CHESTER
COUNCIL chiefs and Cheshire Police have worked together to ensure that licensed taxis and private hire vehicles are being driven by properly licensed drivers during the festive season.
Held over three nights, the police, assisted by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s licensing officers, stopped more than 80 vehicles to check drivers’ credentials and no problems were found.
Licensed hackney cabs can be hired immediately from a rank or by hailing in the street, while private hire vehicles must be booked through a licensed office.
Licensed vehicles are safe because they are tested to a higher standard than private cars and the drivers have medical and criminal record checks as well as undertaking training before a licence will be issued.
Cllr Lynn Riley, executive member for localities, said: “The party season is well underway, so people are likely to be using taxis and private hire cars more frequently. If you use a licensed vehicle, you have the reassurance that vehicles and the drivers will have undergone a variety of checks.”
Sgt Andy Burrage from Cheshire Police said: “This was a highly successful operation, which was well received by both members of the public and drivers. In excess of 80 vehicles were stopped and no problems were found.”
It is the responsibility of Cheshire West and Chester Council to license taxis, private hire vehicles and drivers. Do not use a vehicle if:
There are no plates on the vehicle
The driver is asking you if you want a taxi or a lift home
The driver cannot identify himself or the picture on the badge does not match the driver.
The driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol.
The vehicle is in a state of disrepair.
You are uneasy for any reason.
If you are suspicious that a vehicle is acting as an unlicensed taxi or private hire vehicle, take down the registration number and contact the Police on 101.
http://www.chesterfirst.co.uk/news/142408/police-step-up-festive-spot-checks-on-licensed-taxi-drivers.aspx?
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Madrid
It would appear the Madrid Courts have banned Spanish telecom operators from transmitting information to Uber android and IOs
handsets. Effectively closing them down.
UBER are now trying to obtain service from Operators based outside Spanish territory, how that helps the customer I do not know.
Here is the translation.
It would appear the Madrid Courts have banned Spanish telecom operators from transmitting information to Uber android and IOs
handsets. Effectively closing them down.
UBER are now trying to obtain service from Operators based outside Spanish territory, how that helps the customer I do not know.
Here is the translation.
Friday, 26 December 2014
Sixteen cases of sexual assaults in taxis have been recorded throughout Shropshire and Mid Wales in the last four years, new figures show.
In Shropshire seven sexual offences took place in taxis and were reported to West Mercia Police since 2011, including one in the current financial year.
Data released under the the Freedom of Information Act shows 33 complaints were made since 2011 across the West Mercia force area as a whole – Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Worcestershire and Herefordshire – and in 30 of these cases the complaint was alleged against the driver of the cab.
In the same period, nine sexual offences in taxis were reported to Dyfed-Powys Police, including three so far in the current financial year.
Figures from the Welsh force also revealed that between 2009 and 2013, there were nine taxi drivers arrested for sexual assault, with two subsequently charged.
Detective Inspector Neil Jenkins, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “These figures are low and indicate that this kind of incident is rare in Dyfed Powys. However, it is still important for people to consider their personal safety and to follow advice on how to enjoy a safe night out and taking a taxi to minimise the opportunity for any assault or other crime to occur.”
Superintendent James Tozer, from West Mercia Police, added: “Anyone getting into a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle should be assured that the only person allowed to drive the car has had their background checked.
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Manchester
The Licensing Unit Manager Ms Hicks is on sick leave.
Some say it is stress related others say it is 'Gardening' leave prior to her leaving the department. However do write the Lady off yet.
This is the second occasion this year this has happened.
It has, however, no doubt been stressful this year in particular with regard to the Council having to refund nearly £800,000 to the Taxi /PH trade this year. The refund (by way of fee reductions) is because of excess charges on previous years.
The excess fee's were uncovered when trade members, faced with a very poor service from the Licensing and Enforcement officers asked the question - "Why are we paying so much, for so little"
The £800k may yet be the Tip of the Iceberg.
Solicitor's are instigating proceedings to recover much, much more.
I will keep you posted.
------------------------------------
MILTON KEYNES
The scandal of the rapist taxi driver supported by former mayor Subhan Shafiq has prompted cabbies to form an official Milton Keynes Taxi Association.
The association aims to improve communications with Milton Keynes Council and ensure private hire drivers have a proper code of conduct.
“We need to restore the trust of residents and avoid the fear brought about after taxi driver Nadeem Kiani was given a reference by the former councillor Subhan Shafiq,” said spokesman Rosemary Smith.
It will also give drivers a voice and protect from “bullying tactics” they claim have been used in the past by officials.
Head of the association is experienced taxi driver Denis Edwards. It has an elected secretary , treasurer and six committee members.
Said Rosemary; “All arecommitted to creating a positive future for what is after all one of the major parts of the transport structure of Milton Keynes.”
Chair Mr Edwards said: “I feel absolutely certain we can all look forward to a long and supportive relationship between our association and MK Council and win back residents’ trust.”
The association has already won the support of Councillor Catriona Morris, who heads the council’s taxi Regulatory Committee, and councillor David Nash, who is a member of the licensing committee.
http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/local/we-ll-win-back-the-trust-says-milton-keynes-taxi-association-1-6488523
----------------------------------------------------------------
BELFAST
Public hire taxi drivers in Belfast fear they are being victimised after traffic wardens were instructed to clamp down on unattended vehicles in taxi ranks.
They say they have been told that anyone who leaves their taxi unattended in a rank will be ticketed.
Kieran Reilly of Belfast Public Hire Taxi Drivers said they had been given the heads-up by one of the "redcoats". "We acknowledge that they have a job to do, but we've been told that the redcoats are to start ticketing drivers who leave cars unattended in public hire ranks," he said.
"There's no toilet for the boys to go to - there's no facilities in the city centre and they're having to use public amenities like bars and restaurants. People now feel they are being victimised because we are putting pressure on the department to give us more ranks."
Taxi drivers are doing shifts of up to 12 hours with no toilet facilities and there is also no lost and found office for anything left in a public hire taxi, he said.
A DRD spokesperson said: "Long-standing legislation governing public hire taxis requires taxi drivers to remain with their vehicle when using a rank to ply for trade. Traffic attendants will take enforcement action against any vehicle found to be in contravention of parking restrictions."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-taxi-drivers-tell-of-victimisation-fear-30861582.html?
The Licensing Unit Manager Ms Hicks is on sick leave.
Some say it is stress related others say it is 'Gardening' leave prior to her leaving the department. However do write the Lady off yet.
This is the second occasion this year this has happened.
It has, however, no doubt been stressful this year in particular with regard to the Council having to refund nearly £800,000 to the Taxi /PH trade this year. The refund (by way of fee reductions) is because of excess charges on previous years.
The excess fee's were uncovered when trade members, faced with a very poor service from the Licensing and Enforcement officers asked the question - "Why are we paying so much, for so little"
The £800k may yet be the Tip of the Iceberg.
Solicitor's are instigating proceedings to recover much, much more.
I will keep you posted.
------------------------------------
MILTON KEYNES
The scandal of the rapist taxi driver supported by former mayor Subhan Shafiq has prompted cabbies to form an official Milton Keynes Taxi Association.
The association aims to improve communications with Milton Keynes Council and ensure private hire drivers have a proper code of conduct.
“We need to restore the trust of residents and avoid the fear brought about after taxi driver Nadeem Kiani was given a reference by the former councillor Subhan Shafiq,” said spokesman Rosemary Smith.
It will also give drivers a voice and protect from “bullying tactics” they claim have been used in the past by officials.
Head of the association is experienced taxi driver Denis Edwards. It has an elected secretary , treasurer and six committee members.
Said Rosemary; “All arecommitted to creating a positive future for what is after all one of the major parts of the transport structure of Milton Keynes.”
Chair Mr Edwards said: “I feel absolutely certain we can all look forward to a long and supportive relationship between our association and MK Council and win back residents’ trust.”
The association has already won the support of Councillor Catriona Morris, who heads the council’s taxi Regulatory Committee, and councillor David Nash, who is a member of the licensing committee.
http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/local/we-ll-win-back-the-trust-says-milton-keynes-taxi-association-1-6488523
----------------------------------------------------------------
BELFAST
Public hire taxi drivers in Belfast fear they are being victimised after traffic wardens were instructed to clamp down on unattended vehicles in taxi ranks.
They say they have been told that anyone who leaves their taxi unattended in a rank will be ticketed.
Kieran Reilly of Belfast Public Hire Taxi Drivers said they had been given the heads-up by one of the "redcoats". "We acknowledge that they have a job to do, but we've been told that the redcoats are to start ticketing drivers who leave cars unattended in public hire ranks," he said.
