BOSTON USA

The Uber driver behind the wheel of an SUV that slammed into a Beacon Hill building Wednesday has a lengthy driving record that includes numerous license suspensions and seven accidents that he was found to be at fault in, registry records show.

Jean Caillot of Randolph has a six-page driving record detailing 30 years of speeding violations, accidents and safety violations, according to MassDOT.

He has also had his license suspended three times for accruing too many violations and had to complete a mandated driver education course in 2002.

An Uber spokeswoman confirmed Caillot was the driver involved in yesterday’s crash.

https://goo.gl/4tcPK8

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LONDON

From today, passengers will be able to pay for any journey made in a black cab using credit and debit cards, including contactless payments.
Although many of London's black taxis have accepted cards for years, cash has remained the standard form of payment. Now all taxis will have to carry a card payment device, ending uncertainty for customers about how they will be able to pay.

Until next year, card payment devices can be fixed or hand-held, but from January 2017 they will need to be installed in the passenger compartment.

The move, supported by the major taxi associations, is part of Mayor Sadiq Khan's Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, which will make life easier for passengers, improve safety and ensure London has a world-class taxi and private hire market.

The Mayor said: 'While many black cab drivers already provide the service, it's important that Londoners know for certain that they won't have to run to the cash machine before they start their journey.

'Our black cabs provide a unique and invaluable service for Londoners and guaranteed card payment will be good for our black cab industry, and good for passengers across London.'


https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/news-articles/easier-taxi-payments-are-now-on-the-cards?

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Northumbria Police is appealing for witnesses following the collision in Newcastle last night.

It happened just before 9pm when a police Vauxhall Vivaro van and a silver VW Passat taxi were involved in a collision on Barrack Road at the junction with Brighton Grove.

The taxi driver and two passengers, who were travelling in the car at the time of the collision, were taken to hospital and received treatment to whiplash style injuries.

All three have since been released.

Two policemen who were in the police van were taken to hospital with injuries.

Both have since been released from hospital.

Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the collision.

Anyone who saw what happened, or who has any information, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1300 30/10/16.

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/police-officers-among-five-injured-in-crash-with-taxi-1-8209810?

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BLACKPOOL

A lack of charging points for electric cars in Wyre has left a taxi driver feeling powerless. Simon Sharples, 46 has been a driver for 15 years but wanted to go green to protect the environment.

He said he spoke to Wyre Council while researching a new car and was told that electric points were going to be installed in the area for the public, thanks to Westminster funding. But two months after buying a Nissan Leaf, he said he is frustrated with the lack of charging points across the Fylde coast despite Government funding being available.

 He said there was just one effective one in Blackpool – at the Talbot Road car park – and none at all in Wyre leaving him with either a six or 12 mile round trip to power up. Mr Sharples, of Elm Avenue, Poulton, said: “This is a major problem for anyone wanting to be environmentally friendly and move to electric vehicles. “The only useful one is at Talbot Road but they close the car park at times so it is not available 24 hours.

 It is three hours out of my working day and costs £1 for two hours charging but £3 for the parking. “There are three types of charger – slow, fast and rapid. “The slow ones are of no use at all as it can take 10 hours to fully charge your car. “The fast ones take around four hours and the rapid three. 

“Premier Taxis have a rapid one for their Leaf cars but of course that is not open to the public. 

“Because I am a customer I can use the ones at the Nissan dealerships but it is not convenient to drive all that way and then sit there waiting for the car to charge. When my sister and I were researching the Leaf we spoke to Wyre Council and they said they had plans to install them but they have not been taken forward. Lancashire County Council has not installed any either despite the Government supporting the environmental scheme since 2013.

 “I don’t understand why any of the councils are not putting these in at all their car parks.” A spokesman for Wyre Council said confusion had arisen with County Hall as to whether charging points were going to be put in car parks, as they wanted, or at other sties.

 They said: “Approximately 12 months ago we were looking into installing chargers in a number of our car parks, however Lancashire County Council was also seeking funds to install charging points throughout the county. “As a consequence our plans to introduce charging points were dropped. Now we understand that LCC is no longer planning to provide charging units to local authorities for car parks so, we are now revisiting our plans.”

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/taxi-plan-stalls-over-chargers-1-8209365
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Wolverhampton Private Hire Drivers Association (WPHDA) has said its members are to carry out a further ‘go slow’ protest this Friday, following an initial protest that took place on October 20.

This time, the drivers say they are responding to what they claim is the council’s lack of communication with them since the last protest.



http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/10/31/wolverhampton-taxi-drivers-to-hold-further-go-slow-protest/#KXekLF3maB0xjDkK.99

EIRE

Thousands of taxi drivers across the country are expected to stay at home if gardaí go out on strike out of fear they will be "sitting ducks", according to the head of the National Taxi Drivers and Private Hire Association.

Christy Humphrey, general secretary of the association representing 5,000 taxi drivers nationwide, predicted "it will be chaos" for drivers, who fear they will be robbed by criminals taking advantage of the absence of gardaí.

Drivers are also worried there will be "carnage" on the roads because other motorists are more likely to drive in bus lanes and commit other road traffic offences such as speeding due to the lack of gardaí.

He predicted about half of the association's membership would refuse to work on the days gardaí go on strike.

https://goo.gl/5z37vd
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange says Birmingham’s airport can ban guns in a break room used by taxi drivers.

A letter released by the state this week shows that someone affiliated with a cab company complained that authorities posted a “no guns” sign on the door to an airport break room used by drivers.

