The idea of cabbies having a dress code in Rochdale has been floated by town hall bosses.
As the council’s cabinet approved a new taxi emissions policy, Coun Shah Wazir questioned whether a new uniform for cabbies could be brought in. The highways boss felt that ‘first impressions count’, so making taxi drivers look smarter could help boost the town’s image amongst visitors.
Coun Wazir said: “When people visiting the borough arrive at the train station for example, usually taxi drivers are their first point of contact. First impressions count.
“Is it possible for us to have a dress code for taxi drivers so they can be easily recognised.”
The council officer at the meeting in Number One Riverside admitted there had been no progress on this idea since Coun Wazir mentioned it last year. There are currently no plans in place, but the officer said his team would look into it.
The town hall meeting went on to approve an implementation date for when all taxis and private hire vehicles had to be up to date with emissions standards. By August 31, 2030 all licensed cabbies must be a minimum of Euro 6 diesel cars (vehicles newer than September 2015) or Euro 4 petrol cars (vehicles newer than January 2006).
This forms part of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, which aims to have 100 per cent of its taxi and private hire fleet licensed to a Greater Manchester Council compliant with the emissions standard.
Currently 345 out of 1,852 vehicles licensed in Rochdale are non-compliant with the standards being implemented in five years’ time. Council bosses heard on August 21 how the taxi trade has welcomed the scheme, as it opens up potential for government funding of £8m across Greater Manchester to help upgrade their vehicles.
Conservatives select Emma Lee as candidate for Tottington by election
Bowlee car boot sale returns for the 2026 season
Inside the major refurbishment transforming Tenpin Rochdale
Former Middleton pub could reopen as convenience store after closure
Councillors raise concern over Riverside Housing sale of social homes in Middleton
Heywood community raises £1799.65 as Donna Dolan shaves hair for Macmillan
Road closure in Ramsbottom
Rochdale families urged to shape national consultation on keeping children safe online
Civil war erupts as Labour activists in Gorton and Denton say party is ‘not willing to change’
Silver Street offices approved as temporary housing
All the major projects Rochdale can expect from capital funding
Emergency services respond after people report illness at Bury premises
Comments
Add a comment