"There's no toilet for the boys to go to - there's no facilities in the city centre and they're having to use public amenities like bars and restaurants. People now feel they are being victimised because we are putting pressure on the department to give us more ranks."
Taxi drivers are doing shifts of up to 12 hours with no toilet facilities and there is also no lost and found office for anything left in a public hire taxi, he said.
A DRD spokesperson said: "Long-standing legislation governing public hire taxis requires taxi drivers to remain with their vehicle when using a rank to ply for trade. Traffic attendants will take enforcement action against any vehicle found to be in contravention of parking restrictions."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-taxi-drivers-tell-of-victimisation-fear-30861582.html?
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Losses at taxi hailing app company Hailo have trebled after the company invested heavily in technology in a bid to fight off fierce competition in the taxi-booking space.
Losses rose from £7.6m to £21.6m in the year to December 31 2013, according to accounts recently filed at Companies House. Launched in 2011 by three London cab drivers, Hailo has since expanded to 16 other cities across the world.
People booked £80m worth of fares through the Hailo app, up from the £21m taken the year before. However, the company was hit by £25m worth of administrative costs.
Hailo, which lets people book nearby cabs through its eponymous app, has recently had to fight competition from entrants to the taxi-booking market including Uber.
The US start-up uses a mobile app to book rides in licensed taxis and minicabs, and measures the journey distance and calculates a fare which is paid direct to the driver.
Some 10,000 black cab drivers took part in protests across London this summer over Uber’s fee structure, arguing that private cars are not allowed to use fare calculators that act like a taxi meter.
It recently announced plans to launch a larger car service in an effort to win over business passengers, a key advantage of rivals such as Addison Lee and Hailo.
In its results, Hailo said the “significant number of start-ups in the taxi hailing market … is likely to lead to increasing levels of competition for Hailo in the future. To mitigate this risk, Hailo continues to work to develop strong consumer and driver relationships, building brand loyalty based off the reliability of the taxi service.”
Hailo recently said it was retreating from the US and Canada, after pricing battles between Uber and taxi app service Lyft meant that it struggled to be profitable in the region.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11304629/Hailo-books-loss-as-taxi-firm-fights-off-fierce-competition.html
Losses rose from £7.6m to £21.6m in the year to December 31 2013, according to accounts recently filed at Companies House. Launched in 2011 by three London cab drivers, Hailo has since expanded to 16 other cities across the world.
People booked £80m worth of fares through the Hailo app, up from the £21m taken the year before. However, the company was hit by £25m worth of administrative costs.
Hailo, which lets people book nearby cabs through its eponymous app, has recently had to fight competition from entrants to the taxi-booking market including Uber.
The US start-up uses a mobile app to book rides in licensed taxis and minicabs, and measures the journey distance and calculates a fare which is paid direct to the driver.
Some 10,000 black cab drivers took part in protests across London this summer over Uber’s fee structure, arguing that private cars are not allowed to use fare calculators that act like a taxi meter.
It recently announced plans to launch a larger car service in an effort to win over business passengers, a key advantage of rivals such as Addison Lee and Hailo.
In its results, Hailo said the “significant number of start-ups in the taxi hailing market … is likely to lead to increasing levels of competition for Hailo in the future. To mitigate this risk, Hailo continues to work to develop strong consumer and driver relationships, building brand loyalty based off the reliability of the taxi service.”
Hailo recently said it was retreating from the US and Canada, after pricing battles between Uber and taxi app service Lyft meant that it struggled to be profitable in the region.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11304629/Hailo-books-loss-as-taxi-firm-fights-off-fierce-competition.html
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Liverpool council has today revoked the licence of Delta Taxis to operate in the city.
The company was issued with a new private hire operator’s licence on November 18 to enable them to take fares in the city.
But a condition of this was there had to be a dedicated telephone booking line for Liverpool, separate from the firm’s Sefton operation.
Now the authority says it has become aware that the Liverpool booking number is not operational and the only way bookings can be made is through a phone app.
Furthermore, it says the firm’s Liverpool registered vehicles have door signs which only refer to the app and do not advertise the Liverpool number.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/delta-taxis-licence-operate-liverpool-8312567
The company was issued with a new private hire operator’s licence on November 18 to enable them to take fares in the city.
But a condition of this was there had to be a dedicated telephone booking line for Liverpool, separate from the firm’s Sefton operation.
Now the authority says it has become aware that the Liverpool booking number is not operational and the only way bookings can be made is through a phone app.
Furthermore, it says the firm’s Liverpool registered vehicles have door signs which only refer to the app and do not advertise the Liverpool number.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/delta-taxis-licence-operate-liverpool-8312567
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Uber has taken its battle for acceptance in Europe to Brussels with a complaint against a French law, the first of what could become a series of challenges to EU member states reluctant to open their markets to the online taxi-booking service.
Launched in California four years ago, the service has rapidly become popular in a number of countries because it often undercuts established taxi and minicab services.
However, taxi drivers across Europe say Uber breaks local taxi rules and violates licensing, insurance and safety regulations. It has faced legal action in Germany and a number of European countries.
Uber last month filed a first complaint with the European Commission against a new French law it says favours regular taxis at its expense.
It says the law discriminates against private-hire vehicles, which it uses, by not allowing consumers to see the location of such cars online - a service it says is available for regular taxis.
"We are looking at existing EU law to defend internal markets," Mark MacGann, Uber's head of public policy in Europe, Middle East and Africa, told Reuters in an interview. "What we find is that market is in fact very fragmented."
The Commission said it had received Uber's complaint and was assessing whether, as Uber believes, France should have notified it of the new law. A spokeswoman said there was no EU regulation on such services.
"So it becomes a national matter, but one does not operate in a complete vacuum and one needs to obey internal market rules," she said.
Uber is seeking to appeal to a new European Commission that is desperate to find ways to boost Europe's stagnant economy and looking to expanding digital services as a pillar of growth.
The firm is also insistent that it is not a taxi service but a technology company enabling customers to find rides.
"We're like Expedia. No one flies with Expedia, but they do book their flights there," said MacGann, who previously worked as a lobbyist for the NYSE Euronext securities exchanges.
Uber is already present in 18 EU member states and plans to be active in all 28 eventually.
With a valuation of up to $40 billion, it has realised it is no longer seen as a little guy battling entrenched monopolies and needs a softer approach.
MacGann said studies in U.S. cities showed established taxis need not see Uber as a threat. "In the U.S., people taking Uber are mostly people not normally taking taxis," he said.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uber-turns-brussels-battle-gain-ground-europe-172350502--finance.html
Launched in California four years ago, the service has rapidly become popular in a number of countries because it often undercuts established taxi and minicab services.
However, taxi drivers across Europe say Uber breaks local taxi rules and violates licensing, insurance and safety regulations. It has faced legal action in Germany and a number of European countries.
Uber last month filed a first complaint with the European Commission against a new French law it says favours regular taxis at its expense.
It says the law discriminates against private-hire vehicles, which it uses, by not allowing consumers to see the location of such cars online - a service it says is available for regular taxis.
"We are looking at existing EU law to defend internal markets," Mark MacGann, Uber's head of public policy in Europe, Middle East and Africa, told Reuters in an interview. "What we find is that market is in fact very fragmented."
The Commission said it had received Uber's complaint and was assessing whether, as Uber believes, France should have notified it of the new law. A spokeswoman said there was no EU regulation on such services.
"So it becomes a national matter, but one does not operate in a complete vacuum and one needs to obey internal market rules," she said.
Uber is seeking to appeal to a new European Commission that is desperate to find ways to boost Europe's stagnant economy and looking to expanding digital services as a pillar of growth.
The firm is also insistent that it is not a taxi service but a technology company enabling customers to find rides.
"We're like Expedia. No one flies with Expedia, but they do book their flights there," said MacGann, who previously worked as a lobbyist for the NYSE Euronext securities exchanges.
Uber is already present in 18 EU member states and plans to be active in all 28 eventually.
With a valuation of up to $40 billion, it has realised it is no longer seen as a little guy battling entrenched monopolies and needs a softer approach.
MacGann said studies in U.S. cities showed established taxis need not see Uber as a threat. "In the U.S., people taking Uber are mostly people not normally taking taxis," he said.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uber-turns-brussels-battle-gain-ground-europe-172350502--finance.html
SOUTH SHIELDS
A TAXI driver has denied sexually assaulting a female passenger after picking her up as she walked through the rain in the early hours of the morning.
Randgar Mohammad, 30, is alleged to have offered the woman a free lift home before kissing her on the face and neck.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Mohommad’s alleged victim was then asked for her phone number and, terrified, gave it to him before leaving the taxi and running home.
