EUROPEAN COURT TUESDAY 29-11
A legal decision which has potential ramifications for Uber, tech firms, the so-called "digital economy," and many thousands of taxi drivers is expected no sooner than March, Europe's top court said on Tuesday.
The point of law ruling, which will be made by a 15-strong panel of senior judges at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), could settle a debate that's been rumbling away for more than half a decade: is Uber a transport firm, or—as the company and its lawyers claim—an "information society service?"
The case was brought against the California-based firm by a coalition of regulators and taxi firms.
Depending on the outcome, it could set a precedent for other tech companies operating under the banner of a "digital platform," including household names like Airbnb and Deliveroo.
Representations were made on behalf of the European Commission and several EU countries, and the decision will affect all 28 member states.
At its core, the court is expected to answer a simple question: is Uber a tech firm which links sole-trading third-party drivers with passengers via its app, or is it simply an advanced taxi dispatch system employing lots of drivers on the cheap?
"Uber’s services can’t be reduced to merely a transport service," Uber lawyer Cani Fernández told the court, according to the New York Times, which was at the hearing. She added: "The reduction of unnecessary barriers to information society services is critical in the development of the digital single market."
Her counterpart, Montse Balagué, replied: "we must not be misled by labels. If there’s a transport service provided, then a company can’t hide behind a thin veil, calling itself a different service."
Uber has had an adversarial relationship with EU regulators since its first pulled up at Europe's kerb in 2011. The particular case being heard in the CJEU came from the Spanish courts, having been originally filed by Barcelona-based independent cab drivers' lobby group Elite Taxi. And it will be a Spanish court—and not the CJEU—that ultimately rules on the Uber case.
"Uber is a company that is building a new model for transportation service at no cost, using third parties. It’s unfair competition," Ivan Sesma, a member of the association’s management board, told the Wall Street Journal.
Beyond Spain, however, Uber has repeatedly beeped its horn with local and national governments across Europe, as critics have claimed that its aggressive expansion butts against local transportation, competition, and employee rights laws.
Its activities have either been banned or subjected to fines in Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands—where its European headquarters has been raided more than once. French authorities, meanwhile, threatened to jail two directors, accusing them of "deceptive commercial practices," permitting "illegal taxi services," and "illicit storage of personal data."
Nevertheless, the company, which has a value estimated by some as high as $68 billion (£54.4 billion) now operates in 21 of the bloc’s 28 countries—including many of its erstwhile foes.
A court in Britain recently made the country's first moves towards a legal answer to the question currently being weighed at the CJEU, with the Central London Employment Tribunal deciding in October that Uber is a taxi firm.
At the time, the tribunal said: "The notion that Uber in London is a mosaic of 30,000 small businesses linked by a common 'platform' is to our minds faintly ridiculous. Drivers do not and cannot negotiate with passengers… They are offered and accept trips strictly on Uber’s terms."
While GMB—the union that took the case to court on behalf of a handful of London-based Uber drivers—described it as a landmark decision, in truth little is likely to happen until the company's appeals make their way through several tiers of higher courts—perhaps also ending up in the CJEU.
http://bit.ly/2gFyYvR
-----------------------------------------------------
DARLINGTON
A RETIRED taxi driver with more than 40-years’ experience has been banned from driving for six months, despite pleading for leniency.
Raymond Cruddas spoiled his previously unblemished driving record when he switched his hackney taxi plates to a vehicle that was uninsured, registered or tested to required taxi standards.
Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard that Cruddas had previously held a licence for a hackney taxi vehicle, but when its engine “blew up”, he surrendered the licence and switched its taxi plates to another vehicle that was unlicensed and uninsured as a taxi.
In court, he pleaded guilty to displaying a sign on a vehicle suggesting it was a taxi, plying for hire in an unlicensed vehicle and two counts of driving without insurance.
The 65-year-old, of Thompson Road, Bishop Auckland, pleaded exceptional hardship to magistrates, telling the court that his wife had dementia and he needed his vehicle to take her to hospital appointments.
However, once magistrates established that Cruddas continued to employ two taxi drivers, they said that he could reasonably arrange transport for his wife so did not accept his hardship plea.
Cruddas was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay a total of £475 in court fines and charges.
http://bit.ly/2ggaHOH
-------------------------------------------------------
Star Micronics/ iZettle press release.
High Wycombe, UK, 29 November 2016: International POS printer manufacturer Star Micronics is pleased to announce that its SM-L200 mobile printer has been selected by iZettle to provide London’s licensed taxi drivers with a TfL approved card payment bundle that offers a range of key features and benefits. Following the requirement for taxi drivers to accept card and contactless payments as well as provide receipts for those payments upon request, iZettle has partnered with Star to provide the following bundle:
iZettle Card Reader Pro Contactless
Star SM-L200 Bluetooth receipt printer
Card reader mount for passenger compartment
Receipt printer mount for driver compartment
With iZettle Card Reader Pro Contactless, taxi drivers can accept all major credit cards (including American Express) as well as contactless payments through Apple Pay, Google Wallet and others. For receipting, the super compact lightweight SM-L200 Bluetooth printer from Star offers a high print speed, LCD display and 1.2m drop test capability.
Beyond a low power usage, the advantages of BLE technology with this printer include simple installation given its auto pairing facility with multiple Bluetooth 4.0 Apple iOS devices.
As Annette Tarlton, Marketing Director, Star Micronics EMEA, states: “Star is delighted to be partnering with iZettle to provide London’s licensed taxi drivers with a reliable and cost effective card payment and printing bundle.”
http://bit.ly/2gStikV
Tuesday 29 November 2016
The number of Uber drivers across the United States has exploded in recent years, with people signing up in droves due to the flexibility and simplicity offered by the service. In major U.S. cities, Uber drivers are outearning their counterparts driving taxis by considerable margins, according to a report released by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
There are considerable differences in earnings by city with San Francisco proving the most lucrative city for Uber drivers. Estimated net earnings per hour in San Francisco come to $23.87, compared to just $12.96 for taxi drivers and chauffeurs. New York is another city where Uber drivers can earn good money, with net hourly earnings amounting to $23.69. Again, they outearn taxi and chauffeur drivers who make just $12.54 every hour.
The report makes the point that Uber drivers tend to earn more in cities where taxi and chaffeur drivers also tend to earn more. However, it is important to note that expenses incurred by Uber drivers such as gasoline and insurance cover are not reimbursed and are not included in the figures below. An Uber driver working full time with a medium sedan can expect to incur an hourly expense of $4.79 while employed taxi drivers generally have their costs covered by their company.
http://bit.ly/2fLpIrk
----------------------------------------------------
A Cambridge taxi driver left his car fully parked on a pavement for 10 minutes while he picked up a coffee for himself, it has been claimed.
Photos show the A1 Cabco Taxis vehicle parked in the middle of the pavement at the corner of Covent Garden and Mill Road in Cambridge's city centre.
