Monday 29 February 2016

 WEST MIDLANDS

A taxi driver was taken to hospital after suffering a fractured skull, with police launching an investigation into the cause.

The man was found with serious head injuries in Bell Street South, with the area cordoned off and a blue tent put up by police near the junction with High Street.

The incident happened just before 9.30pm on Sunday. Det Insp Colin Mattinson said: “An investigation has been launched after a man was found in Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, with a serious head injury.

"The man, a 60-year-old taxi driver, suffered a fractured skull and is being treated in hospital. It is not yet clear how he came about his injuries.”

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to contact Force CID on 101.

http://goo.gl/lwxqJl

----------------------------------------
 ABERDEEN

 Up to 15 taxis are being taken off the road every month in Aberdeen because of drivers breaking the law.

A report to the city council’s taxi consultation group revealed some cabbies were running without an MOT – a certificate of road worthiness – or tax.

It also highlighted a range of other breaches and called for tougher action against rogue drivers.

The report said: “A substantial number of licensed vehicles continue to be found to be without an MOT or road tax.

“The licences in question for the vehicles are immediately suspended and the suspension only lifted once the required MOT or road tax is obtained.

“However, since it is now a regular occurrence for between five and 15 vehicles to be suspended each month further action is considered necessary given the public safety issues.”

The enforcement officer said they would continue suspending the relevant vehicle licences but added: “However in addition, I intend to consider submitting a request to the Licensing Committee for the suspension of any Taxi/Private Hire Car driver licence held by the same licence holder for the remaining un-expired portion of the licence.”

The consultation group meets on Tuesday.

https://goo.gl/MKBr9A
GLASGOW

A 23-year-old man has died after his motorbike was in collision with a hackney cab in Glasgow.

Gordon Lauder was riding his bike along Skirsa Street when the accident happened, at the junction with Balmore Road, at about 23:05 on Friday.

He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but died in the early hours of the morning.

The driver of the taxi and his two passengers were uninjured but were left badly shaken by the incident.

http://goo.gl/RlgP9A

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 BRADFORD

POLICE in Bradford have seized a taxi involved in an accident after checks revealed the driver was uninsured.

The taxi was seized at 7.40am on Wednesday on Norman Lane, Eccleshill.

A police spokesman said: "The vehicle was involved in an accident and checks showed the driver had no insurance."

http://goo.gl/laE5Hu

-------------------------------------------
MILAN 

  Kendall Jenner was left visibly shaken after she was forced to leap out of the way of a runaway taxi in Milan on Friday night.

(Comment Runaway Taxi My Arse.)
 




The reality star turned model was filmed as she arrived at her hotel, shortly after starring in the Versace show, with crowds of fans waiting for her outside.

But just as she left the vehicle, it began to roll quickly backwards to shouts from her team.

Kendall managed to jump aside just in time, as the car rolled backwards and smashed into a post.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/watch-moment-kendall-jenner-hit-7459932

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 South Wales.


    A 100-YEAR-OLD woman received head and leg injuries after being driven home erratically by a taxi driver after a shopping trip to Tesco, it has been claimed.

Police are now investigating the allegations which have emerged after publicity surrounding another taxi incident at the same Swansea store, in which a pensioner was injured.

The daughter of the centenarian said her mother had shopped at the Oystermouth Road store every Saturday for five years and got a taxi home to Eastside. She had not seen the driver in question before the journey along Oystermouth Road dual carriageway.

"He was driving fast, and kept changing lanes," said the daughter. "He was chopping and changing lanes and came to a sudden halt because there was a car in front of him.

    "She was sitting behind the driver and catapulted forward and hit her head on the top of the seat. His seat moved backwards and she screamed. She injured her leg.

"At the top of the hill near her home he went around the corner really fast and hit the kerb. She hit her head on the top of the seat again."

She was not charged a fare and a concerned neighbour saw she was distressed and took care of her.

The daughter said her mother had medical treatment for bruising to the top of her head and a haematoma on her injured leg from her knee to her ankle.

"Her confidence has gone since then," said her daughter. "She plays it over and over in her mind. She never goes out now. It has taken away her independence."

The daughter came forward to the Evening Post after reading of an incident at the store in December when an 85-year-old woman suffered life-changing injuries after being thrown from a taxi which was driven off as she tried to get in.

Eirwen Ferguson, of Sketty, spent three- and-a-half weeks in hospital and now has to wear a hearing aid after damaging her ear when she was thrown to the ground. Police and the council, which licences taxis, are continuing to investigate that incident.

South Wales Police issued an appeal on the other incident.

"Police received a complaint regarding the manner in which a taxi was driven from the Tesco store at Oystermouth Road to the St Thomas area of Swansea on 26th September 2015. All efforts to trace the taxi and the driver have proved unsuccessful. Anyone who knows the identity of the taxi or the driver is asked to call police on 101 quoting occurrence number 1500379238."

http://goo.gl/Ul53Le

---------------------------------------
 UBER OXFORD
 
  TAXI companies are gearing up for a battle after controversial firm Uber revealed it could launch in Oxford.

The web-based rival said more than 50,000 people in the city had tried to access its service in just a year, despite the fact it is not yet available here.

Its smartphone app connects people to private hire cars without having to speak to an operator and is used by more than a million people in London.

But black cab drivers in the capital have staged mass protests against it, because they have to pass the rigorous road network Knowledge test but Uber drivers do not.

The company has now applied for a licence to operate in Oxford, sparking claims from rival taxi companies it could lead to fare hikes and draw drivers from far-away areas. A spokesman for Uber said: “As a business, we want to grow and to launch in new cities.

“The number of people who have been opening our app in Oxford is larger than average so that means there is certainly demand for our service and we are excited about that.

“We have applied for an operator’s licence and that is the first step, but when the time is right we would also need a team of people on the ground.

http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/14306182.Web_based_taxi_firm_Uber_could_launch_in_Oxford_due_to_high_demand/?ref=rss

----------------------------------------------

 EIRE.

The National Transport Authority has decided not to make the use of safety equipment, including in-vehicle cameras, mandatory for taxis and hackneys after an extensive public consultation process which saw the majority of respondents objecting to the measure.

More than 2,600 submissions on the issue were received by the authority with 97.3% of the total stating they did not believe that safety equipment in taxis should be obligatory. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner had also signalled that there could be legal issues surrounding the use of CCTV cameras in taxis.

Most respondents said taxi drivers should be allowed to continue to exercise discretion about the use of such equipment. The overwhelming majority were opposed to the proposed measure on the basis of cost and the potential negative financial impact on taxi licence holders.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/security-cameras-in-taxis-met-with-widespread-opposition-by-drivers-384572.html

---------------------------------------------

MANCHESTER

A private hire taxi driver, who was found guilty of picking up illegal passengers in Manchester, has been ordered to pay £682 and handed six penalty points for driving without a license.

26-year-old Arfan Waheed of Wythenshawe was fined £335 with costs of £300. He was also given a £27 victim of crime surcharge.

In the early hours of Sunday 10 May city council officers who were working on a routine night shift in the city centre, saw a private hire vehicle driven by Waheed drop off its passengers on Whitworth Street West.

The officers then observed on as two people approached Waheed’s vehicle and engaged him in conversation, before getting in to the vehicle. It is illegal for private hire taxi drivers to pick up passengers who flag them down on the street, and doing so may invalidate their insurance. All journeys taken in private hire taxis must be pre-arranged through the base operator.

Investigating officers later enquired with the private hire operator that Waheed worked for and discovered that no booking had been logged by the operator, for a pick up at that time, date and location. At the hearing Waheed pleaded guilty to the offences of driving without valid insurance and illegally plying for hire.

Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods Councillor Nigel Murphy, has remarked, “We regard illegally plying for hire as a serious offence and the punishment handed out by the court shows they agree. Let this send a warning to rogue drivers that the consequences for illegally operating any taxi are both serious and costly”.

Mr. Murphy also added “When looking for a taxi remember, only Manchester licensed hackney carriage drivers are allowed to pick passengers up from the side of the road within our city boundaries”.

http://www.blacknet.co.uk/illegal-taxi-driver-receives-penalty-and-fine/



Friday 26 February 2016

Parliament last week

Parliament this week discussed the DVSA taxi driving test test.

