Public to have their say on future of taxis in city

CONSULTATION WILL ASK IF VEHICLE AGE LIMIT PLAN IS BEING TOO STRICT ON THE DRIVERS

- By NIGEL SLATER

THE public is to have a huge say on the future of Derby taxi drivers and its industry.

Derby residents will soon be able to have their say on whether private hire taxi vehicles across the city should have an age limit or not.

The launch of a public consultation follows the controversial new rule implemented by council chiefs earlier this year which taxi drivers in Derby claim is “too strict” and could drivers be driven out of business.

In April, a new Derby City Council policy came into force ruling that private hire taxi vehicles should be five years old or less when licensed for the first time.

Licensed vehicles, no more than 15 years old, can be used for taxi hire in Derby if they have been previously registered by the local authority.

However, drivers say the rule is “too strict” and needs changing to help the trade.