The incident, which took place around 5pm on November 26, was recorded by a cyclist.
The gobsmacked Cambridge resident, who does no want to be named, watched with disbelief as the unidentified driver allegedly left his vehicle for 10 minutes whilst buying a drink from the Costa Coffee across the road.
He said: "I assumed the driver was going to pick up someone, perhaps with a disability, to warrant such action.
"It transpired however that he was picking himself up a coffee from Costa Coffee over the road. So for nearly 10 minutes his vehicle was parked there. "
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/shocking-taxi-driver-leaves-car-12241932
------------------------------------------------
A 72-year-old man has died after his taxi was in a crash with a van.
The London Taxi TXI vehicle and Peugeot Boxer van collided on the southbound carriageway of the A1 in East Lothian, between the Old Craighall and Wallyford Junctions, at around 12.30am on Sunday.
The man driving the taxi suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
The 53-year-old man behind the wheel of the van was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Police closed the road for around six hours while they conducted an investigation.
Anyone who can help the inquiry is being asked to come forward.
Sergeant Roger Park, of Police Scotland’s trunk road patrol group, said: “Tragically as a result of this collision a, 72-year-old man has died and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
“I would appeal to anyone who was travelling on the A1 at around 12.30am on Sunday morning, who either witnessed the collision, or saw something that may be relevant to our investigation to contact police immediately.”
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/pipe/news/scotland/taxi-driver-72-dies-in-collision-with-van/
-----------------------------------------------------
PENDLE
Taxi companies, angry at proposed tougher laws licensing the trade from Pendle Borough Council, called a snap strike in Pendle at the weekend. The dispute, which was sparked by the council’s plans to introduce a stricter, wider-reaching Taxi Licensing Policy, spilled over when angry drivers put the brakes on their trade overnight.
Leader of Pendle Council, Coun. Mohammed Iqbal, took to social media when he announced that no notice of industrial action had been given. He defended the council’s actions and said that public safety was paramount. He said: “I can confirm that no notice was given to Pendle Council about a strike by taxi drivers in Pendle.
“In terms of the reasons for the strike I like many people are unaware of these and would ask the taxi association representatives to share the grounds for the sudden strike. “One reason given was the so-called increase in fees. I will post the council report for everyone to read. Please note we had no objections to the revised fee structure when the decision was taken in September 2016. “As leader of the council I am prepared to meet with the trade and avoid any further disruption to the public but safety is not something we will compromise on.”
The Nelson Leader reported recently that all taxi drivers and operators must now undertake training to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation. They must also register with the Disclosure and Data Barring Service to allow Pendle Council to check online for any convictions since their licence was granted. Only drivers can apply to enable this service which costs £13 per year. Executive councillors voted for these policy changes at its latest meeting to minimise the risk of child sexual exploitation in Pendle and to safeguard anyone using a taxi, as well as the drivers themselves. Similar council actions sparked a strike by taxi drivers in nearby Rossendale recently.
But an announcement by the Pendle Taxi Association on social media said the strike would continue. Taxi firm Matrix Cars said: “It has been agreed that the strike action will continue up to the council meeting on Monday night. At this time we will hopefully know when the taxi companies will resume service. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued patience and support.” The Pendle Conservative group meanwhile is calling for a reappraisal of Taxi Licence administration. Coun. Joe Cooney, leader of the group, said: “We were unaware the strike was going to be called and while taxi operators may believe they have valid grievances, the withdrawal of service isn’t the right approach. “The current administration of Pendle Borough Council must share some of the blame for the current situation. It introduced an age increase in vehicles, despite the continued poor safety record and then dealt inconsistently with those who failed to comply. “There is consensus among residents that public safety is the number one concern. However, the Conservatives believe that by rushing in these new policies, especially relaxing the age of vehicles for political gain, the Labour-led Executive of Pendle Council has jeopardised the safety of the public and led to current dispute.” The Tories are now calling for an independent investigation to be held into the concerns around the increase in vehicle age, as well as the mechanism of issuing of penalty points to the operators. Coun. Cooney added: “We remain firmly against the increase in age of taxis. This has led to an 81% failure rate in spot checks, which are rightly carried out by Pendle Borough Council. “However, the way that this policy has been implemented has led to uncertainty for taxi operators. What we need now is an investigation looking at all the facts and issues leading up to this strike.”
http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/business/taxi-drivers-apply-the-brakes-in-snap-strike-1-8262297
There are considerable differences in earnings by city with San Francisco proving the most lucrative city for Uber drivers. Estimated net earnings per hour in San Francisco come to $23.87, compared to just $12.96 for taxi drivers and chauffeurs. New York is another city where Uber drivers can earn good money, with net hourly earnings amounting to $23.69. Again, they outearn taxi and chauffeur drivers who make just $12.54 every hour.
The report makes the point that Uber drivers tend to earn more in cities where taxi and chaffeur drivers also tend to earn more. However, it is important to note that expenses incurred by Uber drivers such as gasoline and insurance cover are not reimbursed and are not included in the figures below. An Uber driver working full time with a medium sedan can expect to incur an hourly expense of $4.79 while employed taxi drivers generally have their costs covered by their company.
http://bit.ly/2fLpIrk
----------------------------------------------------
A Cambridge taxi driver left his car fully parked on a pavement for 10 minutes while he picked up a coffee for himself, it has been claimed.
Photos show the A1 Cabco Taxis vehicle parked in the middle of the pavement at the corner of Covent Garden and Mill Road in Cambridge's city centre.
The incident, which took place around 5pm on November 26, was recorded by a cyclist.
The gobsmacked Cambridge resident, who does no want to be named, watched with disbelief as the unidentified driver allegedly left his vehicle for 10 minutes whilst buying a drink from the Costa Coffee across the road.
He said: "I assumed the driver was going to pick up someone, perhaps with a disability, to warrant such action.
"It transpired however that he was picking himself up a coffee from Costa Coffee over the road. So for nearly 10 minutes his vehicle was parked there. "
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/shocking-taxi-driver-leaves-car-12241932
------------------------------------------------
A 72-year-old man has died after his taxi was in a crash with a van.
The London Taxi TXI vehicle and Peugeot Boxer van collided on the southbound carriageway of the A1 in East Lothian, between the Old Craighall and Wallyford Junctions, at around 12.30am on Sunday.
The man driving the taxi suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
The 53-year-old man behind the wheel of the van was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Police closed the road for around six hours while they conducted an investigation.
Anyone who can help the inquiry is being asked to come forward.
Sergeant Roger Park, of Police Scotland’s trunk road patrol group, said: “Tragically as a result of this collision a, 72-year-old man has died and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
“I would appeal to anyone who was travelling on the A1 at around 12.30am on Sunday morning, who either witnessed the collision, or saw something that may be relevant to our investigation to contact police immediately.”
