr proposed a motion which would offer a blanket extension to cab drivers, which would give them until 2024 to be compliant.

The motion was backed by Labour, who felt the extension would protect both the drivers and the city's night time economy.

The motion reads: "Council notes that the City Administration Committee of 13th October 2022 agreed to a time-limited exemption for non-funded taxi operators with Low Emission Zone enforcement for this group not coming into effect until 1st June 2023.

"However, Council recognises the significant concern is continuing to be expressed by taxi operators and users of other vehicles regarding the ability to source compliant vehicles both due to supply chain delays and the macro-economic environment.

"Council notes the concerns expressed by Unite Union Glasgow Cab Section that over 1,000 drivers could be lost as a result of retaining the 1st June 2023 enforcement date.

"Council considers that this would have a detrimental impact on the city's economy (particularly its night time economy) and on the ability of those with access needs and those who require night-time transport to be able to access the city for work and leisure.

"Council notes that Scotland's other LEZ's are not due to start enforcement until 1st June 2024 (30th May 2024 in Dundee) and that reflecting the significant challenges facing many small and medium businesses at the moment, it would be prudent to align the full enforcement of Glasgow's LEZ with these other schemes.

"Accordingly, this Council agrees that the full enforcement of Phase 2 should be delayed until 1st June 2024 and instructs the Chief Executive to make arrangements for this to occur."

'Unresearched'

However, the motion was scalded by the SNP and Greens who branded it "unresearched" as the party had already met with the Cab Section.

SNP and Green councillors argued that the introduction of the LEZ was absolutely essential for both public health and social justice.

They also said that Unite's estimate of 1,000 drivers being unable to continue working on Glasgow's roads was inaccurate.

They said taxi drivers would be able to continue working and granted an exemption if they are able to demonstrate they are taking steps towards being compliant.

The SNP and Green amendment blocking the further extension was passed with 46 votes to 37.

'Continued uncertainty'

Steven Grant is a taxi operator in Glasgow and also the branch secretary for the Unite Cab Section.

He told Clyde News he is disappointed but not surprised with the result: "We fully expected this would be this case at the full council meeting today.

"It just continues the uncertainty for taxi drivers.

"We did get some verbal assurances that there would be an opportunity for us to, in the coming weeks, look at getting a one year exemption.

"We await to see exactly what that entails because the guidelines still aren't out at this late stage.

"Even if we do get an additional 12-month grace with a time-limited exemption, which we're assured we will, we'll still continue our campaign.

"There are still serous concerns over levels of funding, over retrospective fitting capacity, over the availability of new and used taxis which are wheelchair accessible.

"These are all issues which need to be addressed and we don't want to be in this position in 12 months time again."

Steven argues the impact of the LEZ being introduced too soon will extend past the taxi trade.

He said: "We have to remember that taxi operators need to have a healthy city and economy to trade, and there are a lot more businesses which we think aren't fully aware of how this will affect them."

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