Greater Manchester is stepping up its commitment to support locally licensed taxi drivers, with plans to launch a new £4.45m fund to help them upgrade to cleaner vehicles.
The proposed Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Support Fund would offer private hire vehicle owners, licenced with one of the Greater Manchester authorities, a choice of a £5,000 interest-free loan or a £1,000 non-repayable grant to support the transition to cleaner, lower-emission vehicles.
It’s all part of the city region’s ongoing plan to improve air quality and support its taxi trade to become the safest and most trusted in the country.
Last year, the taxi trade said they wanted more support to switch to modern, cleaner vehicles during a major three-month engagement, as part of Greater Manchester’s ‘Backing Our Taxis. Local. Licensed. Trusted’ campaign.
The fund – which was initially outlined in November’s meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) – will feature in this year’s transport budget, set to be considered by leaders in February.
Approximately one in 10 (around 1,300) private hire vehicles currently licensed in Greater Manchester are not compliant with emission standards. It’s expected that, if approved by the GMCA, the fund could open for applications in May.
The new private hire fund would complement the existing £8 million fund to help hackney (black cab) owners to make the switch. Launched in December last year, over 190 drivers have already applied to that fund, with over £1.5 million of non-repayable grants already approved.
Earlier this month, an owner became the first to successfully upgrade to an electric LEVC vehicle through the fund, marking a milestone in the city region’s journey towards cleaner, greener transport.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“We are leading the way with an investment-led approach to clean air that supports people rather than penalising them.
“Taxi and private hire drivers are a vital part of our transport system, and we want them to be amongst the cleanest, safest and most trusted in the country.
“We recognise the challenges faced by drivers, and we’re determined to support them as we move towards cleaner air, while ensuring high standards and public safety.
“This funding – and that for black cab drivers – gives real, practical help to those who want to upgrade to cleaner vehicles. Combined with our call for long overdue national reforms, it will help level the playing field and ensure our city region continues to raise standards across the board.”
