RMT Early Day Motions On Taxi Issues

RMT’s Parliamentary group has submitted Early Day Motions on three issues that are very important to our taxi driver members.

Please take a couple of minutes to contact your MP to urge him/her to sign these motions. This will help our campaigns to defend our taxi driver members’ livelihoods (as well as helping the environment, congestion reduction and public safety!).

EDM59 – London Taxis and the Olympic Route Network

That this House notes the inevitable pressures on London's transport network throughout the Olympic Games; further notes that the Olympic Route Network is an important component of transport plans for the Olympics;is dismayed at the decision not to allow taxi drivers to use the Olympic Route Network; believes such a decision will severely restrict the ability of taxi drivers to earn a living and will deny passengers the opportunity to use taxis; recognises the necessity of passengers being able to use the fastest and most direct routes; further believes that the road signage changes will undermine the Knowledge and so impact negatively on the experience of visitors to London during the Games; and calls for taxis to be given access to the Olympic Route Network for the duration of the Games with an exemption from the road signage changes.

EDM61 – 15 Year Age Limit for London Taxis

"[This house] is concerned that the Mayor of London's imposition of a 15 year age limit on taxis will have the effect of pricing drivers out of the trade and will damage the skills base in London;" - EDM61

That this House values the contribution to London transport which is made by taxi drivers; notes the high levels of professionalism within the trade; is concerned that the Mayor of London's imposition of a 15 year age limit on taxis will have the effect of pricing drivers out of the trade and will damage the skills base in London; recognises the importance of improving London's air quality; and calls for the introduction of a scrappage scheme whereby taxi drivers can trade in their aged vehicles towards the cost of a newer replacement.

EDM68 – Ban on Pedicabs During the London 2012 Olympics

That this House notes with concern the danger posed by pedicabs to the general public and visitors to London during the Olympic and Paralympic Games; further notes that the drivers of such pedicabs have had no Criminal Records Bureau or police checks and as such may not be fit and proper persons; is dismayed by the lack of classification of pedicabs and subsequently lack of fare structure exposing the public and visitors to extortionate charges; is shocked that pedicabs have not been crash tested and are subsequently not possible to insure; and recognises that banning the operation of pedicabs during the Olympics is necessary to reduce congestion and in particular its impact on the emergency services.

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