Uber Cardiff launch: £34.61 for three-mile journey

Taxi-hailing app Uber has officially come to Cardiff.

Uber, which connects passengers with drivers via a smartphone app, launched on Friday.

It is the first time it has come to Wales after being granted an operator's licence in January and an Uber spokesman said more than 100 drivers had signed up in the city.

Reporter Sophie Gidley tried it out, but was mistakenly charged £34.61 for a 3.24-mile trip after a GPS glitch.
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The head of Uber in Quebec is convinced the provincial government is going to pull the plug on app-based car services.
Jean-Nicolas Guillemette said his company is ready to pull out of Quebec if the demands the province makes on its drivers are too onerous.
Over the past few months the provincial government has floated several ideas about how to regulate Uber, and it seems to be settling on the notion of making Uber drivers rent taxi permits on a day-by-day basis.
That's similar to the by-law enacted earlier this year in Calgary, which requires Uber drivers to purchase a $220 permit every year.
Uber said that fee was too high and stopped operating in that city.
Instead, Guillemette said Uber prefers the legislation passed in Edmonton, which has the company paying 6 cents per each ride taken.
"People need more choice and more affordable choices in Quebec and what will happen if they regulate us in a way that we cannot operate is that again in Quebec we will be the place across North America who pays the most for taxi rides and to move across the city and this is not acceptable so the government needs to think first about the citizens and and not being influenced by the taxi lobby," said Guillemette.

Taxi drivers in Quebec have been pressuring the provincial government to crack down on Uber drivers, saying they should be subject to the same rules and fees as taxi drivers if they want to transport passengers.
Transportation Minister Jacques Daoust reiterated Wednesday that he is planning to table legislation in the coming weeks.
"My plan is still to present a bill before the end of the session, and having it enforced before the end of the session," said Daoust.
"I'm saying you will have to respect the law, they say 'If I have to respect the law, I'm gone,' so it's [their] decision, not my decision."
Mayor Denis Coderre was even more succinct when asked about Uber threatening to leave.
"Bye bye," he replied, and shrugged.
Guillemette said because many Uber drivers only work part-time, many will not drive if the startup costs are too high.

http://goo.gl/Cb2sco
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 UBER USA

 Uber drivers say $84m settlement is too timid

Lawyers for Uber drivers cheered their $84 million settlement with the ride-hailing company this week as a landmark win that will make it easier for drivers in Massachusetts and California to earn a living.

A number of Boston-area drivers who spoke with the Globe, however, weren’t convinced.

To begin with, most didn’t realize that the agreement probably applies to them. Others complained that the deal failed to extract any meaningful concessions from Uber. And while frequent drivers could receive around $4,000, many were upset to learn that they are likely to receive only modest payments of a few hundred dollars, while drivers in California would get about twice as much.

“A friend of mine asked me, ‘What happens with that 100 million? Who gets it?’ ” said Berhanu Shelkute, who drives up to 14 hours a day for Uber. “Not me.”

If it’s approved by a judge in June, the agreement announced Thursday would end lawsuits that claimed Uber misclassified drivers in Massachusetts and California as independent contractors instead of employees entitled to benefits and other protections. The case was led by well-known Boston-based labor lawyer Shannon Liss-Riordan.

Under the settlement, Uber would pay $84 million to drivers — $100 million if the company goes public later on — in proportion to how many miles each drove. The company also agreed to stop removing drivers that refuse too many potential fares from its network, to only “deactivate” drivers for violating specific clauses in a new driver policy, and to stop suggesting to passengers that tips are included in the fares (they aren’t).

Drivers who believe they have been deactivated for no good reason could appeal their cases. They also will be able to join Uber-recognized “Driver Associations,” pseudo-unions that will meet quarterly with Uber.

Massachusetts Uber drivers said those changes were positive, especially the protection from permanent deactivation for having a low ride-acceptance rate. But the biggest problem, they said, remains unaddressed: Uber takes a hefty 20 percent to 25 percent cut of fares that are already too low.

“I’m really unhappy with the rates,” said driver Duane Mitchell, 63. “They’re so low I can barely justify going out.”

Mitchell and most of the other drivers who spoke with the Globe said they are driving more for competitors such as Lyft or Boston-based Fasten, which is aggressively recruiting drivers by promising to let them keep more of the fares. The only advantage Uber offers, they said, is a larger customer base.

Liss-Riordan admitted low driver pay is a problem but said it would have been hard sue just on those grounds. She also acknowledged that each California driver is set to receive nearly double what a Massachusetts driver would get, thanks to differences between the states’ laws and because that case was further along.