Strange’s office investigated and determined the sign is legal since the cab company voluntarily agreed to follow rules at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

Strange’s office often reviews complaints about gun prohibitions in public places. A state law which took effect three years ago prompted many businesses and other public to put up signs saying that firearms were not allowed.

https://goo.gl/1pMYsE
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CHARNWOOD

LOCAL taxi drivers have been given reassurances that all hate crime is taken seriously following a rise in incidents post-Brexit.

Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire Police and Human Rights & Equalities Charnwood came together to host an event on raising awareness of hate incidents.

There were talks and information on how to report incidents and a good turn out of local taxi drivers, particularly from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Their job exposes them particularly to unpleasantness and abuse.

Concerns were shared and the police and council gave reassurance that all hate crime is taken very seriously.

Varsha Parmar, executive officer at Human Rights & Equalities Charnwood, said: “This sort of stuff was always around but post-Brexit I think it has definitely got to a point where people think they can say and do anything they want.

“It can be quite a problem among taxi drivers and some of them feel that it’s pointless reporting it but we want to highlight the issue and encourage more people to report any incidents they have to challenge what is happening.

“They shouldn’t feel like they have to put up with it.”

Sally Penney, community safety officer at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “People were able to talk to us about their experiences and ask questions which we were happy to answer.

“We work in partnership with Leicestershire Police and local services to raise awareness of hate incidents and want to encourage people to report it if they have been a victim or a witness.”

You can report hate incidents by calling the Police on 101, contacting the Community Safety Team on 01509 634522, or report online at www.stamp-it-out.co.uk


https://goo.gl/IJaACJ
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LEEDS

Following abuse scandals in Rotherham, Leeds City Council decided to review its taxi licensing regulations.

It resolved to make annual Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks across 14 months, and began processing these for more than 6,000 licence holders in November 2015.

The Licensing Committee also decided that checks should be conducted not only at the point of renewal of a licence or where a concern was raised, but also more randomly.

An update on checks is due to be presented during the next Licensing Committee at 10am tomorrow in Civic Hall.

A report drafted for councillors in advance reads: “A range of unreported convictions and police cautions have come to light as progress has been made on the implementation of the annual DBS policy.

It later adds: “Of the 5,123 who have now returned their disclosures to the service, there have been 61 convictions or cautions revealed which had not been reported to the service.

“To date four decisions to revoke driver licences have been taken, with others cases receiving formal written warnings and/or training requirements, along with other decisions pending and awaiting further information.”

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: “The safety of taxi and private hire passengers travelling in Leeds is always our primary concern. The contents of the report will be considered by licensing panel on Tuesday who will make the appropriate recommendations.”

The council notes that the amount of drivers of who have had licenses revoked is 0.08 per cent of all those checked.

https://goo.gl/TT0Jmk
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HOLY ISLAND

The cabbie who thought he was in a water taxi: Drone captures Uber driver being completely swamped after getting caught by the rising tide at Holy Island

https://goo.gl/hLufpF

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BELFAST

A TAXI driver was forced into the boot of his car before an armed robber made off with money, police said.

He was accosted by the masked man in the early hours of Sunday on the Knockbracken Road in Castlereagh, on the outskirts of south Belfast, as he sat in his parked vehicle in a lay-by.

The gunman demanded cash and struck him on the head.

Police said the robber forced the victim into the boot before making off with money in a red Seat car with a second man.

A spokesman said: "The driver was left badly shaken after the incident."

Police appealed for anyone who noticed suspicious activity to contact detectives in Lisburn or Crimestoppers anonymously.


https://goo.gl/Iv08EB

--------

FARNWORTH

A FAMILY was been left shaken after youths hurled a rock through the window of a taxi they were travelling in.

The group of two adults and four children were on their way to a fundraising night at St Gregory’s Social Club, in Church Street, Farnworth, on Friday night when a rock smashed through the back passenger window – narrowly missing a four-year-old’s head.

Luckily the family escaped uninjured, however were left shaken by the incident, which happened in Bolton Road, at the junction with Pilkington Road, Kearsley, at around 7.10pm.

The rock, which was described as the size of a fist, shattered the window of the S&D Taxi’s Mercedes Vito.

The mother, from Clifton, who was in the taxi with her husband and her children aged between 14 and four, said witnesses saw a group of six teenagers in hoodies standing nearby when the incident happened.

She said: “Shards of glass covered all of us and it took a few seconds to register what had actually happened.

“It was centimetres away from hitting my son’s head and he’s been really scared since, he keeps asking if they’re going to come back and smash our windows so it’s really affected him.

“People think it’s just a bit of fun but it could have ended differently if it hit my son or even if any glass got in our eyes.”

There was no one at S&D Taxi able to comment on the incident.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.

https://goo.gl/UjFGIU

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SHEFFIELD

A police investigation has been launched after a 25-year-old woman was reportedly raped after getting in a taxi leaving Sheffield city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident is believed to have occurred at about 4.50am in the Duke Street area of Sheffield.

Temporary Detective Inspector Graham Stead, said: “We believe the woman got into a taxi from the city centre, close to West Street, and was taken to the Duke Street area, where the offence is said to have occurred in the car.

“An investigation is now underway and we have a dedicated team of officers working on this.

"This is being treated as an absolute priority and we are already pursuing a number of strong lines of enquiry.

"A thorough review of CCTV footage of the area, including the route we believe the taxi took, is also now underway.

“The woman is being supported by specialist officers and I’d urge anyone who has any information about what happened to contact us.

“If you can help, or have any concerns, please call 101 quoting incident number 235 of October 23, 2016.”


https://goo.gl/i2rDYq

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Council bosses in South Tyneside are to call on the Government to close a loophole which allows people who are banned from driving taxis to drive minibuses instead.

The council’s licensing committee say they were “disturbed” by the difference in regulations between the licensing of taxi drivers and drivers of nine-to-16 seater vehicles known as Public Carriage Vehicles (PCVs).

