Miles Briggs, MSP, has called for Edinburgh City Council’s licensing authority to take into consideration of taxi drivers livelihoods when granting licenses extensions.
Currently vehicles over a decade old will be refused a license, unless an exemption is made by the licensing authority, which will be done on a case by case basis.
The new regulations mean that taxis that would previously have been granted will no longer be granted a license, unless an exception has been made.
A TX taxi new would cost over £50,000.
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, said: “I welcome Edinburgh City Council’s actions to make Edinburgh greener, at the same time they have to consider the livelihoods of taxi drivers who play a crucial part in Edinburgh’s transport network.
“TX black cabs are designed to last a long time, so the majority of them will be in good condition even after 10 years.
“It is important that Edinburgh City Council keep it economically viable for taxi drivers to be able to keep driving their taxi’s in the capital.”