Bury's taxis are disappearing Hackney Carriages Association warns

Charles Oakes, the association’s director, estimates that the borough’s Hackney fleet has shrunk from a peak of around 125 several years ago to just 64 today.

These cabs are routinely tested to assess their suitability for a license based on safety and aesthetic factors.

Vehicles that accrue five faults in a test are rejected.

However Mr Oakes claims that many vehicles are being struck off for purely cosmetic issues, such as scratches or dents.

This is dramatically reducing the number of taxis in Bury, he says, especially where drivers are unable to afford to make expensive body work repairs to keep their cab operating.

These issues are compounded by taxis being affected by vandalism, including drivers reporting having stones thrown at their vehicles.

If Bury’s taxis are lost, the public and those with disabilities will lose the out most, Mr Oakes warns.

He also notes that things will only get more difficult for Hackney drivers as new legislation and policies are introduced, in Greater Manchester and across the country, related to taxi licensing and pollution, such as the Clean Air Zone penalty.

Further he argues that there are “too many private hire vehicles in Bury”, saying that the approximately 900 vehicles have “basically killed off the Hackney trade”.

Mr Oakes said: “Drivers are fed up. They have had enough and they are not coming back onto Bury’s roads.

“My concern is that were are not going to be able to supply the demand if vehicles continue to be off the road, and the council does not seem to care about this.

“We are not like private hire vehicles. The Hackney Carriages are the council’s vehicles and they tell us what we can charge and look after everything that we do.

“They have a duty to make sure that we make enough money to continue in business and maintain their vehicles to a particular standard but they are not doing that.

He added: “I know the public will say that our vehicles have to be safe, and we do not disagree with that, but we are annoyed with the cosmetic issues.

“Not having enough cabs is almost as bad as having too many because if what customers are left come to the rank even they might not find a cab where there used to be loads.”

Mr Oakes has now submitted a letter to Bury Council’s chief executive Geoff Little, and will be pursuing a judicial review into taxi testing criteria.

However, he was keen to stress that divers do not take issue with testing faults relating to safety, but only those relating to vehicle aesthetics.

He is also calling on Bury Council to carry out a public survey into Hackney Carriage use and perceptions.

If the association’s demands are not met the drivers are threatening to take action by boycotting the local elections.

Mr Oaks said: “I have written to Bury Council say that it is not nice but the council has had its say about all this and the five faults rule. But our members have said we want our say and that will be at the ballot box.

“It is not pleasant or something I like to do, but it is how our drivers feel. Our members are not happy.”

Commonly referred to as taxis, Hackney Carriages are defined as a form of public transport vehicle and are licensed to be able to “ply for hire” ­— unlike private hire vehicles which must be booked in advance.

They can hailed by prospective passengers or park at a rank and wait for custom, then carry passengers for hire or reward based on fares set by the council.

A Bury Council spokesman said: “There are nearly 1,000 private hire vehicles and Hackney carriages licensed by Bury Council . These numbers are not determined by the council, but by market demand.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that taxis are not only fit to be on the road, providing passenger safety, but that they are in the best of condition, which is why vehicles must pass a number of tests.

“We make no apology for ensuring that Bury residents can feel confident in using taxis and private cabs that meet the high standards that we set.”