Licensing manager Jeff Young said taxi drivers are licensed by the council and need to undergo a criminal record check every three years.

But PCV drivers are licensed by the DVLA for whom the “standard of checks are significantly lower” with no criminal record checks.

Mr Young said the difference meant drivers deemed “not fit and proper” to drive taxis could be driving the minibuses instead.

He said one example from South Tyneside involved a man who, after twice being refused a taxi licence, drove his car through a barrier to confront the council officers who opposed him.

He is now driving a 16-seat mini bus for a local taxi company, Mr Young said.

The officer said the man is one of two cases which are causing the council concern but there could be others the authority does not know about.

Coun Anne Hetherington said: “We should raise the profile significantly of this. The safety of our residents is paramount.”

Mr Young said the Department of Transport believes criminal record checks are not required for minibus drivers as they carry a number of passengers at a time so the “risk is reduced to an acceptable level”.

But Coun Doreen Purvis said minibuses used by taxi companies were used to pick up single passengers when other vehicles weren’t available.

The committee agreed to write to the secretary of state for transport to raise their concerns “in the strongest possible terms”, write to local taxi operators and ask the full council to consider a motion on the matter.

https://goo.gl/NeV9CX
----------------------------------------
DERBY

Any changes made to Derby's taxi licensing system will be quickly reversed if the Tories are voted into power, a leading Conservative councillor says.

Oakwood councillor Mick Barker responded to claims by Labour's Baggy Shanker that the licensing process must be changed to protect vulnerable people, including children, following the revelations of child abuse in taxis in Rotherham.

Mr Barker argued the council had tightened its procedures since the problems in Rotherham were brought to light in the Casey report last year.

Derby City Council is seeking public views on its taxi licensing regulations following the publication of a public interest report that exposed failings leading to licences in Derby being awarded to criminals who were not "fit and proper" to obtain a badge.


The authority says it aims to take licensing power away from councillors and put it in the hands of council officers, who would operate a points-based system when handing out licences.

https://goo.gl/yhJLVy

A taxi firm is aiming to steal a march on rivals Uber in Manchester by offering rides across the city for under £3.

Gett, an on demand taxi app similar to Uber which uses licensed black cabs, is introducing a special £2.80 deal for customers travelling across the city centre from Thursday, October 20.

Bosses say the deal is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as long as they book via the firm’s app and click on the ‘Gett Promo’ icon and they pay by card.

They say an example of a journey which will qualify for the special deal includes travelling from Old Trafford to Victoria station.

The company first launched in 2010, in competition with similar apps Uber and Hailo.

Gett drivers collect customers who are registered with their mobile app.

The app allows people to hail the taxis using their phone, paying automatically from their bank accounts.

Earlier this year Gett bought long-established black cab firm Radio Taxis in a multi million pound deal, in a bid to further expand its reach.

The firm now operates in more than 70 cities across the world, and bosses say that in London more than half of black cab drivers are now running on Gett.

A statement released by Gett reads: “Gett, the global on-demand transportation and lifestyle app, is introducing £2.80 rides throughout Manchester after it was named one of the most progressive cities in the UK, with the largest tech cluster and growth outside of London.

“Gett would like to celebrate black cabs being an integral part of the digital revolution by introducing everyone to safe and comfortable travel in a licensed taxi around the city.

https://goo.gl/6vHyqL

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A taxi drivers’ union is planning to take legal action against Dundee City Council in a row over wheelchair accessible vehicles.

GMB Scotland has made the decision amid a three-year dispute with the council.

The current system — which the GMB describes as a “two-tier workforce” — requires some drivers to buy wheelchair accessible vehicles, which start at £19,000, whereas other drivers are allowed to buy a vehicle from as little as £1,000.

GMB officer Drew Duffy said: “Dundee City Council seem to be happy with this two-tier system — all we want is a level playing for all taxi drivers.

“We have drivers who were operational prior to changes in 2003, who could purchase any vehicle. Then after Dundee City Council changed their policy on new taxi operators, drivers had to purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles.

“The problem is some of these drivers, prior to the changes in 2003, have now retired but their badges are still active.

“Their vehicles are operating in the city driven by other drivers, so they don’t have to adhere to the changes in the law. I believe this represents around 40% of the taxi drivers in Dundee.”

Licensing committee chairman Stewart Hunter said he understood the frustrations of the taxi drivers but insisted the committee has to decide what is best for the public.

He said: “We have a policy at the moment where the fleet is mixed. I understand their frustrations because it is costing some drivers more than others to buy vehicles.

“But our focus, first and foremost, is what is best for the Dundee public and they want a mixed fleet. We had a consultation around four years ago with disability groups, which the taxi liaison group were present at. We tested out a series of different vehicles and it was apparent that not all passengers were able to access a disabled vehicle which is why we decided to operate a mixed fleet.”

But Drew said: “I would argue that Edinburgh and Glasgow already operate a service where all taxis are wheelchair accessible so I can’t understand why we can’t. We have a date set in November for the case but I hope we can reach a decision prior to this. All we ask is the council to review the system currently in place.”

https://goo.gl/Rixukm

----------------------------------------------------
HULL

Hackney Carriage taxi drivers are threatening to double their fares after being told they must take a different route when picking up passengers from the rank.

The Chairman of Hull Hackney Carriage Association Peter Nilsson says taxi drivers will fight Hull City Council after the authority stopped them turning right out of their rank near Paragon Station.

The changes came into force three weeks ago, forcing all 170 registered cabs to travel left down Ferensway, which drivers say will increase congestion on the already busy road. Before, taxi drivers could go either left or right.