A jury heard that the alleged attack happened on May 6 after the victim had spent the night at a friend’s house playing video games.
The friend, who appeared as a witness, told the jury how the victim told her about the alleged attack just days after it happened.
She said: “She told me he had tried to come onto her and touched her in a sexual way, and that she had felt threatened and had to get out of the car and run home after the attack.
“He leaned in and kissed her, and had his hand on her leg.
“She was distressed and upset when she told me about it.”
During cross-examination, Mohammad, of Dean Street, South Shields, denied all the allegations made against him.
He told the court that there had been nothing unusual about the short drive and that the pair had just had “normal taxi conversations” before he dropped her off near her home.
When Mohammad was arrested and questioned by police he denied that anything had happened between the alleged victim and himself.
Mohammad, who is originally from Iraq, told the court he had only wanted them to be “friends” or for her to become a “regular customer”.
During police interview, he said: “I have not touched anyone in my taxi, I am married and my wife means the world to me.”
Stephen Duffield, defending, told the court Mohammad has been driving a taxi since 2011 and has no previous convictions.
Michael Bunch, prosecuting, claims Mohammad had asked the woman if the two of them could go to the beach for a bit and then kissed her on the face and neck.
He is also said to have asked if the pair could meet up the following day.
Mr Bunch told the jury how the victim received a telephone call and, recognising the defendant’s voice, hung up immediately.
Mohammad denies one count of sexual assault.
The trial continues.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crime/taxi-driver-denies-sexually-assaulting-female-passenger-1-7010016
-------------------------------------------------------
GREENOCK
A man and woman have been taken to hospital after they were knocked down by a taxi.
The road collision happened at around 8.30am on Wednesday in Greenock, Inverclyde.
Police and an ambulance attended the scene of the crash on Nelson Street at the junction with Brisbane Street in the town.
The pair were then taken to hospital for treatment for various injuries.
The road was closed by police while the crash scene was being investigated and was reopened before midday.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "A man and woman were injured at around 8.30am on Wednesday after being struck by a taxi on Nelson Street.
"They were taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital for treatment to their injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening.
"Nelson street has now been reopened."
http://news.stv.tv/west-central/303861-man-and-woman-in-hospital-after-being-hit-by-taxi-greenock-street/?
------------------------------------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
Partygoers are being urged to pre-book their journeys home after officers stopped 44 vehicles during a licensing operation on Broad Street over the weekend (12/13 December).
Birmingham City Council’s licensing officers, working with West Midlands Police colleagues, caught two drivers illegally plying for hire – including a member of the public posing as a licenced driver, who picked up two undercover police officers.
The city council intends to prosecute both drivers: If convicted, the private hire driver who attempted to pick up fares, could also have his licence permanently revoked by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee.
In a separate operation, Vehicle and Operator Service Agency officers stopped nine public service vehicles – minibuses too big to be private hire vehicles – on Friday night (12 December): one for having no operator licence, one working under a false operator licence and six for tachograph offences, exceeding their daily or weekly driving limit.
Four vehicles were also taken off the road as a result of concerns over their safety.
This action comes as the council’s new public safety campaign urges revellers to be safe and pre-book their taxis home after their Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Revellers are being warned not to flag down a private hire car in the street as the driver will commit an offence if he picks them up – and if the driver has an accident, the passengers will not be insured. Those who have not pre-booked can get a taxi from one of two marshalled ranks in the city centre on Broad Street or Ladywell Walk, near the Arcadian.
Cllr Barbara Dring, Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This is the busiest time for our bars, clubs and restaurants which are packed with people enjoying themselves – and we want them to get home safely.
“Drivers’ backgrounds are checked as part of the licensing process to see if they have a criminal record, but as one of the drivers caught was a unlicensed member of the public anyone who got into his car was getting in with a total stranger.
“The vast majority of the vehicles stopped by officers are licenced and roadworthy. Our licensing team monitor this kind of activity all year round but it’s particularly important at peak times like the Christmas party season.
“However the message to all partygoers – at any time of year – is clear: be safe, pre-book your taxi.”
Between 1 April and 30 November 2014, licensing officers stopped 302 Hackney carriages and 817 private hire vehicles, of which 263 and 716 complied with the safety-related conditions of their licence.
Only Hackney Carriage vehicles can pick up fares on the street. Private hire drivers cannot accept passengers unless a booking has been made through their private hire operator. Customers who get into private hire vehicles that have not been booked through an operator place themselves at risk because the driver’s insurance does not cover plying for hire.
Birmingham is one of more than 40 British cities awarded Purple Flag status – similar to the Blue Flag for clean, safe beaches – for standards of excellence in delivering an enjoyable, diverse, and safe night out.
ENDS
------------------------------------------------------------
A TAXI driver has denied sexually assaulting a female passenger after picking her up as she walked through the rain in the early hours of the morning.
Randgar Mohammad, 30, is alleged to have offered the woman a free lift home before kissing her on the face and neck.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Mohommad’s alleged victim was then asked for her phone number and, terrified, gave it to him before leaving the taxi and running home.
A jury heard that the alleged attack happened on May 6 after the victim had spent the night at a friend’s house playing video games.
The friend, who appeared as a witness, told the jury how the victim told her about the alleged attack just days after it happened.
She said: “She told me he had tried to come onto her and touched her in a sexual way, and that she had felt threatened and had to get out of the car and run home after the attack.
“He leaned in and kissed her, and had his hand on her leg.
“She was distressed and upset when she told me about it.”
During cross-examination, Mohammad, of Dean Street, South Shields, denied all the allegations made against him.
He told the court that there had been nothing unusual about the short drive and that the pair had just had “normal taxi conversations” before he dropped her off near her home.
When Mohammad was arrested and questioned by police he denied that anything had happened between the alleged victim and himself.
Mohammad, who is originally from Iraq, told the court he had only wanted them to be “friends” or for her to become a “regular customer”.
During police interview, he said: “I have not touched anyone in my taxi, I am married and my wife means the world to me.”
Stephen Duffield, defending, told the court Mohammad has been driving a taxi since 2011 and has no previous convictions.
Michael Bunch, prosecuting, claims Mohammad had asked the woman if the two of them could go to the beach for a bit and then kissed her on the face and neck.
He is also said to have asked if the pair could meet up the following day.
Mr Bunch told the jury how the victim received a telephone call and, recognising the defendant’s voice, hung up immediately.
Mohammad denies one count of sexual assault.
The trial continues.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crime/taxi-driver-denies-sexually-assaulting-female-passenger-1-7010016
-------------------------------------------------------
GREENOCK
A man and woman have been taken to hospital after they were knocked down by a taxi.
The road collision happened at around 8.30am on Wednesday in Greenock, Inverclyde.
Police and an ambulance attended the scene of the crash on Nelson Street at the junction with Brisbane Street in the town.
The pair were then taken to hospital for treatment for various injuries.
The road was closed by police while the crash scene was being investigated and was reopened before midday.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "A man and woman were injured at around 8.30am on Wednesday after being struck by a taxi on Nelson Street.
"They were taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital for treatment to their injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening.
"Nelson street has now been reopened."
http://news.stv.tv/west-central/303861-man-and-woman-in-hospital-after-being-hit-by-taxi-greenock-street/?
------------------------------------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
Partygoers are being urged to pre-book their journeys home after officers stopped 44 vehicles during a licensing operation on Broad Street over the weekend (12/13 December).
Birmingham City Council’s licensing officers, working with West Midlands Police colleagues, caught two drivers illegally plying for hire – including a member of the public posing as a licenced driver, who picked up two undercover police officers.
The city council intends to prosecute both drivers: If convicted, the private hire driver who attempted to pick up fares, could also have his licence permanently revoked by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee.
In a separate operation, Vehicle and Operator Service Agency officers stopped nine public service vehicles – minibuses too big to be private hire vehicles – on Friday night (12 December): one for having no operator licence, one working under a false operator licence and six for tachograph offences, exceeding their daily or weekly driving limit.
Four vehicles were also taken off the road as a result of concerns over their safety.
This action comes as the council’s new public safety campaign urges revellers to be safe and pre-book their taxis home after their Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Revellers are being warned not to flag down a private hire car in the street as the driver will commit an offence if he picks them up – and if the driver has an accident, the passengers will not be insured. Those who have not pre-booked can get a taxi from one of two marshalled ranks in the city centre on Broad Street or Ladywell Walk, near the Arcadian.
Cllr Barbara Dring, Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This is the busiest time for our bars, clubs and restaurants which are packed with people enjoying themselves – and we want them to get home safely.
“Drivers’ backgrounds are checked as part of the licensing process to see if they have a criminal record, but as one of the drivers caught was a unlicensed member of the public anyone who got into his car was getting in with a total stranger.
