CHESTER

A THREE-WHEELED Tuk Tuk taxi could hit the streets of Chester if plans are given the green light on Tuesday.

However, officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council have recommended that members of the licensing committee refuse the application on health and safety grounds.

Saughall company Deva Tuk Tuks has already forged a successful business making the exotic-looking vehicles available for weddings.

Now they have applied to the council for permission to use one as a private hire taxi on the city's streets, offering sightseeing tours and travel to and from other local events.

Businesses do not need a licence if they are offering transport solely for weddings, but other activities must be licensed under private hire legislation.

Tuk Tuks are described as automatic rickshaws, with a top speed of around 40mph, and are commonly seen in India, Thailand and South East Asia.

http://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/157409/three-wheeled-tuk-tuk-taxi-could-be-hitting-streets-of-chester.aspx?
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BELFAST

Global taxi operator Uber has said it would have to "re-evaluate its business" in Belfast if new laws on taxi regulation were introduced.

The Assembly is considering introducing six new rules for owning and operating taxis in Northern Ireland.

Among the changes will be the introduction of taxi metres and printers in all vehicles which would be inspected, tested and sealed by Department of the Environment officials.

If passed, the measures will come into force in May.

Kieran Harte, general manager for Uber Belfast, said: "Since launching in Belfast just over a month ago we have been overwhelmed by the reaction of both riders and professional drivers wanting to sign up.

"Uber has brought a seamless transport option to Belfast enabling people to get where they need to go more efficiently than ever before.

"The new rules, if introduced, would be a huge step backwards and would force us to re-evaluate our business in the city.

"Forcing drivers to install unnecessary technology - like taxi meters and receipt printers - stop the sector creating new jobs and increase prices for consumers.”

When asked if the changes would mean Uber, which has only operated in Belfast for a month, would pull out of the local market, a spokesman added: "We would like to stay, but we would have to make sure we could have a viable business with the new rules."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/uber-will-reevaluate-business-in-belfast-if-outdated-taxi-law-changes-are-introduced-34374095.html?

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A TORBAY taxi driver offered a female cabbie a stun gun to protect her from being robbed, a court has been told.

But the offer backfired when she told her bosses and he was sacked, Exeter Crown Court heard.

Chinese national Peng Zhao has now been jailed for five years for possessing a prohibited firearm and four related offences.

The former restaurant owner told the court he kept tasers scattered about his house because he had a 'heightened fear of burglars'.


http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Torbay-taxi-driver-jailed-illegal-stun-gun/story-28553420-detail/story.html?

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BUDAPEST

About 100-120 taxi drivers began an unannounced demonstration in protest against car dispatcher Uber in central Budapest on Monday morning. axi drivers lined up their cars at the junction of Bajcsy-Zsilinszky and József Attila streets and Andrássy Avenue, all major thoroughfares, Budapest police said on its website. Lanes reserved for buses are blocked, police said, adding they were keeping one lane in both directions free. The blockage has caused significant log-jams in the area but regular car drivers however bear with the situation.

Signs on taxi windshields show “Uber” crossed out and “No thanks!” A taxi driver said that telecom service providers should remove the Uber app from their web shops, otherwise they would continue to demonstrate. “We’re prepared to be here for several days.” László Pusztai, representing one of the taxi companies, said that at the request of the police they would not block lanes elsewhere in the capital. He added that the drivers would definitely continue the blockade until 11am, before making their way to City Hall nearby to hand over a petition. There are about 1,200 Uber drivers in Budapest and the service has about 80,000 users, Uber said last week.

http://www.politics.hu/20160118/budapest-taxi-drivers-protest-against-uber/?

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LIVERPOOL

A large taxi was flipped onto its side after it crashed into a black Ford Focus on East Prescot Road in Dovecot.

The incident happened near Ackers Hall Avenue, not far from the KFC, at 4.26pm today.

Police said a large, seven-seater taxi, a Peugeot Expert E7, had been forced onto its side after a collision with a black Ford Focus.

The Ford was being driven by a man in his 50s who escaped with minor injuries.

Police confirmed that both drivers were conscious and breathing at the scene, with no major injuries.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/large-taxi-forced-side-after-10754324?

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