Following a meeting with council officials yesterday, Mr Nilsson said if it does not go back to how it was originally, fares would increase and drivers would strike in a two-hour protest.

He said: "It's the same old story. Losing the right-hand turn will put up our costs by 50 per cent. As drivers we don't want that and it will be the council that are driving the prices up."


https://goo.gl/b0kWbr

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YORK

TAXI operators have raised further concerns about drivers from outside the city operating in York.

They claim operators are travelling from Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and elsewhere to pick up fares, mainly on weekends, in part due to a lack of enforcement but also due to a new company starting up in York.

Keith Hatfield, director of York Station Taxis, met the council last week and said changes to council policy meant it was easier for other companies to work in the city.

He said: “We’re not afraid of York competition that’s what we’re after, that’s fine. But as long as it’s a level playing field, that’s all we’re asking for.

“They can join Uber from York, we don’t have a problem with that, but these people haven’t gone through the local knowledge test, which takes quite a while. I know people who’ve been waiting to get through that for nine months, it’s a tough test, but makes you a better driver.”

Mr Hatfield said some Uber drivers had refused to move from Hackney ranks while waiting for a pickup, and “we have had to put rank marshals to move them”.

Dave McTernan, from Getaway Cars in York, said “dozens of out of town cars are patrolling the streets of York and working night and day”, and called it “a bad situation”.

He said: “It’s not being dramatic to say it’s out of control.

https://goo.gl/Rocs8m

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LIVERPOOL

A taxi driver may permanently lose access to Uber after a passenger claims her and her daughter were left stranded because he spotted they had a guide dog.

This is not the first time Claire Currie, from Mossley Hill, in Liverpool, has been refused a taxi because of her guide dog Purdey.

The mother-of-four, who used to be a teacher, has a genetic condition leaving her with extremely limited vision, which she described is like ‘seeing through a straw’.

Her dog Purdey was helping her take her 15-year-old daughter to an appointment at Alder Hay Children's Hospital.

But the incident has left her feeling shaken and she is worried it has knocked her daughter’s confidence too, after she is starting to be affected by the same condition.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo Ms Currie said: ‘I have a condition which means my vision is extremely restricted - it’s the equivalent of looking through two straws - so I like to use the app as it’s really accessible.

‘We’ve been refused access to taxis before now, but I’ve never experienced it with Uber. Usually drivers are really helpful and they’ll move the seat back to make space for the dog and make sure that everyone is comfortable.


https://goo.gl/5DDCVf

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BARROW

New guidelines have been approved spelling out when former offenders can become taxi drivers in Barrow.

A policy review for licensing hackney carriages and private cars has been completed and given the green light.

According to the policy's wording, offenders convicted of murder, manslaughter, rape, and other serious crimes will have their application refused "unless there are exceptional circumstances".

The Barrow Council's Executive Committee said its policy on taxi licensing had to be updated following the child abuse scandal in Rotherham, and the role taxi drivers played.

Former offenders applying for licences will have to wait a period of time from when they were first convicted, or from their release if they were sent to prison.

People convicted of indecent exposure or soliciting would have to wait between five and 10 years before their application would be considered.

Arsonists, violent offenders and those convicted of racially aggravated crimes would also have to wait five years.

Committee chairman Councillor Dave Pidduck said: "As a council we have to make sure that all our policies are up to date.

"These are changes in that policy to reflect the modern situation."

Councillor Brendan Sweeney and Cllr Pidduck both commented on the difficult task it was to draw a line in the sand for offences.

Cllr Sweeney said: "I think the licensing committee spend a lot of time looking at the individual cases. You have to draw the line between a mistake that someone made in the past or if there is no risk.

"Some one has to be able to make a living."

Cllr Pidduck spoke of how taxi drivers should not be exempt from safeguarding regulations.

He said: "Safeguarding is so important now. They are in a position of trust."

The new policy will also introduce changes to make sure taxi drivers are fit to drive.

New applicants will have to provide a medical certificate showing they are fit. Drivers over the age of 55 will be required to prove they are fit to drive every three years.

Drivers will also be required to complete a one-off knowledge test on the area, their understanding of the highway code and numeracy.

Some taxi drivers have supported the changes however there has been criticism these changes, and the charges they incur will push drivers out of the business.

In a public consultation, an anonymous taxi driver wrote: "I feel that I don't see why we should have to pay to prove that I can do my job."

Drivers will also have to require a DVSA driving assessment, however, this is no longer provided in Barrow - the nearest assessment centre is in Lancaster.

As a solution, Cllr Sweeney has called for an enterprising local business to start providing this service, he said: "There is a clear commercial opportunity for a local firm to take that up."


https://goo.gl/fTsKTR

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT...17 OCT 2016.

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IF you order an Uber in Manchester then you’ll be able to pay in cash, as the city becomes the first in Europe to accept cash payments.

At present, users register a debit or credit card through the smartphone app and payments are taken electronically at the end of the journey.

The cash option has already been trialled in Singapore in a bid to attract more customers and the private hire firm is now expanding the scheme to the UK.

A spokesman from Uber said: “We’re excited to announce that Manchester is one of the first cities – and the first one in Europe – to offer cash as a payment option for all riders in Manchester.

“No need to do anything different than you are used to, just open the Uber app today, select cash as a payment option and request a safe, convenient and affordable ride at the tap of a button.

When you arrive at your destination your driver will collect the fare and return any change.”

The spokesperson added that they have no plans to expand the scheme, at the moment.

The company launched in the UK back in 2012 and has seen thousands of customers downloading the app each day.

Users order a taxi to their location and can choose from a range of cars.