Still, Liss-Riordan defended the deal, saying it was the best one possible given the uncertainties of continuing to trial. She argued that it solves several issues drivers have long complained about and noted that the Driver Associations provide a means for drivers to keep fighting for further improvements. The settlement could also increase drivers’ incomes, she said, because it allows drivers to place signs in their vehicles explaining that tips are not included.

Some drivers, however, said signs asking for tips will only anger passengers. They want the Uber app to include an option to add tips, something the company told the Globe it is not considering.

https://goo.gl/pbV64w
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 BRISTOL

 Taxi drivers in Bristol are being urged to convert their engines in a bid to help ease air pollution in the city.

Calor Gas is asking taxi drivers to consider re-fitting their cars to run from Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

LPG is considered a cheaper and greener alternative to petrol and diesel. Tests have shown that LPG run vehicles produce 80 per cent less nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx).

Bristol's air pollution problems are well documented and the Post revealed earlier this year that 200 people a year die as a result of poor air quality in the city.

It is hoped that converting many taxis in the city to LPG will provide a short term solution to Bristol's pollution problems as opposed to a longer term electric or hybrid option.

Paul Blacklock, head of corporate affairs at Calor Gas said: "electric cars and taxis may be the long term future but LPG is for the here and now. Electric may work in five to 10 years, but LPG can make an immediate difference."

"Air quality is a big problem in Bristol and I would urge the council to seriously consider LPG as an alternative to conventional fuel."

"An LPG taxi would also provide a much smoother ride for passengers."

"We're not aware of any taxi's running on LPG in the city in the last few years, but expect to see this increase as Bristol follows the example of cities like Birmingham and London."

The conversion from petrol or diesel to LPG would cost about £8,000 and at present there is no funding available for drivers in Bristol.

But a precedent has recently been set in Birmingham where the government gave financial backing from its Clean Vehicle Technology Fund to convert 80 of the city's taxis to run on LPG.

Mr Blacklock said: "Despite the initial cost, we expect that an average taxi could expect to make their money back within two years due to cheaper prices at the pumps."

The average price of LPG in the UK is currently 55 pence a litre - almost half the price of diesel and petrol.

Tim Lloyd, the former chairman of the Bristol branch of the National Taxi Association says he can see the benefits of LPG but would like to see hybrid taxis becoming popular.

"I think a hybrid would work well because I could use the electric motor for short trips in the city centre and then change to the diesel or petrol motor for longer trips. This would help the air pollution in the city centre."

Calor presented their vision for LPG taxis to members of the Unite union earlier this year.

Unite have said that they are supporting LPG conversions as they believe "it is a quick, easy solution that improves air quality very quickly."

Unite also said: "All drivers at the LPG presentation supported better air quality, whether through LPG conversions or by purchasing a future low emission taxi.

"But there needs to be financial help to drivers to make a real difference."

Calor Gas is the UK's leading supplier of LPG and says their priority is to "highlight LPG to elected representatives and officials in Bristol to help them meet their air quality targets."

http://goo.gl/LPmYvu
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 KEIGHLEY

 A TAXI driver was taken to hospital with a minor neck injury after a two-car crash in Keighley.

A fire crew from Keighley were called to a crash involving a Nissan Micra and his Vauxhall Vectra taxi in Hanover Street at around 8.10pm tonight.

The Nissan Micra crashed into the taxi and turned on its side.

No-one was in the Nissan Micra when the emergency services arrived at the scene.

http://goo.gl/LPmYvu
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 SUNDERLAND

 Fare fights could break out with Wearside’s taxi customers as Uber launches today.

The service is moving into Sunderland as it builds on its trade in the UK.

It is pledging to offer its “most affordable” version of the service with uberX, which is said to be its “low-cost” option and already runs in Newcastle.

A fully-licensed private hire driver can be booked through the cashless app, with a sample fare of £3.50 from Park Lane to the Stadium of Light.

They can see the driver’s photo, name and car reg and watch their four-seater car arrive in real-time.

The company says drivers are licensed through Sunderland City Council and have passed an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

But city firms say while customers like a bargain, Uber’s dynamic pricing – a surge in charges when demand is high – will not find favour.

The council does not have the power to set private hire tariffs.

Trevor Hines is managing director of Station Taxis, which runs 200 cars, a round-the-clock call centre, has 400 self-employed drivers and 34 staff.

Speaking about the competition, he said: “With Uber, its app is pretty basic, and fine if you have no more than four passengers.

“Our app is far better than that because you can book as far as a year ahead, you can pick a four-seater, seven-seater or a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

“It will tell you who your driver is, reg, model of car and even colour.

