If you think your area’s taxi trade is struggling, think again. —it’s a nationwide issue

Grimsby’s taxi trade, particularly in the private hire and hackney carriage sectors, is facing a significant downturn, according to seasoned taxi drivers and recent debates at North East Lincolnshire Council. A prominent voice in the local taxi community, Wayne Crouch, shared his dismay at recent council decisions, highlighting how economic conditions and reduced demand are impacting drivers’ livelihoods.

“I Sat on Freeman Street for Four Hours and Made £13”

Mr. Crouch, a veteran hackney carriage driver, painted a stark picture of Grimsby’s declining taxi trade.

"I was sat on Freeman Street today for four hours exactly, I took three jobs, I got £13,"

He explained, illustrating the low earnings that have become all too common. The impact of reduced customer demand is felt heavily by private hire and hackney carriage drivers alike, who are struggling to sustain themselves on dwindling fare income.

Council’s Decision on Hackney Carriage Licencing Deferred

In response to driver concerns, North East Lincolnshire Council recently deferred a decision to lift the cap on hackney carriage numbers, a regulation limiting the number of licensed hackney carriages in the area to 220.

The council had considered removing this cap as part of a broader strategy to address evolving needs in the taxi industry, but ultimately decided to hold off until a comprehensive survey could assess demand for taxi and private hire services.

Local councillors voted to wait until a new “unmet demand” survey is conducted. The council’s licensing and environment protection manager, Adrian Moody, noted that while few authorities still impose such limits, the council wants to balance passenger needs with the economic viability of the taxi trade.

The council last surveyed demand in 2020, finding no unmet demand, which allowed them to retain the limit.

Cost Concerns for Drivers: Electric Vehicles and Wheelchair Accessibility

Council officers proposed several updates to taxi licencing, including a shift towards more environmentally friendly vehicles. Future licencing rules may require new hackney carriages to be hybrid or electric. However, the additional cost of these vehicles raised concerns among drivers, as Mr. Moody pointed out: “Those types of vehicles are more significantly expensive,” adding that affordability could become “a little bit of a bar on entry to the trade.”

The council also recommended that all newly licensed taxis be wheelchair accessible, a point of debate among drivers and councillors.

“I'm the eldest wheelchair driver in the town,” said Mr. Crouch, citing the economic challenges of the profession and noting that many drivers feel financially constrained by the costs of maintaining wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles Decline as Exemptions Rise

The availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis in North East Lincolnshire has dramatically declined, with numbers dropping from 70 in 2020 to just 43. One factor is a 2013 council decision that allows drivers to switch to non-accessible vehicles if they have a medical exemption from carrying passengers in wheelchairs. The exemption, which requires GP approval, saw an increase in lifetime exemptions from 13 to 75 since its implementation, and many of these drivers have opted to convert to traditional saloons.

Mr. Moody acknowledged that “the link to the vehicles does cause a problem for us,” as the increase in medical exemptions has led to a shortage of accessible cabs. Consequently, the council agreed to revisit the exemption policy to address these accessibility issues and increase wheelchair-accessible taxi availability.

Financial Implications of Demand Survey

Councillors ultimately supported the unmet demand survey as the best way forward. The survey, projected to cost around £12,000, will be funded initially by the council, with costs recovered through fees levied on drivers. The survey will provide critical data on the actual need for hackney carriages in North East Lincolnshire, including a focus on wheelchair-accessible services.

Cllr Sheldon Mill backed the motion, emphasizing the importance of data:

“If we do these [changes] without the survey, we don’t know if there’s unmet demand or not,”

He argued, calling for clarity before the council lifts the cap on licencing numbers. Cllr Nick Pettigrew echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of having “data in front of us” to make informed decisions about private hire and hackney carriage licencing.

Drivers Call for Measured Changes to Safeguard Livelihoods

Private hire and hackney carriage drivers who attended the council meeting expressed cautious optimism, pleased that their concerns were being heard. With the council's unanimous support for a survey, drivers hope that future policy changes will consider the full impact on their trade.

As Grimsby’s taxi industry grapples with economic and regulatory challenges, drivers like Mr. Crouch continue to voice their concerns, advocating for policies that balance passenger accessibility with the economic sustainability of the taxi trade.