Prices can vary depending on the time of day, location, weather and traffic.



https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1998755/now-you-can-pay-for-your-uber-in-cash-if-you-live-in-manchester/

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A self-driving taxi being trialled in Singapore has had its first accident.

nuTonomy, the firm behind the scheme, said the car had clipped a small lorry while driving at about four miles per hour.

It played down the incident as a "small prang", saying only minor damage was caused and that neither of the two engineers on board were hurt.
The Singapore scheme, which began in August, was the first around the world trialling driverless taxis.


The nuTonomy spokesperson said that given this was a trial, small accidents were not unexpected and that the idea of the testing was to learn from what went wrong.

The project is using six small Renault and Mitsubishi electric vehicles, equipped with the company's software and cameras. Each has a system of lasers which operate like a radar to monitor the car's surroundings.

But while the vehicles are doing the driving themselves in a small area of the city, drivers are there to monitor the performance and as a backup in case something goes wrong. Currently the vehicles are not taking paying passengers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37689726

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A Glasgow taxi driver has been fined £400 after hitting a cyclist, who later died, with his driver's door.

Joseph Connelly, 54, parked his black hackney on Keppochhill Road on 20 May 2015 and opened the door as David Thomson was passing on his bike.

Connelly hit the pensioner who fell off his bicycle and suffered severe head injuries.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the 67-year-old, originally from Dundee, was taken to hospital but died later.

Connelly, from Garnethill, Glasgow, pled guilty to opening the door while it was parked "to the endangerment and injury" of Mr Thomson.
'Swerved round'

When questioned at the scene, Connelly said "He didn't hit the door, he swerved round it and lost control."

His lawyer said Connelly had initially thought he had not hit Mr Thomson and believed it was his satchel bag that clipped the door.

Fining Connelly, Sheriff Celia Sanderson said the incident was "tragic" and she noted her "surprise" at the charge Connelly faced.

She pointed out he had not been charged with causing Mr Thomson's death.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-37691400

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BRISTOL

A man who falsely imprisoned two young women after posing as a taxi driver has been jailed.

Anthony Steven Cox, 53, of Salisbury Street, Bristol admitted picking the women up at a taxi rank on Corn Street, Bristol at approximately 5am on Sunday, 8 May.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of false imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court today (18/10) where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and made the subject of a five-year restraining order which prohibits him from parking in a taxi rank and from being in a vehicle alone with any unknown women.

The women, both aged in their early 20s, got into Cox’s silver Ford Focus after he agreed to take them home for a fixed price.

When one of the women asked how much she owed for her part of the journey he told them he wasn’t a taxi.

The pair then repeatedly asked to leave the car and even opened one of the doors as Cox drove around a roundabout, only for him to ignore their requests.

He eventually slowed to a stop, allowing the women to jump out.

One of Cox’s victims then took a photo of his car on her phone before calling the police.

ANPR cameras later caught Cox’s car on Old Market, Bristol at 6.25am where he was arrested.

Investigating officer Dai Nicholas said: “This was a very frightening and distressing experience for these two young women who thought they were getting into a registered taxi.

“They deserve immense credit both for their bravery in attending court and for their quick-thinking in taking a photo of Cox’s car which led to him being apprehended shortly afterwards."

https://goo.gl/mT8pIR

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EDINBURGH

A pedestrian suffered face and chest injuries after a man on crutches jumped out of a taxi and attacked him.

The victim had just left a pub on Main Street in Newtongrange, Midlothian, on Sunday evening when the suspect got out of a private hire taxi and confronted him.

The man, who was using two crutches, attacked him before getting back in the taxi and leaving the scene.

The "shaken" 53-year-old victim went to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was treated for facial and chest injuries.

Detectives have appealed for any witnesses to come forward, stressing they are keen to trace the driver of the silver private taxi.

The suspect is described as a white man who is around 5ft 10in with a heavy build. He has blue eyes, a bald head and is in his late forties.

https://goo.gl/x0sTMx

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Brentwood taxi drivers are losing out because Uber drivers are using taxi ranks, according to the owner of a firm in the town.

Uber, an American company that uses a smartphone app to connect cars for hire with people wanting to get around, now operates in 516 cities worldwide, including London and the counties surrounding it.

The cars are not licensed to pick use taxi ranks but Stephen Smith, who owns Brentwood Station-based Treble Twenty Cars and Couriers, said that is exactly what they are doing.

"They are not licensed to sit on ranks in Brentwood and people in Brentwood could get in an Uber not knowing that it isn't a proper taxi," he said.

"It's only a problem on Friday and Saturday nights because Uber drivers know there is an opportunity there with people at the Sugar Hut so they are all coming to Brentwood.

"That's fine apart from the fact that they shouldn't be sitting in taxi ranks trying to be taxis."

Mr Smith said the problem has been evident in recent months and he expects it to get much worse heading towards Christmas as more people will be going out at night.

"If we don't do something about it now it will get much worse," he said.

"The problem is that there isn't much enforcement and the enforcement officers aren't working when they are doing it because it's at night.

"I expect the problem to increase because Uber are spreading out of London more and more as time goes on."

https://goo.gl/pQoxCz

TRAFFORD

A Taxi driver has been ordered to fork out almost £600 after duping a football fan into paying double fare from Old Trafford to Manchester Airport – which he had claimed was the passenger’s idea.

Hackney carriage driver Farzin Kheshvari has been convicted of overcharging a customer he picked up earlier this year.

The victim, a football fan, had travelled with his son to watch Manchester United versus Arsenal back in February and hailed a cab to head back to Manchester Airport after the match.

Kheshvari refused to put the fare on his meter but instead insisted on a fixed fee of £35 upfront for the journey. If 8.3 mile journey had been on the meter, it would have cost approximately £19.

