Call Sign August 2010 - Page 14 - THE MAYORS AIR QUALITY STRATEGY

For the first time ever, the London Taxi Trade has responded to a public consultation from Transport for London with one voice, with every recognised group signing the same document. The Mayors Air Quality Strategy (MAQS) proposes the introduction of a ten year age limit on taxis from 2015, along with compulsory ‘smarter driving’ courses for ALL taxi drivers and the introduction of non-idling taxi ranks and zones across the central area. After a series of meetings between all groups representing the London Taxi Trade and senior managers from TfL and the PCO, it was soon realised that the threat to the trade from these proposals was very real and that in order to avoid any doubt or confusion on the trade’s objection to a ten year age limit and many of the other proposals, the London taxi trade would have to make a joint, single submission. The document, as well as setting out ‘The Trades’ proposals for helping to clean up the air in our City, also questions the commitment of the Private Hire industry in assisting the Mayor in his objectives. The Trade’s response to the Mayors Air Quality Strategy was signed by the LTDA, LCDC, Unite the Union, LMCPA, Dial-a-Cab, ComCab, Radio Taxis, London Taxis International and KPM-UK Taxis PLC (see cover pic). The Mayor will publish his completed Air Quality Strategy in September and we are hopeful that he and his advisors will recognise the Trade’s desire to do all it can to improve the air that we all breathe - but that a ten year age limit would decimate our industry. The joint trade response was that: 1. All taxis licensed for the first time in London to be Euro V compliant from 1st Jan 2012. 2. All newly licensed taxi drivers to undertake an eco driving course as a prerequisite of licensing from 1st January 2011. The Taxi Trade representative organisations and radio circuits are especially keen to encourage existing drivers to undergo an Eco driving course. To this end, the LTDA, LCDC and Unite are currently considering the option of offering courses, on a voluntary no-cost basis, to their existing members in the expectation that there would be a considerable take up. It is anticipated that this pro-active approach would negate any resistance that the introduction of a compulsory requirement for existing licence holders to attend such courses might create.	THE MAYORS AIR QUALITY STRATEGY *A united response from the trade...*
	Will the Mayor agree to a bit of give and take? 3. The Trade is keen to embrace the concept of a non-idling policy and welcomes the introduction of a non-idling zone in conjunction with an increase in taxi ranks as a dual policy mandate. This would significantly reduce the amount of empty running by taxis, especially in the central area and relevant key ‘hot spots’ which are at risk of not meeting the EU limit value for daily PM10 emissions by the extended 2011 deadline. These are Marylebone Road and Euston Road, Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner and Victoria Embankment to Tower Gateway. Taxi drivers already operate taxi sharing schemes at several central London locations enabling up to 6 passengers to share a cab, thereby reducing the duplication of journeys at peak times. This practice provides a significant beneficial environmental impact and the Trade is actively seeking to work in cooperation with TfL to extend these schemes across the Capital. 4. The two existing manufacturers of taxicabs for London - London Taxis International and Mercedes Benz - are both developing alternative fuel vehicles and are currently trialling electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid taxis. These companies have an in depth specialist knowledge of taxicab operations in the Capital and this, coupled with an expertise in low volume specialised vehicle production, will ensure that cleaner, less-polluting vehicles will be available to the trade at the earliest opportunity. . Recent technological innovations reducing the empty running time of taxis, including Twitter, electronic hailing devices and internet booking services, are also currently being introduced into London and the Industry is very supportive of any future advances of this type. The Trade is particularly aware that 22% of taxi related emissions are caused by PM10s resulting from tyre and brake wear. In an effort to significantly reduce this	figure, the Trade is in discussions with tyre and brake component manufacturers to facilitate the soonest possible introduction of cleaner alternatives into London. It is important to note that as soon as this technology is developed, we anticipate a rapid and substantial reduction in related PM10s due to the Trade’s high volume replacement cycle of tyre and brake parts. 5. The Trade broadly supports the proposal to enable drivers and owners to have their vehicle licensing inspections undertaken at MOT centres. 6. The Trade, having carefully considered the impact of various vehicle age related options, contends that without the assistance of extensive funding, the only sustainable age limitation policy for taxis would be 15 years from 2012, with no possibility of further tightening of this criteria. Any additional restrictions on the fleet would make it impossible to mitigate the serious negative economic impact, which our industry is experiencing during one of the worst recessions in recent history. The Trade has also reviewed the proposals for the Private Hire Industry and offers the following comments:- * Restrictions on new vehicles:- If the Taxi Trade, with a restricted choice of just two approved vehicles, can agree to all newly licensed taxis meeting Euro V from January 2012, we find it surprising that the PH industry, with its unlimited choice of vehicles, can only agree to newly licensed PHV’s meeting Euro IV from April 2012. * Restrictions on idling and improvements in waiting facilities:- The trade is seriously concerned about the proposals for Private Hire stands. Private Hire vehicles are exclusively pre-booked and therefore have no need to ‘rank up’ whilst waiting to be hired and the introduction of any PHV stands/ranks would encourage, and appear to endorse, illegal plying for hire. The unique document was signed at Dial-a-Cab House by Steve McNamara (LTDA), Ivan Kovler (LMCPA), Rob Laidler (LTI/LTC), Geoffrey Riesel (RTG), Mike Hedges (Unite), Malcolm Paice (ComCab), Brian Rice (DaC) and Peter DaCosta (KPM UK)...

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