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Cabbies take on Ken over exhaust filters
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard27.09.07
Nearly 1,000 taxi drivers are to launch a challenge against a decision by Ken Livingstone to make them fit exhaust filters in their cabs.
The drivers claim the filters are too costly and unsuitable for driving in the city.
The London Cab Drivers Club is seeking permission from the High Court for a judicial review against Transport for London and its licensing authority, the Public Carriage Office.
Since July last year drivers of 15,000 older London black cabs, out of a total fleet of 21,000, have been required to fit filters to keep exhaust fumes below the EU emissions standard.
Taxi drivers say they were forced to pay an initial £1,900 for the equipment and a further £400 to have it modified.
Chairman of the club, Alan Fleming, said: "After cabs have done approximately 2,000 miles, the system clogs up and they just belch out black smoke."
Mr Livingstone said: "The Cab Drivers Club is a small reactionary clique who have opposed everything I have done as Mayor for six years."
Reader views (4)
You don't have to be a reactionary clique to claim that TFL has imposed something on the cab trade that may not do the job for which it would have been designed.
There is clogging up of systems, resulting in loss of power and more emissions than before they were fitted. These retrofit devices are probably doing no more than collecting soot around the centre of London and dumping it in the suburbs, some might call it, fly-tipping.
- Jason, London
These filters underwent trials involving London cabs for a period of time before being approved by the Public Carriage Office. The filters are intended to burn of the poisonous particles that diesel engines emit. The retro fit exhausts also include EGR (Exhaust Gas recyclers) which are designed to send 33% of the exhaust fumes back to the air inlet to burn off any unburnt fuel.
The increase in unsightly black smoke from cabs fitted with these exhausts is a result of the catalytic converters burning soot off when the engine is under hard acceleration, especially after sitting for some time in stationary London traffic.
These retro fitted emission exhausts have no real noticeable effect on acceleration or fuel consumption and the associated costs of fitting the exhausts and servicing has been covered by a 20p environmental charge per taxi journey which has been in effect since 2 April 2005.
Legally or otherwise the LCDC have no argument, especially after the fact that so many taxis have already undergone the conversions. It is unrealistic to suggest that Livingstone or the PCO will reconsider on this one, so the LCDC should stop stirring trouble within the trade and get a hobby.
- Hackney Harry, London, UK
Why do London cabbies feel so hard done by? They charge more than New York cabs, up to 30% more on some journeys. They are lightly regulated and don't have to pay the congestion charge. These guys are asked to do one thing to reduce pollution and they're off with a persecution complex.
- Tony Mcmahon, London, UK
I'm sure an independent test is the easiest way to solve this disagreement.
- Robin, London, UK