 In the past I have spoken against this test being introduced on all drivers here in Manchester.

I argued the point that I and many others, had driven our streets for over 30 years without a 'own fault' accident occurring. I asked where would they find an examiner with more experience to test me.

I made a serious error of judgement. !

I did not realise how many Third World, sub standard drivers would enter the Taxi and Private Hire trade over the last few years. 

The Accidents this week in London, which all occurred through the fault of dreadful PH CAR driving have been horrific. A couple of them were Policemen knocked off motor bikes.

The requirement to take the DVSA taxi test must be made Compulsory. In the most cases the wait for that test takes 6.7 weeks. Here in the North West region it takes 8 weeks.

This will act as a tempory brake on the large numbers of drivers flooding to join and destroy the Taxi and PH trade. It will give us some respite.

To that end I think we should Lobby all those with influence to have the Legal requirement for this test to be entered into the New Taxi Laws expected in the next Parliament.





Wednesday 24 February 2016

Uber and Lyft drivers in the US unhappy with the way each company has lowered fares and how they have been treated have decided to launch their own rival taxi app called Swift.

An ongoing period of unrest between the taxi apps and its drivers over cuts in pay and concerns over driver safety has seen strikes and protests against the start-up and now a band of disgruntled drivers fed up with the situation are going it alone with their own competing app.

The Uber Drivers Network, who have been a vocal group of protesters in New York, revealed their Swift app – a taxi-hailing app that they have been working on for the past year. A video of the app in action was posted to the Uber Drivers Network Facebook page and shows multiple devices running an interface that looks remarkably similar to Uber.

"It is the ultimate solution for our problem," Abdoul Diallo, an individual behind the movement, told Fast Company. "Because without drivers, there is no Uber."

The page describes the app as 'a platform for drivers by drivers' and Diallo explains the idea is for each driver to have a stake in the company with a profit sharing system that would feed those profits back to drivers. "We, drivers, provide the cars and EVERY expense related to the business, the only thing 'they' provide is the app. Now we have our OWN!"

However, Diallo admitted: "how it will be structured at this point, we don't know" and provided little in-depth detail on Swift. One way Swift could work more financially in their favour is recruiting drivers within their network who might register interest in joining the app, rather than having to spend significant amounts on hiring as Uber and Lyft do.

In a counterargument to the drivers' concerns over fare price cuts Uber has retorted by arguing that with lower prices come more customers, claiming drivers in New York have been earning 17% per hour more than before the latest drop in fares.

Details on when the app will be launched and in what cities has not been revealed, but by capitalising on the unrest among Uber drivers around the world, Swift could potentially have a far-reaching market and roll out quicker than most start-ups.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/angry-uber-lyft-drivers-launch-165705940.html

--------------------------------------------- 

 Five Cardiff taxi drivers have had their hackney licences suspended for refusing short fares.

A city council spokeswoman said drivers cannot refuse a fare that starts and ends in the city and the authority wanted to "flush out" those who breach the law.

Following complaints, the council has been carrying out an investigation since September 2015.

Mystery shopper exercises are continuing to catch drivers at fault.

Information cards are being given out and people are urged to take note of the badge number or vehicle registration of drivers who refuse fares.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-35653241


-----------------------------------------
HailO Bull.


Uber-style taxi app backed by Sir Richard Branson enjoys rapid growth

Uber competitor Hailo has announced a 200% year-on-year growth for its ‘Hailo for Business’ programme.

The programme, which targets business travellers, has also expanded its service worldwide and now has a presence in cities including London, Paris, Singapore and Tokyo.

Launched in November 2011, the London-based taxi app has received investment from the likes of Sir Richard Branson, and counts Amazon.co.uk and law firm Olswang amongst its clients.

The firm’s push for more business travellers has also been bolstered by partnerships with points company Avios, British Airways and Iberia Plus.

Andrew Pinnington, Chief Executive Officer at Hailo, commented: “Ground transportation in business is all about trust, reliability and control which can now be delivered through innovative use of technology. Customers need to know they can get from A to B as efficiently, safely and cost effectively as possible.

"Our Hailo for Business service is proving time and again that the our technology platform combined with the experience and professionalism of licensed taxi drivers delivers on all those measures.  Hailo gives business customers control and complete visibility of their ground transportation costs.“

https://goo.gl/Auslde


Comment: HailO only have enough cash left, to last until the end of the March.

Statements from Branson will appear over this month and do not be surprised if HailO gets a 'Virgin' rebrand.
 MANCHESTER

Two black-cab drivers have been hit with fines after refusing to pick up two people in Manchester city centre because their destination was too close.

The drivers, who refused the same fare outside the Radisson Hotel, have been prosecuted for breaching cabbie byelaws.

The rules state drivers must pick people up in the city - and four miles into neighbouring boroughs - unless they have a ‘reasonable’ excuse to refuse.

After being hit with fines of £100 and £1,060 by magistrates, Mohammed Shafie Akbari and Mohammed Meharban now face additional hearings in front of the town hall’s licensing appeals sub committee.

The pair could be issued with warnings, suspended - or even have their licences revoked.

In April last year, two women attempted to hail a cab from the rank on Peter Street outside the Radisson Hotel to Watson Street, where a number of drivers were waiting.

Akbari advised the woman to walk as their destination was close by. Despite them having several items of luggage, he refused to take the fare.

Meharban, who was in second in the queue, also refused to take the women. A third cabbie on the rank agreed to take the fare.

The women made a complaint to the town hall’s licensing unit, who launched an investigation.

Akbari, 43, of Upper West Grove, Longsight , pleaded guilty to refusing to convey a passenger without reasonable excuse, and was fined £100.

Meharban, 48, of Whiston Road, Crumpsall , pleaded not guilty. But the case against him was later proved in court.

He was fined £400, with costs of £620 and a £40 victim surcharge - a total bill of £1,060.

Manchester council’s executive member for neighbourhoods, Nigel Murphy, said: “People using Manchester’s taxis deserve and, rightly so, expect an accommodating and pleasant service from its drivers.

“Taxi passengers may not realise that drivers are committing an offence if they refuse to pick them up, but as this case proves this is a serious breach of the rules.

“I’d urge anyone who thinks they have been wrongly refused service to make a note of the driver’s details and contact our licensing department.”

Town hall chiefs are urging passengers to take note of cab drivers’ licence number if their fare is refused.

http://goo.gl/iEZ4W6

Tuesday 23 February 2016

 SWANSEA

THE family of an 85 year-old woman who suffered life-changing injuries after being thrown from a taxi which was driven off while she tried to get in is due to get a police update tomorrow on their investigation.

They, along with Swansea Council, which licences taxis, are both looking into the December 14 incident outside Tesco's Oystermouth Road store.

Eirwen Ferguson spent three- and-a-half weeks in hospital and now has to wear a hearing aid after damaging a ear when she was thrown to the ground.

Mrs Ferguson, who is disabled, got a white taxi from Tesco with two friends. The other women were in the taxi when it pulled away as she tried to get in. She was thrown from the car, hitting the right side of her head on the concrete.

A shopper helped Mrs Ferguson up and asked the driver, who had stopped close-by, to call an ambulance. But instead, he drove her and her friends home to Sketty.

That night Mrs Ferguson was monitored medically by one of her daughters, who is a nurse, and went to Morriston Hospital the following day when she became unwell. She had facial abrasions and bruising and an X-ray revealed a fractured wrist. She was discharged but a week later went back for a fracture review and suffered a cardiac collapse from delayed shock and trauma. She was in hospital for three-and-a-half weeks.

Another daughter, Liz Almond, said: "We are seeing the police on Wednesday for an update. My mum is still not brilliant. She is very jittery. She is seeing a consultant on March 8 about her ears."

Mrs Ferguson is still hoping to meet the woman who helped to thank her.

South Wales Police and the council are both carrying out investigations.

http://goo.gl/e1cCOK

----------------------------------------
 NOTTINGHAM

 Transport firm hails success after building army of taxi companies

Cabline UK works with a network of taxi companies across the country to provide its business clients with transport. It's expected to increase its turnover by £2 million this year, and again in 2017. Rebecca Smith-Dawkins reports.

