Challenges Faced by Glasgow's Taxi Drivers in Meeting LEZ Standards

Taxi drivers in Glasgow are still facing challenges in retrofitting their vehicles to meet the city's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) requirements, despite the zone being in place since June 2023. The LEZ was introduced to improve air quality in the city, but taxi operators have expressed difficulty in accessing the support necessary to make their vehicles compliant.

Issues with Retrofitting and Support Access

Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow Labour MSP, raised concerns in the Scottish Parliament about the struggles of taxi drivers to retrofit their cabs. She highlighted the liquidation of Vehicle Repowering Solutions, one of the few companies offering retrofits under the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme, which has left many drivers unable to meet the LEZ standards.

Duncan-Glancy emphasized that while taxi drivers in Glasgow are eager to contribute to the transition to net-zero emissions, they currently face significant barriers in accessing the necessary support. She had previously written to the Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, to raise awareness of the issue, but it remains unresolved.

Government Response and Financial Support

In response to these concerns, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop stated that £3.4 million had been allocated through the LEZ retrofit fund to assist taxi operators in upgrading their vehicles. Over 400 taxis have already been retrofitted as a result of this funding.

However, Hyslop acknowledged the challenges faced by taxi operators due to the supplier issue. When the primary retrofit supplier went out of business, taxi operators who had grants for liquid petroleum gas conversion were offered the option to switch to an alternative supplier. While some operators have already taken up this offer, Hyslop expressed concern over ongoing issues and indicated a willingness to explore further solutions if necessary.

Concerns about the Reduction in Taxi Numbers

Another issue raised in the discussion was the potential reduction in the number of taxis in Glasgow. Sue Webber, Conservative MSP, warned that further reductions could negatively impact the city's nighttime economy.

In response, Fiona Hyslop explained that Glasgow City Council does not currently impose an age limit on taxis, resulting in a higher proportion of older, non-compliant taxis in the fleet. This, she noted, is a key issue contributing to the ongoing challenges faced by the taxi industry. She suggested that Glasgow City Council should take action to address these concerns.

Further Consultation and Local Authority Action

While Hyslop acknowledged the measures already in place to support taxi drivers, she noted that some of the issues might need to be tackled by Glasgow City Council itself. The government has proactively worked with taxi operators to address problems, but Hyslop reiterated that continued collaboration with local authorities would be essential to resolve the ongoing difficulties in retrofitting cabs and ensuring compliance with the LEZ.