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/pipe/news/scotland/taxi-driver-72-dies-in-collision-with-van/
-----------------------------------------------------
PENDLE
Taxi companies, angry at proposed tougher laws licensing the trade from Pendle Borough Council, called a snap strike in Pendle at the weekend. The dispute, which was sparked by the council’s plans to introduce a stricter, wider-reaching Taxi Licensing Policy, spilled over when angry drivers put the brakes on their trade overnight.
Leader of Pendle Council, Coun. Mohammed Iqbal, took to social media when he announced that no notice of industrial action had been given. He defended the council’s actions and said that public safety was paramount. He said: “I can confirm that no notice was given to Pendle Council about a strike by taxi drivers in Pendle.
“In terms of the reasons for the strike I like many people are unaware of these and would ask the taxi association representatives to share the grounds for the sudden strike. “One reason given was the so-called increase in fees. I will post the council report for everyone to read. Please note we had no objections to the revised fee structure when the decision was taken in September 2016. “As leader of the council I am prepared to meet with the trade and avoid any further disruption to the public but safety is not something we will compromise on.”
The Nelson Leader reported recently that all taxi drivers and operators must now undertake training to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation. They must also register with the Disclosure and Data Barring Service to allow Pendle Council to check online for any convictions since their licence was granted. Only drivers can apply to enable this service which costs £13 per year. Executive councillors voted for these policy changes at its latest meeting to minimise the risk of child sexual exploitation in Pendle and to safeguard anyone using a taxi, as well as the drivers themselves. Similar council actions sparked a strike by taxi drivers in nearby Rossendale recently.
But an announcement by the Pendle Taxi Association on social media said the strike would continue. Taxi firm Matrix Cars said: “It has been agreed that the strike action will continue up to the council meeting on Monday night. At this time we will hopefully know when the taxi companies will resume service. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued patience and support.” The Pendle Conservative group meanwhile is calling for a reappraisal of Taxi Licence administration. Coun. Joe Cooney, leader of the group, said: “We were unaware the strike was going to be called and while taxi operators may believe they have valid grievances, the withdrawal of service isn’t the right approach. “The current administration of Pendle Borough Council must share some of the blame for the current situation. It introduced an age increase in vehicles, despite the continued poor safety record and then dealt inconsistently with those who failed to comply. “There is consensus among residents that public safety is the number one concern. However, the Conservatives believe that by rushing in these new policies, especially relaxing the age of vehicles for political gain, the Labour-led Executive of Pendle Council has jeopardised the safety of the public and led to current dispute.” The Tories are now calling for an independent investigation to be held into the concerns around the increase in vehicle age, as well as the mechanism of issuing of penalty points to the operators. Coun. Cooney added: “We remain firmly against the increase in age of taxis. This has led to an 81% failure rate in spot checks, which are rightly carried out by Pendle Borough Council. “However, the way that this policy has been implemented has led to uncertainty for taxi operators. What we need now is an investigation looking at all the facts and issues leading up to this strike.”
http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/business/taxi-drivers-apply-the-brakes-in-snap-strike-1-8262297
Monday 28 November 2016
SUNDERLAND PLAN TO AXE TAXI MARSHALLS
The night-time scheme, established more than a decade ago to prevent disorder among queueing customers, is facing an uncertain future as part of ongoing Sunderland City Council budget cuts.
It may end as early as April if nearly £125,000 of funding is scrapped as part of the authority’s search for £74million of savings.
More details of how the council aims to reach its target are now emerging with question marks also facing the future of sports pitches, bowling greens and “key parks” across the city.
Preliminary talks are already under way with the Football Association to find a partial solution.
As far as the marshals are concerned, leading city firm Station Taxis fears their disappearance could lead to an escalation in weekend intimidation and violence.
George Daley, chairman of the firm, which has nearly 200 vehicles, said the funding cut was “understandable, but unfortunate”.
He added: “It is a valuable service and it would potentially have effects for both our staff and customers and those of other companies in the town.”
The marshals mainly work outside the Green Terrace taxi rank on Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings from 11pm-5am, and Nik Chapman, manager of the Cooper Rose, in nearby Albion Place, also fears violence could increase.
Mr Chapman, who is chairman of the Sunderland City Centre Pubwatch group, said: “It could lead to an escalation in violence at 3am when people have had too much to drink, although even just the fear could lead to more people staying away or heading off to Newcastle instead.”
Businesses across the city centre contribute to the service according to their ratable value, although financial support from Northumbria Police, which originally ran the scheme, has now ended.
Councillor Michael Mordey, cabinet member for City Services, said: “A decision was made in last year’s budget to end funding for the taxi marshal scheme.
“We are in discussions with the taxi trade, the night time economy and Northumbria Police about them contributing to the service as they all benefit from it.
“At the moment it has been left to the council tax payer to fund and we are no longer able to do so.”
http://bit.ly/2gNQhhj
---------------------------------------------------
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Uber will seek to convince Europe’s top court next week that it is a digital service, not a transport company, in a case that could determine whether app-based startups should be exempt from strict laws meant for regular companies.
The European Commission is trying to boost e-commerce, a sector where the EU lags behind Asia and the United States, to drive economic growth and create jobs.
The U.S. taxi app, which launched in Europe five years ago, has faced fierce opposition from regular taxi companies and some local authorities, who fear it creates unfair competition because it is not bound by strict local licensing and safety rules.
Supporters however say rigid regulatory obligations protect incumbents and hinder the entry of digital startups which offer looser work arrangements to workers in the 28-country European Union looking for more flexibility, albeit without basic rights.
Uber found itself in the dock after Barcelona’s main taxi operator alleged in 2014 that it was running an illegal taxi service. The case concerns its UberPOP service which the company halted after the lawsuit.
Uber says it is a digital platform that connects willing drivers with customers and not a transport service.
The Spanish judge subsequently sought guidance from the Luxembourg-based European Union Court of Justice.
A ruling characterizing Uber as a transport service could expose it to stricter rules on licensing, insurance and safety, with possible knock-on effects on other startups such as online home rental company Airbnb.
The case has drawn global interest. The Netherlands, where Uber has its European headquarters, Finland, Poland, Greece and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have submitted written observations that tend to support Uber.
Spain, France and Ireland in their submissions however say Uber is a transport service. A grand chamber of 15 judges will hear the arguments, with more than 200 participants signed up for the hearing.
The case is Case C-434/15 Asociación Profesional Elite Taxi.
https://skift.com/2016/11/27/uber-prepares-its-biggest-argument-yet-its-not-a-taxi-or-transport-company/?
----------------------------------------------------
EAST LOTHIAN
A 72-year-old man has died after his taxi was in a crash with a van.
The London Taxi TXI vehicle and Peugeot Boxer van collided on the southbound carriageway of the A1 in East Lothian, between the Old Craighall and Wallyford Junctions, at around 12.30am on Sunday.
The man driving the taxi suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
The 53-year-old man behind the wheel of the van was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Police closed the road for around six hours while they conducted an investigation.