Call for a taxi anywhere across the country and Cabline UK can have one to you in around 20 minutes.

Its clients may need transport for any number of reasons, from rail, ferry and airport transfers to urgent deliveries and emergency or breakdown support.

But it doesn't work alone – Cabline UK has an army of taxi companies ready to dispatch its drivers at any time of the day or night.

Business director Steve Madge says: "Our clients can call us 24/7 and book a taxi to go anywhere in the UK.

"Our suppliers are happy because they get regular work. We have a waiting list of [taxi] firms that want to come on board."

Cabline UK, which employs 50 staff at its office in Beeston, also provides coaches and buses to events and as emergency rail replacement.

It broke through the £10 million barrier last year, and is expected to increase its turnover by another £2 million in 2016 after winning new contracts with Virgin Trains West Coast, National Express and Greater Anglia Trains.

http://goo.gl/TeJLRp

----------------------------------------
 A disheartened pensioner says she is “furious” at not being able to get a taxi on a Saturday night for her disabled husband.

Angry Doreen Palfreyman, aged 73, of Dunvegan Avenue, Danesmoor, says that all her wheelchair-bound husband John wants to do is play bingo on a Saturday night at North Wingfield Working Mens Club on Chesterfield Road.
John, also aged 73, has no legs after problems with his blood flow, which caused him to get gangrene. He has also suffered a stroke and a heart attack.
“John stays in all day and all night and I just want to be able to take him out,” Doreen said.
“I have telephoned taxi firms in Chesterfield and Alfreton but I cannot get anybody to do it.
“He is disgusted. He just wants to go out and have a game of bingo.
“I am furious.”


Former miner John used to visit Bestwood Working Mens Club before it closed at Christmas.


John and Doreen then started going to the working mens club at North Wingfield in a friend’s mini bus but that is no longer possible.


Doreen says that when she telephones the taxi services and explains her husband’s situation, the firms say they don’t do wheelchair access on Saturday nights.


She says that she has called more than 10 firms in the area but has now exhausted all options.
“When I ask ‘can I book a taxi please’ they say ‘yes when do you want one for’ but then they say ‘oh no we don’t do it’,” Doreen said.


“We only want to go two miles.


“John used to be able to go to Bestwood club on his scooter - we were devastated when it closed.


“He cannot get in a car because he has got to be in a wheelchair.”


John said: “It is not fair.
“I like to play bingo and listen to the artists.”

http://goo.gl/yKWlMn


Monday 22 February 2016

BELFAST

Fona Cab owner warns of 'outcry' if taxi reform equipment requirements are scrapped

Company invests £300,000 to prepare for law change

 The Department of Environment would be faced with an "outcry" if it were to change taxi reforms after their introduction in May, the owner of Fona Cab has said.

On May 31 the Department of Environment is introducing wide-ranging reforms, it says, to make it easier to hail a taxi.

Customers will be able to hail any taxi during peak times and firms will have to advertise maximum fares.

Drivers will also be required to fit new roof signs, have DoE approved meters and fit receipt printers in their cars.

The changes will affect Northern Ireland's near 9,000 taxi drivers.

DoE officials said they were taken by surprise by the advancements in the taxi industry and how firms such as Fona Cab, Value Cabs and Uber use apps and said the new reforms will be reviewed almost as soon as they come into being.

That review will include the need for drivers to have meters and printers, the DoE has said, along with a review of the individual component parts including taxi operator, driver and vehicle Licensing alongside a review of the powers provided to the department.

Given the forthcoming Assembly election, the review will fall to the minister of the new Department for Infrastructure in the next Assembly mandate.

Fona Cab owner William McCausland said his firm was investing around £300,000 in its fleet given the new equipment requirments.

He said there would be an "outcry" if those requirements were to change.

"Aand I don't see that they would do," he said.

"Taxi reform has been going on for so long now - since the 1980s - and we are just at the point now where we want to know what the reforms are and be left to do our job."

We asked Value Cab for a comment and they referred us to William McCausland.

Belfast's newest taxi operator Uber described part of the reforms as "outdated" as it says details can be recorded and accessed on smartphones without the need for meters and paper receipts.

It also said the new regulations would not lead to more reliable means of transport.

First launched in 2009, Uber has rapidly expanded across the world and is now available in over 300 cities across 67 countries and has become a multi-billion dollar business.

It launched in Belfast in December.

However, after hinting it may pull out of the city over the new reforms, Uber says it is committed to Northern Ireland as demand has exceeded initial projections.

It also addressed information published by the Assembly over the number of drivers it has operating under an Uber sign, which it said was "inaccurate".

In January a question from Alliance MLA Judith Cochrane revealed there were 26 drivers affiliated to Uber's operator's licence.

The Department of Environment said there are currently 25 drivers as of last week, which compares to Fona Cab's 567 and Value Cab's 674.

Kieran Harte, general manager for Uber in Belfast said: "The numbers released by The Assembly only reflect the partner-drivers that were affiliated to Uber's Operator license, they do not accurately reflect the number of who have signed up with their own operator's license.

"Around 100 professional drivers have signed up to drive on the Uber App since we launched."

He added: "The demand for Uber in Belfast has far exceeded our initial projections and we are delighted with the response we have received from local passengers.

"Uber is committed to Belfast and is currently looking at ways to optimise the app when the new reforms come into force.”

----------------------------------------------
 COVENTRY

 A taxi driver from Coventry who had his licence revoked after he injured his passengers in a crash has lost an appeal against the decision.

Rugby Borough Council had revoked Mohammed Ali’s taxi and private hire driver’s licence on November 24 after his cab crashed into a parked car on October 11.

Both of his passengers had to be taken to hospital.

Ali, of Blythe Road, Foleshill, failed to report the accident to the council within 72 hours - as required by the conditions of his licence - and police discovered the cab had two bald tyres

Ali was informed his licence was to be reviewed.

He told the council he was unable to drive his cab because of the damage, but he was asked to inform them if he resumed driving a taxi before the review hearing.

However, on November 10 a council officer spotted a taxi driving through a red light at a pedestrian crossing in the town centre.

An investigation identified Ali as the driver of the cab, and his licence was immediately suspended pending the review hearing.

At the hearing, the licensing and safety committee upheld Ali’s suspension and voted to revoke his licence on the grounds he had failed in his duty to protect the public by driving his taxi in an unroadworthy condition and not reporting the accident to the council within 72 hours.

The committee also noted Ali’s “disregard for the condition of his passengers” following the accident.

Ali’s appeal against the decision was heard at Nuneaton Magistrates Court on February 9.

Magistrates were told despite Ali failing to report the accident to the council within 72 hours, he had taken photographs of the damage to his cab and informed his insurance company.

After hearing submissions from both the council and Ali’s solicitor, magistrates upheld the committee’s decision to revoke his licence.

Speaking after the hearing, Coun Kathryn Lawrence, chairman of the licensing and safety committee, said: “We have a duty to ensure all taxi drivers in Rugby comply with the terms and conditions of our licensing policy, which places paramount importance on the safety of the public.

“Taxi drivers hold a position of trust and have a duty of care, and when drivers fail in this duty we have no hesitation in revoking their licence.”

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-taxi-driver-loses-appeal-10928634
------------------------------------------------------------------------

EXETER

A taxi driver has been cleared of outraging public decency after a Judge threw out the case against him.


Alexandru Dragan was alleged to have put his hand inside his trousers while taking a family from Exeter to a holiday cottage at Cheriton Fitzpaine.

A judge at Exeter Crown Court dismissed the case after ruling that there was no case to answer even if the account of the 17-year-old girl in the front seat and her mother in the back were accepted by the jury.

Recorder Mr Philip Mott, QC, said the test of what amounted to outrage was very high and the alleged actions did not constitute the offence.

He said:"I conclude it would not be safe to leave this case to the jury. The House of Lords have made it clear that outraging is a very strong word and goes beyond offending susceptibilities or even shocking reasonable people.

"It would have to involve very offensive sexual displays and there is a question of whether what is alleged her, even taken at its highest, amounts to that.

