NTA: You 1,700 x 2022 E.O.Lifers can go fuk yourselves

[watty]

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SPSV-Industry-Update-Issue-52.pdf

<snip>
The NTA Board approved the Small
Public Service Vehicle (Emergency
Measure COVID-19) Regulations 2021
to extend the final operation date
(maximum permissible age) of vehicles
due to reach their end of life during
2021 for one further year. Thus, no
SPSVs will be forced by taxi regulation
to exit the fleet in 2021. For those
licences due to renew in 2022, normal
maximum permissible age limits of 10
or 15 years will apply as the regulation
only operates in 2021 on a COVID-19
emergency basis. Substantial grants are
available towards electric vehicle and
wheelchair accessible vehicle purchase
for those who wish to change a vehicle
in 2021. All licence holders covered
by this emergency regulation will be
contacted in writing by NTA.

If RC's stats are correct, about 1,700 taxis* are gonna be End-of-Life next year.  Looks life the NTA are shafting us and not giving us an extra year to sort things out.  The immediate emergency might be over (hello, Indian variant) but it'll take ages for people's finances to get back on some sort of even keel.

I'd be fuked if I went for a loan with just 6 months wages for 2021 (June-Dec '21) but I'd have a fighting chance if I had 18 months wages behind me (June '21 - Dec '22)

And the grants?  If all 235 x 2007 taxis go for the 20k grant, that's €4.7 million in grant money.  I doubt the NTA has sort of mullah lying around, even if it's EU money...

Feckers 



*
2007 - 235 taxis
2012 - 1,483 taxis
(excls WATs, Limos & Hacks)

[mercenary for hire]

It's still too early.They say they aren't planning it but they're assuming COVID will be all sorted by next year.

My guess is if the unions moan enough they'll give the 2022 EOL vehicles another year.They only started the ball rolling on the current extension a couple of months ago.

Watty there are government Covid loan guarantee schemes available, I think it's linked in the latest newsletter.

[watty]

Hey, I'm having a moan.  Don't try and change the subject 

[mercenary for hire]

Sorry...

But assume they won't offer another year next year to be on the safe side.Then if you get one it will be a bonus.

My heap is so old that they checked the chasis number at suitability to verify it was the same car.Cheeky bastards.

[watty]

Good points. I'll keep plugging away.

Just a bit annoying they put out this news on a Fri evening.

[Dr. Martin Gooter Bling]

i got that bastardin text earlier and it got my hopes up.
as it stands i have to get rid of denzel next year.
crying shame.
not a jot wrong with the car.

[stonethecrows]

And my nearly new 07 Avensis is due to go to the Motor Graveyard in the Sky next year also, I think I'll say a prayer and that might work for an extra year.

[Shallowhal]

As MFH says....plan for the worst,hope for the best!!