A taxi driver believes the industry is being unfairly targeted over exhaust emissions - while buses almost 20 years old are still running in the district.

Canterbury City Council is phasing out diesel and petrol cabs as it strives towards having only electric vehicles by 2030.

And from August it will refuse to licence any taxi failing to meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards - sparking the end of most vehicles more than seven years old.

But many cabbies have hit out at the rules, with one taking aim at the district’s Stagecoach buses - some of which were registered in 2003.

Abe Housein, 58, who has been a cabbie for 24 years, has branded the measures “unfair” and an act of “discrimination” against taxi drivers.

He faces forking out tens of thousands of pounds to replace his 2014 Fiat Scudo with an electric equivalent.

“Wouldn’t it be fair to do it for everybody?,” he said.

“I am disgusted they can only penalise one industry above buses, cars or lorries. They need to stop everybody.

“The buses they’re running now are older than the taxis.

“The oldest taxi will probably be a ‘12 plate and that’s because it’s coming to the end of its tender as a taxi, because you usually get 10 years on it.

“I’m not saying the buses are not maintained or passing their emissions, but at least when you start a taxi up you’re not getting half a ton of smoke out the back.”

On a visit to Canterbury bus station on Thursday, KentOnline found buses with ‘09, ‘08 and ‘06 plates - with one registered as far back as 2003.

The newest vehicle carried a 2022 plate, which was one of the park and ride services.

The city council has no power to license the bus industry, but Canterbury councillor Pip Hazelton (Lab) says if the authority is “at all serious” about meeting climate change targets, “considerable changes will need to happen and at pace”.

“Part of the equation will surely be to decrease high-emission vehicle movements into and around the district, and taxis will need to play their part in this,” she said.

“However, it does seem to me to be unfortunate that one set of vehicle movements - taxis operating across the city - seems to be the focus of the council.

“While at the same time, they have not brought in a low-emission zone which would have a very far-reaching impact on emissions, air quality and ultimately on climate change.

“Buses need to drastically reduce their emissions, as indeed do delivery vehicles and many private cars.

“I would like to see a more comprehensive strategy rather than picking on one business, with incentives and perhaps transitional support in order to get where we need to be fairly and more quickly.”

The city council wants the district’s taxi fleet to be either electric or hybrid by 2025, and 100% electric by 2030.

But cabbies say the target dates are “ridiculous” and should be delayed until more charging points are installed, and vehicles become more affordable and practical for taxi work.

The city council is not responsible for licensing buses, but it has a statutory duty to monitor and take action to improve air quality.

Buses are privately run in Kent, but the industry is heavily subsidised. They are licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

City council spokesman Rob Davies said: “We understand the point Mr Housein is making, but there is a crucial distinction between the taxi industry and the bus sector that we must point out.

“As a council, we are directly responsible for licensing the taxi service locally and can set the policy we choose to. We always do this in consultation with the industry.

“However, we have no similar local control over the bus industry, as these services are licensed at a national level by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

“However, this lack of regulatory control does not mean we do not take emissions from buses seriously. In fact we discuss these matters regularly with the local operator, Stagecoach, and closely monitor the type of buses they use in our district.

“On their most frequent routes such as the Triangle service they are using Euro 6 diesel buses, which is the cleanest type of diesel vehicle, and we also know they are continuing to retire their older buses from service. We have encouraged them to do so faster.”

Mr Davies added that the council is renewing its fleet of vans and Canenco vehicles with a mix of Euro 6 and electric vehicles.

“Another five electric vans are being purchased for the enforcement service, and city centre electric road sweepers are on order,” he added.

“We also specified 10 new Euro 6 buses to run the park and ride service, the second batch of which have recently entered service.”

A spokesman for Stagecoach said more than 70% of the local Canterbury fleet meets at least Euro 5 emission standards, which means they comply with the former London Low Emission Zone requirements.

“We’re aiming to have a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, with a goal to decarbonise our business to become fully net zero by 2050,” they said.

“Canterbury does have an air pollution problem that needs to be addressed, which is why we’re actively calling for tougher tax regimes and use of clean-air zones to target vehicles and journeys which contribute most to pollution on a per-passenger basis.

“A bus seating 80 passengers is equivalent to 53 cars, which means the emissions per passenger are potentially significantly lower for buses than for cars.

“We’re working closely with local councils to deliver clearer promotion of switching from cars to public transport and targeted public investment in bus priority measures as the most effective way to tackle urban congestion and air pollution.”

The DVSA says it is the responsibility of the local authority to directly enforce any low emission zone.

A spokesman for the government agency said: "DVSA’s priority is protecting everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

"DVSA will take action in cases of breaches or non-compliance of national legislation, and safety issues that involve the repute of an operator.

"We do not directly enforce low emission zones. We recommend all operators who need to comply with Low Emission Zones to include this as part of driver checks and safety inspections."