Manchester

A taxi driver ended up with an extra passenger when he picked up a young couple - after the heavily pregnant woman gave birth in the back of his taxi cab.

When Pavla Machacova went into labour, boyfriend Pavel Stupka called a taxi to take them to hospital.
Driver Tesfaldet Abraham picked them up at their home in Manchester and took them on the short drive to North Manchester General, but by the time they got there the baby was on its way.

Tesfaldet jumped out to get a trolley for Pavla, and shouted to waiting midwives for help. They raced to the cab and within minutes delivered the baby on the back seat of his Vauxhall Astra estate.

Tesfaldet, 44, who works for city centre cab firm Cresta Cars, told the Manchester Evening News : “It was not a very long distance to the hospital and we were not thinking the baby would come as soon as that, even the husband didn’t seem to know how far gone she was.”

Tesfaldet, from Broughton, added: “The midwives ran out to the car, told me to grab towels and gloves from inside and the baby was born within five minutes. I got into the back of the car to help hand them what they needed.

“I couldn’t be happier. It’s amazing. I picked up two people and delivered three!”
Baby Nicole was born weighing a healthy 7lbs 7oz. And the following day she was allowed home with Pavel, 30, and Pavla, 33, to meet her big sister, two-year-old Kristina.

Pavla said: “It was so unexpected. With Kristina the labour was 12 hours and this was 30 minutes. I’d only had contractions for about five minutes before we rang the taxi and then she was here. It was too fast. I’m really happy to be at home with Nicole.”

Pavel said:“We’re so grateful to the driver and the hospital. We have received a lovely bunch of flowers from Mr Abraham so it’s nice to know he’s thinking of us.”

Derek Brocklehurst, manager of Cresta Cars, said: “It’s great. We wish both the parents and the child all the best.”
---------------------------------------------------
PeterBoro

Wednesday 9.30am: Drivers faced delays in Bourges Boulevard in Peterborough this morning following a collision between a lorry and a taxi.

Emergency services were called to the incident near the McDonald’s restaurant at 6.34am.

One casualty was released by fire crews but it is not believed anyone was seriously injured.

The southbound section of the road was closed to traffic following the incident.


The road has since been re-opened but there are still reports of heavy traffic in the area.
----------------------------------------------------------
Preston, go pre-pay over Xmas.

Taking deposits: Mark Selley of Preston Hackney Carriage Association says it must be up to drivers to be honest when taking pre-payments.

Lancashire Police are asking the public to “not be offended” if they are asked to pre-pay for their taxis over Christmas.

Members of the Community Safety Team at Lancashire Constabulary are promoting the practice of pre-payment with all taxis in the Preston area over the festive period in a bid to reduce the number of bilking offences where passengers evade payment.

Insp Caroline Edwards, Community Safety Team said: “We want to ask the public not to be offended if they are asked for a deposit or pre-payment of fares when they take a taxi.

“Christmas and New Year is an extremely busy time for all taxi drivers and over this period we see an increase in bilking.

Insp Edwards added: “By encouraging pre-payment, we can hopefully reduce the number of these incidents.”

Mark Selley of Preston Hackney Carriage Association said: “I understand that the police will be encouraging this practice because if there is a problem with people running off without paying it takes up their valuable time.”

However, Mark, said it must be up to the taxi drivers to be honest when taking deposits or pre-payment.

He said: “It is the law to have the meter running so if a taxi driver takes money from you, make sure that the amount is taken from the final fare that is displayed on the meter.

“Drivers don’t want to run the risk of payment problems on long journeys in particular.


Mike Thorpe, Licensing Manager at Preston City Council added: “Security of both drivers and passengers is of paramount importance and any measures to reduce the risk of conflict or crime is to be welcomed.”
-------------------------------------------------------
Barnsley, Safety warning.

People in the Dearne are being warned to take care when they hire a cab this Christmas.

As the festive season approaches Barnsley Council is asking revellers not to take risks with their safety by using unlicensed taxis or private hire vehicles.

The vehicles will not be insured to carry paying passengers and the vehicle will not have been examined by the council to ensure it is roadworthy.

All licensed vehicles are inspected throughout the year by qualified vehicle examiners, and all licensed drivers undergo a rigorous application process which includes a criminal records check to ensure they are fit and proper to hold a licence with the council.

Coun Charles Wraith, Chairman of the General Licensing Board, said: “I would urge members of the public to avoid using unlicensed vehicles which can put their safety at risk. Unlicensed vehicles will not be insured and I dread to think of the consequences should an unlicensed vehicle be involved in a serious road traffic accident.

“Taxis can be hailed in the street or approached at ranks and do not need to be booked in advance. There are numerous taxi ranks around the town centre from which a taxi may be taken and we will be providing taxi marshals for the busiest nights over Christmas and the New Year to ensure people can hire taxis safely. Private hire vehicles must always be booked in advance through a licensed operator.”

All licensed drivers will have and be able to produce a Licence ID card containing the following information: Barnsley Council’s logo, driver’s photograph and driver’s number.

Always use either a licensed taxi that is clearly displaying door signs and a white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, use a licensed private hire vehicle displaying a yellow licence plate on the front and rear of the vehicle and signs to the front and rear doors including the operator’s name and contact details.

Anyone with you any doubts that the vehicle or driver is not licensed by the council are advised not to get in the vehicle and inform the Licensing Section at Barnsley Council on 01226 772468 or the Police, dial 101, as soon as possible.

This year in Barnsley there will be two taxi marshals stationed at hackney carriage ranks at New Street (adjacent to Chicago Rock) and Midland Street. The marshals will help people visiting town centre pubs, bars and restaurants get home safely at the end of the evening.

Marshals will be on duty on the evenings of Friday, December 20, Sunday 22, Boxing Day, Saturday 28, and New Year’s Eve.

In addition, officers funded by the Barnsley branch of the Hackney Carriage Association will patrol the area around Queen Street and Eldon Street.