February 2019

Welcome to Taxi Times to help keep you updated with the latest news and useful information.

Stonebow/ closures We'd like to ensure taxi drivers are aware that delays are expected when Stonebow completely closes to traffic from Monday 18 February.

The road works are part of our £1.1million investment to make major improvements to Stonebow, Fossgate and in ’s city centre. The works will improve the street’s appearance and character, create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, which will attract more visitors to the area.

There will also be full overnight closures of Pavement between 25 March and 5 April, Fossgate between 25 March and 12 April and Stonebow between 1 and 5 April (Monday to Friday 8.30pm to 5.00am only)

In addition, from 25 to 29 March (overnight only) traffic will flow in the opposite direction on so that work can be completed at the junction of Whipmawhopmagate.

To minimise disruption to drivers, the taxi rank on St Saviourgate will remain in place during the works, as well as road closures and access along St Saviourgate.

We appreciate that the road closures and reversing of Colliergate will have an impact on the city’s taxi drivers, with access across the city centre more complicated than normal. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. For more information about the works, visit www.york.gov.uk/FossgateStonebow

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Say no to idling A report was agreed on 7 February to launch a new anti-idling campaign on Clean Air Day on 20 June. Read the decision to introduce ‘anti-idling measures’ made at the Executive Member for Transport and Planning Decision Session on 7 February, along with details of how council officers will be able to use their discretionary powers under the Road Traffic Regulations 2002 to issue fixed penalty notices of £20.00 to drivers who refuse to switch off their engines.

The report emphasises that enforcement would always be a last resort and that the problem of stationary vehicle idling will, first and foremost, be addressed by raising awareness, particularly in those areas of the city where complaints arise, such as residential areas and outside schools.

We've worked really well with taxi drivers over the last Clean Air Day campaigns and thanks again to all the drivers who turned off their engines. The campaign aims to help make the air we all breathe cleaner and we hope to have your continued support.

We need your help to continue this good work and we’re asking all drivers – and that includes the taxi trade – to turn off vehicle engines whenever you’re not moving.

This will help make the air cleaner for you, other drivers and pedestrians.

Sign up to the national #noidling campaign, or find out more info at www.cleanairday.org.uk.

Meanwhile in Leeds.. You may be aware that Leeds City Council has recently been given final approval from the government to implement a Clean Air Charging Zone that will reduce air pollution and protect the health of everyone in Leeds. Like many thriving cities, air pollution is higher than legal limits in some parts of Leeds. As a result, the government has directed the city’s council to ensure compliance with UK air pollution laws as soon as possible. Leeds City Council has responded with plans for a Clean Air Charging Zone.

From the 6 January 2020, if your taxi/private hire vehicle does not meet the minimum emissions standards set out by Leeds City Council then your vehicle will be charged £12.50 per day for driving within the Clean Air Charging Zone in Leeds, regardless of whether your vehicle was licensed in Leeds.

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Private Hire Licensing Update City of York Council took a report to its Licensing Committee on 11 February 2019 to present its position regarding the interpretation of the law relating to private hire licensing and the ability to work outside the area within which they are licensed.

At present, the council considers the settled legal position to be as follows: - “Provided the three licences required in relation to a private hire vehicle (operator, vehicle and driver) have all been issued by the same authority, then the private hire vehicle (PHV) can undertake journeys anywhere in England and Wales. That is irrespective of where the journey commences, areas through which the journey passes and, ultimately, the area where the journey ends.”

On 19 November 2018, the Private Hire Association shared a legal opinion it had obtained from Queen’s Counsel, that argues that operators of ‘out of town vehicles’ and their drivers are illegally operating in York.

It is important to stress, that this alternative view has not been tested in the courts.

We have now instructed a separate Counsel to advise on this and await a comprehensive advice note.

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Additional training courses

The taxi licence refresher courses have been in high demand, so we’re adding some additional courses later this year and in the New Year, for anyone who has yet to sign up.

Drivers must complete the course prior to the expiry of their licences.

Hackney carriage driver licences expire on 31 May 2019 and private hire on 31 October 2019.

For more information about the upcoming courses contact the Workforce Development Unit on [email protected] or telephone: 01904 553017.

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