“The vast majority of the vehicles stopped by officers are licenced and roadworthy. Our licensing team monitor this kind of activity all year round but it’s particularly important at peak times like the Christmas party season.
“However the message to all partygoers – at any time of year – is clear: be safe, pre-book your taxi.”
Between 1 April and 30 November 2014, licensing officers stopped 302 Hackney carriages and 817 private hire vehicles, of which 263 and 716 complied with the safety-related conditions of their licence.
Only Hackney Carriage vehicles can pick up fares on the street. Private hire drivers cannot accept passengers unless a booking has been made through their private hire operator. Customers who get into private hire vehicles that have not been booked through an operator place themselves at risk because the driver’s insurance does not cover plying for hire.
Birmingham is one of more than 40 British cities awarded Purple Flag status – similar to the Blue Flag for clean, safe beaches – for standards of excellence in delivering an enjoyable, diverse, and safe night out.
ENDS
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
MANCHESTER LICENSED CRIMINALS UPDATE.
A ‘root and branch’ review has been launched by town hall bosses into how sex offenders had been handed taxi licences.
Figures reported by the M.E.N today revealed 292 people with criminal convictions have been allowed to drive cabs in the city since 2007.
These were said to include people with serious sexual offences such as paedophilia on their records.
And council leaders have now ordered an immediate probe into the ‘horrifying’ revelations, which will be headed up by the authority’s chief executive, Sir Howard Bernstein.
Those in charge of the licensing process say they have already established that no one who is on the sex offender’s register is currently driving a taxi in the city.
They confirmed that driver with a historic rape conviction had been given a licence in 2007 but has since had it removed.
However, they have now vowed to go through each case involving a driver with a ‘conviction’ to their name, or who has any other areas of concern flagged by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks which the council carries out on each driver.
Town hall bosses will then produce a written report for councillors to scrutinise and will take action against any driver if necessary.
Coun John Flanagan, Acting Executive Member for Licensing said: “I was horrified when I saw these allegations in the M.E.N.
“We take them very seriously. I’ve immediately ordered a root and branch investigation.
“We have nothing to hide. We will look at every single piece of evidence as we do not want drivers who have sexual offences against them,
“There are over 6,500 drivers in Manchester who work hard for their families, add to the economy of this city and get people home safely at night.
“Am I confident they are decent people? Yes I am. But we can’t sit on our laurels.”
There are currently 15 councillors on the licensing committee, sitting on panels of three when hearing cases.
The committee’s chair Coun John Longsden said: “We are adamant under our regime, anyone with a whiff of sexual impropriety will not be getting a licence or their existing one renewed.
“There are parameters of what the law allows us to consider but we also judge if that individual is a fit and proper person.
“I personally use the rule ‘would I let my granddaughter go in a taxi with this person?’”
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/council-launches-probe-sex-offender-8300096
Comment: Well Councillor Flanagan and Councillor Longsden, perhaps you should look no further than yourselves.
You were in your positions in October when one of our members received this email.
A ‘root and branch’ review has been launched by town hall bosses into how sex offenders had been handed taxi licences.
Figures reported by the M.E.N today revealed 292 people with criminal convictions have been allowed to drive cabs in the city since 2007.
These were said to include people with serious sexual offences such as paedophilia on their records.
And council leaders have now ordered an immediate probe into the ‘horrifying’ revelations, which will be headed up by the authority’s chief executive, Sir Howard Bernstein.
Those in charge of the licensing process say they have already established that no one who is on the sex offender’s register is currently driving a taxi in the city.
They confirmed that driver with a historic rape conviction had been given a licence in 2007 but has since had it removed.
However, they have now vowed to go through each case involving a driver with a ‘conviction’ to their name, or who has any other areas of concern flagged by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks which the council carries out on each driver.
Town hall bosses will then produce a written report for councillors to scrutinise and will take action against any driver if necessary.
Coun John Flanagan, Acting Executive Member for Licensing said: “I was horrified when I saw these allegations in the M.E.N.
“We take them very seriously. I’ve immediately ordered a root and branch investigation.
“We have nothing to hide. We will look at every single piece of evidence as we do not want drivers who have sexual offences against them,
“There are over 6,500 drivers in Manchester who work hard for their families, add to the economy of this city and get people home safely at night.
“Am I confident they are decent people? Yes I am. But we can’t sit on our laurels.”
There are currently 15 councillors on the licensing committee, sitting on panels of three when hearing cases.
The committee’s chair Coun John Longsden said: “We are adamant under our regime, anyone with a whiff of sexual impropriety will not be getting a licence or their existing one renewed.
“There are parameters of what the law allows us to consider but we also judge if that individual is a fit and proper person.
“I personally use the rule ‘would I let my granddaughter go in a taxi with this person?’”
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/council-launches-probe-sex-offender-8300096
Comment: Well Councillor Flanagan and Councillor Longsden, perhaps you should look no further than yourselves.
You were in your positions in October when one of our members received this email.
Monday, 15 December 2014
PARIS DEMO UPDATE.
Weak mobilization of taxis in the capital to protest competition from UberPop. The government announced that with the law Thévenoud this transport service between individuals will be banned in France.
The snail operation of some taxi organizations - non supported by the main trade unions movement, was weakly followed on Monday. One hundred taxis gathered outside the Roissy and Orly airports to denounce competition, "unfair" according to them, the UberPOP service that claims 160,000 users. "Today is to mark the occasion, and later, there will be a much more important event, if by then the government does not listen to us " , said the president of the French Association of taxis Romeo Pestana to explain the weak mobilization.
The government was quick to reassure them. Through the voice of Pierre-Henri Brandet, spokesman for the Interior Ministry _ he announced that the Thévenoud Act regulating competition with taxis, which prohibits non-professional drivers to exercise, come well force on the 1 st of January. " The law that was passed and carried by the regulatory government of the taxi profession, VTC (cars with driver) , is even more burdensome for such companies ", stated on i> TELE. The main decree is to be presented this week to the State Council, according to Matignon.
The creation of a specific kind of UberPOP will be liable to two years in prison and 300,000 euro fine, he said (*). " Not only is it illegal to pay for this service but also for the consumer there is a real dange r, "said the spokesman, adding that the drivers did not have adequate insurance. In a statement released in mid-day, the National Taxi Union (UNT) hosted "very pleased" government statements.
The announcement of the ban has yet provoked strong reactions. " Should we slow down the growth of digital photos to protect Kodak bankruptcy, a multinational which nevertheless had 60 000 employees in 2003? " asked Ronan Pelloux recently in the columns of Echos . " While the entrepreneurial freedom was constitutionally guaranteed right to break corporations, our Minister of the Interior has decided to offer the only corporation taxis key labor market. This is unacceptable , " regretted Monday Guillaume Cairou who chairs the Entrepreneurs Club.
"We do not give in to any corporation, we apply the law" , has insisted his side Manuel Valls Monday from Dijon where he performs economic displacement. " Unlocking the energies of our economy, it is not the law of the jungle. It is obviously reassure taxis, especially those who show those who do not occur and are fully aware of the development process of the law " he added.
The anti-Uber camp has also heard. " Under the guise of innovation, UberPop only reinvent illegal taxi and if it goes anything with vehicle (look what happened in India), the issue of liability will surely become very embarrassing , "Altmayer abound Bertrand Benoit and Richard, co-founders Marcel, a VTC company in Ile-de-France, which was launched last June." On the ground, we see that Friday and Saturday night, the usual clientele who took a taxi moves today Uber " "is annoyed his side Salahdin Dahaoui, president of the Collective of Parisian taxi .
The French branch Uber was sentenced last October to a fine of 100,000 euros for "deceptive trade practices" for presenting UberPOP as carpooling. Uber has appealed this decision and continues to offer this service.
The decision comes three days after the refusal of the Paris Commercial Court to ban UberPOP service as requested by three companies competing VTC Uber, supported by taxi associations. UberPop was added in February at the Paris commercial offer Uber, electronic platform available on smartphone that mediates between customers and drivers VTC.
Translated from:
http://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/tourisme-transport/0204016101802-les-taxis-se-rassemblent-pour-leur-operation-escargot-1075067.php?Eydpdg70Vl4YSSSE.99#
Weak mobilization of taxis in the capital to protest competition from UberPop. The government announced that with the law Thévenoud this transport service between individuals will be banned in France.
The snail operation of some taxi organizations - non supported by the main trade unions movement, was weakly followed on Monday. One hundred taxis gathered outside the Roissy and Orly airports to denounce competition, "unfair" according to them, the UberPOP service that claims 160,000 users. "Today is to mark the occasion, and later, there will be a much more important event, if by then the government does not listen to us " , said the president of the French Association of taxis Romeo Pestana to explain the weak mobilization.
