DEBATED: ‘Not acceptable that taxis are being caught up in Mayor Khan’s war on the motorist’ says MP
‘It is not acceptable that taxis are being caught up in Mayor Khan’s war on the motorist’ says London MP during Westminster debate.
In a passionate speech during a debate on road user charging, Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, criticised Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for including taxis in what she referred to as his "war on the motorist".
Villiers argued that it is not acceptable for taxis to be caught up in such a battle, especially considering their increasing efforts towards zero-emission vehicles.
Highlighting the progress made in the taxi industry, Villiers stated: "Nearly half the licensed taxi fleet is now zero-emission capable, and within a decade, all licensed taxis are expected to be electric." This signifies a significant step towards sustainable transportation and aligns with the government's push for cleaner and greener practices.
Emphasising the importance of licensed taxis in London's public transport system, Villiers stressed that they provide a crucial fully accessible door-to-door transport option, making them an integral part of the city's mobility landscape. She argued that there is no valid justification for excluding taxis from certain areas, such as Bank, Bishopsgate, or Tottenham Court Road, a practice that contradicts the longstanding cross-party consensus allowing taxis to operate wherever buses can.
The debate surrounding road user charging has become a highly contentious issue, with critics raising concerns about its impact on the livelihoods of motorists, including taxi drivers. While advocates argue that such measures are necessary to reduce congestion and improve air quality, opponents fear that the burden of these charges disproportionately falls on everyday drivers.
Villiers MP said: “It is not acceptable that taxis are being caught up in Mayor Khan’s war on the motorist. Nearly half the licensed taxi fleet is now zero-emission capable, and within a decade, all licensed taxis are expected to be electric.
“Licensed taxis are a crucial part of our public transport system, and the only form of fully accessible door-to-door transport in our city. There is no justification for excluding them from Bank, Bishopsgate or Tottenham Court Road, as is currently the case.
“That goes against years of cross-party consensus that meant that taxis could go wherever buses could.”
