The reintroduction of a seven-year age limit on private hire cars has been delayed again following drivers’ fears over the financial impact of the plan.
A review of the policy will now be carried out after councillors turned down the chance to bring back the limit, which was relaxed during the covid pandemic to help struggling drivers.
Before the pandemic, private hire cars had to be replaced after seven years and council officials had suggested reinstating the rule.
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But the decision was delayed in September after a complaint from the Scottish Private Hire Association [SPHA], which had not been invited to a meeting with trade representatives.
A second meeting was held with the trade and, when the issue returned to the licensing committee today [Wednesday], councillors decided against reimposing the policy immediately.
Cllr Thomas Kerr, Conservative, had suggested lifting the age limit from seven to 10 years, but other councillors called for a review before any decision is made.
After the meeting, Eddie Grice, from the SPHA, said: “Ultimately we are disappointed that we didn’t get the ten year increase, we support Thomas Kerr’s motion but a good result in the end.
“We are going to get a full policy review, hopefully the SPHA will be able to engage with that and have some input. Based on the trade group meeting, there was flimsy evidence to bring back the seven-year limit and plenty of evidence to increase the limit.”
The policy, introduced in 2006, states a vehicle must not be more than five years old when first registered with the council and, at seven years old, vehicles must be “taken out of service and replaced”.
It was “temporarily relaxed” during the pandemic to “help the trade due to difficulty in sourcing newer vehicles and the loss of income experienced by operators”.
At the second meeting of trade representatives, there were “different options” on the reintroduction plan, council officials reported. Those against the proposal said, since 2006, technology had improved and vehicles were built to last longer, now is not the right time to bring back the policy as vehicle prices are at a high and drivers are facing a cost of living crisis.
They also said the reintroduction would mean drivers had to work more hours to earn enough to keep afloat, which could impact public safety, and Glasgow has one of the lowest age limits compared with neighbouring councils.
Drivers in favour of the seven-year limit said it ensured cars were of a high standard and older vehicles don’t always provide a good experience for passengers. They also said it could help achieve compliance with Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone.
Cllr Kerr said: “We are facing a cost of living crisis, we are facing a fuel crisis and when this policy first came in, it was 2006. We are now a long, long time ahead. I think we have to adapt to the situation we now find ourselves in.”
Bailie Hanif Raja and Bailie Jim Kavanagh, both Labour, called for a review to be carried out. Bailie Kavanagh said it must not be “kicked into the long grass” but come back “quickly and effectively”.
Cllr Alex Wilson, SNP, the committee chairman, also asked for an evidence-based report. He said he understood both sides of the argument.
“I’ve seen cars from other local authorities that just don’t cut the mustard as far as I’m concerned,” he said. They are old, tired, the state of the vehicles isn’t great.
“However, we do have a trade that is struggling. We have got a trade that needs help, it needs a boost at this current time."
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