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Posted on the 29th July 2025 in PHTM News
ROCHDALE CABS GET MORE TIME TO GO GREEN IN CLEAN AIR PUSH
Rochdale taxi and private hire drivers are being granted a significant extension to upgrade their vehicles to greener models, pushing the deadline back by nearly five years to August 31, 2030.
This move aligns Rochdale with Greater Manchester's broader "investment-led approach" to tackling air pollution, which prioritises financial support for vehicle upgrades over daily charges for older, more polluting cars.
The decision comes as part of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Plan, which aims to improve air quality across the region. While the initial deadline for vehicle upgrades was December 31, 2025, this was already extended due to the sheer number of vehicles involved and the anticipation of government funding.
Rochdale, notably one of two Greater Manchester authorities without existing emissions requirements linked to taxi and private hire licensing, is now formalising this extended timeframe. A report to Rochdale Council's Planning and Licensing Committee, set to be discussed on Thursday, July 31, outlines that licensed drivers in the borough will have until August 31, 2030, to meet emission standards.
Currently, 345 out of 1,852 licensed vehicles in Rochdale — approximately 18% of the total fleet — are non-compliant with the new emission standards.
The report emphasises the critical role of these upgrades, stating: "Taxi and private hire vehicles represent an important mechanism for reducing exceedances under the investment-led plan and are grounded in the ability of the GM authorities to reduce emissions through licensing conditions."
The "appraisal of the investment-led plan has been developed on the basis that an emissions standard, requiring all licensed hackneys and private hire vehicles to be a minimum of Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) by August 31, 2030, will have been adopted by all GM Authorities." This uniformity is crucial to ensuring all Greater Manchester-licensed taxis and private hire vehicles comply with the emission standards.
The report highlights the necessity of this alignment, noting: "There are no alternatives as Rochdale is one of two Greater Manchester local authorities without an emissions standard linked to vehicle licensing conditions. Our trade would be significantly disadvantaged if we do not adopt the approach that aligns with the Clean Air investment-led plan."
The committee is expected to acknowledge these amendments, and the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Standards will then be presented to the council's cabinet for final consideration and approval on August 21.
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