USA, SAN DIEGO

Airports are using an alternative to beacon technology in order to manage and improve long-standing issues around taxi queues.

Whilst still using mobile devices to work out passenger flows and how to handle supply and demand of taxis at terminals, New York JFK Airport, San Diego Airport and Brussels Airport have taken a different approach to the beacon-type services that require passengers to have downloaded some form of app.

Instead, any passenger mobile that is using a wifi connection or has Bluetooth enabled can be tracked automatically, giving airport operators the ability to monitor movements, busy periods and then react accordingly.

The platform, known as BlipTrack and run by Danish company Blip Systems, was installed at the San Diego facility after it received complaints from passengers about waiting times for ground transportation.

The system also uses both real-time and historical wait-time data to manage taxi and shuttle van waiting times, essentially allowing airports to allocate resources (including taxis) to better manage pinch points and issues around the airport.
Blip argues that iBeacons are a far less efficient use of mobile tracking because of the app-download requirement, often to the extent that the “penetration rate” is 1% compared to its own system’s 40%.

San Diego Airport, for example, says it now automatically starts working at fixing problematic taxi queue areas (by calling on the taxi dispatch system or sending more staff) when a line exceeds ten minutes for passengers.

https://www.tnooz.com/article/passenger-mobiles-used-to-manage-taxi-queues-at-airports/?
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HULL
Police are trying to trace a Hull taxi driver after reports that a woman was raped following a night out in the city.

The 18-year-old victim had been in the Fuel nightclub on Baker Street, Hull, before she left with a man on Saturday August 20 at around 5.30am.

The pair entered a black taxi and were taken to an address in the Greenwood Road area, where the alleged victim said she was raped. Humberside Police have said the taxi driver is not a suspect.

The suspect was said to be white, around 25 years old, around 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build with short dark hair swept back with gel. He had a beard covering his chin and jaw but no moustache.

Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting log 2209257.


http://goo.gl/3iP14L

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Taxi Drivers in the Scarborough Borough are to be consulted over proposals to introduce a dress code.
The idea which is to be discussed by the borough council's cabinet next week would set a minimum standard for drivers including long trousers or tailored shorts and shirts with collars.

The 'Licensed Driver Dress Code' suggests a minimum standard for men consisting of:

Long legged trousers or tailored shorts a collared shirt which has a full body with either short or long sleeves.

For Women the minimum standard would be :
Long legged trousers, knee length skirt or dress
A collared shirt or blouse which has a full body and short or long sleeves.

Items of clothing that would be classed as unacceptable include:

Shorts that are not tailored or strappy tops
Unclean or damaged clothing or footwear
Words or graphics on any clothing that is of an offensive or suggestive nature or which might offend

Clothing with holes and rips

Sportswear, e.g. football/rugby/cricket kits, track/shell suits, beach wear, etc.

Sandals with no heel straps, flip flops, slippers or any other form of footwear not secured around the heel

Hooded tops or other clothing that obscures the driver’s vision or identity.

Councillor Andrew Jenkinson is a former Taxi driver. He thinks a dress code is important.


http://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/news/local-news/2087484/scarboroughs-taxi-drivers-could-get-a-dress-code/?

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SWINDON

A taxi driver confessed to strangling a young prostitute telling police "I'm a sick f*****", a court has heard.

Christopher Halliwell, 52, admitted he had taken Becky Godden, then aged 20, from the streets of Swindon in Wiltshire, had sex with her and then killed her, jurors were told.

Bristol Crown Court heard that Miss Godden's remains were recovered from a field in Gloucestershire in March 2011 after Halliwell had taken police to the location.

Her head and other part of her body were missing, the court heard.

Halliwell denies murdering Becky.

The jury of six men and six women were told he is currently serving life in prison for the murder of another young woman, Sian O'Callaghan who vanished in 2011.

Miss O'Callaghan's semi-naked body was discovered in undergrowth in Uffington, Oxfordshire, while the remains of Miss Godden were found in Eastleach, Gloucestershire.

While under arrest for kidnapping Miss O'Callaghan, jurors heard that Halliwell told Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher, who was leading the investigation for Wiltshire Police, simply: "We need to have a chat."

Halliwell allegedly went on to tell him: "I am a sick f*****. Is it too late to get help?"

