Taxis

RMT is one of several unions organising in the taxi sector. It says there are major issues over the challenges posed by under-regulated private-hire vehicles. RMT is campaigning for the defence of a high-quality taxi service as part of an integrated UK transport system. The union fully supports the need for the taxi and private hire vehicle trades to adapt to the need to reduce carbon emissions. It has worked with major metropolitan authorities to ensure the introduction of Clean Air Zones takes the form of a “Just Transition” (see Chapter 1), which helps taxi drivers meet the costs of adapting vehicles to reduce GHG emissions.

A motion on zero carbon emissions at general union GMB’s annual conference in June 2019 supported London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles and asked the union to lobby for mayors of the future to stick to this, and for financial incentives for small businesses.

Unite reports working with members in the taxi sector to identify sustainable, affordable and cleaner taxis, including a taxi conference. This included a visit to the LEVC taxi factory, which switched production from diesel to a range including extended hybrid electric design for all future black cabs.