“We work with Northumbria Police and its Operation Sanctuary, we’ve been here since 1901, all our drivers are experienced and fully DBS checked and we have that customer care.

“I’m not going to say that Uber won’t affect us.

“I think the people of Sunderland are very savvy and know enough when it comes to these surge prices.

“They might get a fare for £1 one day, but they might see that goes up to £6 or £7 next time, and I think if they find that once, they won’t want to again.”

Uber is following in the footsteps of firms with its support for charity, with a promotion with Grace House, with £15 off their first trip and £5 donation.

Chris Yiu, Uber’s general manager, said: “We’re really excited to be launching in Sunderland today.

“Nearly 10,000 people in the city have opened the app in the last 90 days, so we know there is real demand for the service here.”

http://goo.gl/NlM6fi
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 MUMBAI: Taxi apps Uber and Ola may face roadblocks on surge pricing and general operations in Maharashtra after the state transport department recommended a cap on surge pricing and a ceiling of 4,000 vehicles per operator. The state transport department, which is in the process of drafting a new state transport legislation, made the recommendation some months ago and the Maharashtra government will take a call on the issue soon.

Transport Commissioner Shyam Wardhane confirmed nature of the recommendation to ET. "We have asked the state to put a cap on surge pricing. However a final call will have to be taken by the cabinet," said Wardhane.

Maharashtra principal secretary (home) Vijay Satbir Singh told ET a decision will be taken after consulting all stakeholders. "We have got recommendations for a cap on surge pricing the issue is under our consideration and we will soon take a decision on it, " said Singh.

Delhi has already banned surge pricing while Karnataka has cracked down hard on Uber and Ola drivers in Bengaluru. A cap on surge pricing means that Uber and Ola cannot charge more than a prescribed rate during peak hours.

The ceiling on 4,000 vehicles is a far more serious issue as both aggregators will be forced to let go of many drivers if recommendations are adopted. Industry officials believe only Uber and Ola could together be having about 10,000 operators each in Maharashtra — a large, rich and very urbanised state.

The move comes after a demand by anumber of local rickshaw and taxi unions that the government reign in aggregators, as they are not following rules. Uber when contacted said that they would not like to comment on the state mulling a ban on putting a cap on surge prices. Ola did not respond till the time of going to press.

http://goo.gl/6bpJLY
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 CHICAGO (AP) - The city of Chicago is offering financial incentives to encourage the taxi and ride-hailing industries to add more wheelchair-accessible vehicles to their fleets.

There are 170 wheelchair-accessible cabs operating in Chicago. Another 200 will be added by 2018 under requirements being phased in for companies that own taxi medallions.

The city is hoping its incentives will speed that up and put another 100 accessible vehicles on the road by the end of this year.

The incentives announced Friday include doing away with a dispatch fee for wheelchair-accessible taxis. Among other incentives, the city is offering medallion owners a $20,000 subsidy toward the purchase of factory-built accessible vehicles.

Money for the incentives comes from a fund the industry pays into with fees for all trips taken by non-wheelchair-accessible vehicles.




http://goo.gl/yIsMTX
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 BOURNMOUTH

A TAXI driver who "posed a threat to public safety" will pay Bournemouth council more than £1,000 after taking the case to court.

Ayoub Farahmand was one of two drivers banned from picking up fares after a behind-closed-doors town hall hearing in December.

It was heard that the two had repeatedly ignored the night-time road closures at Horseshoe Common in a bid to find customers.

As a result, members of the licensing sub-committee decided the pair were not "fit and proper" to hold a Hackney Carriage Drivers' Licence.

The area was redeveloped into a shared space in 2014, and as a result, a taxi rank close to pubs and nightclubs on Old Christchurch Road was shut between midnight and 5am.

The two drivers with revoked licences were told they could appeal against the decision at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court, or reapply for their licence after a year has passed.

However, on Monday, April 11, magistrates upheld the council's decision to bar Mr Farahmand, and he was ordered to pay costs to the council of £1,254.59.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, chair of the licensing board, said: “I am pleased that the courts have supported our decision to revoke this taxi driver’s licence.

"The new road arrangements at Horseshoe Common have been widely publicised and clearly marked so no drivers can claim to be ignorant of them.

"The licensing board has a duty to protect the public, including those pedestrians in the closed zone, who will not be expecting vehicles in the road at that hour, and are therefore at risk.

"We will continue to enforce the restrictions at this location and will not hesitate to pursue drivers who ignore these lawful restrictions and enter the zone, thereby putting the public at risk.”

 http://goo.gl/iOlTvy