Anyone who can help the inquiry is being asked to come forward.
Sergeant Roger Park, of Police Scotland’s trunk road patrol group, said: “Tragically as a result of this collision a, 72-year-old man has died and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
“I would appeal to anyone who was travelling on the A1 at around 12.30am on Sunday morning, who either witnessed the collision, or saw something that may be relevant to our investigation to contact police immediately.”
Police Scotland can be contacted on 101.
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/pipe/news/scotland/taxi-driver-72-dies-in-collision-with-van/?
-----------------------------------------------
QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT
Tom Pursglove Conservative, Corby
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to improve the enforcement of regulations against the discrimination of guide dogs and their owners by taxis and private hire vehicle operators.
Hansard source
(Citation: HC Deb, 25 November 2016, cW)
Andrew Jones Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Under the Equality Act 2010 it is illegal for the driver of a taxi or private hire vehicle to refuse to carry an assistance dog unless they hold a medical exemptions certificates issued by the local licensing authority. It is unacceptable that some drivers continue to discriminate in this way and I am determined that this practice must stop.
Guidance has previously been issued to licensing authorities to support their implementation of these legal protections, and we are currently reviewing Best Practice Guidance to strengthen the recommendations relating to taxi and PHV accessibility more generally.
I am clear that the local licensing authorities should play their part in eradicating such harmful discrimination.
----------------------------------------
DEBATE ON EDINBURGH WAVERLEY STATION
http://bit.ly/2g9wkQA
The night-time scheme, established more than a decade ago to prevent disorder among queueing customers, is facing an uncertain future as part of ongoing Sunderland City Council budget cuts.
It may end as early as April if nearly £125,000 of funding is scrapped as part of the authority’s search for £74million of savings.
More details of how the council aims to reach its target are now emerging with question marks also facing the future of sports pitches, bowling greens and “key parks” across the city.
Preliminary talks are already under way with the Football Association to find a partial solution.
As far as the marshals are concerned, leading city firm Station Taxis fears their disappearance could lead to an escalation in weekend intimidation and violence.
George Daley, chairman of the firm, which has nearly 200 vehicles, said the funding cut was “understandable, but unfortunate”.
He added: “It is a valuable service and it would potentially have effects for both our staff and customers and those of other companies in the town.”
The marshals mainly work outside the Green Terrace taxi rank on Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings from 11pm-5am, and Nik Chapman, manager of the Cooper Rose, in nearby Albion Place, also fears violence could increase.
Mr Chapman, who is chairman of the Sunderland City Centre Pubwatch group, said: “It could lead to an escalation in violence at 3am when people have had too much to drink, although even just the fear could lead to more people staying away or heading off to Newcastle instead.”
Businesses across the city centre contribute to the service according to their ratable value, although financial support from Northumbria Police, which originally ran the scheme, has now ended.
Councillor Michael Mordey, cabinet member for City Services, said: “A decision was made in last year’s budget to end funding for the taxi marshal scheme.
“We are in discussions with the taxi trade, the night time economy and Northumbria Police about them contributing to the service as they all benefit from it.
“At the moment it has been left to the council tax payer to fund and we are no longer able to do so.”
http://bit.ly/2gNQhhj
---------------------------------------------------
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Uber will seek to convince Europe’s top court next week that it is a digital service, not a transport company, in a case that could determine whether app-based startups should be exempt from strict laws meant for regular companies.
The European Commission is trying to boost e-commerce, a sector where the EU lags behind Asia and the United States, to drive economic growth and create jobs.
The U.S. taxi app, which launched in Europe five years ago, has faced fierce opposition from regular taxi companies and some local authorities, who fear it creates unfair competition because it is not bound by strict local licensing and safety rules.
Supporters however say rigid regulatory obligations protect incumbents and hinder the entry of digital startups which offer looser work arrangements to workers in the 28-country European Union looking for more flexibility, albeit without basic rights.
Uber found itself in the dock after Barcelona’s main taxi operator alleged in 2014 that it was running an illegal taxi service. The case concerns its UberPOP service which the company halted after the lawsuit.
Uber says it is a digital platform that connects willing drivers with customers and not a transport service.
The Spanish judge subsequently sought guidance from the Luxembourg-based European Union Court of Justice.
A ruling characterizing Uber as a transport service could expose it to stricter rules on licensing, insurance and safety, with possible knock-on effects on other startups such as online home rental company Airbnb.
The case has drawn global interest. The Netherlands, where Uber has its European headquarters, Finland, Poland, Greece and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have submitted written observations that tend to support Uber.
Spain, France and Ireland in their submissions however say Uber is a transport service. A grand chamber of 15 judges will hear the arguments, with more than 200 participants signed up for the hearing.
The case is Case C-434/15 Asociación Profesional Elite Taxi.
https://skift.com/2016/11/27/uber-prepares-its-biggest-argument-yet-its-not-a-taxi-or-transport-company/?
----------------------------------------------------
EAST LOTHIAN
A 72-year-old man has died after his taxi was in a crash with a van.
The London Taxi TXI vehicle and Peugeot Boxer van collided on the southbound carriageway of the A1 in East Lothian, between the Old Craighall and Wallyford Junctions, at around 12.30am on Sunday.
The man driving the taxi suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
The 53-year-old man behind the wheel of the van was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Police closed the road for around six hours while they conducted an investigation.
Anyone who can help the inquiry is being asked to come forward.
Sergeant Roger Park, of Police Scotland’s trunk road patrol group, said: “Tragically as a result of this collision a, 72-year-old man has died and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
“I would appeal to anyone who was travelling on the A1 at around 12.30am on Sunday morning, who either witnessed the collision, or saw something that may be relevant to our investigation to contact police immediately.”
Police Scotland can be contacted on 101.
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/pipe/news/scotland/taxi-driver-72-dies-in-collision-with-van/?
-----------------------------------------------
QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT
Tom Pursglove Conservative, Corby
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to improve the enforcement of regulations against the discrimination of guide dogs and their owners by taxis and private hire vehicle operators.
Hansard source
(Citation: HC Deb, 25 November 2016, cW)
Andrew Jones Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Under the Equality Act 2010 it is illegal for the driver of a taxi or private hire vehicle to refuse to carry an assistance dog unless they hold a medical exemptions certificates issued by the local licensing authority. It is unacceptable that some drivers continue to discriminate in this way and I am determined that this practice must stop.
Guidance has previously been issued to licensing authorities to support their implementation of these legal protections, and we are currently reviewing Best Practice Guidance to strengthen the recommendations relating to taxi and PHV accessibility more generally.
I am clear that the local licensing authorities should play their part in eradicating such harmful discrimination.
----------------------------------------
DEBATE ON EDINBURGH WAVERLEY STATION
http://bit.ly/2g9wkQA
Friday 25 November 2016
A woman is continuing to fight for life in hospital after she was hit by a taxi in Salford.