The government was quick to reassure them. Through the voice of Pierre-Henri Brandet, spokesman for the Interior Ministry _ he announced that the Thévenoud Act regulating competition with taxis, which prohibits non-professional drivers to exercise, come well force on the 1 st of January. " The law that was passed and carried by the regulatory government of the taxi profession, VTC (cars with driver) , is even more burdensome for such companies ", stated on i> TELE. The main decree is to be presented this week to the State Council, according to Matignon.
The creation of a specific kind of UberPOP will be liable to two years in prison and 300,000 euro fine, he said (*). " Not only is it illegal to pay for this service but also for the consumer there is a real dange r, "said the spokesman, adding that the drivers did not have adequate insurance. In a statement released in mid-day, the National Taxi Union (UNT) hosted "very pleased" government statements.
The announcement of the ban has yet provoked strong reactions. " Should we slow down the growth of digital photos to protect Kodak bankruptcy, a multinational which nevertheless had 60 000 employees in 2003? " asked Ronan Pelloux recently in the columns of Echos . " While the entrepreneurial freedom was constitutionally guaranteed right to break corporations, our Minister of the Interior has decided to offer the only corporation taxis key labor market. This is unacceptable , " regretted Monday Guillaume Cairou who chairs the Entrepreneurs Club.
"We do not give in to any corporation, we apply the law" , has insisted his side Manuel Valls Monday from Dijon where he performs economic displacement. " Unlocking the energies of our economy, it is not the law of the jungle. It is obviously reassure taxis, especially those who show those who do not occur and are fully aware of the development process of the law " he added.
The anti-Uber camp has also heard. " Under the guise of innovation, UberPop only reinvent illegal taxi and if it goes anything with vehicle (look what happened in India), the issue of liability will surely become very embarrassing , "Altmayer abound Bertrand Benoit and Richard, co-founders Marcel, a VTC company in Ile-de-France, which was launched last June." On the ground, we see that Friday and Saturday night, the usual clientele who took a taxi moves today Uber " "is annoyed his side Salahdin Dahaoui, president of the Collective of Parisian taxi .
The French branch Uber was sentenced last October to a fine of 100,000 euros for "deceptive trade practices" for presenting UberPOP as carpooling. Uber has appealed this decision and continues to offer this service.
The decision comes three days after the refusal of the Paris Commercial Court to ban UberPOP service as requested by three companies competing VTC Uber, supported by taxi associations. UberPop was added in February at the Paris commercial offer Uber, electronic platform available on smartphone that mediates between customers and drivers VTC.
Translated from:
http://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/tourisme-transport/0204016101802-les-taxis-se-rassemblent-pour-leur-operation-escargot-1075067.php?Eydpdg70Vl4YSSSE.99#
France promised to ban the smartphone taxi service Uber yesterday after Parisian taxi drivers brought chaos to the capital with 'go slow' protests.
The drivers - already angered by the French government's approval of pre-booked hire car services, known as VTCs, to challenge their monopoly - were demonstrating against UberPOP, a smartphone application that allows non-professional drivers using their own cars to take on passengers at cut-price rates. The app, introduced in February, has 160,000 users in France.
UberPOP differs from other, more expensive, services such as Uber X, which requires that drivers have a permit.
Parisian taxi drivers joined forces with VTC companies, whose chauffeurs require 250 hours of training, to challenge UberPOP's legality, saying it was unfair competition.
On Friday, a commercial court ruled that it was unable to impose an instant ban on the service because details of new legislation restricting its use had not been published, provoking yesterday's protests.
The government assured striking drivers that a ban on UberPOP would be enforced in the New Year. "The law will come into force on January 1 and will punish with a two-year prison term and €300,000 fine anyone organising a system pairing up customers with people who are neither taxis nor VTCs," said a spokesman for the interior ministry.
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/france-bans-taxi-app-after-goslow-protest-brings-chaos-30839824.html?
--------------------------------------------------------------
EIRE
A taxi driver dragged a passenger along a road with his car for 250m following a dispute about a fare, a court heard.
Martin Rehill, aged 63, with an address at Daroge, Seven Oaks, Rathmines, is accused of dangerous driving, failing to stop following the occurrence of an injury, and not keeping his vehicle stationary following an alleged incident at Rathgar Road, on Dublin’s southside, on May 31.
Garda Aron Lawlor told Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court that one of Mr Rehill’s passengers was unable to pay a fare and rang his mother and arranged to pay at his house.
It was alleged the taxi driver asked him to leave his phone in the car as security but the man refused to hand it over, at which point Mr Rehill then drove him to Rathmines Garda Station.
Garda Lawlor said the man got out of the car but the driver stayed in his car.
It was claimed the passenger opened his door and asked the driver if he was coming in and it was alleged at that point Mr Rehill, “took off at speed at Rathgar Rd, trapping the injured party between the taxi and the road”.
Garda Lawlor said it was alleged Mr Rehill dragged the man for 250m, shouted at him that he was mentally ill and “repeatedly jammed on the brakes”.
Another taxi driver witnessed the incident and pulled up beside Mr Rehill to “box him in” after which “the injured party freed himself”, the court heard.
Judge Walsh was told the man “did not receive life- changing injuries”.
Defence solicitor Maura Kiely said “the allegation is vehemently denied” and a not guilty plea was entered by Mr Rehill.
Judge Walsh adjourned the case until January.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taxi-driver-dragged-passenger-250m-along-road-after-fare-row-court-hears-302724.html?
-------------------------------------------------------
AYLESBURY
A taxi driver has been fined for illegally plying for hire in the first prosecution after the launch of an undercover operation stamping out dodgy taxis.
Said Shah, 49, of Alward Road, Aylesbury, is licensed only to pick up people in the Vale, but he accepted an unbooked fare when approached by police special constables posing as prospective customers in High Street, Tring, which is in Dacorum.
This rendered his insurance invalid for the journey.
After being prosecuted by Darocum Borough Council he pleaded guilty to one offence of unlawful plying for hire and one offence of having invalid insurance.
He was ordered to pay a total of £516 in court fines and costs, and given six penalty points on his driving licence.
Portfolio holder for residents and regulatory services at Dacorum Borough Council Neil Harden said: “This operation is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that taxis operating within Dacorum Borough are properly licensed and insured.
“This is very much a matter of public safety. Members of the public are extremely vulnerable if they ‘flag down’ an unlicensed vehicle, or a private hire vehicle which can only accept pre-booked journeys.
“Dacorum Borough Council carries out regular operations to stamp out the practice of illegal plying for hire.
“We urge anyone taking a taxi within Dacorum to use one that is pre-booked or is a Hackney carriage licensed by Dacorum Borough Council. If you are at all unsure you should check the licence plate at the rear of the vehicle or ask to see the driver’s taxi licence.”
http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/taxi-driver-caught-illegally-plying-for-hire-in-undercover-operation-1-6474526
The drivers - already angered by the French government's approval of pre-booked hire car services, known as VTCs, to challenge their monopoly - were demonstrating against UberPOP, a smartphone application that allows non-professional drivers using their own cars to take on passengers at cut-price rates. The app, introduced in February, has 160,000 users in France.
UberPOP differs from other, more expensive, services such as Uber X, which requires that drivers have a permit.
Parisian taxi drivers joined forces with VTC companies, whose chauffeurs require 250 hours of training, to challenge UberPOP's legality, saying it was unfair competition.
On Friday, a commercial court ruled that it was unable to impose an instant ban on the service because details of new legislation restricting its use had not been published, provoking yesterday's protests.
The government assured striking drivers that a ban on UberPOP would be enforced in the New Year. "The law will come into force on January 1 and will punish with a two-year prison term and €300,000 fine anyone organising a system pairing up customers with people who are neither taxis nor VTCs," said a spokesman for the interior ministry.
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/france-bans-taxi-app-after-goslow-protest-brings-chaos-30839824.html?
--------------------------------------------------------------
EIRE
A taxi driver dragged a passenger along a road with his car for 250m following a dispute about a fare, a court heard.
Martin Rehill, aged 63, with an address at Daroge, Seven Oaks, Rathmines, is accused of dangerous driving, failing to stop following the occurrence of an injury, and not keeping his vehicle stationary following an alleged incident at Rathgar Road, on Dublin’s southside, on May 31.
Garda Aron Lawlor told Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court that one of Mr Rehill’s passengers was unable to pay a fare and rang his mother and arranged to pay at his house.
It was alleged the taxi driver asked him to leave his phone in the car as security but the man refused to hand it over, at which point Mr Rehill then drove him to Rathmines Garda Station.
