Glasgow taxi drivers say more are quitting since start of LEZ
A protest is taking place later calling for the scheme to be scrapped.
Taxi drivers in Glasgow are claiming more drivers are leaving the trade faster than ever because they can't afford to keep up with the rules of the Low Emission Zone.
The heaviest polluting petrol and diesel cars have been banned from the city centre since June last year.
Dozens of people are expected to get together later to demand the scheme is reversed.
READ MORE: Bid to reverse Low Emission Zone in Glasgow fails.
Neil Schofield does private hires and told Greatest Hits Radio: "I am questioning if there is a future for me in this industry.
"Fewer people are coming in and out of the city centre at night time too which is making it difficult to continue doing the job.
"I used to earn enough money to live comfortably, but now I feel I can only continue doing it part-time to top up my wages."
What cars are banned?
Emission standards are set nationally for Scotland and they are:
• Euro 4 for petrol vehicles
• Euro 6 for diesel vehicles
• Euro IV for heavy duty petrol vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs
• Euro VI for heavy duty diesel vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs
It generally means that petrol vehicles registered from 2006 onwards and diesel cars registered after September 2015 will meet the required standards.
Neil was forced to buy a new vehicle last year because his previous one did not meet the requirements.
READ MORE: Glasgow private hire taxis lose licences for not being LEZ compliant.
He added: "I am paying hundreds of pounds extra every month which is an expense I would rather not have.
"The job is far more difficult than it was before and I am working seven days a week which is exhausting."
Crucial in tackling pollution
A council spokeswoman said: “Both short and long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases, including asthma and respiratory infections. Glasgow’s LEZ is therefore a crucial and proportionate measure to tackle the harmful pollution that has blighted the city centre for decades.
“Plans to extend Glasgow’s LEZ to all vehicle types were democratically agreed in 2018. Since then, the council has undertaken an extensive programme of communications and engagement to raise awareness of the scheme, its timescale for introduction and the availability of funding to ease compliance.
“Our research shows that buses and trains are the most common ways of getting into the city centre, with walking and the Subway also popular. We also know that the vast majority of vehicles driving into the zone already meet the emission standards, however the LEZ addresses the most polluting vehicles which disproportionately create the harmful concentrations of air pollution in the city centre.
“There is no question the night-time economy is facing a considerable combined challenge of covid recovery and high inflation, but the city centre remains a popular destination for people seeking to enjoy themselves in Glasgow’s pubs and restaurants.
READ MORE: Glasgow LEZ: Heaviest polluting cars and vans banned from city centre.
“The pandemic has led to changes in the way Glasgow city centre is used but the data we have shows that city centre footfall is higher in the evenings and at weekends than before the pandemic.
“Billions are now also being invested in developments that will help to boost the city centre population in the longer term and make the city centre far more resilient in future.”
Taxi compliance
Specific to taxis - A council spokeswoman said: “The LEZ Retrofit Fund has been available to eligible taxi operators since 2019. In the same year, the council amended licensing conditions to allow for a new license or change of vehicle to be applied to taxis more than five years old. This was a direct intervention ahead of the LEZ coming into force to increase the options available to operators of vehicles unsuitable by reason of age for retrofit.
“Ahead of the LEZ coming into force in June, the council agreed a one-year exemption for all taxi operators who had made an application for funding, or who were ineligible for funding.
“The council will continue to provide further flexibilities where providers can evidence they are taking active steps to achieve compliance.”