LONDON

Leytonstone Tube attacker was a UBER driver with mental health issues. (thats no surprise)

http://goo.gl/b9TJpt

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35023517
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DUBLIN
 
 Taxi app Hailo has launched a new service that will allow passengers flagging taxis off the street pay via their mobile as part of its continued growth in Ireland.

The company is rolling out HailoPay to facilitate customers paying via their smartphone and eliminate the need to carry cash or divert to ATMs to pay for the journey.

It will also reduce the need for drivers to install bulky or expensive card-reading machines.

“HailoPay is the latest innovation we’ve introduced to the small public service vehicles [SPSV] industry to create a service that is quick, simple, and, most importantly, secure for both passenger and driver,” said Hailo Ireland general manager Tim Arnold.
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“We’re offering this service at absolutely no cost to passengers and drivers, as part of Hailo’s commitment to support Ireland’s SPSV industry.

“Hailo is part of a movement that wants innovation and regulation in Ireland’s SPSV industry, and convenience and safety for our passengers. Hailo customers can pre-book jobs, make desktop bookings and pay with card or cash.”

With HailoPay, customers can use their smartphone to pay for their journey with a credit or debit card by visiting a secure site by entering the license number of their driver and confirming the payment amount.

The customer does not need to hand over either the phone or the debit card, meaning their details remain secure.

Once payment has been made, the driver receives confirmation, while the passenger gets a receipt, which can be sent via email.

The service marks a departure from Hailo’s traditional business, where customers pre-book taxi journeys on their smartphone using the company’s app.

The company launched HailoPay to mark reaching the 10m customer mark since beginning operations here three years ago.

This year, 5m passengers will use the service with close to 45,000 using Hailo every day.

Hailo’s current service is also being extended to hackneys in a bid to increase its regional coverage.

The company has faced increased competition in recent years with Uber’s entrance to the Dublin market.
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NORTHERN IRELAND

 What type of vehicle would you like to take you home from your Christmas night out - a police car, an ambulance, a taxi or a hearse?

What type of vehicle would you like to take you home from your Christmas night out - a police car, an ambulance, a taxi or a hearse?

This is the theme of this year’s anti-drink driving campaign which was launched at Crescent Link Fire Station on Friday morning.

Beer mats with the message ‘Who’s taking you home tonight’ are to be distributed throughout pubs in Derry with the message ‘Never Drink and Drive.’

The campaign is being backed by Derry Vintner’s Association, Foyle and District Road safety committee, the PSNI, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Paramedic Sammy Nicholl who has seen at first hand the carnage caused by drink driving said the repercussions can be devastating.

“It’s the people left behind who have to pick up the pieces- mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. Go out and enjoy yourself but do not drink and drive.”

PSNI Inspector Stephen Haslett warned that just one drink can impair driving.

“We would prefer to see people planning their transport,” he said. “We will be working closely with the Garda organising joint checkpoints for drink driving.

“Don’t ever take a drink when driving.”

He revealed that last Christmas 273 people were detected driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

“It’s the time of the year. People who never think of drinking and driving get caught in the party atmosphere and think they’ll be alright. It’s never alright.”

He also warned of the dangers of driving the morning after a night out.

“People are aware of dangers the morning after,” he said, “but they don’t believe it will happen to them. They don’t think the consequences through.

“The consequences of drink driving are that you will lose your licence for a minimum of 12 months. But far worse of killing yourself or someone else, or injuring someone else and the consequences of living with that.”

District commander of the NIFRS Barry McDowell says drinking and driving can affect lives forever.

“Have a designated driver,” he said. “Drinking and driving changes lives forever. People think they are ok to drive with one drink but time and time again we see the consequences at the side of the road.

“We would ask people to be careful the morning after. Even if people have done all the right things - and taken a taxi or a lift, the drink can still be in your system the next morning.”

David Jackson of the Foyle and District Road safety committee which this year celebrated its 50th anniversary said the anti drink driving beer mats will be distributed to licensed premises by chair of the Vintner’s Association Gerry McCloskey.

“Our message is - who’s taking you home tonight?,” he said. “No drink is the best idea.”

http://goo.gl/loK9kR
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BOURNEMOUTH

  TWO taxi drivers have been banned from picking up fares after Bournemouth council ruled they “posed a threat to public safety”.

Another cabbie was suspended for three weeks with four more receiving written warnings at the behind-closed-doors Town Hall hearing last week.

This came after they repeatedly ignored the night-time road closures at Horseshoe Common in a bid to find customers.

Following the area’s controversial redevelopment into a shared space at the end of last year, a taxi rank close to pubs and nightclubs on Old Christchurch Road was shut between midnight and 5am.

 The taxi trade made representations to the council claiming that this would reduce their earnings, increase the potential for disturbances and leave some revellers leaving bars vulnerable as they walked through the town centre searching for a rank.

But licensing board chair Cllr Andrew Morgan told the Daily Echo drivers need to accept the new rules or face being stripped of their badges.

He said the banned drivers had received numerous warnings before their licences were reviewed and the action was needed to protect the interests of those cabbies respecting the rules.


He added that by driving in an area that is supposed to be pedestrianised, an idea intended to keep people coming out of nearby bars from harm’s way, these taxi drivers had “posed a threat to public safety”.

“We have therefore taken a firm line against a number of taxi drivers who have chosen simply to ignore the traffic restrictions in place,” Cllr Morgan added.

The drivers with revoked licences can appeal against the decision in the Magistrates Court. They can also reapply for a licence after a year has passed.

Cllr Morgan, however, said that any applications from these drivers would have to be considered “very seriously”.

He added that the drivers who avoided a ban had shown “an element of contrition”.

The chairman of the Bournemouth Taxi Trade Association, Kevin Holmes, said: "It is very disappointing that so many drivers had broken the rules, but I applaud the council for taking the strong action they did.”

Mr Holmes said the taxi trade was not in favour of the Horseshoe Common restrictions but that this was “no excuse for not respecting the laws”.

He said that the drivers breaching the regulations had effectively taken fares away from those who had adhered to them.
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Mr Holmes added that he hopes negotiations with the council over a possible new rank at St Peter’s Road will now be able to commence.

He said the drivers have “struggled” since the changes at Horseshoe Common, but that “the biggest impact has been on the customers”. 
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LONDON

Taxi-top digital advertising boards are to display traffic information in an innovative trial aimed at cutting congestion in London. Transport for London (TfL) are trialing the technology with BrightMove Media to enable the capital’s iconic ‘black cabs’ to encourage other road users to avoid congested roads.

 Initially, targeted messages will inform road users of traffic levels at 40 to 50 areas where there are known traffic delays. In the future, the technology could be used to provide real-time updates on incidents across London’s road network. Messages will be displayed on around 200 taxis fitted with the electronic boards, using GPS technology to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date.

“This trial is an innovative new way to reach road users in London and keep them informed of traffic conditions,” explained Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for surface transport. 

“Using the capital’s fleet of taxis to get real-time traffic information out will inform other drivers of any disruption on the network, helping them to avoid the most congested routes. It is one of many ways we are focusing our attention on keeping London moving, particularly during the current success-driven boom in construction seen across London.”

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=75825