Garda Lawlor said the man got out of the car but the driver stayed in his car.
It was claimed the passenger opened his door and asked the driver if he was coming in and it was alleged at that point Mr Rehill, “took off at speed at Rathgar Rd, trapping the injured party between the taxi and the road”.
Garda Lawlor said it was alleged Mr Rehill dragged the man for 250m, shouted at him that he was mentally ill and “repeatedly jammed on the brakes”.
Another taxi driver witnessed the incident and pulled up beside Mr Rehill to “box him in” after which “the injured party freed himself”, the court heard.
Judge Walsh was told the man “did not receive life- changing injuries”.
Defence solicitor Maura Kiely said “the allegation is vehemently denied” and a not guilty plea was entered by Mr Rehill.
Judge Walsh adjourned the case until January.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taxi-driver-dragged-passenger-250m-along-road-after-fare-row-court-hears-302724.html?
-------------------------------------------------------
AYLESBURY
A taxi driver has been fined for illegally plying for hire in the first prosecution after the launch of an undercover operation stamping out dodgy taxis.
Said Shah, 49, of Alward Road, Aylesbury, is licensed only to pick up people in the Vale, but he accepted an unbooked fare when approached by police special constables posing as prospective customers in High Street, Tring, which is in Dacorum.
This rendered his insurance invalid for the journey.
After being prosecuted by Darocum Borough Council he pleaded guilty to one offence of unlawful plying for hire and one offence of having invalid insurance.
He was ordered to pay a total of £516 in court fines and costs, and given six penalty points on his driving licence.
Portfolio holder for residents and regulatory services at Dacorum Borough Council Neil Harden said: “This operation is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that taxis operating within Dacorum Borough are properly licensed and insured.
“This is very much a matter of public safety. Members of the public are extremely vulnerable if they ‘flag down’ an unlicensed vehicle, or a private hire vehicle which can only accept pre-booked journeys.
“Dacorum Borough Council carries out regular operations to stamp out the practice of illegal plying for hire.
“We urge anyone taking a taxi within Dacorum to use one that is pre-booked or is a Hackney carriage licensed by Dacorum Borough Council. If you are at all unsure you should check the licence plate at the rear of the vehicle or ask to see the driver’s taxi licence.”
http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/taxi-driver-caught-illegally-plying-for-hire-in-undercover-operation-1-6474526
LEEDS
http://goo.gl/ZmuiGk
-----------------------------------------------------
ADDISON LEE
Law student who took penalty points for her Addison Lee driver husband who was caught doing 40mph in a 30 zone is spared jail
Nabeela Khan accepted the blame for driving 40mph through a 30mph zone in the Addison Lee taxi used by her husband Shazad Naz (pictured outside court)
A law student who took speeding penalty points for her taxi driver husband has today avoided jail.
Nabeela Khan, 37, accepted the blame and paid a fine for driving 40mph through a 30mph zone in the Addison Lee taxi used by Shazad Naz, 38.
The couple, both of Tomswood Hill, Ilford, were caught out when police were tipped off that Naz had been on duty at the time.
The court heard Naz was caught by a speeding camera near London’s Tower Hill as he took a fare from Covent Garden to Ilford, east London, in the early hours of September 1, 2012.
The following month the police received a form back from Naz stating that his wife was the driver.
Khan’s licence was endorsed with penalty points and she paid the fine by cheque in February 2013.
Prosecutor Dickon Reid said: ‘The police later obtained information from Addison Lee confirming it was Mr Naz who was at work.
‘Khan said in a statement she had been doing her accounts and it came to her that it was not her and it was her partner.
‘She said she had made an honest mistake as she used his minicab to drive around as it was more comfortable than hers.’
Naz and Khan denied perverting the course of justice
Although the couple claimed they made an honest mistake, jurors at the Old Bailey convicted them both of perverting the course of justice.
The judge, Mr Recorder Caplan QC, gave the couple suspended prison sentences after accepting it was a ‘spontaneous act’.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2874824/Law-student-took-penalty-points-taxi-driver-husband.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Deregulation Bill update November 12.
Baroness Thornton would have appeared to have 'borrowed' this idea from Derby Licensing.
They attached this condition to Private Hire Operators Licenses early in November this year.
1. Whilst on the face of it, it would appear a good idea, what help would it be with Uber or Delta Cars , Liverpool or Adisson Lee. They would still have the power to send you a car fitted with their own livery which could be licensed anywhere.
2. Baroness Thornton is a Labour peer and as such, has little chance of anything she supports getting passed.
Derby Nov 4 14.
And city private hire firms must inform customers if they may be picked up by a hackney carriage not licensed in the city so that the customer can decide whether or not to proceed with the booking.
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
As I predicted last month Uber launch in Liverpool.
Monday, 8 December 2014
LIVERPOOL.
Taxi drivers angry over Bootle-based Delta's move into Liverpool staged a meeting on Monday night
Cabbies have met to discuss their next steps in the taxi war with private hire firm Delta.
The Liverpool Taxi Alliance, which held a protest of hackney cab drivers on Friday, over the decision of Bootle-based Delta to open a Liverpool office.
Monday night's meeting, attended by around 50 cabbies, followed Mayor Joe Anderson giving his backing to claims that taxi giant Delta is unfairly “saturating” Liverpool and taking a living away from city-registered drivers.
The meeting was held at at Blaze Cafe on Kempston Street with black cabs lining the road.
Any resolutions are not public at this stage but the mood inside the cafe was tense and another meeting is planned for later in the week.
During Friday’s protest, black cabs honked their horns and used a loudspeaker to shout ‘Joe must Go’ to show their anger about a situation they believe the Mayor has failed to deal with.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-cab-drivers-meet-discuss-8254181?
Taxi drivers angry over Bootle-based Delta's move into Liverpool staged a meeting on Monday night
Cabbies have met to discuss their next steps in the taxi war with private hire firm Delta.
The Liverpool Taxi Alliance, which held a protest of hackney cab drivers on Friday, over the decision of Bootle-based Delta to open a Liverpool office.
Monday night's meeting, attended by around 50 cabbies, followed Mayor Joe Anderson giving his backing to claims that taxi giant Delta is unfairly “saturating” Liverpool and taking a living away from city-registered drivers.
The meeting was held at at Blaze Cafe on Kempston Street with black cabs lining the road.
Any resolutions are not public at this stage but the mood inside the cafe was tense and another meeting is planned for later in the week.
During Friday’s protest, black cabs honked their horns and used a loudspeaker to shout ‘Joe must Go’ to show their anger about a situation they believe the Mayor has failed to deal with.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-cab-drivers-meet-discuss-8254181?
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Council says unauthorised advertising not allowed but move heightens tensions ahead of Delta protest.
Mayor Joe Anderson backed claims that taxi giant Delta is unfairly “saturating” Liverpool and taking a living away from city-registered drivers as the row over the firm’s expansion appeared to escalate this weekend.
Liverpool’s Mayor spoke out after a protest from hackney cab drivers brought traffic in the city centre to a temporary standstill on Friday.
The black cabs honked their horns and used a loudspeaker to shout ‘Joe must Go’ to show their anger about a situation they believe the Mayor has failed to deal with.
It follows the decision of Bootle-based Delta Cabs – which has more than 2,000 registered drivers – to open a Liverpool office at Brunswick Dock, as exclusively revealed by the ECHO last week.
For many years, Liverpool cabbies have been angered by Delta drivers registered in Sefton crossing the border to pick up jobs in the city.
Now campaign group the Liverpool Taxi Alliance claim they were kept in the dark by the council while behind-closed-doors meetings were being held.
But reacting to the protest, Mayor Anderson said: “Liverpool licensed taxi drivers are angry with Liverpool Council who they blame for the difficult financial times they face as a result of the increase in private hire business from outside of the City.
“They also cite the opening of a Liverpool office by a company that has saturated the City taking their living away.
“I have on many occasions expressed my anger at the lack of a legal route open to the Council to stop what I believe is totally unfair to Liverpool registered cabs.
“I have given evidence to the Law Commission supporting the Liverpool cabs and expressed clearly my views. The Government, by continuing to push through its unwanted and damaging Deregulation Bill, is clearly to blame, but I fully understand the anger they feel and will work with them to do all we can to help.”
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/city-cabbie-booked-enforcement-officer-8243393
Comment; to @Riaz2907. I am aware that Manchester Council's Leader is Richard Leese. However I do doubt that you will receive permission to have a sign saying " Get Dick out" displayed in your Cab.
Mayor Joe Anderson backed claims that taxi giant Delta is unfairly “saturating” Liverpool and taking a living away from city-registered drivers as the row over the firm’s expansion appeared to escalate this weekend.
