Posted on the 13th July 2026 in PHTM News
TENSE PROTEST AS READING TAXI AND PH DRIVERS CONFRONT COUNCILLORS OVER STRICT EMISSIONS RULES
Tense scenes unfolded outside Reading Borough Council offices as dozens of taxi and private hire drivers surrounded local councillors to protest strict vehicle age and emissions policies.
Drivers gathered outside the Bridge Street offices to voice their anger at rules limiting licences to vehicles emitting a maximum of 75 mg of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per kilometre. Drivers argue this standard is so harsh it can even rule out Euro 6 diesel vehicles that are allowed to drive for free in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
During the demonstration, transport councillor John Ennis and deputy council leader Micky Leng were seen speaking with frustrated drivers who highlighted the impracticality of electric vehicles.
Reading Private Hire Association (RPHA) member Aftab Malik explained that EVs only give 120 miles on a full charge, which drops to 90 miles if using the radio and air conditioning. "And if you charge overnight at home or the office, that's fine. But if you go into charging points in the fuel stations, it's £38 for a full charge; that gives you 50-60 miles, and then you've got to recharge it again," Malik said.
Other drivers, such as Reading Taxi Association (RTA) chairman Shahid Rafiq, pointed out they live in flats with absolutely no charging infrastructure.
Cabbies also accused the council of moving the goalposts. Driver Azz Asghar revealed he spent £36,500 on a diesel Volkswagen Transporter after checking with the licensing department, only to be told later it was non-compliant. “They change the rules like the weather,” Asghar said.
School transport driver Nazneen Ali similarly complained that drivers who only work during term-time drop-offs are being forced to comply with the same stringent conditions as full-time operators.
The protest preceded a licensing meeting on Thursday, July 9, where drivers packed the public gallery as councillors debated whether there is 'unmet demand' for more hackney carriages in Reading.
Asif Rashid, chairman of the RTA, argued against adding more vehicles, stating: “Work has gone down since 2023. The post covid bubble has burst. Clearly there is no unmet demand."
RPHA member Manzoor Hussain supported this stance but used his speech to highlight the wider grievances of the protest, stating: “We've lost faith in the council. We've been completely ignored altogether."
Councillors ultimately voted unanimously not to increase the number of cabs in Reading for the next five years, a decision that pleased union leaders.
Following the vote, committee chair Paul Woodward thanked the crowd and joked: “I do love a good demonstration!”
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