Police are appealing for witnesses following the collision which took place on Lower Broughton Road, at the junction of Frederick Road, on Friday, November 18.
A green Skoda Octavia private hire taxi collided with the 38-year-old woman at about 11.50pm.
The woman was taken to hospital in an ambulance and is being treated for a serious head injury.
She remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition.
The taxi driver did not suffer any injuries.
-----------------------------------------------------------
MANCHESTER
A woman who alleges she was raped in a practice room at the Royal Northern College of Musicwas ‘carried’ in and out of a taxi by the man accused of attacking her, a court heard.
In a Manchester Crown Court trial it is alleged that after raping the woman in the early hours, after an event at the prestigious music school, Jacek Serafin, 29, of Cheapside, Manchester took her back to his city centre flat to continue the assault.
The music student denies a series of rape and sex assault charges in a Manchester Crown Court trial where prosecutors say the woman was too intoxicated to consent, although the victim only remembers having two or three drinks.
Cab driver Abdihassis Segulle told court he picked up a man and a woman, said to be Mr Serafin and the complainant, from the Royal Northern College of Music in September 2014.
He said the silent woman looked like was ‘in a coma’. But later, cross-examined by Mr Serafin’s barrister, Sara Haq, he added that he did not feel she was under any kind of threat, and that she seemed asleep rather than drunk.
“You would think this person’s taking care of her, he’s not left her on the street, so not for one moment did I think something sinister was happening”, Mr Segulle said.
However earlier in his evidence, questioned by Vanessa Thomson, defending, Mr Segulle told court that when police contacted him two weeks later, he knew it was about that early hours fare.
“The incident stuck in my mind because it was the only fare where there would be a question mark”, he said. “All the other fares I have taken in that period were just normal - this one, it was bit suspicious.”
--------------------------------------------------
CARDIFF
A jury has retired to consider its verdicts in the trial of an Asian taxi driver accused of blackmailing Muslim women he met on a dating website.
Farhan Mirza, 38, is accused of targeting three women, secretly filming them and threatening to publish the videos unless they gave him money and gifts.
Mirza is accused of voyeurism, blackmail, theft and fraud - including pretending to be a doctor - in order to commit a string of offences over a three-year period.
Cardiff Crown Court has heard he met one of the women through family and two others on the Asian dating website shaadi.com.
------------------------------------------------------
WILTSHIRE
TAXI drivers are up in arms after a busy city rank was closed until Christmas with no warning yesterday.
Wiltshire Council has shut the four-car mini rank outside Chick-O-Land in New Canal for coach companies to drop off older passengers to the Christmas market.
Christopher Allen said that with only 30 taxi slots in the city, losing four would have a big impact on the more than 300 cab drivers operating in Salisbury.
He said: "We are shocked and up in arms at what has happened.
"When you have got that amount of taxis and only 30 spaces, it causes a lot of problems.
"Wiltshire Council do this all the time, and they just do not seem to care.
"They are meant to give us two weeks warning, but the signs only went up this morning."
The closure runs until December 18.
Mr Allen, 47, claimed that Wiltshire Council had told him it could do what it liked, and did not have to explain the law.
He said: "We pay a lot of money for the plates on our vehicles and with the increase in taxis it is hard enough.
"It is shocking how the council treat us in this manner."
Fellow cabbie Ian Lamberth said taxis used the rank all year round, and the closure would affect older passengers.
"They will be seriously confused if they come to the mini rank and we are not there to help them with their bags," he said.
"A lot of people depend on us."
Drivers also raised safety concerns over the new drop-off point, with passengers having to step off coaches into New Canal.
Wiltshire Council has been approached for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------
Three taxis have been taken off the road after safety checks in Harrogate.
Defects were found on the vehicles during an operation involving officers from North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Borough Council, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and HM Revenue and Customs.
From the 25 taxis checked, 18 vehicles underwent full mechanical examinations and taxation officers checked drivers to make sure they were properly licensed.
The three taxis were given immediate prohibition notices, with one of them being clamped by officers from the DVSA because of defects relating to tyres, brakes and electrical faults.
One other vehicle was given a delayed prohibition notice for a brake defect, giving the owner seven days to rectify the fault.
A number of drivers were advised in relation to minor vehicle defects and several drivers were also warned by taxi inspectors about breaches of taxi licensing rules.
Traffic Sergeant Andy Morton, of North Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Group, said: "We have now been conducting these operations periodically for the last three years in an effort to improve safety for taxi customers.
"Previous years' operations have found that a significant number of vehicles were below the necessary safety standards and I am again disappointed by the fact that this year's operation found three vehicles that had to be taken off the road immediately, due to dangerous defects.
"I want to again remind taxi drivers that it is their responsibility to ensure their vehicle is free of defects before they use it, regardless of the fact it is a company vehicle and that they will be held responsible for these defects which ultimately put their safety at risk, together with that of their passengers."
Councillor John Ennis, Chairman of Harrogate Borough Council's Licensing Committee, added: "The safety of the public is our number one priority. Operators of private hire vehicles and Hackney Carriages must take their responsibilities seriously. Whilst the majority of vehicles stopped were found to be roadworthy, a small number of vehicles had defects serious enough for them to be taken off the road.
"The council conducts regular inspections to ensure that taxi drivers vehicles are in a roadworthy condition, they are properly licensed and they are complying with the conditions of their licence. Operating a defective vehicle can endanger both passengers and other road users, and it will also have serious implications on the taxi driver's livelihood."
BRIGHTON
A TEENAGER was raped on Saturday by the driver of what she believed to be a taxi.
At around 11.45pm the 18-year-old woman left Wetherspoons on West Street and walked towards the clocktower.
Outside Sprinkles Gelato she got into what she thought was a taxi and asked to be taken to Hove.
During the drive to the destination, he stopped the vehicle and climbed into the back where he raped her.
He then continued to drive and dropped her near Hangleton Way. She walked to her destination where she raised the alarm and the police were called shortly after midnight.
Detective Constable Dows said: "We are supporting the victim as she is obviously very distressed by what happened but is helping us with the investigation.
"She has described the vehicle as a white and green six seater vehicle, which at the time she believed was a taxi.
"She also described the driver as of Asian appearance, around 40 with black hair and a bit chubby. He was wearing a white shirt with sleeves to his elbow.
"We are open to the fact this might not have been a genuine taxi and we are appealing to anyone who might have seen this vehicle parked near the top of West Street or witnessed similar vehicle acting suspiciously in the Hangleton Way area.
"If you have any information which might help us please come forward."
Anyone with information should call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 33 of November 20.
http://bit.ly/2feOeCd
--------------------------------------------------------
Cambridge taxi companies angry at Uber arrival
Local private-hire firms have their concerns about the company’s safety and employment standards, but are confident that they can continue to compete
Private-hire taxi companies in Cambridge have spoken out following the launch of Uber, the controversial vehicle hire service, in the city earlier in November.