"There was no removal of clothing or even the sight of underwear or flesh. There was no exposure of the genitals or sign of an erection.

"It does not in law amount to conduct as strong as outraging public decency, however improper or offensive it may have appeared and clearly was perceived to be by the girl."

The case ended before Dragan was able to put his side of the story to the jury but in police interviews he said there had been nothing sexual in his actions.

He blamed a nervous tic which he has suffered from since childhood and discomfort arising from a gall bladder operation for his 'jerking movements'. He said his use of a mobile phone on his thigh may also have been misinterpreted.

Dragan, aged 36, of Exwick Hill, Exeter, denied outraging public decency and was found not guilty on the directions of the judge.

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exeter-nervous-tic-taxi-driver-cleared-outraging/story-28784917-detail/story.html

-------------------------------------------
 FORD UK
 
 Ford's Uber-rivalling GoRide taxi service to come to UK in 2016
Blue Oval attempts to steal a march on Google, Apple

The Uber taxi service is set to face serious competition with the impending launch of Ford’s new GoRide project.

It will allow users to summon, via an app, a shuttle van that, according to Ford, will be more spacious and comfortable than a conventional cab but cheaper, because the cost will be shared by up to eight passengers, some going to different destinations.

Ford, which is running a pilot scheme in America, says GoRide will arrive in Britain by the end of the year.

Motor executives have been panicked by the rise of services such as Uber, which offer an alternative to owning a car. The proportion of young Britons learning to drive fell from 36% to 29% in the five years to 2014, and is expected to drop further with the advent of driverless cars.

“You’re talking about the end of human driving, the end of private ownership, the end of the internal combustion engine and the end of car dealerships,” said Adam Jonas of Morgan Stanley.

Ford said it was trying to pre-empt the expected arrival of similar services from Apple and Google.

The pilot service is being run in Dearborn, Michigan, where the company’s world headquarters is based and where 21 Ford Transit minivans carry up to 300 staff a day to 129 destinations.

Users tap their destination into an app, which calculates the journey time. If the passenger accepts, Ford works out which of its fleet can get them there most efficiently without making the passengers already on board the bus late, then instructs the driver.

Driverless vehicles could be used in future.

http://www.driving.co.uk/news/fords-uber-rivalling-goride-taxi-service-to-come-to-uk-in-2016/

-------------------------------------
BOSTON USA.

 The Boston Police Department on Monday began the process of fingerprinting all of the city’s more than 6,000 licensed cab drivers.

The department said in a statement that the new initiative would give the city’s Hackney Carriage Unit, which licenses all taxis in the city, another resource to conduct more thorough background checks on drivers and “ensure the highest standards of safety for the traveling public.”

Police Commissioner Williams Evans lauded the new effort.

“The cab drivers in this city are hardworking men and women who welcomed this new safety requirement,” Evans said in the statement. “When the citizens of Boston get into [a] cab, they trust that operator to get them to their destination safely every single time. Fingerprinting is another step we can take as a police department to help make sure that happens.”
  

Going forward, Boston taxi drivers will be required to submit fingerprints as part of their annual license renewal process.

Fingerprinting of those who drive for ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft could also be on the horizon. One of two bills the state Legislature is currently considering to regulate the so-called “transportation network companies” would require all drivers be fingerprinted.

http://www.wbur.org/2016/02/22/boston-taxi-driver-fingerprinting



Sunday 21 February 2016

USA. Michigan Uber driver shoots 6 and wounds 2

 A gunman killed six people and wounded two in apparently random shootings in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, before being arrested early on Sunday, a prosecutor said. A television station reported the suspect was an Uber driver who took fares between shootings.

The 45-year-old suspect, Jason Dalton, was believed to have opened fire late on Saturday outside an apartment complex, a Kia car dealership and a Cracker Barrel restaurant over a period of little more than four hours, Kalamazoo County prosecutor Jeff Getting said.

The victims "appear to be chosen at random, because they were available," he said at a news conference. "They were shot multiple times, multiple - nine, 10, 11 shell casings at each of these scenes."

The carnage in Kalamazoo, a city of about 75,000 people 150 miles (240 km) west of Detroit, was the latest in a series of mass shootings that have made gun control a campaign issue before the November U.S. presidential election.

WOOD TV, a Grand Rapids station, quoted police as saying that they were investigating reports that Dalton dropped off Uber fares at a Fairfield Inn hotel. He then went to the nearby Cracker Barrel and killed four women and seriously wounded a 14-year-old girl.

The station reported that Getting said authorities were investigating a Facebook post by the fiancee of an Uber passenger, who said that Dalton had sideswiped a car, run a stop sign and was driving erratically just before the shootings.

An Uber representative confirmed that Dalton was a driver for the car-hailing service and said that he had passed background checks. In a emailed statement, the company's chief security officer, Joe Sullivan, said Uber was contacting police to help with the investigation.

Getting told reporters he believed police had recovered Dalton's cellphone. Dalton was thought to have been in contact with more than one person during the shooting spree, he said.

Dalton was arrested in downtown Kalamazoo at about 12:30 a.m. Getting said he expected Dalton to be arraigned on Monday on charges of murder, assault and firearms violations.

The carnage began about 6 p.m. on Saturday when a woman was wounded outside an apartment building. At about 10 p.m., two men, who Getting said were related, were killed at the car dealership.

The shooting at the Cracker Barrel took place about 15 minutes later, Getting said. Getting said a semi-automatic pistol was found in his car when he was arrested.

Police said Dalton had no known criminal record. The victims' names were not released.

http://goo.gl/glY4oc

Friday 19 February 2016

The UBER Bubble.

New this week is that UBER are about to change commission rates to 35% from April 1.

Two things significant about the date. It is obviously April fools day, secondly it is the beginning of a new Financila year.

It may be the statement about the percentage rise is a April Fool prank, BUT, considering Ubers losses last year, some two million a day in China alone, it may be true.

UBER's business plan is to increase turnover at any cost and then go public, this is called an IPO, Initial Public Offering on stock exchange.

This is where Uber's invester's grab their profits and abandon ship.

The new purchasers of Uber shares, then watch with horror as their money burns before their eyes.

Signs that Uber are planning this comes as the storm gathers around the world of Uber's mounting debts and tax avoidence.

Rates to the driver's around the world are being cut. Unbelievably the Drivers mileage rate in Detroit and elswhere in the USA has dropped to 30 cents a mile, using the Post Office buy rate, that works out at 19 pence, a mile, in real money. 19 pence a mile ! !

Anyway have a butchers yourself and see what you think.




http://uberpeople.net/threads/detroit-is-30-cents-a-mile-i-m-not-kidding.53570/

---------------------------------------------

MILTON KEYNES

Imagine being able to compare taxi prices for the cheapest journey in Milton Keynes? Well that dream could about to become a reality.

A brand new taxi app – which labels itself as 'eBay for taxis' – is set to launch in Milton Keynes in April 2016.

Titled BidTaxi, the app will allow users to make a booking and have the five closest drivers bid for your custom.

Price and time of arrival will be listed for each, and after 45 seconds users can then select the best deal.

David Wright, 49, the entrepreneur behind BidTaxi, is from Old Farm Park and he is determined to make the app a success in his hometown.

He said: "We are a unique service which aims to avoid customers getting ripped off and give them the best possible price.

"Drivers get extra work and opportunities, while providers get a cut of the income. It is a win-win for everyone.

"I want BidTaxi to be a proof of concept, and where better to do that than in Milton Keynes?"

BidTaxi will be free to download, and payments to drivers can be made in cash.

Comparisons with rival taxi app Uber will inevitably be made, but Mr Wright is keen to stress the differences between the two.

He added: "Uber are in every major city, and they work with nobody themselves. BidTaxi is totally different – we work with the industry, not against it.

"We would select a company to work with, and we give them the opportunity to become partners on the platform.

"We also took a look at what Uber are doing, and realised they are excluding a large amount of the market by only accepting card payments."

http://www.onemk.co.uk/BidTaxi-New-taxi-app-launch-Milton-Keynes/story-28769861-detail/story.html

-------------------------------------
Taxi drivers and Uber join forces.