The passenger felt he had been taken advantage of and lodged a complaint with Trafford Council. Kheshvari initially refutes the claims, maintaining that it was the passenger who had insisted on paying £35 for the journey.

Kheshvari pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates on October 7. He was fined £80 for failing to engage the taxi meter, £40 for charging more than the metered fare, ordered to pay costs of £453 and a victim surcharge of £20.

Cllr John Reilly, executive member for economic growth, environment and infrastructure, said: "This conviction reinforces the Council's commitment to protect members of the public. The general public should be able to trust taxi drivers to comply with the rules and regulations and not to take advantage of them.

“The council has adopted byelaws that compel hackney carriage drivers to put fares on the meter when the destination is within the Trafford area or within four miles of the Trafford boundary, as is the case with the airport.

“The council investigates all complaints against licensed drivers, whether they are private hire or hackney carriage drivers, and will continue to enforce against those abusing their position of trust."

Kheshvari will now be referred to the council’s licensing sub-committee and may face further sanction.

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/14806931.Fined__Football_fan_taken_for_a_ride_by_overcharging_taxi_driver/

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LONDON DEMO

Furious commuters have hit out at black cab drivers after a protest over the “destruction” of the capital’s taxi trade left them stranded in central London during a downpour.

Drivers parked their cars outside Palestra House, opposite Southwark Tube station, as part of the demo against issues including “deregulation of the taxi trade” and complaints over rules surrounding minicabs.

Video posted on social media showed hordes of vehicles crawling past the building on Blackfriars Road as bus routes were diverted away from the area over fears of delays and congestion.

The protest blocked roads around Southwark and Waterloo station, with some passers-by reporting that an ambulance struggled to make its way through the protest.

Twitter user Bethany Lovell described “gridlock” at Waterloo.

She posted a picture of the ambulance pulling into a traffic jam close to the iMax cinema with the caption: “[Traffic] still at a standstill, even @Ldn_Ambulance can’t get through.”

Others described chaotic scenes as they tried to make their way home from work during a torrential downpour.

Jordon Butt tweeted: “Irony: when your bus is 40 mins delayed due to a taxi demo so you consider getting an UBER home.”

Victoria Smith added: “I set off from work over 1.5 hours ago and still stuck in #traffic #taxidemo #demonstration #london #nothappy.”


http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/commuters-outrage-after-black-cab-protest-sparks-gridlock-a3371551.html

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

MYTaxi/ HailO, rebrand

Taxi app Hailo has taken on Teneo Blue Rubicon to lead PR and public affairs ahead of its upcoming renaming as mytaxi, PRWeek has learned.

Hailo, which operates in the UK, Ireland and Spain, announced in July its merger with mytaxi, which operates in Spain and six other continental European countries.

The combined entity, with 70 million passengers and 100,000 drivers across 50 cities, will be known as mytaxi, and will be led by Hailo CEO Andrew Pinnington, with mytaxi founder Niclaus Hewes taking a seat on the board. It will be headquartered in Hamburg.

A statement from the company said: "Following the news that Hailo is joining forces with mytaxi to create Europe’s number one taxi app, we’re pleased to announce that Teneo Blue Rubicon has been appointed to lead on public affairs and PR strategy in the UK.

"Its first assignment will be playing a crucial role in the launch of the mytaxi brand in the UK."

The agency started working with Hailo last month.

The organisations have some history of working together - in 2012 Hailo took on Surname & Surname, a now-folded offshoot of Blue Rubicon, to handle its consumer PR.

Blue Rubicon has since been reorganised as Teneo Blue Rubicon following its acquisition by US group Teneo last year. Since that announcement, it has won a string of major clients including Diageo, Kingfisher and Halfords


http://www.prweek.com/article/1412311/teneo-blue-rubicon-appointed-oversee-taxi-app-hailo-rebrand-merger

-------------------------------------------------
GLASGOW

Police are appealing for the victim who fled an attack in a taxi in the east end of Glasgow to come forward.

Detectives have launched an investigation following a serious assault in Carntyne in the early hours of Sunday.

The victim was injured in a disturbance at a house in Penicuik Way at around 4am.

The man, believed to be in his mid-20s to early 30s, suffered a head injury but did not contact the emergency services and instead got into a taxi and was dropped off in Penilee.

Officers are keen to speak to the man to ensure he is safe and well. He is described as white, with a slim build, around 5ft 6in or 5ft 7in with short dark hair.

He was wearing a black leather bomber jacket and dark coloured jeans.


http://stv.tv/news/west-central/1370160-attack-victim-who-fled-in-taxi-urged-to-contact-police/

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

A woman who was sexually abused as a teenager by her school taxi driver says victims need to “keep telling people” until someone listens and offers help.

Esther Hoad, who has waived her right to lifelong anonymity, was sexually abused by Evan Heddwyn Jones - the man who drove her every day in that role.

Jones, 71, of Harford, Llanwrda, in Carmarthenshire, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault. He was sentenced to three years in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Monday and will be placed on the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life.

Esther, who grew up in the Ffarmers Village area of Carmarthenshire , is now 53.

She said she was abused by Jones in the 1970s when she was aged between 14 and 16.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/woman-sexually-abused-teenager-school-12036540

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

NEWCASTLE

Taxi comparison and booking app Karhoo has launched in Newcastle as it takes the fight to cab disrupter Uber.

Many traditional taxi firms are struggling to compete with online firms such as Uber and Lyft, where passengers can book and pay via an app.

Uber gives customers the driver’s name, location, car make and registration of their transport, with most vehicles arriving within minutes.

Karhoo describes itself as a vendor-neutral platform for licensed and accredited taxi firms and allows passengers to compare cabs by price, proximity and vehicle style.

