Post by The Dark Knight on Jan 24, 2024 7:55:54 GMT
Taxi drivers told to buy plug-in heaters to keep warm
Taxi drivers are being told to keep plug-in heaters in their cars to keep them warm in wintery weather to dodge a crackdown on idling engines.
Council officers told cabbies last week they would be fined if caught with their engines running if the temperature was zero degrees or higher.
Earlier this month, at least one taxi driver, George Ayad, was told he would be fined after an environmental enforcement officer spotted him with the engine on while at the East Street taxi rank, even though it was snowing.
And just ahead of last week’s meeting of the Brighton and Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum last Thursday, drivers were told to keep doors and windows closed and buy heaters to keep warm.
Andrew Peters, of the Brighton and Hove Cab Trade Association, said: “We have now been sent advice which defines when us minions can keep the engine running and some advice at the end to all go out and buy plug in heaters. You couldnt make it up!
“I laboured the point at the meeting last week about not being able to have the engines running for heat unless it was below zero.
“It was apparent straight away that not all at the head table were aware of this.
“Additionally I pointed out that to have a 12v internal heater running on the aux would mean for some cars having to have the ignition on first click which would run the battery down.
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/01/22/taxi-drivers-told-to-buy-plug-in-heaters-to-keep-warm/
Taxi drivers are being told to keep plug-in heaters in their cars to keep them warm in wintery weather to dodge a crackdown on idling engines.
Council officers told cabbies last week they would be fined if caught with their engines running if the temperature was zero degrees or higher.
Earlier this month, at least one taxi driver, George Ayad, was told he would be fined after an environmental enforcement officer spotted him with the engine on while at the East Street taxi rank, even though it was snowing.
And just ahead of last week’s meeting of the Brighton and Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum last Thursday, drivers were told to keep doors and windows closed and buy heaters to keep warm.
Andrew Peters, of the Brighton and Hove Cab Trade Association, said: “We have now been sent advice which defines when us minions can keep the engine running and some advice at the end to all go out and buy plug in heaters. You couldnt make it up!
“I laboured the point at the meeting last week about not being able to have the engines running for heat unless it was below zero.
“It was apparent straight away that not all at the head table were aware of this.
“Additionally I pointed out that to have a 12v internal heater running on the aux would mean for some cars having to have the ignition on first click which would run the battery down.
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/01/22/taxi-drivers-told-to-buy-plug-in-heaters-to-keep-warm/