 Last year, taxi drivers in Belgium threw eggs at Uber drivers’ cars and blocked them from picking up passengers during a protest against the ride-hailing company. In France, during another day of protests, taxi drivers attacked Uber drivers, in a couple of cases even setting their cars on fire. Footage from a protest against Uber in Toronto shows a man banging on the window of someone he suspects is driving for Uber, only to be dragged 20 feet before letting go. And in cities across the U.S., Uber drivers and taxi drivers have faced off on opposite sides of protests over Uber regulations.

Both Uber and taxi trade associations have historically made efforts to fuel this vitriol. "We’re in a political campaign, and the candidate is Uber and the opponent is an asshole named Taxi," Uber CEO Travis Kalanick noted while explaining the rift in 2014. "Nobody likes him, he’s not a nice character, but he’s so woven into the political machinery and fabric that a lot of people owe him favors." The Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association has poured money into a smear campaign against Uber that includes, for instance, a running tally of alleged kidnappings and sexual assaults by Uber drivers.

But as Uber and Lyft cut fares, some of their drivers are beginning to see taxi drivers not as opponents, but as allies in a labor battle that impacts both groups."When I first started driving, taxis hated Uber drivers, and Uber drivers hated taxis," says Abe Husein, a former Uber driver who has helped organize strikes and protests in Kansas City and nationwide. "Now everybody hates Uber. Times have changed."

On Wednesday, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) and the International Association of Machinists, which represents black car drivers, cohosted a protest at New York’s City Hall to call for Uber and Lyft to reinstate fare rates that they cut by 15% last month. The NYTWA has organized several similar protests throughout the last several weeks, and another local chapter of the Taxi Workers Alliance has organized more in Philadelphia. "They were more pro-taxi," says Abdoul Diallo, an Uber driver organizer in New York City, about the NYTWA. "But what they realized is that Uber drivers were also really taxi drivers. It's just a new form of doing it. Their members were leaving the livery cab industry and going to work for Uber, so it became important for them to stand up, not just in the taxi industry, but for workers in general."
""Taxis hated Uber drivers and Uber drivers hated taxis. Now everybody hates Uber.""

At the demonstration in New York on Wednesday, a group of about 40 people stood on the steps of City Hall holding signs with slogans like, "Killing jobs is not innovation," and, "Hey Uber, politicians may cave in, but workers strike." Bhairavi Desai, the president of the National Taxi Workers Alliance, which represents 19,000 drivers in New York, led a short press conference. "We are here to say to Uber and Lyft, to all of these app-based dispatch companies, the race to the bottom must end," began Desai, who had no microphone and had to shout to be heard. "We will not let them continue to gut our incomes. When the biggest dispatching company in New York City, with over 30,000 affiliated vehicles, starts to cut its rates, it sends a signal across the industry to cut the rates across the board." Though Uber says it is a technology company, Desai believes it is no different than any car dispatcher.

http://www.fastcompany.com/3056857/taxi-and-uber-drivers-once-mortal-enemies-join-forces-in-a-new-labor-dispute

------------------------------------------------
 West Yorkshire
 
  Sex offenders and dangerous drivers are among those who have applied to be taxi drivers in Kirklees and Calderdale .

However, despite convictions for violence and burglary, drivers with previous convictions have been handed licences by councils.

A shock study reveals that almost one in six applications for cabbie licences to Kirklees Council were from people with convictions,

Among the previous convictions revealed through the Disclosure and Barring Service for people applying for taxi licences was a sexual assault on a girl aged under 13 in Kirklees.

There were two convictions for indecent assault on women aged 16 and over in Kirklees and one in Calderdale, and one for indecent assault on girls aged under 14 in Kirklees.

There was one conviction for manslaughter and one conviction for kidnapping in Kirklees.

There was one conviction each in Kirklees and Calderdale for causing death by dangerous driving.

Across the both councils, there were 12 previous convictions for dangerous driving.

In Kirklees, those applying for taxi licences between April 2012 and March 2015 had 141 previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with 16 in Calderdale, 217 for having no motor insurance, 96 for driving while disqualified, and 83 for driving while over the limit.

A total of 220 applications from Kirklees in 2014/15 were revealed to have previous convictions, out of 1,298 applications, with a total of 919 previous convictions, according to figures revealed following a Freedom of Information request. In Calderdale, there were eight applications showing 19 previous convictions out of 63 applications.

Separate figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act show 12 drivers in Kirklees were issued a taxi licence despite criminal convictions between November 2014 and October 2015, out of 49 cases heard by the licensing committee.

Previous convictions included violence, burglary, attempted robbery and threatening behaviour.

All applicants for new or renewed hackney carriage or private hire licences must obtain a DBS check.

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/sex-offenders-criminals-apply-taxi-10916889


------------------------------------------
Plymouth

 A TAXI driver who failed to turn up to complete his unpaid work order – after being found guilty of assaulting three female fares – has been told he risks prison if he keeps missing the sessions.

Augustin Marian, of Union Street, was arrested following an incident at Sherwell Arcade in North Hill on August 11 last year.

He was found guilty following trial on December 1 of three counts of assault by beating. The victims were described as three females who were passengers of his Hackney cab.

Marian, aged 33, was handed a community order and told to carry out 120 hours unpaid work over the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation and pay a Criminal Courts Charge of £520.

Marian recently appeared before Plymouth City Council’s taxi licensing committee where they made a decision as to whether he was considered to be a ‘fit and proper’ person to retain a taxi licence.

The council said it was unable to confirm their decision, but revealed Marian had until March 1 to lodge any appeal against the committee’s decision.

At Plymouth Magistrates Court, prosecutor Beverly Wilmott explained how Marian had missed a number of appointments to carry out his unpaid work.

Marian, who was unrepresented, said he showed up at one of the appointments but they rescheduled his appointment. The next time he had worked two shifts as a taxi driver having taken a long distance job and so could not attend.

He explained to magistrates he had a year to carry out the unpaid work, but he also needed to work to put food on the table.

Marian explained he was going to lose his taxi license within the next two weeks and needed to earn money now rather then attend the unpaid work appointments.

The chair of the bench attempted to explain to Marian that he had to attend each appointment.

In response, Marian said: “I know I have to do unpaid work, but I’ve things to do myself.”

The clerk of the court then explained to Marian: “If you don’t do the hours the probation service tell you, then you can be brought back to court and sent to prison – that’s how series it is, okay?”

After a brief discussion, the chair of the bench told Marian: “You have a community order for 12 months and once the hours are complete, you’ve still have the community order.

“We are prepared to allow you to carry on with this order. Should you breach it again, because you haven’t turned up and haven’t given evidence as to why you can’t attend, the chances are you will end up serving a prison sentence.”

Marian was ordered to complete a further 20 hours unpaid work and pay court costs of £50.

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-taxi-driver-assaulted-female-fares/story-28770295-detail/story.html



 

Wednesday 17 February 2016

A LEADING EDINBURGH taxi company is threatening to take the city council to court over a £2.4 million contract awarded to a rival firm.

City Cabs is set to begin legal action after a bidding process to provide the council’s discounted taxi service for severely disabled residents.

Taxicard gives those with a permanent disability a fixed discount on taxi journeys, with the council reimbursing cab firms for the price cut.

Earlier this month, Central Radio Taxis won the contract – worth £600,000 annually – after a lengthy procurement exercise that began in June.

But City Cabs argues the council “breached a number of the fundamental principles of European law” in its handling of the bid. And the company’s solicitors are now calling on the council to “refrain from concluding the contract” and begin the process again – or start a new exercise entirely.

If this was not done by noon today, City Cabs would raise proceedings in the Court of Session “without further notice”. In a letter seen by the News, the firm’s lawyers, 
Morton Fraser, argue the council breached regulations that state authorities must “treat economic operators equally and without discrimination” and “act in a transparent and proportionate manner”.

They insisted the council had “discriminated” against City Cabs, adding: “But for the council’s failures, it is overwhelmingly likely that City Cabs would have been awarded the contract.”

City Cabs put forward a joint bid for the two-year contract – which has the option of being extended for another two years – with Edinburgh City Private Hire.

