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Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Council agrees private hire survey
A survey to determine whether there are too many private hire cars in Edinburgh has been approved by Edinburgh councillors. It comes after a group of taxi drivers in the capital handed over a petition to city councillors last month, asking for a review to be carried out. The drivers had also asked for a pause to be placed on issuing new private hire licences while the survey was carried out. But at Friday's meeting of the Regulatory Committee, councillors did not back a Green group amendment that would have called for that. According to council regulatory services head Andrew Mitchell, tendering for a survey would take about 12 weeks, and data collection would take place in the first half of 2026. Taxi drivers passed the petition in to the council last week In a deputation to the committee, city taxi driver Keith Auld told councillors: 'We believe every passenger deserves a professional journey. But we are undergoing unsustainable pressure. 'This is not healthy competition, it is over-saturation. And it is already having real consequences. We need fair, sustainable and regulated competition.' Mr Auld and other city black cab drivers say that private hire drivers, many of whom carry out work for apps like Uber and Bolt, end up undercutting their trade. According to them, this comes down to the lower cost to buy and run a hire car, with the vehicles allowed for use as taxis being very expensive and requiring public hire insurance. In addition, fares for black cabs are set by the council, while Uber, Bolt and other private hire providers have no minimum charge. They also argued in their petition that due to the low incomes drivers get from those rideshare services, many of them work for dangerously long hours. Officers said that 2,982 private hire cars were presently operating in the capital, while 1,090 taxis were also running. Mr Auld said that three new private hire cars were being added in the city every day, and that the number would reach 4,000 'in no time'. After the survey is returned to councillors next year, they may consider putting a cap on the number of private hire cars allowed in the city. In the meeting, councillors were supportive of the idea of a survey, but the committee stopped short of supporting the temporary freeze on licence grants. Green councillor Susan Rae put forward an amendment that would have called for this, but Mr Mitchell said that if the committee voted for it, the law could be broken. He said: 'There is no legal power to issue a moratorium. There would be no basis in law to refuse to consider an application on the basis of overprovision [without evidence]. 'In my view, an immediate moratorium is not something that would be competent.' Liberal Democrat councillor and committee convener Neil Ross endorsed his group's motion, which called for a survey to be conducted. He said: 'It would be helpful if we had a workshop for committee members to discuss other issues and elements of concern around the current numbers of private hire vehicles. 'I would be grateful if that were factored in. I'm proposing that we proceed with the consultation and overprovision survey. 'I'm also proposing that officers are alert to concerns raised by all members of the trade who have issues around long working hours. 'I think this is a sensible way forward, it follows the guidance that we have been given by the Scottish Government, it is a legally robust way of approaching the question.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham put forward an amendment for the city's administration, which asked that any survey look at the number of private hire cars parked in city streets. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat said: 'I'm probably alone in this committee in having very great nervousness about interfering in the market. 'There is an element with any cap that is introduced with numbers, the danger of creating protected markets. 'I'm uncomfortable with that, from a political point of view, my natural mean is to be uncomfortable with protecting markets. 'I do think the terms of the petition that has been brought here today, about the public safety element, is something that means we should probably consider this. 'I don't for one minute think this is going to produce the information that everyone else seems to think this is going to produce. 'But we're not going to know that unless we carry out an overprovision survey.' The Labour group added the Green amendment to their addendum, and the Liberal Democrat group added a portion of the administration addendum to their amendment. Both positions were tied, and as convener, Cllr Ross made a tiebreaking vote that saw the Liberal Democrat position win out. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh private hire car survey to be carried out amid concerns over rise of Uber
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A survey to determine whether there are too many private hire cars in Edinburgh has been approved by Edinburgh councillors. It comes after a group of taxi drivers in the capital handed over a petition to city councillors last month, asking for a review to be carried out. The drivers had also asked for a pause to be placed on issuing new private hire licences while the survey was carried out. But at Friday's meeting of the Regulatory Committee, councillors did not back a Green group amendment that would have called for that. According to council regulatory services head Andrew Mitchell, tendering for a survey would take about 12 weeks, and data collection would take place in the first half of 2026. In a deputation to the committee, city taxi driver Keith Auld told councillors: 'We believe every passenger deserves a professional journey. But we are undergoing unsustainable pressure. 'This is not healthy competition, it is over-saturation. And it is already having real consequences. We need fair, sustainable and regulated competition.' Mr Auld and other city black cab drivers say that private hire drivers, many of whom carry out work for apps like Uber and Bolt, end up undercutting their trade. According to them, this comes down to the lower cost to buy and run a hire car, with the vehicles allowed for use as taxis being very expensive and requiring public hire insurance. In addition, fares for black cabs are set by the council, while Uber, Bolt and other private hire providers have no minimum charge. They also argued in their petition that due to the low incomes drivers get from those rideshare services, many of them work for dangerously long hours. Officers said that 2,982 private hire cars were presently operating in the capital, while 1,090 taxis were also running. Mr Auld said that three new private hire cars were being added in the city every day, and that the number would reach 4,000 'in no time'. After the survey is returned to councillors next year, they may consider putting a cap on the number of private hire cars allowed in the city. In the meeting, councillors were supportive of the idea of a survey, but the committee stopped short of supporting the temporary freeze on licence grants. Green councillor Susan Rae put forward an amendment that would have called for this, but Mr Mitchell said that if the committee voted for it, the law could be broken. He said: 'There is no legal power to issue a moratorium. There would be no basis in law to refuse to consider an application on the basis of overprovision [without evidence]. 