Uber has been praised by advocates of the so-called ‘sharing economy,’ which is based on the principle that services should be purchased on an informal basis from peers rather than strict professionals.
But critics of the concept argue that, rather than replacing professional work, it simply reduces wages and ‘casualises’ it, scrapping employment protections and rendering job security more precarious.
Varsity spoke to CamCab, a private-hire company local to Cambridge, about the arrival of Uber in the city. CamCab’s principal concern was for the safety of customers, which it described as “all-important” to them.
They queried whether Uber can enforce its own safety standards, pointing out that six of its drivers were recently convicted in Denmark for violating the country’s taxi laws. Similar cases have been brought in France, Belgium and Germany.
CamCab stressed its own record on the safety of their passengers and particularly of local students. Following the murder of an Anglia Ruskin student by a man masquerading as a taxi driver, they told Varsity, they wished to create a taxi firm which would “make safety the number one priority” and so developed a number of precautions for their own firm.
All of their taxis are black and sport an unremovable sticker bearing their brand on the door, and all of their drivers wear an identifiable uniform. Every CamCab car can be located from their central offices and their entire route traced by computer. The company has also reached out to various JCRs to offer students who find themselves without any money a free ride to safety.
Without identifiable cars and uniforms, they argue, there is no certain way for a customer to confirm the identity of an individual claiming to be an Uber driver.
CamCab also criticised Uber for deciding not to link its fares to the value set by the City Council, as CamCab does. It suggested that Uber’s long-term strategy is “to corner the market in Cambridge” in order to raise its fares in future when competition subsides: “the customer will end up paying for it".
Much of the criticism aimed at Uber has focused on the rights of its drivers. On Tuesday, around one hundred Uber drivers staged a go-slow protest through the city of London to call upon Sadiq Khan, the city’s Mayor, to guarantee them the minimum wage.
Most private-hire companies request a weekly fixed charge from their drivers for the use of their operations; Uber instead claims a 20% cut of its drivers’ total fares, which critics have asserted results in the driver taking home a smaller income than they would working for a traditional firm.
Uber drivers cannot accept cash: their fares are directed electronically straight into Uber’s accounts. They are not kept by the driver, who is instead paid their 80% share subsequently. CamCab argues that this compromises the independence of Uber drivers, whose revenues can thus be monitored by the company.
Nonetheless, CamCab seemed confident that Uber would not seriously damage its custom: they claimed that their superior safety measures would continue to attract passengers. They also believe that the option of pre-booking - which, unlike a traditional private-hire company, Uber does not offer - will keep them competitive.
http://bit.ly/2gGdvWB
----------------------------------------------------
BIRKENHEAD
A paraplegic mum and her husband missed their son’s wedding leaving her ‘crying inside’ after a taxi firm failed to turn up.
Emma Ahmed appealed to people on Facebook at the start of November for a reliable taxi firm with a specialist vehicle that would be able to take her severely disabled mother Carol Cross to Birkenhead Registry Office for the wedding on Friday November 18.
A member of staff from Britannia Taxis messaged Emma privately on November 2 saying the company would be able to cater to her mum’s needs and asking her to give them a call.
Carol, 60, phoned later that day to make the booking and phoned the company again on Thursday November 17 to confirm, but the next day when the time came for her to be picked up for the wedding the taxi didn’t show.
http://bit.ly/2gsvvjZ
-------------------------------------------------------
Press Release: Historic minicab driver demonstration to demand Mayor take action to end ‘brutal exploitation’.
In 2014 Uber testified before Val Shawcross – then Chair of the Greater London Assembly and now Deputy Mayor for Transport with responsibility for the licensed taxi and private hire trade - to give their assessment that London’s minicab trade was ‘brutally exploitative’.
Since then matters have gone from bad to worse with private hire drivers working for Uber and other operators having to work up to 90 hours a week just to get by earning £5 per hour or less.
On October 28 Uber lost in a challenge brought by UPHD founders James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam with 19 other drivers to assert their worker rights. These rights provide only the bear minimum protections to drivers so they can be assured of earning the national minimum wage, the right to a holiday and to take rest breaks. Unbelievably, Uber has announced that it would prefer to appeal this judgement than afford its workers even these most basic of rights.
But the Mayor can bring an end to the ‘brutal exploitation’ at the stroke of a pen. In May 2017 Uber’s license to serve London comes up for renewal and national legislation requires the Mayor to certify Uber as 'fit and proper' to continue to be licensed. Unfortunately neither TfL nor the Mayor have yet shown any appetite for doing the right thing by 115,000 licensed drivers in London.
On Tuesday November 22 minicab drivers will stage an historic demonstration to demand the Mayor take action. This is the first time London’s minicab drivers have publicly protested in their cars on the streets of London. Specifically, we are demanding the Mayor:
Attach worker rights & fair taxation contribution as a ‘fit and proper’ condition of Uber’s license to continue operating in London.
To set a cap on the number of private hire vehicles in London so as to protect viability of public transport, reduce congestion, improve air quality and to stop the collapse of driver incomes.
To respect the right of private hire drivers to represent themselves to TfL. Currently 25,000 have recognised representation from 5 separate organisations but 115,000 private hire drivers have been refused their own dedicated representation by TfL.
James Farrar UPHD founder and successful Uber Tribunal claimant said:
‘It is clear now that Uber will not voluntarily clean up its act and pay drivers fairly. The Mayor cannot take a laissez faire approach and let this play out in the court for years. It’s time for the Mayor to act now. If he can’t do it for the sake of his licensed drivers then he must do so to protect the safety of the travelling public and to limit the environmental costs of runaway licensing of private hire vehicles in the capital’.
Yaseen Aslam UPHD founder and successful Uber Tribunal claimant said:
‘I was deeply disappointed to hear Uber’s testimony in court that TfL had ‘vetted and verified Uber’s business model’. TfL endorsed an abusive business model that the Judge in our case dammed as ‘faintly ridiculous’ with contracts containing ‘twisted language’. Since we can’t rely on TfL to the right thing we have no choice to take to the streets to demand action from the Mayor.
http://www.uphd.org/press-release-historic-minicab-driver-demonstration-to-demand-mayor-take-action-to-end-brutal-exploitation/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxKG8tlnKe4&feature=youtu.be
A TEENAGER was raped on Saturday by the driver of what she believed to be a taxi.
At around 11.45pm the 18-year-old woman left Wetherspoons on West Street and walked towards the clocktower.
Outside Sprinkles Gelato she got into what she thought was a taxi and asked to be taken to Hove.
During the drive to the destination, he stopped the vehicle and climbed into the back where he raped her.
He then continued to drive and dropped her near Hangleton Way. She walked to her destination where she raised the alarm and the police were called shortly after midnight.
Detective Constable Dows said: "We are supporting the victim as she is obviously very distressed by what happened but is helping us with the investigation.
"She has described the vehicle as a white and green six seater vehicle, which at the time she believed was a taxi.