The company argues Central falls short of the council’s own key criteria by only providing black cabs and failing to deliver on its promised saloon cars – meaning those with disabilities such as hip replacements will struggle as they attempt to step into the higher cabs.

The Taxicard contract was previously shared by six of Edinburgh’s biggest taxi companies, including City Cabs, Central and Edinburgh City Private Hire. By awarding it to just one company at a cheaper rate, the council hopes to streamline the service and save £105,985.

Les McVay, company secretary at City Cabs, said disabled passengers would lose out under the new contract. He argued that the council could have kept the status quo and cut costs in other ways.

He said: “This is the first time we have ever objected to anything. We feel very strongly about this as it has not been handled properly as far as the council is concerned.”

Kevin Woodburn, director of Edinburgh City Private Hire, said he fully supported City Cabs’ formal challenge and revealed his firm would be petitioning the council to change its mind with the support of many of its disabled users.

But Central Taxis boss Tony Kenmuir said the company “stood by” its contract bid.

He said: “We are confident that our proposal to the council will meet the needs of all users of the taxi card service. The council also appear to be confident of that.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The council is in receipt of the letter from City Cabs’ solicitors and will respond appropriately.”

http://www.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-s-city-cabs-threatens-court-over-2-4m-contract-1-4032707


------------------------------------------------
 BIRMINGHAM

 Licence fees for Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers are to be significantly lowered – and in some cases almost halved – after councillors agreed them earlier today (17 February).

The new charges for drivers, vehicles and operators, which will not come into effect until 1 April 2016, were approved by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee.

The reductions – many of which are around 30 per cent – have been made possible due to Licensing’s surplus balance, accrued over previous years.

The committee agreed to use £189,000 of its surplus in order to lower the fees for 2016/17 – with a new three-year Hackney Carriage driver licence reduced from £370 to £250 (down 32 per cent) and new private hire vehicle licence down from £250 to £128 (49 per cent).

Licence fees for Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers are reviewed annually by the council and may increase or decrease depending on the cost of delivering the service in the previous year and the amount on Licensing balances.

The fees are set at a level to ensure that the service achieves full cost recovery.

Cllr Barbara Dring, Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “I am pleased to be able to announce the proposed fee reductions for Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers.

“The new fees are based on a commitment we gave last year to reinvest a third of the carry forward balance each year from the taxi licensing account into the cost of licences.

“Our licence fees in Birmingham are now lower than in many surrounding local authorities and comparable core cities.”

Following the committee’s approval, Birmingham City Council must advertise the proposed fees in a local newspaper for 28 days and consider any objections it receives during that period.

If there are no objections, the revised charges will take effect from 1 April 2016.

ENDS

http://birminghamnewsroom.com/taxi-licence-fees-reduced-for-201617/


---------------------------------------------
BIDDULPH 

 TAXI driver Muhammad Shahzad has been ordered to pay more than £800 – after being caught illegally plying for trade.

The cabbie fell victim to a 'sting' operation by police and council officials in Biddulph where he collected plain-clothed officers.

And taxi drivers in the town say that a number of firms from outside the area will often try and collect customers – in a move they claim is damaging their trade.

Shahzad is licensed by Newcastle Borough Council and is therefore only permitted to collect customers who have not pre-booked from that area.

By collecting the plain-clothed officers in Biddulph, who had not booked, the driver invalidated his insurance.

Now Shahzad, of Cauldon Road, Shelton, has been fined and given six penalty points.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre found the 28-year-old guilty in his absence and he was convicted for plying for hire in an area in which he was not licensed and driving without insurance.

He was fined £150 and told to pay £650 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.


http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Taxi-driver-8217-s-800-fine-police-8203-sting/story-28754058-detail/story.html#ixzz40SYQIyYY

------------------------------------------------



Suspended Rossendale taxi driver Nigel Flynn loses licence appeal

A taxi driver whose hackney carriage licence was suspended has lost his appeal.

Nigel Paul Flynn, 49, of Pennine Road, Bacup, had his licence suspended by Rossendale council’s licensing sub-committee in November after two complaints about his driving standards.

Mr Flynn appealed the decision to Burnley Magistrates Court, however the council’s decision was upheld. The council said magistrates heard evidence from two witnesses and Mr Flynn, and determined that both witnesses ‘gave credible evidence’ stating Mr Flynn’s evidence was ‘not credible’.

Magistrates ordered Mr Flynn’s hackney carriage driver licence be suspended for four weeks with immediate effect and awarded costs of £540 to the council.

Speaking after the court hearing, Coun Colin Crawforth, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “The council must make a decision based on all relevant information and following consideration of all relevant council policies, in this case the magistrates considered the council’s policy and upheld the licensing sub-committees decision.”

http://www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/local-news/suspended-rossendale-taxi-driver-nigel-10881269

-------------------------------------------
BRIGHTON

  A WOMAN was sexually assaulted after getting into a car she thought was a taxi following a night out.

The 24-year-old had been drinking with friends in Brighton and got some food at Buddies in King's Road before getting into a vehicle.

She believed this to be a taxi.

Shortly afterwards, she recalls being sexually assaulted by the driver.

The woman managed to escape from the vehicle and was found in a layby on the morning of December 12 last year in an unknown location by a man who then drove her home.

Today police are appealing for this man to come forward to assist with their enquiries.

The suspect is described as a black man with a wide face and short hair in an afro style. He was wearing a brown or khaki blazer with padded shoulders.

The car is described as having a leather interior with a stereo in the centre, and was well lit.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Anyone seeking to get a taxi is advised to ensure the vehicle is registered before travelling in it."

Anyone with any information about the incident should email police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 383 of 12/12. 


------------------------------------------------------
WALES


Rapists and paedophiles among those who have applied to be taxi drivers in Wales
Claire Miller

Rapists, paedophiles and dangerous drivers are among those who have applied to be taxi drivers in Wales, with one in four applications showing up previous convictions.

And some drivers with previous convictions have been handed licences by councils, it has been revealed.

Among the previous convictions for people applying for taxi licences, revealed through the Disclosure and Barring Service, were three rapes, five convictions for gross indecency with a child and one for attempted incest.


    Across Wales, there were 38 convictions for indecent assault on women aged 16 and over, 20 indecent assaults on girls aged under 14 and one on a boy aged under 14. There were seven convictions for kidnapping across Wales and three convictions for manslaughter.


    Amazingly there were also five convictions for causing death by dangerous driving, and two for causing death by reckless.


    Across Wales, there were 72 previous convictions for dangerous driving.


    Across the local authorities in Wales, those applying for taxi licences between April 2012 and March 2015 had 1,080 previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, 1,755 for having no motor insurance, 968 for driving while disqualified, 714 for taking conveyance without authority and 487 for driving while over the limit.


    A total of 1,288 applications from across the area in 2014/15 were revealed to have previous convictions, out of 4,999 applications, with a total of 8,656 previous convictions, according to figures revealed following a Freedom of Information request.

Convicted drivers

One in four applications for taxi licences in 2014/15 showed previous convictions, down from nearly one in three in 2012/13.

Meanwhile separate figures revealed that 29 drivers in Bridgend were issued a taxi licence despite criminal convictions between November 2014 and October 2015.

All applicants for new or renewed hackney carriage or private hire licences must obtain a DBS check.

Related: The likes of Uber are not the dawn of a brave new world but the old story of big corporations squeezing out the little guy

The figures do not show if applicants were given licences, as councils have discretion over whether to disregard previous offences.

Decisions are made by the licensing committee.

The figures are based on searching for the word “taxi driver” in the DBS system.

The same applicant may have submitted more than one application in the specified time period.
'Highly unlikely'

A spokesman for Cardiff , Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan Councils , who have a shared regulation service, said decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, but it is “highly unlikely that any applicants convicted of serious offences will be granted a licence”.

The spokesman added: “Once licensed all drivers are required to undertake an enhanced DBS check every three years and existing drivers may have their licence suspended or revoked if they obtain new convictions.

“The police notify the council of offences committed by taxi drivers and in the case of serious offences the council has the power to revoke a driver’s licence with immediate effect in the interests of public safety.”