He is said to have informed Mr Fulcher that he would show him the "exact spot" where Miss Godden's body was buried in a shallow grave, adding: "I know you are not a psychiatrist but what the f***'s wrong? Normal people don't go round killing each other."

It is alleged that Halliwell confessed to taking Miss Godden from the streets of Swindon at some point between 2003 and 2005 and strangling her after having sex with her.

The court heard that he then directed officers to Oxo Bottom field in Eastleach, where the skeletal remains of Miss Godden - later identified by DNA - were discovered.

Opening the case, Nicholas Haggan QC, prosecuting, said: "What happened to Rebecca Godden? We, the prosecution, say the short answer to that question is that she was murdered."

"Her naked body was buried in a clandestine grave in a field which might be described as in the middle of nowhere," he said.

"You might conclude that it was plain Rebecca was murdered.

"But secondly, this defendant, Christopher Halliwell, confessed to the police that between 2003 and 2005 - he couldn't be sure of the date - he had taken a girl from the streets of Swindon.

"He told the police he had sex with her and then he killed her by strangling her.

"He told the police he stripped the girl of her clothes and concealed her naked body.

"Not only that but the defendant took the police to the location." 


Rebecca Godden-EdwardsRebecca Godden was working as a prostitute in Swindon when she went missing

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/becky-godden-murder-trial-taxi-8776440?
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A Chelmsford taxi boss wants the city's knowledge test made easier because potential recruits are put off by the current requirements.

But while private hire firm bosses want a relaxation of Chelmsford City Council's exams to meet demand, others want the standard maintained and even made harder.

The proposals will be voted on at a meeting of the city council's regulatory committee, chaired by Councillor Lance Millane, at the Civic Centre on Thursday evening (September 6).

Waqas Hussain, of Lister Tye, who has been working for family-run taxi firm Happicabs for six years, feels potential drivers are put off joining the industry because of the lengthy qualification process.

"We were one of the taxi firms who first put this idea of making the test easier to the council," said the 25-year-old.

"The demand for private hire taxis in Chelmsford at this moment in time is growing and we are struggling to meet that demand and cater for the customers.

"We have got all the technology in the world, but we are having to turn down 30 per cent of our calls because we haven't got enough cars on the road.

"The only thing holding us back is the knowledge test. It can take four months to pass and people don't want to wait that long to get a job.

"Including our Stansted fleet, we have 45 drivers, but we need to get up to 65 to be able to meet the current demand."


http://goo.gl/jkQxhQ

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CAMBRIDGE

Taxi drivers are threatening strike action and launched a petition to save Cambridge station rank fearing “chaotic" scenes and clashes with other road users if it is moved.

Cambridge Hackney Carriage Association, which represents more than 200 taxi drivers, fears changes at the rail station will mean they are being sidelined as transport bosses “pander to cyclists and buses".

The association is being backed by Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner.

Paul Bradley, General Secretary of the association, said: “We are concerned that the public Station Road rank where it always has been near the station is being taken by stealth. It is in everybody's interest for it to remain there and for taxis to have access through the bus gate so they can safely exit away from the Station Road rank instead of the congestion at the new drop off/pick up point which they have allocated to taxis, deliveries and the public all in a little area. I think this will be chaotic and a lot worse than is currently there now.

“There are other options to consider which can work better without pandering to just buses and cycles. We are doing our best to avoid demos and strikes but if we are not listened to and our views at the least considered, I fear this may happen."

He added: “We have started an online petition to 'Save the Station Rd Rank' and hope the public to get behind this too as its their rank and the will be affected greatly too."

The petition says: “They plan to relocate the Station Road public taxi rank to an obscure location. Cambridge Hackney Carriage Association (CHCA), a voluntary organisation, are campaigning to keep the public taxi rank, that has been serving the public for decades.

“The operational taxi rank is currently close to the bus stop, flats, shops and most importantly, it's seconds away from the station doors. That makes it part of the hub. Why is this important? New plans will mean the public will have to walk for several minutes, possibly pulling luggage in adverse weather conditions (rain, cold, snow, etc) to the far end of Station Road where they have to cross a busy junction to get a taxi. Public safety cannot be compromised.

“This will affect everyone including people with disabilities (wheelchair users), the elderly, lone travellers, visitors, tourists, families with young children. Consequently this will affect customer experience and will inconvenience rail users."

http://goo.gl/A0PmYI