The drivers have been supported by Maureen O’Bern, an independent councillor on Wigan Council.
“The rule is clearly unfair and there’s no logic to it”, said O’Bern.
“The council should be supporting long-standing local drivers, who we know are safe. They’re now going to be put of work.
“Yet, people with even older taxis from other areas can come into Wigan and take that business,” she added.
David Lawrie, director of the National Private Hire Association, said he “understood the frustration” of drivers affected by the age policy.
However, he said he believed the government would soon introduce a standard age policy across the country.
“The level of variation is getting ridiculous”, Lawrie said.
“The idea of this national standard is to level-up so that everyone is working on the same level playing field. There’s a strong appetite for it.”
Julie Middlehurst, assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services at Wigan Council, said: “An age limit provides a clear, consistent, and enforceable framework for maintaining a high-quality fleet, while also supporting public confidence and ensuring vehicles remain fit for purpose.
“This policy was agreed over four years ago with an appropriate implementation period, however, we will give further consideration to the concerns that drivers are raising with us.”
In a statement, Transport for Greater Manchester said: “Councils are responsible for setting standards and licensing private-hire vehicles.
“Greater Manchester is working with the government and the taxi trade to support the transition to cleaner vehicles, in line with licensing emissions standards.”