A spokesman for the Welsh Local Government Association said minimum requirements are in place that are “largely standard” to all councils.

And as well as DBS and physical fitness checks councils take “robust enforcement action” against any unlicensed drivers they identify.

http://goo.gl/meukEe






Monday 15 February 2016

PARIS RIDE SHARE HEETCH

In 2014 rideshare App Heetch went live in Paris.
It was not taken too seriously as the trade there were heavily fighting Uber Pool at that time.
The following article was publish in 2014 and shows they boast of having around 50 vehicles available at night.
-------------------------

Meet Heetch, a French ride-sharing app with a twist. Instead of going head-to-head against Uber, Chauffeur-Privé or LeCab in Paris, the company is operating a ride-sharing service that only works at night, mostly when you’re out partying. The company recently raised $500,000 from Via-ID and has been growing steadily for the past 9 months.

“Our users generally take the subway during the day. That’s why we only target people looking for a ride at night,” co-founder and CEO Teddy Pellerin told me in a phone interview.

Heetch is very reminiscent of other ride-sharing apps. You get a ride using the app, and then you can donate money at the end of your ride. There is a suggested price. On average, a ride costs $16 (€12) — it is supposed to be 30 percent cheaper than a cab ride in Paris.

There are now 200 active drivers on the app, but it doesn’t mean that every driver is on the road on a Friday or Saturday night. On a typical weekend night, there are 50 drivers accepting rides. According to Pellerin, the service needs to double this number to have a reliable service.

Here’s the number of rides per week for the past nine months:




http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/24/heetch-is-a-ride-sharing-app-for-late-night-party-goers/


Fast forward now to 1 a.m. Monday 15 Feb and we see a screen shot of the Heetch Cars available in Paris. 
Clucking Bell !! This shows what happens when you underestimate a little bit of competition

 

 

 THE SWINDON taxi market could soon change forever with smartphone-based firm UBER set to arrive in town.

It has emerged the controversial company has been granted a licence to operate in Swindon as it seeks to grow in the UK.

The San-Francisco based company first launched in 2009 and has seen massive expansion in recent years.

Instead of calling for a taxi in a traditional way, UBER customers use an app to book a car and a nearby driver will pick up the call.

Operating in hundreds of cites around the world, the company has seen its popularity increase with users praising its convenience.

The fee is set in advance and can be split between different people. The car can be easily tracked using GPS and a photo of the driver is included with the booking so the customer knows who to look for.

However, many people have questioned the safety of the system, arguing the drivers do not have to undergo the same level of scrutiny before getting a job.

Black cab drivers in London have held a number of protests at UBER’s arrival in the capital and while the company was not available for comment on its Swindon move, it maintains rigorous checks are carried out.

But several Swindon firms have concerns about the impact it will have on the local market, as drivers do not necessarily need to come from the Swindon area.

Ramin Pahlavan, a co-owner at United Radio Cars, said: “We do have some concerns. People like their drivers to know the area but UBER drivers do not have to come from Swindon.

“This means any driver from anywhere can pick up in Swindon. Also, the drivers often do not realise the costs which UBER charge.

“This will lead to money leaving the local economy. As it stands, someone using a Swindon taxi firm pays a Swindon driver and a Swindon firm. This is not the case with UBER.”

UBER also use a process known as surge pricing, which means the cost of travelling during peak periods rises to reflect demand.

The company justifies this by saying it is seeking to ensure those willing to pay more get a better service.

But some companies fear this will lead to customers suffering.

A spokesman for V Cars said: “Competition is a good thing and we are confident of taking UBER on. But if UBER put their prices up between say 7am and 9am, drivers will understandably go and work for them to get a higher price.

“This will mean no other company can respond during this period so the customer ends up paying more.”

All drivers in Swindon must have full criminal record checks and while there have also been concerns elsewhere about UBER drivers, the council says all will abide by the same laws.

A council spokesman said: “Uber will be required to abide by the same regulations and security checks that all other taxi operators in the Borough are subject to, and Uber have agreed to that. They and their drivers will be treated in exactly the same way as every other taxi business.”

The Adver tried to contact UBER but did not get a response.

http://goo.gl/NsGyO1


------------------------------------------

 A CAMBRIDGESHIRE woman was raped as she slept in a taxi cab on her way home after a night out in London, a court heard.

The private hire cab driver has been put behind bars for eight years after being convicted of rape.

Siddiq Muzumder, 33, picked up the victim following a night out with friends in London at Pasha nightclub on April 26, 2014.

Detective Constable Clare Daniel said: “This was a monstrous crime, where the private hire car driver was entrusted to deliver the young woman home. He abused this position.

“The victim has been very strong during the process and has co-operated with every police procedure. A key element to securing this conviction was early reporting of the crime, which enabled us to secure forensic evidence.

“It is this evidence that helped us secure the conviction due to the victim having no memory of the event.”

Cambridge Crown Court heard that at about 1am Muzumder pulled over on the hard shoulder of the M11, about 10 minutes away from the victim’s home, and raped the woman, who was either asleep or unconscious.

He then dropped her off close to her home.

The victim reported the incident the following morning and investigations identified the private hire car firm that the victim had used, which lead to Muzumder’s arrest.

Muzumder, of Roman Road, London, denied rape but was found guilty, by a unanimous verdict, on Tuesday November 10 (2015) and was thi smonth handed his sentence from a judge sitting at Norwich Crown Court.

http://goo.gl/wyQ9Fo


----------------------------------------------

 

Sunday 14 February 2016

GEDLING

 A taxi driver from Gedling has been convicted of plying for hire and having no vehicle insurance.

Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday how Tahir Zia, of Aspley, had picked up a disabled gentleman and his son from outside the Queen's Medical Centre on April 15, 2015. This was outside of the Gedling boundary of which he was licensed.

Zia charged the men £30 for the journey, when a real estimated cost would be £15. The investigation started when the resident made a complaint about the fare.

During the trial, Zia denied he had picked up the passengers despite the complainant recording his license plate and giving a detailed description of his taxi. This was then traced by Gedling Borough Council's licensing team, who confirmed Zia was the owner.

http://goo.gl/Pc14yj

---------------------------------------------
WOLVERHAMTON

 Passenger safety is at risk in Wolverhampton, according to cabbies who are concerned about an alleged lack of training given to new drivers.

According to members of the Wolverhampton Hackney Carriage Association, new drivers are not receiving proper training prior to being given their licence and taxi plates.

The group has written to Colin Parr, licensing manager at Wolverhampton Council.

It is signed by the chair of the WHCDA, the director of Rainbow Taxis, chairman of Associated Taxis, director of Mobility Cabs and a Unite representative. It states that: “The hackney carriage trade has serious reservations about new private hire drivers.

“We feel the public is put at risk and other road users are put at risk.

“Most new private hire drivers cannot speak English and do not know the venues in the city centre, never mind around the other parts of Wolverhampton. Some are not familiar with the road layout in the UK.”

Rob Marris MP for Wolverhampton South West has written to the Secretary of State regarding the problem.

In his letter, MP Marris says: “Some councils in England have rigorous checks on the suitability of prospective taxi drivers as fit and proper persons; other councils allegedly less so. This discrepancy could create a loophole, thereby allowing a rogue to slip through the net.”

Concerns about the training of drivers emerged after the council changed the way it qualifies its drivers. Now they only have to participate in a day-long course.

Previously, drivers have had to complete a full theory test, a practical test and further NVQs to qualify.

Muhammad Nasim, a taxi driver, said: “It is disgraceful. It’s just not safe for customers when drivers depend solely on the satnav, cannot speak English and are not properly trained.”

Mr Nasim wants the council to put all new applications on hold and work to re-instate the original hire test system, including the theory and practical test.

A meeting to discuss the issue was to take place on March 17. However, concerned members think this is far too late.

“They need to do something about this now. Passengers are feeling uncomfortable, drivers don’t know what they are doing and the council is just issuing far too many licences,” Mr Nasim added.

In addition to the training problems, drivers are concerned about the new pedestrianised zone in Queen Street.

The WHCDA said:“We the Hackney carriage trade have lost most of our work from the Market Street taxi rank since the new road layout.