'In my view, an immediate moratorium is not something that would be competent.' Liberal Democrat councillor and committee convener Neil Ross endorsed his group's motion, which called for a survey to be conducted. He said: 'It would be helpful if we had a workshop for committee members to discuss other issues and elements of concern around the current numbers of private hire vehicles. 'I would be grateful if that were factored in. I'm proposing that we proceed with the consultation and overprovision survey. 'I'm also proposing that officers are alert to concerns raised by all members of the trade who have issues around long working hours. 'I think this is a sensible way forward, it follows the guidance that we have been given by the Scottish Government, it is a legally robust way of approaching the question.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham put forward an amendment for the city's administration, which asked that any survey look at the number of private hire cars parked in city streets. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat said: 'I'm probably alone in this committee in having very great nervousness about interfering in the market. 'There is an element with any cap that is introduced with numbers, the danger of creating protected markets. 'I'm uncomfortable with that, from a political point of view, my natural mean is to be uncomfortable with protecting markets. 'I do think the terms of the petition that has been brought here today, about the public safety element, is something that means we should probably consider this. 'I don't for one minute think this is going to produce the information that everyone else seems to think this is going to produce. 'But we're not going to know that unless we carry out an overprovision survey.' The Labour group added the Green amendment to their addendum, and the Liberal Democrat group added a portion of the administration addendum to their amendment. Both positions were tied, and as convener, Cllr Ross made a tiebreaking vote that saw the Liberal Democrat position win out.
Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh cab drivers given one-year reprieve from needing to sell off old vehicles
Cab drivers in Edinburgh have been given a one-year reprieve from possibly needing to sell off their old vehicles. Councillors voted on Monday to approve a waiver to the city's hire vehicle age and emissions policy, meaning cabs older than a decade are still allowed to travel on city streets. Under the city's hire car regulations, as of 2021, any petrol cabs or private hires need to be 10 years old or less, and either comply with Euro 6 emissions standards or be Euro 5 and retrofitted to meet council requirements. However, every year since 2020, the council has approved a four year extension to this time period, meaning the maximum age of a cab or private hire car on city streets is 14 years. Every six months after a vehicle passes ten years old, it needs to go through an inspection to make sure it is still in compliance with the city's regulations. A report by officers to councillors said that some members of the taxi trade had found difficulty in finding vehicles that meet the city's current age and emissions standards. SNP councillor Norman Work asked council officer Andrew Mitchell: 'Was there any sort of timescale for this? There have been these extensions. Was there any idea how long it would go on for?' Mr Mitchell said: 'The initial target was 2021. The pandemic intervened, and the committee quite rightly gave an adjustment to the timeline. 'So the final timeline for Euro 6 then became 2023. The vast majority of the fleet has been compliant for quite some time. 'A smaller number [of drivers] have struggled, either for financial reasons or various other reasons.' Regulatory Committee convener, Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross, asked: 'Over two thirds [of vehicles over ten years old] have failed their first presentation for testing. 'I know there have been efforts made to encourage compliance with these older vehicles, but I'm wondering if there's anything else that could be done to incentivise better presentations?' He said: 'You're in the territory of, if you repeatedly fail, then you bring the operators to committee. 'It's not something we've done except in fairly extreme examples. But if you're testing them twice a year, and they're still turning up for their annual tests and failing, I struggle to see [what can be done].' Another council officer, Catherine Scanlin, added: 'What we're finding on testing is that it's wear and tear of the rest of the vehicle. And with the best will in the world, it's very very difficult, and very expensive in the main, to keep on top of that. 'So when they're coming for tests, even when the vehicles are prepped, they can't forsee some of the issues. 'Historically, older vehicles were passed down the line to new people coming into the trade. That's not possible with these vehicles. 'Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that vehicle is fit for public service. It is a challenge, and it's difficult. Even the best maintained vehicles – it's a challenge for them as well.' The report also said that a report would come to the committee in the near future updating on the council's progress towards a 100% wheelchair accessible taxi fleet. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh taxi drivers granted extra extension on age and emissions limits