The firm now has a network of 120,000 cabs in the UK with a presence in London, Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Derby, Bristol and Liverpool.

It launched in Newcastle today with 75 per cent of the city’s taxi and private hire market on its books including Budget Taxis, Five Star Taxis, Walker Taxis, Street Cars Taxis, Redline Taxis and East Coast Taxis.

http://www.businesscloud.co.uk/news/taxi-comparison-app-to-rival-uber-launches-in-newcastle

Questions in Parliament. Friday 14 October.

Minister says NO to restricting PH Vehicle Numbers.

A Liverpool taxi driver appeared in court accused of raping a woman in Aintree.

Lee Yuen faces two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after the alleged attack in the early hours of Sunday, October 9.

The incident is said to have happened at around 3:45am after the victim was picked up in Liverpool city centre.

Shaven-haired Yuen, 36, of Railbrook Hey, Old Swan, appeared in the dock at South Sefton Magistrates Court wearing a grey hooded top.

He spoke to confirm his name and address but did not enter a plea.

Yuen was granted conditional bail by magistrates and the case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court.

He was ordered to report to St Anne Street police station daily and tagged to stay indoors between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

Magistrates also told Yuen he must not ply for fares or carry out any work as a taxi driver while on bail.

He was ordered not to approach or contact the complainant or any witnesses in the case.

He will next appear in court on Friday, November 11.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-taxi-driver-appears-court-12029913?

-----------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL

Lime Street was open as normal today after a huge emergency service response to a crash involving a taxi and police car.

Multiple officers plus police cars both marked and unmarked turned up to the scene late on Saturday night alongside a police van, two fire engines, two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle crew.

The major city centre route was closed at about 10.30pm and there was no left turn onto the road from Saint George’s Place until the incident was cleared.

The taxi driver involved in the incident told the ECHO: “I was just driving along the road when a police car suddenly turned right and pulled out in front of me.

“The girl in the back of the car didn’t have her seat belt on and ended up hitting the floor, she had an injury to her head.

“I don’t actually think there would have been all this caper, if it wasn’t a police car involved.”

Police officers who remained at the scene said the girl had returned home later that evening.

Both vehicles suffered minor damage but the cabbie was able to drive his taxi away from the scene.

Reports on social media suggested that one of the cars may have hit an electric box outside of the train station which caused a blackout inside the building.

The road is understood to have re-opened just after midnight.


http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/lime-street-re-opens-after-12032509?

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HUDDERSFIELD

A taxi driver who sexually molested a drunken passenger in the back of his car has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Leeds Crown Court heard Mubashir Butt collected the woman from Brighouse and was driving her to Kirkburton in Huddersfield on the evening of October 9 last year when an issue arose about paying the fare.

He told her: “I don’t think you have enough money to pay for this taxi – you can pay in different ways.”

Christopher Smith, prosecuting, told the court yesterday the woman told him that suggestion was not acceptable and asked him just to drive her home.

While driving along Penistone Road he did not take the turn she expected towards where she lived but continued on to a petrol station.

CCTV showed him parking up close to the exit, getting out of the driver’s seat and getting in the back of the taxi.

The headlights illuminated suggesting he had locked the car once he was inside. His victim tried to get out but discovered she could not. She was wearing a tight low cut dress and he put his arm around her and tried to kiss her.

Mr Smith said she pulled away from him and he then put both hands on her breasts and touched her skin before stroking her right leg while leaning in towards her.

His passenger screamed and when she again pushed him away he got out of the back of the taxi and then drove her home. She arrived in a hysterical state and ran in barefoot carrying her shoes in her hand.

When the attack was reported to the police and Butt was arrested he claimed he had only got into the back of the car to help her extract money from her purse. He said they had gone to the petrol station so should get cash from the machine for the fare.

John Boumphrey, representing Butt, said he had found it hard to talk about what he had done but had expressed feelings of guilt and shame.

He was the only cash earner supporting his family and also sent money back to family in Pakistan so if he was jailed it would cause hardship to them. The probation service had also indicated they felt they could work with him.

Butt, 35 of Tate Naylor Street, Dewsbury, admitted sexual assault and was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said his passenger was vulnerable because she was drunk, adding: “You as a taxi driver acted in breach of trust in carrying out this sexual assault. She expected to be conveyed to her home address.”

He said Butt had no reason to get into the back of the car with her in breach of his training but had clearly decided an opportunity had arisen because of her condition.

However, he had not pursued his actions and had never been in trouble before for such behaviour.

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/taxi-driver-mubashir-butt-molested-12027380

CHRIS GRAYLING TRANSPORT MINISTER : "WE PUT THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC FIRST"

Location Westminster Park Plaza. 13_10_2016.

At a dinner at the above venue on Thursday Night, the Transport Minister gave a rousing speech, containing much that is good about the U.K. Transport infrastructure and what is needed to improve it in the future.

When the time comes to mention 'Taxis' as part of the network he admires...he praises UBER.

There lies the problem..Uber are the future..the rest are history. This comes from the man at the top.

https://goo.gl/E4oC3l

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

Questions in Parliament 12 Oct 2016.

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

LONDON DEMO

TfL has got a duty to protect the public and they're not doing that."
Mr Davis added that he had spoken to TfL after the investigation who had told him the problem could take three years to fix.
He added: "They told us it's a GMC problem.

"They said the only way around it was to wait for three years until the driver's need to have their medicals again. "It's not good enough." 

Cab drivers with placards lined both sides of the street to demonstrate over what they thought to be a lack of regulation.
Black cab driver Kevin O'Connor called on TfL to launch a public enquiry. He said: "It's the world of health and safety so how are they getting away with it."