Liverpool’s Mayor spoke out after a protest from hackney cab drivers brought traffic in the city centre to a temporary standstill on Friday.
The black cabs honked their horns and used a loudspeaker to shout ‘Joe must Go’ to show their anger about a situation they believe the Mayor has failed to deal with.
It follows the decision of Bootle-based Delta Cabs – which has more than 2,000 registered drivers – to open a Liverpool office at Brunswick Dock, as exclusively revealed by the ECHO last week.
For many years, Liverpool cabbies have been angered by Delta drivers registered in Sefton crossing the border to pick up jobs in the city.
Now campaign group the Liverpool Taxi Alliance claim they were kept in the dark by the council while behind-closed-doors meetings were being held.
But reacting to the protest, Mayor Anderson said: “Liverpool licensed taxi drivers are angry with Liverpool Council who they blame for the difficult financial times they face as a result of the increase in private hire business from outside of the City.
“They also cite the opening of a Liverpool office by a company that has saturated the City taking their living away.
“I have on many occasions expressed my anger at the lack of a legal route open to the Council to stop what I believe is totally unfair to Liverpool registered cabs.
“I have given evidence to the Law Commission supporting the Liverpool cabs and expressed clearly my views. The Government, by continuing to push through its unwanted and damaging Deregulation Bill, is clearly to blame, but I fully understand the anger they feel and will work with them to do all we can to help.”
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/city-cabbie-booked-enforcement-officer-8243393
Comment; to @Riaz2907. I am aware that Manchester Council's Leader is Richard Leese. However I do doubt that you will receive permission to have a sign saying " Get Dick out" displayed in your Cab.
Friday, 5 December 2014
Taxi drivers protest by driving past Liverpool's Town Hall beeping their horns
Liverpool’s “taxi war” continued as hackney cab drivers brought traffic to a standstill in the city centre today.
They were protesting about plans to open a branch of Sefton-based Delta taxis in Liverpool city centre.
Black cabs caused roads to be blocked by driving slowly through they city’s streets, honking their horns and using a loudspeaker to shout “Joe must Go” in reference to city mayor Joe Anderson.
The taxis continued to snake through town all afternoon, driving a lorry emblazoned with another message referring to the Mayor.
For years city firms and cabbies have complained that Delta have been undermining their chances of making a living, being licensed in neighbouring Sefton but getting a huge share of the Liverpool trade.
The firm has not directly commented on the recent controversy, but in December last year, when the Liverpool Taxi Alliance took a vote of no confidence in council licensing chiefs over the amount of city work going to Delta cabs, boss Paul McLaughlin said: “As far as we are concerned, the council’s doing a fantastic job, everything the law requires, but it’s the city taxi drivers who want to take the law back 100 years.
“If other firms invested the same in technology and training as we do then they might have the same success.”
Jimmy Bradley, spokesman for the Liverpool Taxi Alliance, said: “By allowing Delta to open this office in the city centre, they’re creating the circumstances for a taxi war in Liverpool.
“We have paid millions of pounds in licensing fees over the last 25 years, and this comes as a total kick in the teeth.”
The city council has said Mayor Anderson was committed to working with all parties to ensure the best outcome.
It has added that the council is under a legal duty to grant private hire operator licences to applicants who meet the criteria, and would be open to legal proceedings if it did not.
Source; Liverpool Echo
Liverpool’s “taxi war” continued as hackney cab drivers brought traffic to a standstill in the city centre today.
They were protesting about plans to open a branch of Sefton-based Delta taxis in Liverpool city centre.
Black cabs caused roads to be blocked by driving slowly through they city’s streets, honking their horns and using a loudspeaker to shout “Joe must Go” in reference to city mayor Joe Anderson.
The taxis continued to snake through town all afternoon, driving a lorry emblazoned with another message referring to the Mayor.
For years city firms and cabbies have complained that Delta have been undermining their chances of making a living, being licensed in neighbouring Sefton but getting a huge share of the Liverpool trade.
The firm has not directly commented on the recent controversy, but in December last year, when the Liverpool Taxi Alliance took a vote of no confidence in council licensing chiefs over the amount of city work going to Delta cabs, boss Paul McLaughlin said: “As far as we are concerned, the council’s doing a fantastic job, everything the law requires, but it’s the city taxi drivers who want to take the law back 100 years.
“If other firms invested the same in technology and training as we do then they might have the same success.”
Jimmy Bradley, spokesman for the Liverpool Taxi Alliance, said: “By allowing Delta to open this office in the city centre, they’re creating the circumstances for a taxi war in Liverpool.
“We have paid millions of pounds in licensing fees over the last 25 years, and this comes as a total kick in the teeth.”
The city council has said Mayor Anderson was committed to working with all parties to ensure the best outcome.
It has added that the council is under a legal duty to grant private hire operator licences to applicants who meet the criteria, and would be open to legal proceedings if it did not.
Source; Liverpool Echo
Thursday, 4 December 2014
DENMARK. Copenhagen Airport will put taxi services from the airport to tender early next year, with taxi companies bidding on fares estimated at around DKK650 million (US$108 million) over three years.
The winning bidder will also operate a taxi management system intended to avoid congestion as the airport’s taxi traffic grows. Passengers took 1.35 million rides to and from the airport last year, and the airport said that traffic has already grown by 50,000 rides in 2014.
The new taxi management system will use toll bars, a forecasting tool and a taxi depot to make sure that the exact number of taxis required is always available. A new taxi assembly area will be established near the Hilton hotel to prevent taxis from piling up from the terminals all the way down the airport's busiest road.
Copenhagen Airport's Head of Passenger Service Marie-Louise Lotz said: “Copenhagen Airport is growing rapidly on the runways, in the terminals and in the areas in front of the airport. In all probability we will have more than 25 million travellers this year.
"Making room for this growth requires more than just expanding the airport. We need a far more modern taxi management system so that we can continue to meet the demand for taxis.”
Full details of the tender conditions will be revealed next year. It is envisaged that Swedish taxis and non-metropolitan taxis will continue to serve the airport, while making a contribution to financing the new taxi management system.
The expected annual cost of establishing and operating the taxi management system is DKK17 million (US$2.83 million), payable by the winning bidder.
http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?doc_id=41888
------------------------------------------------------------
Belfast
Plans for a single-tier taxi licensing system have receded once again after Environment Minister Mark H Durkan revealed it won't be introduced until next June.
The new system was originally supposed to start in 2013, then was deferred until September 2014, then January 2015, and now June 2015.
Addressing Stormont's environment committee, Mr Durkan insisted he would be pressing ahead with the single-tier system, abolishing the distinction between public and private hire taxis.
However, the committee voted not to give permission for him to go ahead with the regulations.
Committee chair Anna Lo said the majority of committee members, including DUP and Sinn Fein representatives, voted not to agree that the department could go ahead, although she personally opposed this motion as she was in favour of a single-tier system because it was best for customers.
"What the DUP and Sinn Fein want is to allow for exclusion zones in Belfast, where public hire taxis can have exclusion zones for themselves, but the minister said he is going ahead with a single-tier system.
"People want to see a single-tier system. The majority of large cities in the world just have taxis driving around so you can put up your hand and hail a taxi," she said.
"If we want to see ourselves as a major city for tourists we've got to upgrade our system."
She said it didn't necessarily mean that taxis would be flooding into bus lanes, as these are governed by DRD.
"I would not want to see taxis using bus lanes, but perhaps taxis could go in just for drop-off and pick-up of customers," she said.
Gerry Maxwell of the Belfast Public Hire Taxi Association said he was happy that the decision has been deferred again but disappointed that the minister was going ahead with plans for the single-tier system.
A DoE spokesperson said: "On June 19, 2014, in a written statement to the Assembly, the minister stated that, after hearing representations from all sections of the community and taxi industry, he intended to make regulations introducing a single-tier taxi licensing regime in Belfast, the same that applies in all other parts of the North.
"This move will facilitate fairer competition of taxiing in Belfast and provide consumers in Belfast with more choice, the type of choice that consumers in Enniskillen, Newry, Ballymena, Omagh and Derry already enjoy.
"The minister's position is one that is shared by the Consumer Council, Disability Action, the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee, Women's Aid, Victim Support, Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Visit Belfast. As the minister indicated to the committee today, the necessary regulations will be made in advance of the Christmas recess and will include an operational date of June 29, 2015."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/shakeup-of-taxi-licence-regulations-delayed-until-june-30800262.html?
The winning bidder will also operate a taxi management system intended to avoid congestion as the airport’s taxi traffic grows. Passengers took 1.35 million rides to and from the airport last year, and the airport said that traffic has already grown by 50,000 rides in 2014.
