Have say on taxi shake-up

Renfrewshire residents’ views are being sought on the standards vehicles should have to meet to be licensed as taxis and private hire cars.

Renfrewshire Council has launched a consultation on possible changes to its current requirements.

The local authority’s current policy was introduced in 2002, requiring taxis to be wheelchair accessible, white, and less than eight years old.

Private hire cars must be any colour other than white, at least 48 inches wide across the rear seat and less than seven years old, or eight years where they are wheelchair accessible multi-purpose vehicles.

The consultation proposals for taxis include the possibility of fully electric/ zero emissions vehicles that meet improved wheelchair accessibility standards being allowed to operate for a longer period of 15 years.

The pro p o s a l s for private hire cars include the possible removal of the minimum rear seat measurement requirement and introduction of a minimum luggage capacity, with electric cars similarly being able to be operate for a longer period — 10 years.

The council is also seeking views on whether a vehicle should be under a particular age when first licensed and whether additional requirements should be introduced, such as the type of ramps used for loading wheelchair passengers into a vehicle, or whether vehicles should allow wheelchair users to be loaded into a vehicle from the side only.

Consultation responses should be submitted by December 3 via email to licensing. cs@ renfrewhire. gov. uk, or by post to Head of Corporate Governance, Renfrewshire Council, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1TT.

Responses will be reported to the council’s Regulatory Functions Board for consideration.

Visit www . renfrewshire. gov. uk/ taxi privatehireconsultation for full details.