Black cab drivers must take a medical exam at their registered GP every three years, costing £150 a time.

Dennis Saunders, who has been a London cab driver for more than 20 years, said: "we don't go into this job thinking we'll be millionaires.

"All we want to do is provide an honest living for our families.
"Soon Uber will have full control of the market, then they won't be cheap.


"We're the heart and soul of the city and we're the eyes and ears."

https://goo.gl/MofJhs

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

 Council bosses in South Tyneside are being asked to close loopholes in taxi licensing laws.

They will be told next week that a man who drove his car through a barrier to confront council staff after they twice refused to give him a taxi licence now has permission to drive minibuses.

Another driver who had his licence taxi revoked after he used booking records to inappropriately contact two women is allowed to drive larger vehicles for the same firm.

Both cases are evidence of a discrepancy in licensing laws, a report claims.

In a report to South Tyneside Council’s licensing committee, the authority’s economic regeneration director David Cramond said the system for issuing licences to taxi drivers - hackney carriages of up to eight-seats - is different to that for drivers of nine-to-16-seat vehicles known as Public Carriage Vehicles (PCVs).

He said to get a hackney carriage licence, drivers must produce an up to date criminal records check and can be refused a licence if they have convictions or cautions which the authority believe “renders the driver a risk to the public”.

But PCV drivers, Mr Cramond says are subject to such checks.

He said: “The applicant is asked to sign a self-declaration and, if they declare that they have no previous convictions, a licence will be granted with no further checks.”

His report cited a driver who got a PCV licence and applied to drive school children despite a North East council revoking his taxi licence in 2014 after he was convicted of harassment and was accused of harassing and having inappropriate conduct with a child.

Mr Cramond said: “It is important to point out that the majority of PCV drivers are likely to fit into the category of ‘fit and proper’.

“This report is intended to highlight concerns surrounding an opportunity available to unscrupulous persons wishing to exploit an opportunity which enables them to work in close proximity to the general public some of who will be vulnerable.”

Mr Cramond added: “The North East strategic licensing group which represents the 12 licensing authorities in the North East believes that this is an outdated view which no longer reflects reality.

“Larger minibuses, driven by PCV drivers, are now regularly hired out by taxi companies and are often used to transport groups, or individuals, in exactly the same way as a taxi.

“Even when transporting a group of passengers, it would be common for a lone individual to be picked up first or dropped off last.

“It is essential that the public receive the same level of protection regardless of whether they are using an eight-seater taxi or a nine or more seat minibus.”

The council’s licensing committee will discuss the report at their meeting next Friday.

https://goo.gl/ZL1Ck3

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

GLOUCESTER

A litany of offences including drug possession, assault and fraud has seen taxi drivers have their licences revoked in Gloucester.

As a result of disciplinary meetings held by the city's licensing committee, nine have had their licence as hackney carriage drivers revoked in the last ten years.

A further 14 have had the licence suspended.

Incidents that have prompted the action include drivers being charged with possessing class A and C drugs, possessing a loaded weapon and assault.

Other charges include sex offences, child exploitation and even a kidnap charge.


https://goo.gl/s6UiNh

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RHYL

Rhyl female taxi driver was in on crowbar attack plot .... on passenger in her cab

Single mother Bonnie Ainslie had taken the vehicle off course so men could attack fare she had picked up ... but was caught out by her mobile phone

A female cabbie was in on a plot that saw men stop her taxi and attack the passenger she was carrying.

Gary Morgan was being taken along River Street in Rhyl when another car pulled in front of the cab he was in.

Two men jumped out and, armed with a knife and an iron bar, dragged Mr Morgan from the taxi and began to beat him.

Mr Morgan managed to defend himself as blows were rained down on him.

Taxi driver Bonnie Ainsley had offered to take the injured man to hospital after the attack, but he insisted on using her phone to call 999.

During the course of the police investigation, detectives found that there had been calls between her mobile and one belonging to one of the attackers in the hours leading up to the beating.

When she was interviewed by police after the August 2015 attack, the 40-year-old single mum claimed that she’d been asked by one of the gang to pick Mr Morgan up so they could attack him, but she’d refused.

However, she had gone a different route to the one Mr Morgan had originally asked for, and hadn’t seem surprised when the other car suddenly pulled up, blocking her path.

Today, she was found guilty to conspiracy to assault Mr Morgan by a jury at Mold Crown Court, and sentenced to 18 month in prison, suspended for two years.

The only reason she had avoided jail was because she had to care for her young son, Judge Rhys Rowlands told her.

She was placed on rehabilitation and she was tagged for four months to remain indoors between 9pm and 7am.

Her defence barrister Gary Rawlinson said she denied having any part of a plan to attack anyone.


https://goo.gl/NdSeba

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PRESTON

A bungling thug who shattered a cabbie’s jaw in two places before going on the run - led the police straight to his £24,000 cannabis stash.

Stuart Snape, 30, from Hern Avenue, Lostock Hall, has now been jailed for 40 months after admitting wounding, producing cannabis and abstracting £1,650 electricity.

And the hapless criminal’s victim 45-year-old William Wade, from Bamber Bridge, says he hasn’t worked a Saturday night since the March attack and needs ongoing treatment for his shocking injury.

“I’m glad that he’s in jail now and it’s a little bit of closure,” said William who works with Miller’s taxis in Preston. “He wrote a letter of apology which the police gave to me but no sentence is long enough, I needed him behind bars.

“I’ve been trying to get back to working Saturday nights but I had a panic attack the first time I tried.

“I was hoping to go back last Saturday but it was an England game and the night I got attacked England were also playing - it seems silly but it just makes me think ‘what if’.”


https://goo.gl/V45oxC