NEW controversial Clean Air Zone costs have led to fears that taxi drivers in Bolton could be driven off the roads.

Now bosses at some of the town's biggest taxi firms are calling for more financial support ahead of new licensing standards that could mean their drivers having to buy newer cars.

It comes as discussions are expected to take place in January to decide if taxi organisations across Greater Manchester have to purchase a car no older than five years – to avoid a charge.

If the licensing standards are agreed, they would apply to taxi services from May, 2023.

Bolton Private Hire Association (BPHA), Haslam Cars, Hastings Cars, and Metro Taxis have said they are supportive of the Clean Air Zone which comes into force in May next year, but that the cost of purchasing a car that is no more than five years old is far too expensive.

Daily charges will apply to certain non-compliant vehicles that do not meet government emission standards

Owner of Metro taxis, Nick Astley said: “We are not against what they are trying to achieve with the Clean Air Zone.

“But for the operators and drivers it is very worrying financially for the vehicle in the middle of a of a pandemic.

“These changes should be postponed, with more help given to the drivers.

“Otherwise it will have a big impact on customers who rely on us because we will have to increase fares.”

Bosses have already said that fares have been increased recently, as well as having a driver shortage, or those who have had to take on second jobs due to the impact of the pandemic.

Yasif Khan, secretary of BPHA, added: “To buy a five-year old car, could cost up to £20,000.

“This could put a lot of taxi drivers off, especially the older generation, which are the majority of drivers, because it will be harder for them to get a loan.”

The organisations have said that if the licensing changes are accepted, there will be a £2,500 grant available to help with costs for five-year-old cars, and a £10k grant for those buying electric vehicles.

However, they still don’t know the details about the criteria for applying for one.

Yasif added: “For an electric car, you could end up paying £30k, where we would have to get a loan and get into debt.

“We could lose a lot of drivers who won’t want to get in debt, who might go on to get another job to pay the bills.”

Kamran Hussain Managing Director from Hastings Cars, was also concerned about the costs for taxis designed for wheelchair access, which he said could cost £50k.

A Clean Air GM spokesperson said: “The ten GM districts have been directed by government to introduce a Clean Air Zone to reduce harmful emissions and ensure that we can all breathe cleaner air.

“We are working hard to ensure we support all affected vehicle owners, including taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers, move to cleaner vehicles so they don’t have to pay a daily charge.

“Greater Manchester leaders have secured £10.6m in Government funding for hackney carriages and £10.2m for PHVs to help eligible businesses and people to move to less polluting, compliant vehicles.

"We’re also giving the trade more time to upgrade, with an automatic temporary local exemption until 1 June 2023.

“Affected vehicle owners are being encouraged to apply to the Financial Support Scheme at the earliest possible opportunity when the scheme is launched and people should sign up to alerts at cleanairgm.com.”

If the licensing standards are changed, drivers who already have a vehicle will have until 2023, but those who may either have an accident, or a broken down vehicle, will have until May 2022 to get a car that is at least five years old.