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Cab drivers in Edinburgh have been given a one-year reprieve from possibly needing to sell off their old vehicles. Councillors voted on Monday to approve a waiver to the city's hire vehicle age and emissions policy, meaning cabs older than a decade are still allowed to travel on city streets. Under the city's hire car regulations, as of 2021, any petrol cabs or private hires need to be 10 years old or less, and either comply with Euro 6 emissions standards or be Euro 5 and retrofitted to meet council requirements. However, every year since 2020, the council has approved a four year extension to this time period, meaning the maximum age of a cab or private hire car on city streets is 14 years. Every six months after a vehicle passes ten years old, it needs to go through an inspection to make sure it is still in compliance with the city's regulations. A report by officers to councillors said that some members of the taxi trade had found difficulty in finding vehicles that meet the city's current age and emissions standards. SNP councillor Norman Work asked council officer Andrew Mitchell: 'Was there any sort of timescale for this? There have been these extensions. Was there any idea how long it would go on for?' Mr Mitchell said: 'The initial target was 2021. The pandemic intervened, and the committee quite rightly gave an adjustment to the timeline. 'So the final timeline for Euro 6 then became 2023. The vast majority of the fleet has been compliant for quite some time. 'A smaller number [of drivers] have struggled, either for financial reasons or various other reasons.' Regulatory Committee convener, Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross, asked: 'Over two thirds [of vehicles over ten years old] have failed their first presentation for testing. 'I know there have been efforts made to encourage compliance with these older vehicles, but I'm wondering if there's anything else that could be done to incentivise better presentations?' He said: 'You're in the territory of, if you repeatedly fail, then you bring the operators to committee. 'It's not something we've done except in fairly extreme examples. But if you're testing them twice a year, and they're still turning up for their annual tests and failing, I struggle to see [what can be done].' Another council officer, Catherine Scanlin, added: 'What we're finding on testing is that it's wear and tear of the rest of the vehicle. And with the best will in the world, it's very very difficult, and very expensive in the main, to keep on top of that. 'So when they're coming for tests, even when the vehicles are prepped, they can't forsee some of the issues. 'Historically, older vehicles were passed down the line to new people coming into the trade. That's not possible with these vehicles. 'Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that vehicle is fit for public service. It is a challenge, and it's difficult. Even the best maintained vehicles – it's a challenge for them as well.' The report also said that a report would come to the committee in the near future updating on the council's progress towards a 100% wheelchair accessible taxi fleet.
Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Steps to be taken to reduce impact of fighter jet flypasts over Edinburgh
A new register could allow concerned locals to be notified before fighter jet flypasts over the capital. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo told councillors at a meeting on Monday that they would take further steps to reduce the impacts of flypasts on the capital – but insisted they would continue. The move followed a call by Green councillor Dan Heap to ban fighter jet flyovers over the city outright. That was rejected by councillors, as officers warned that the city could not legally restrict them through licensing law. But councillors did vote to have the Regulatory Committee convener, Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross, write to the relevant UK Government minister about the issue. Cllr Heap's motion was originally heard at May's full Edinburgh Council meeting, but was referred to the city's Regulatory Committee. It cited the environmental impact of flypasts, as well as the noise impacts it had – especially on people fleeing war – in the city as reasons for banning the events. He said: 'It is disappointing the Regulatory Committee didn't feel the need to look at what powers we might have to end the flypasts. 'But I welcome the Tattoo's recognition in the meeting today of the concerns raised, and offer to explore a better notification system, so that residents can sign-up to be notified when they will happen, so they can take steps to protect themselves.' Most flypasts over the capital happen as a part of the tattoo's shows at Edinburgh Castle throughout the month of August. Around five of them are scheduled to happen during every year of the tattoo, but they are sometimes cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Jason Barrett, chief executive of the tattoo, told councillors: 'It was notable to us just how significant this issue is to many. It's with that we look at this with care and consideration. 'We wouldn't be the tattoo if we didn't have [the flypasts] there. The RAF is something that's been part of the fabric of the tattoo for 75 years. 'It is a spectacle. It is a part of the spectacle for our tattoo. Part of that spectacle is the flypast. There are not many, typically there are about five.' Barrett also told the committee that the tattoo had recently taken steps to reduce the impact of flypasts on Edinburgh residents. This included reducing the number of fighter jets used in flyovers, with two-thirds of the planes used in flypasts being other kinds of aircraft, like cargo and anti-submarine jets. He further said that the tattoo would explore having the jets fly higher, and that it was in talks with the RAF on seeing if the jets could use sustainable aviation fuel. Conservative councillor Jo Mowat asked Barrett: 'On communication with residents, obviously those people who struggle with the sound of jets will know that they are, but we don't know they are. 'Is there a sign-on system so they can get a notification when we publish that schedule?' He replied that it was something the tattoo would explore, suggesting that a system could be established where concerned residents could sign up on its website. Green co-convener, councillor Susan Rae, asked: 'Is it entirely necessary, given that the tattoo has evolved over decades, is a flypast actually necessary to add to that spectacle? 'What is it that a flypast does? Do we need to have that? We have from 5,000 to 7,500 refugees in this city. And that's just one cohort of people that find this disturbing.' He replied: 'The short answer is, no, probably not. But I think you can apply that to other parts of the tattoo. 'I think it's a slippery slope at that point, in terms of what is and what isn't necessary. If they went away, would the tattoo continue? Yes. 'But would it be as exciting, as thrilling? No, it probably wouldn't be as good.' Cllr Ross put forward an amendment to the motion that said the council could not legally take action on the issue, but which tasked him with writing to the relevant UK Government minister about aircraft flypasts. The amended version of the motion won out over the original, by a vote of five to four. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