"She also described the driver as of Asian appearance, around 40 with black hair and a bit chubby. He was wearing a white shirt with sleeves to his elbow.
"We are open to the fact this might not have been a genuine taxi and we are appealing to anyone who might have seen this vehicle parked near the top of West Street or witnessed similar vehicle acting suspiciously in the Hangleton Way area.
"If you have any information which might help us please come forward."
Anyone with information should call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 33 of November 20.
http://bit.ly/2feOeCd
--------------------------------------------------------
Cambridge taxi companies angry at Uber arrival
Local private-hire firms have their concerns about the company’s safety and employment standards, but are confident that they can continue to compete
Private-hire taxi companies in Cambridge have spoken out following the launch of Uber, the controversial vehicle hire service, in the city earlier in November.
Uber has been praised by advocates of the so-called ‘sharing economy,’ which is based on the principle that services should be purchased on an informal basis from peers rather than strict professionals.
But critics of the concept argue that, rather than replacing professional work, it simply reduces wages and ‘casualises’ it, scrapping employment protections and rendering job security more precarious.
Varsity spoke to CamCab, a private-hire company local to Cambridge, about the arrival of Uber in the city. CamCab’s principal concern was for the safety of customers, which it described as “all-important” to them.
They queried whether Uber can enforce its own safety standards, pointing out that six of its drivers were recently convicted in Denmark for violating the country’s taxi laws. Similar cases have been brought in France, Belgium and Germany.
CamCab stressed its own record on the safety of their passengers and particularly of local students. Following the murder of an Anglia Ruskin student by a man masquerading as a taxi driver, they told Varsity, they wished to create a taxi firm which would “make safety the number one priority” and so developed a number of precautions for their own firm.
All of their taxis are black and sport an unremovable sticker bearing their brand on the door, and all of their drivers wear an identifiable uniform. Every CamCab car can be located from their central offices and their entire route traced by computer. The company has also reached out to various JCRs to offer students who find themselves without any money a free ride to safety.
Without identifiable cars and uniforms, they argue, there is no certain way for a customer to confirm the identity of an individual claiming to be an Uber driver.
CamCab also criticised Uber for deciding not to link its fares to the value set by the City Council, as CamCab does. It suggested that Uber’s long-term strategy is “to corner the market in Cambridge” in order to raise its fares in future when competition subsides: “the customer will end up paying for it".
Much of the criticism aimed at Uber has focused on the rights of its drivers. On Tuesday, around one hundred Uber drivers staged a go-slow protest through the city of London to call upon Sadiq Khan, the city’s Mayor, to guarantee them the minimum wage.
Most private-hire companies request a weekly fixed charge from their drivers for the use of their operations; Uber instead claims a 20% cut of its drivers’ total fares, which critics have asserted results in the driver taking home a smaller income than they would working for a traditional firm.
Uber drivers cannot accept cash: their fares are directed electronically straight into Uber’s accounts. They are not kept by the driver, who is instead paid their 80% share subsequently. CamCab argues that this compromises the independence of Uber drivers, whose revenues can thus be monitored by the company.
Nonetheless, CamCab seemed confident that Uber would not seriously damage its custom: they claimed that their superior safety measures would continue to attract passengers. They also believe that the option of pre-booking - which, unlike a traditional private-hire company, Uber does not offer - will keep them competitive.
http://bit.ly/2gGdvWB
----------------------------------------------------
BIRKENHEAD
A paraplegic mum and her husband missed their son’s wedding leaving her ‘crying inside’ after a taxi firm failed to turn up.
Emma Ahmed appealed to people on Facebook at the start of November for a reliable taxi firm with a specialist vehicle that would be able to take her severely disabled mother Carol Cross to Birkenhead Registry Office for the wedding on Friday November 18.
A member of staff from Britannia Taxis messaged Emma privately on November 2 saying the company would be able to cater to her mum’s needs and asking her to give them a call.
Carol, 60, phoned later that day to make the booking and phoned the company again on Thursday November 17 to confirm, but the next day when the time came for her to be picked up for the wedding the taxi didn’t show.
http://bit.ly/2gsvvjZ
-------------------------------------------------------
Press Release: Historic minicab driver demonstration to demand Mayor take action to end ‘brutal exploitation’.
In 2014 Uber testified before Val Shawcross – then Chair of the Greater London Assembly and now Deputy Mayor for Transport with responsibility for the licensed taxi and private hire trade - to give their assessment that London’s minicab trade was ‘brutally exploitative’.
Since then matters have gone from bad to worse with private hire drivers working for Uber and other operators having to work up to 90 hours a week just to get by earning £5 per hour or less.
On October 28 Uber lost in a challenge brought by UPHD founders James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam with 19 other drivers to assert their worker rights. These rights provide only the bear minimum protections to drivers so they can be assured of earning the national minimum wage, the right to a holiday and to take rest breaks. Unbelievably, Uber has announced that it would prefer to appeal this judgement than afford its workers even these most basic of rights.
But the Mayor can bring an end to the ‘brutal exploitation’ at the stroke of a pen. In May 2017 Uber’s license to serve London comes up for renewal and national legislation requires the Mayor to certify Uber as 'fit and proper' to continue to be licensed. Unfortunately neither TfL nor the Mayor have yet shown any appetite for doing the right thing by 115,000 licensed drivers in London.
On Tuesday November 22 minicab drivers will stage an historic demonstration to demand the Mayor take action. This is the first time London’s minicab drivers have publicly protested in their cars on the streets of London. Specifically, we are demanding the Mayor:
Attach worker rights & fair taxation contribution as a ‘fit and proper’ condition of Uber’s license to continue operating in London.
To set a cap on the number of private hire vehicles in London so as to protect viability of public transport, reduce congestion, improve air quality and to stop the collapse of driver incomes.
To respect the right of private hire drivers to represent themselves to TfL. Currently 25,000 have recognised representation from 5 separate organisations but 115,000 private hire drivers have been refused their own dedicated representation by TfL.
James Farrar UPHD founder and successful Uber Tribunal claimant said:
‘It is clear now that Uber will not voluntarily clean up its act and pay drivers fairly. The Mayor cannot take a laissez faire approach and let this play out in the court for years. It’s time for the Mayor to act now. If he can’t do it for the sake of his licensed drivers then he must do so to protect the safety of the travelling public and to limit the environmental costs of runaway licensing of private hire vehicles in the capital’.
Yaseen Aslam UPHD founder and successful Uber Tribunal claimant said:
‘I was deeply disappointed to hear Uber’s testimony in court that TfL had ‘vetted and verified Uber’s business model’. TfL endorsed an abusive business model that the Judge in our case dammed as ‘faintly ridiculous’ with contracts containing ‘twisted language’. Since we can’t rely on TfL to the right thing we have no choice to take to the streets to demand action from the Mayor.
http://www.uphd.org/press-release-historic-minicab-driver-demonstration-to-demand-mayor-take-action-to-end-brutal-exploitation/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxKG8tlnKe4&feature=youtu.be
Thursday 24 November 2016
News Broke Yesterday that UBERK had failed to pay 'Driver Partners' for the second time this month.