The new taxi management system will use toll bars, a forecasting tool and a taxi depot to make sure that the exact number of taxis required is always available. A new taxi assembly area will be established near the Hilton hotel to prevent taxis from piling up from the terminals all the way down the airport's busiest road.
Copenhagen Airport's Head of Passenger Service Marie-Louise Lotz said: “Copenhagen Airport is growing rapidly on the runways, in the terminals and in the areas in front of the airport. In all probability we will have more than 25 million travellers this year.
"Making room for this growth requires more than just expanding the airport. We need a far more modern taxi management system so that we can continue to meet the demand for taxis.”
Full details of the tender conditions will be revealed next year. It is envisaged that Swedish taxis and non-metropolitan taxis will continue to serve the airport, while making a contribution to financing the new taxi management system.
The expected annual cost of establishing and operating the taxi management system is DKK17 million (US$2.83 million), payable by the winning bidder.
http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?doc_id=41888
------------------------------------------------------------
Belfast
Plans for a single-tier taxi licensing system have receded once again after Environment Minister Mark H Durkan revealed it won't be introduced until next June.
The new system was originally supposed to start in 2013, then was deferred until September 2014, then January 2015, and now June 2015.
Addressing Stormont's environment committee, Mr Durkan insisted he would be pressing ahead with the single-tier system, abolishing the distinction between public and private hire taxis.
However, the committee voted not to give permission for him to go ahead with the regulations.
Committee chair Anna Lo said the majority of committee members, including DUP and Sinn Fein representatives, voted not to agree that the department could go ahead, although she personally opposed this motion as she was in favour of a single-tier system because it was best for customers.
"What the DUP and Sinn Fein want is to allow for exclusion zones in Belfast, where public hire taxis can have exclusion zones for themselves, but the minister said he is going ahead with a single-tier system.
"People want to see a single-tier system. The majority of large cities in the world just have taxis driving around so you can put up your hand and hail a taxi," she said.
"If we want to see ourselves as a major city for tourists we've got to upgrade our system."
She said it didn't necessarily mean that taxis would be flooding into bus lanes, as these are governed by DRD.
"I would not want to see taxis using bus lanes, but perhaps taxis could go in just for drop-off and pick-up of customers," she said.
Gerry Maxwell of the Belfast Public Hire Taxi Association said he was happy that the decision has been deferred again but disappointed that the minister was going ahead with plans for the single-tier system.
A DoE spokesperson said: "On June 19, 2014, in a written statement to the Assembly, the minister stated that, after hearing representations from all sections of the community and taxi industry, he intended to make regulations introducing a single-tier taxi licensing regime in Belfast, the same that applies in all other parts of the North.
"This move will facilitate fairer competition of taxiing in Belfast and provide consumers in Belfast with more choice, the type of choice that consumers in Enniskillen, Newry, Ballymena, Omagh and Derry already enjoy.
"The minister's position is one that is shared by the Consumer Council, Disability Action, the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee, Women's Aid, Victim Support, Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Visit Belfast. As the minister indicated to the committee today, the necessary regulations will be made in advance of the Christmas recess and will include an operational date of June 29, 2015."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/shakeup-of-taxi-licence-regulations-delayed-until-june-30800262.html?
Uber Greeks 'Hang em High'
Taxi Union Association of Athens (SATA) President Thymios Lymberopoulos lashed against taxi drivers who decided to collaborate with Uber, an American transport company that recently expanded to Greece.
With two posts on SATA’s official Facebook page, Lymberopoulos expressed his dissatisfaction in regards to Uber’s expansion and said that any taxi driver who works with Uber is a traitor and should be hanged, “not from a fig tree but in Syntagma square.”
“Taxi drivers who work with Uber are an enemy to this industry,” he noted, adding that “we need to protect the thousands of families that make their living from our profession. Any taxi drivers who become traitors to the profession, like modern Judas, need to be hanged.”
Lymberopoulos declared war on Uber saying: “The war has just began and it is a war for survival.” He also noted that many taxi drivers have just started working in the industry temporarily and they are the ones who are siding with Uber because they don’t care about the profession and their colleagues.
Meanwhile, the Facebook page administrator wrote a third post noting that the American company lost one battle when they had to backtrack on their plans to employ private vehicles. “They attempted to expand their company under the radar, trying to catch us in our sleep. They are cowards,” he wrote, advising the company to return to its base in San Francisco.
- See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/12/04/ubers-arrival-in-greece-causes-fights-between-taxi-drivers/?#sthash.mqKa86uq.dpuf
Taxi Union Association of Athens (SATA) President Thymios Lymberopoulos lashed against taxi drivers who decided to collaborate with Uber, an American transport company that recently expanded to Greece.
With two posts on SATA’s official Facebook page, Lymberopoulos expressed his dissatisfaction in regards to Uber’s expansion and said that any taxi driver who works with Uber is a traitor and should be hanged, “not from a fig tree but in Syntagma square.”
“Taxi drivers who work with Uber are an enemy to this industry,” he noted, adding that “we need to protect the thousands of families that make their living from our profession. Any taxi drivers who become traitors to the profession, like modern Judas, need to be hanged.”
Lymberopoulos declared war on Uber saying: “The war has just began and it is a war for survival.” He also noted that many taxi drivers have just started working in the industry temporarily and they are the ones who are siding with Uber because they don’t care about the profession and their colleagues.
Meanwhile, the Facebook page administrator wrote a third post noting that the American company lost one battle when they had to backtrack on their plans to employ private vehicles. “They attempted to expand their company under the radar, trying to catch us in our sleep. They are cowards,” he wrote, advising the company to return to its base in San Francisco.
- See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/12/04/ubers-arrival-in-greece-causes-fights-between-taxi-drivers/?#sthash.mqKa86uq.dpuf
Uber in Space is it PHie in the Sky ?
Today I was made aware of a statement on twitter that Uber were making plans to operate a global office, cloud based.
The original Tweet came from @arrestinguber, the user name of Russel Howard, an ex London Riot Cop.
He emigrated to Australia and becam a Hire car driver there. His story follows, as well as the link from twitter.
The idea when I first got wind of it made me realise how easy it would be. Uber would only have to rent space on any of the communication satellites up there. thousands of companies can share one satellite, one over the UK called Hotbird 13e shows TV from all over the world, it is mainly the home of all those seedy porno channels, I do not watch them myself, but I am told most Unite members do.
Looking at the feasibility of this I discovered one about to launch next month in Malaya.
The story of Uber copying Malaya might be just a 'duck farting' but I doubt it. I feel Satellite offices may have a fresh meaning pretty soon.
from malaya
The centralised taxi service system, which will be implemented in January, will track taxi driver locations using satellite technology and direct the nearest taxi to a waiting customer.
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/centralised-taxi-service-system-from-next-year
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uber-drivers-face-citizens-arrest-threat-vigilante-campaign-intensifies-1476308
Today I was made aware of a statement on twitter that Uber were making plans to operate a global office, cloud based.
The original Tweet came from @arrestinguber, the user name of Russel Howard, an ex London Riot Cop.
He emigrated to Australia and becam a Hire car driver there. His story follows, as well as the link from twitter.
The idea when I first got wind of it made me realise how easy it would be. Uber would only have to rent space on any of the communication satellites up there. thousands of companies can share one satellite, one over the UK called Hotbird 13e shows TV from all over the world, it is mainly the home of all those seedy porno channels, I do not watch them myself, but I am told most Unite members do.
Looking at the feasibility of this I discovered one about to launch next month in Malaya.
The story of Uber copying Malaya might be just a 'duck farting' but I doubt it. I feel Satellite offices may have a fresh meaning pretty soon.
from malaya
The centralised taxi service system, which will be implemented in January, will track taxi driver locations using satellite technology and direct the nearest taxi to a waiting customer.
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/centralised-taxi-service-system-from-next-year
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uber-drivers-face-citizens-arrest-threat-vigilante-campaign-intensifies-1476308
Monday, 1 December 2014
Uber Manchester expand into Salford and Stockport
I recieved this text last night, offering a £150 referral bonus for obtaining Uber new driver's
A quick check shows that Uber Britannia Ltd were granted a Salford Private hire Operator's licence last Friday, Nov 28.
A check will be made with Stockport today, but I have no doubts that Uber have obtained a licence there.
Will they stop at that or will GM other 7 Licensing area's be targeted. ?
Uber Taxi, will that be next promotional material sent out be Uber MCR over the weekend suggest Uber Taxi MCR will be soon.
Coming in the same week as the Delta expansion into Liverpool, I fear we are about to have a very cold Christmas.
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