§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many of the existing small public service vehicle operators meet the EU capital reserves criterion of £6,500 for the first vehicle and £3,500 for each additional vehicle; [70221]
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Midland Metro Line 1 Manchester Metrolink to Salford Quays/Eccles Blackpool Tramway Croydon Tramlink Scheme Proposed Tyne and Wear Metro Extension to Sunderland 2 DETR funding (£ million) 1997–98 14.54 8.2 0.1 50 0 1998–99 2.24 6.2 0 33.5 0 1999–2000 0.50 2.9 0 16.5 1 Total DETR funding (£ million)1 80 17.3 5.0 125 n/a Estimated total scheme cost (£ million) 144.8 134 6.4 200 n/a DETR funding as percentage of estimated total scheme cost 55 13 78 63 n/a 1 Total DETR funding. This includes funding allocated by DETR in other financial years not requested. 2 Provisional allocation subject to further assessment of project. Total scheme cost estimate is not yet available. (2) when the provisions of the EU directive relating to certificates of professional competence of small public service vehicle operators will be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [70220]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonCouncil Directive 98/76/EC which sets out, among other things, the revised capital reserve and professional competence requirements for the relevant operators of passenger carrying vehicles, does not apply to those operators who use only vehicles with fewer than 9 passenger seats ("small" public service vehicles). Those operators will however, continue to have to meet the appropriate requirements for grant of an operator's licence by the Traffic Commissioner, including those in respect of finance and professional competence.