Taxi operator happy to see SIC loosen vehicle age limit rules
A LOCAL taxi operator has welcomed a relaxation of age limits for vehicles approved by councillors yesterday (Wednesday).
The existing ten-year age limit on taxis and private hire vehicles in Shetland will be removed, while the maximum age of new cars has been upped from two years to four years.
They were proposed after representation from the industry amid financial pressures on operators following Covid restrictions and the cost of living crisis.
The measures will be in place for a maximum of two years because the age limits will be factored into a forthcoming wider review.
Perveen Ahktar, who is a part-owner of local operator Kings Taxis, said it was “good news” for the industry.
“Especially the single taxi owners are struggling because of Covid,” she said.
“We were out of business for at least ten months…we weren’t able to work because of that, and that put a strain on everything.”
Coincidentally the operator currently only has one taxi – which is due to reach the age of ten in October. Ahktar said it is in “fairly good condition”.
It means that under the new rules they will not be forced to retire it in October and buy a new vehicle.
Ahktar said Kings used to have more vehicles but cut back due to financial pressures.
At Wednesday’s meeting the changes were approved with no objections.
A previous meeting heard that taxis are subject to yearly checks by the council which go beyond what are included in usual MOTs.
However Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Gary Robinson reiterated his worry about loosening regulations on taxis, citing increased safety standards of newer vehicles.
But Shetland South member Bryan Peterson said with the price of vehicles increasing there should be empathy with operators as it is “not a big money industry”.
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