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‘HUGE BURDEN’: Newcastle taxi drivers protest against white bonnet rebrand
Taxi drivers in Newcastle have protested against plans to rebrand the city's hackney carriages in black and white, claiming that the changes will cause "huge burden" for them.
The plans require licensed taxis to fit a white wrap around their bonnets, matching the colours of Newcastle United. City council leaders argue that the new colour scheme will make it easier to recognise licensed taxis and help crack down on crime.
However, according to Chronicle Live, more than 40 drivers staged a demonstration outside the local authority HQ ahead of a Newcastle City Council meeting, calling for the idea to be dropped.
They argue that the cost of fitting the white wraps will be too high, and that it will be difficult to maintain and clean the white surfaces.
Newcastle City Council's nearly 600 licensed hackney carriages will be all black but with distinguishable white bonnets. The vehicles will also need to display red Council crests on the front doors and have a taxi sign on the roof that is white at the front and red at the rear.
To support hackney carriage drivers with the new requirements, a grant of £100 will be available so they can get the white vinyl wrap fitted to the bonnet of their vehicle. The grant is only available to vehicles licensed with the Council on or before 19 June 2023.
The policy also encourages drivers to help improve air quality by using ultra-low and zero emission vehicles, supporting plans for Newcastle to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. The new policy will be implemented soon, pending final approval by the city council.
Cllr Paula Maines, Newcastle City Council Cabinet member for a Resilient City, said: “Everyone who uses a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle in Newcastle should feel safe doing so and that’s exactly what these new measures set out to achieve.
“The new colour scheme for hackney carriages – chosen to reflect those of Newcastle United – and the signage requirements for private hire vehicles will make it easier for people to identify them.
“This will assure passengers that the vehicle and the driver have passed our stringent vetting processes and they will be collected and transported to their destination safely.
“It will also help protect people from unlicensed taxi drivers who illegally ply for trade, particularly at night when people are out enjoying themselves.
“This builds on the fantastic work we are doing with partners through the Safe Newcastle partnership to keep residents and visitors to our city safe.”
