New rules blamed for dramatic slump in number of taxis on Shropshire roads
The number of taxis on county roads are declining because drivers can no longer afford to keep up with regulations imposed by Shropshire Council, it has been claimed today.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the number of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles licensed in Shropshire over the last five years has fallen drastically.
The figures from the authority showed 1,295 private hire vehicles were licensed in Shropshire Council in 2014/15 compared to just 798 in 2018/19.
The council licensed 254 hackneys in 2014/15 and only 147 in 2018/19.
Drivers have said the rules enforced by Shropshire Council are making taxi driving financially unviable.
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Council officers are currently deciding a new policy which is due to come into force on April 1 and will be decided at a meeting next week.
But Tim Higgins, owner of Higgins Taxis in Oswestry, said the proposals, which include introducing Euro 6 cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles for all hackneys by 2021, would kill the trade.
He said it will force drivers to either license in neighbouring authorities where the rules are not as stringent, or give up all together because they cannot afford a new car.
"Everywhere else in the country there is a growth in the taxi industry year on year," Mr Higgins said.
Purchasing
"But in Shropshire there has been a rapid decline since 2011. The biggest issue is the strict emissions policy."
Mr Higgins, who has been in the business for 30 years, said under the plans, anyone applying for a new license or renewing one will have to have a Euro 6 car which is a 2016 plate or newer.
"The problem is many drivers have still not recuperated the cost in purchasing the vehicle they had to when the council made everyone buy a Euro 6 car.
"The council is really not considering the impact it is going to have on Shropshire taxi drivers."
Nick Cox, of Oswestry Cabs, said he will be hit because, as a hackney driver the proposals mean he will have to purchase a wheelchair-friendly car.
He said he has spent £50,000 in the last three years on his two cars and cannot afford to buy new vehicles.
The Strategic Licensing Committee will discuss the plans on Wednesday at Shirehall.
