North Yorkshire Council’s fresh taxi policy faces pushback from trade over new wheelchair accessible taxi plans
North Yorkshire Council’s revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy is under scrutiny from local taxi drivers, who warn that the proposed changes could lead to an exodus from the trade.
The policy, which seeks to mandate wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) or zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for new hackney carriage licences, has raised concerns about the financial and practical pressures it could impose on drivers.
Richard Fieldman, a representative of the North Yorkshire Taxi Drivers group, voiced apprehensions on behalf of over 100 members. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he stated: “Many drivers have already expressed that if this policy is adopted, they will simply leave the trade and seek employment elsewhere due to the constant restrictions you are putting in place.”
Fieldman also highlighted the competitive disadvantage faced by local taxi drivers. He claimed the policy would pave the way for drivers from firms like Uber, many of whom are registered outside the county, to dominate the market.
The council’s policy aims to address a severe shortfall in WAVs, currently standing at just 70 for a population of over 600,000, and reduce emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles. While these goals align with government guidance and equality legislation, trade representatives argue the measures unfairly burden drivers, particularly in a rural context where the costs of WAVs and ZEVs can be prohibitive.
The draft policy allows for some flexibility, such as grandfathering rights for existing licence holders until the end of 2029, but these concessions have done little to ease industry fears. Taxi drivers have long been critical of the growing presence of Uber, which they argue operates under less stringent licensing requirements. The proposed restrictions, Fieldman suggested, could exacerbate this imbalance, leaving local operators struggling to compete.
Public consultation will play a key role in determining the policy’s final shape. The council has framed the proposals as a means to improve accessibility and meet air quality obligations, but the concerns of the trade underline the challenges of balancing regulatory ambitions with economic realities.