“We propose the Princess Street pedestrian zone should be made available to only carriages, if they have a passenger, not just to cut through the city centre.

“This is in the best interest of public safety and will keep the taxi fare low for the most vulnerable.”

Drivers also expressed their disappointment at the council’s enforcement team, who they believe have failed to stop taxis plying for trade and poaching passengers.

Colin Parr, licensing manager, said: “Our position remains the same. We hold quarterly meetings between the council and the drivers where they can raise their concerns, along with the other items. The changes we made to training were in response to government changing their policies.”

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/02/13/new-wolverhampton-taxi-drivers-dont-know-what-they-are-doing-say-cabbies/


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 UBER IRELAND

THE general manager of Uber in Ireland has denied claims that local taxi drivers will be out of work if the firm brings ride-sharing to the city.

Jude Williams of Xpert-Treaty Cabs based in Davis Street was speaking on RTE’s Today with Sean O’Rourke, and said if Uber was allowed to operate a ride-sharing service in Limerick – allowing regular drivers to pick up passengers for a fee, it could see 20,000 drivers out of work.

But Kieran Harte, rejected this claim, saying: “There are no numbers I have seen that taxi numbers, as the gentleman said, are falling down in matters of weeks. We have been in Los Angeles for five years now, and the ground transportation market has grown by 500% there. Taxis have only felt an impact of less than 10% there.”

“It is hardly controversial,” he added. “It is used if someone who owns a car, and wishes to drive their fellow citizen from point A to point B.”

Uber is well on the way to creating 300 new jobs in Limerick, with the setting up of its ‘centre of excellence’ in Thomas Street, servicing Europe, the Middle-East and Africa.

But Mr Williams said: “If they do come up with the jobs, it’s great news. But they could be putting 20,000 taxis out of work. If they work the way they work in the United States, they will wipe out the taxi industry within weeks, rather than months.”

Uber currently does not operate a ride-sharing service in Ireland – only partnering with some taxi drivers in Dublin.

But Mr Harte says it is something he would love to see here, confirming the firm is in debate with both government, and local authorities.

He also disclosed workers at Uber’s new centre of excellence in Limerick can earn from €30,000 upwards.

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/202656/Uber-boss-denies-taxi-driver-claims.html


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Thursday 11 February 2016

 LONDON

Traffic was brought to a standstill this evening in the centre of London after a black cab caught fire.




The incident happened on King Edward Street at around 6.30pm, outside St Paul's Cathedral.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to the scene to tackle the flames and put the fire out.

Eyewitness Andrew Venning, 30, an actor, who filmed the clip, told the London Evening Standard: 'Lots of people were filming. I went in to get a closer look and it didn't look like there was anyone in the driver seat or passenger side.

'Bus drivers were stood watching and the LFB had to ask police to get them to move their buses forward. A couple drove past the taxi still alight and then City of London police moved people back.

'LFB doused the taxi pretty swiftly.'

The driver had been the only person in the taxi and was not injured.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area. The road has since reopened.


source: daily Mail 
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 STRETFORD

 Hooded yobs rob taxi driver and then fend off Good Samaritan who tries to help victim

CCTV shows the offender lunging for the driver's money, before tackling him to the floor, causing injuries to his face

This is the shocking moment a thug pulls a taxi driver to the ground and robs him in Stretford .

CCTV footage shows the 41-year-old victim walking to a taxi depot on Edge Lane to pay a fee towards running his vehicle.

But as the defenceless driver is walking along the road with cash in his hand, he is then set upon by the hooded yob.

The offender lunges for the money on show, before tackling the driver to the floor, causing injuries to his face.

But as the pair struggle on the ground, a Good Samaritan passing by sees the scuffle and tries to help the victim.

The clip then shows another hooded accomplice coming to the offender’s aid by pulling the kind-hearted pedestrian away from the pair.

The offender then snatches £250 from the taxi driver, before the pair make off.

The incident happened at around 3.15pm on Saturday, January 9. A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged and pleaded guilty to robbing the driver.

http://goo.gl/GxVZvB

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BIRMINGHAM


Taxi drivers are claiming a victory after charges of up to £1,000 a year to serve Birmingham New Street were axed.

The RMT union had been campaigning against what it claims were increased costs for taxi drivers at the newly-redeveloped station.

However, they are celebrating after Network Rail announced it would not be introducing the charges, until after 2017 at least.

Network Rail said the charges were linked to pollution levels but the RMT said they were part of wider rows between drivers and the company in charge of New Street which left taxis unable to access the station.

The RMT said, in a statement: “Acknowledging that the fees that it was trying to charge hard pressed taxi drivers were excessive, Network Rail has been forced to scrap its plans. The union has ensured that no additional fees will be payable by drivers at least until the second half of 2017 and that any additional fees will be by consent following a full consultation.”

The union said a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the union and Network Rail to clarify the relationship in the future.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: “Network Rail treated taxi drivers with contempt by attempting to simply notify drivers of dramatically new and obviously unreasonable terms. Further, it failed to meaningfully consult with the union - its dictatorial conduct being so unreasonable that it drew criticism from Birmingham City councillors and MPs.

“We pay testament to the solidarity that drivers showed, standing together to face down Network Rail. Having successfully defended our members in Birmingham, we will be replicating our action in other cities including Leicester, where drivers are also being hounded – in their case by an out of control mayor.”

However, in response, a Network Rail spokesperson said: “In the short term, Network Rail has put on hold the introduction of a clean-air taxi charging system, scaled according to how polluting each vehicle is. In the future we will continue consultation to introduce this charge as part of Birmingham City Council’s ‘Clean Air Zone’ policy in the city centre.

“Taxi drivers will continue to pay 40p per visit to cover maintenance costs of the facility and a new smart dress code has been introduced to help improve people’s first impressions of the city.”

http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/regional-affairs/taxi-drivers-claim-victory-after-10876710


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LEEDS

A KEY potential witness to an alleged rape has come forward after an appeal.


West Yorkshire Police today issued a public plea to find a taxi driver thought to have vital information about the attack on a 27-year-old woman in Headingley.


The alleged victim contacted officers to say she had been attacked at the Ascot Grange Hotel on Otley Road overnight on January 29.


Detectives issued their appeal after finding CCTV which showed a taxi dropping the woman off after she was picked up along with a man on Lower Briggate in the city centre.


The driver attended Elland Road police station after seeing the appeal in the media.


A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and is on bail pending further enquiries.

http://goo.gl/nvzgnh


------------------------------------------------
DUNDEE

 A drunken 16-year-old boy held a machete to a taxi driver’s neck who stopped and fled his vehicle in fear.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard a second 16-year-old boy then grabbed Mohammad Azbar’s money bag as both youths ran out of the taxi.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson told the court the incident happened on November 7 last year, shortly after one of the boys arrived at a house party on Mossgeil Crescent with a machete.

The fiscal said: “Witnesses described him as hyper with the knife. He was not doing anything threatening but was told to put the knife away.”

He and another 16-year-old boy, both of whom cannot be named for legal reasons, then got into a taxi and the driver noticed they were both under the influence of alcohol.

The fiscal added: “The driver formed the opinion that they were not intending to pay the fare and told them if they did not pay he would take them to the police station.

“They said were not going to pay. One of the boys brandished the machete and held it up to the neck of the driver who immediately stopped the vehicle and ran out, calling out to passers by for help.”

One boy then grabbed the driver’s money bag and both boys ran out of the taxi and back to the party.

They arrived breathless and coins spilled out onto the kitchen floor from one of the youth’s pockets.

Both boys were traced by police to the party, one in possession of a machete and the other in possession of a money bag with a drawstring.

The first accused admitted having a knife, namely a machete, at Mossgeil Crescent, Pitkerro Road, and elsewhere on November 7 last year.

And he admitted brandishing a machete at Mr Azbar on Pitkerro Road, on the same date.

The second accused admitted stealing a drawstring bag containing £50 cash from Mr Azbar, while within a taxi on Pitkerro Road, on the same date.

Sheriff Carmichael deferred sentence until March 9 for social work reports on both youths due to their age.

http://goo.gl/zbP7Vy