Should some taxis be banned from using Southampton bus lanes?
The idea is part of council plans to reduce air pollution in the city.
Some taxis could be banned from using bus lanes in Southampton as city bosses try to crack down on air pollution.
Taxis and private hire vehicles licensed outside of Southampton could be allowed to access bus lanes in the city only from 7am to 9.30am and from 4am to 6.30pm on weekdays and only if the vehicle was first registered on or after January 2006 if petrol and September 2015 if diesel.
A public consultation on the proposals will run from January 29 to February 22 and comes after initial plans to totally ban taxis from bus lanes in the city sparked criticism.
Civic chiefs said the move will improve air quality and will not be “detrimental” to businesses.
But the plans have so far sparked mixed views with some traders raising concerns.
Clive Johnson, honorary chairman of Radio Taxi Southampton, said he fears the changes will result in more pollution and higher fares for the public.
“They should save tax payers’ money and not trying to make money on more fines. Put it back on the back burner”, Mr Johnson said as he stressed that businesses have been hit by the pandemic.
But other traders want the changes to be implemented as soon as possible.
Sam Shahid, Southampton hackney representative, said to be in favour of the proposals.
Ali Haydor, Southampton private hire trade representative, said: “We want this process to be completed fast and this restriction put in place for outside vehicles immediately. Anything less then what is now proposed, we will not accept.”
Cllr Steven Galton, shadow cabinet member for transport, said the plans would “waste money” and “create confusion”.
He added: “Non Southampton taxis can use bus lanes when it’s busy, but not when its not busy and they have no need to use them anyway as it’s not busy. What are Labour trying to achieve here, except wasting money and potentially creating more congestion once again.”
But Cllr Steve Leggett, cabinet member for green city and place, said: “We consulted on the Clean Air Zone in 2018 and as an alternative to a charging Clean Air Zone, taxi operators expressed a preference for something which offered them time to become cleaner and greener. This is exactly what we are aiming to do.
"We are supporting our taxi trade transition to low emission vehicles and 40% of the taxi and PHVs licensed with the council are now low emission vehicles. This is amongst the highest in the UK and we continue to lead the way with licensing standards that aim to deliver the safest, highest quality CAZ compliant fleet by 2022.
"Collectively, we believe these plans are delivering tangible improvements in local air quality with the minimum impact on operators and customer fares.”