Todays Press.
The ride-hailing giant Uber is not a public company, but every three months, dozens of shareholders get on a conference call to hear the latest details on its business performance from its head of finance, Gautam Gupta.
On Friday, Gupta told investors that Uber's losses mounted in the second quarter. Even in the US, where Uber had turned a profit during its first quarter, the company was once again losing money.
In the first quarter of this year, Uber lost about $520m before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to people familiar with the matter. In the second quarter the losses significantly exceeded $750m, including a roughly $100m shortfall in the US, those people said. That means Uber's losses in the first half of 2016 totalled at least $1.27bn.
Subsidies for Uber's drivers are responsible for the majority of the company's losses globally, Gupta told investors, according to people familiar with the matter. An Uber spokesman declined to comment.
“You won't find too many technology companies that could lose this much money, this quickly,” said Aswath Damodaran, a business professor at New York University who has written skeptically of Uber's astronomical valuation on his blog. “For a private business to raise as much capital as Uber has been able to is unprecedented.”
http://ind.pn/2btrrOn
On Friday, Gupta told investors that Uber's losses mounted in the second quarter. Even in the US, where Uber had turned a profit during its first quarter, the company was once again losing money.
In the first quarter of this year, Uber lost about $520m before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to people familiar with the matter. In the second quarter the losses significantly exceeded $750m, including a roughly $100m shortfall in the US, those people said. That means Uber's losses in the first half of 2016 totalled at least $1.27bn.
Subsidies for Uber's drivers are responsible for the majority of the company's losses globally, Gupta told investors, according to people familiar with the matter. An Uber spokesman declined to comment.
“You won't find too many technology companies that could lose this much money, this quickly,” said Aswath Damodaran, a business professor at New York University who has written skeptically of Uber's astronomical valuation on his blog. “For a private business to raise as much capital as Uber has been able to is unprecedented.”
http://ind.pn/2btrrOn
Tuesday 22 November 2016
UBERK copy my Idea and start hiring Prostitutes.
-----------------------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
A taxi driver has been filmed on his own dashcam speeding through city streets at 80mph - putting pedestrians and other drivers “at high risk”.
Kieran McKechnie, 28, took his Vauxhall Astra taxi on the two-mile race around Liverpool before smashing into a stationary car.
A judge at Liverpool Crown Court called his actions “astonishing, breathtaking and horrific” after viewing this dashcam footage.
The journey went from Boundary Road in Kirkdale and through Walton before ending at the junction of Breeze Hill and Southport Road.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/reckless-taxi-driver-speeds-80mph-9312192?
-------------------------------------------------
A RETIRED Sellafield worker from Millom is on trial accused of sexually abusing a young boy two decades ago.
John Stephens, 69, denies six counts of gross indecency with a child, who was under 14 at the time he claims he was abused.
At the opening of the trial at Preston Crown Court on November 22, the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claims Stephens would abuse him on an almost weekly basis.
Following his arrest on suspicion of historic sex offences, Stephens denied ever being alone with the boy, insisting the boy’s mum or another adult would always be there.
When the interviewing officer told him about the allegations that had been made against him, Stephens replied: “Definitely not. I don’t know where you have got that from.”
Stephens admitted he knew the youngster and would be “playful” with the lad but said he did not buy him sweets.
http://bit.ly/2gJhHWk
------------------------------------------------------
Fylde MP Mark Menzies has backed a move for taxi drivers across the UK to receive the same disability discrimination training.
The call for standardised training came from cabinet office shadow minister Andrew Gwynne, after a number of high profile cases where taxi drivers refused to pick up a blind customer because they had a guide dog with them. In one instance, a blind passenger reported her dog being locked in the closed boot of a taxi.
In the Parliamentary debate on the issue, Mr Menzies asked: “Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is important for each and every one of us in the House to raise this issue with our local authority and through columns in our local newspapers, to ensure that no one can use ignorance as a defence for refusing services to blind and disabled people?”
Mr Gwynne told him: “Absolutely. I thank the hon. Gentleman for sponsoring my Bill; his support is greatly appreciated.”
http://www.longridgenews.co.uk/news/fylde-mp-mark-menzies-backs-taxi-campaign-1-8252543?
-----------------------------------------------------------
A 27-YEAR-OLD Chippenham man picked a bad place for a nap following a night out after being found asleep in a stolen taxi.
The strange scenario happened at 4.21am on Sunday (November 20) when a taxi was stolen from outside the Rivo Lounge by two men and found shortly after at Bath Road carpark.
The man found inside the car was arrested for taking the vehicle without consent and released on bail pending further enquiries.
Police are still searching for the second man who is described as white, medium build, tall, short blond hair who was wearing a white jacket and in his 30s.
http://bit.ly/2gkmWb0
---------------------------------------------------------
EIRE
Taxi drivers were handed down on-the-spot fines worth over €35,000 last year for breaches of regulations governing the industry.
The National Transport Authority reported that increased compliance checks on vehicles and drivers in 2015 resulted in 692 fixed charges notices totalling €35,410 being issued to taxi licence holders.
The single biggest number of fixed payment notices — around 40% of the total — were related to drivers failing to notify details of the vehicle being operated to the NTA. Such a breach incurs a fine of €40.
The NTA said the registering of such information was important as it is used to support the Driver Check App which allows passengers or intending passengers to assess the details of their taxi driver and vehicles and to email a chosen third party the details for security reasons.
NTA officials carried out almost 40,900 checks and audits on taxi drivers and their vehicles in 2015. That is an increase of 45% on 2014 figures. The second most common offence committed by drivers was standing for hire in a location that was not an appointed taxi rank while 14 drivers were fined €250 each for having taxi meters which gave out inaccurate readings. Over three quarters of fixed-payment notices were paid with the remainder proceeding to court for prosecution.
The NTA said 154 cases ended up in court last year for the non-payment of fixed payment notices.
An additional 99 court cases were brought last year for breaches of legislation outside of the system of on-the-spot fines. The NTA said it was successful in over 94% of cases which resulted in a criminal prosecution.
The latest annual report also showed the total number of complaints against taxi drivers fell 2.5% last year to 928, T hat us down down from 952 in 2014.
More than half of all complaints related to the conduct, behaviour or identification of a driver.
A total of 3,086 tests to become a taxi driver were taken by 1,458 candidates last year – an annual increase of 24%.
Almost 40% were successful, although it required 2.33 attempts on average to achieve a pass mark.
However, 47% of successful candidates passed on their first attempt.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taxi-drivers-fined-35000-for-regulation-breaches-431854.html?
LIVERPOOL
A taxi driver has been filmed on his own dashcam speeding through city streets at 80mph - putting pedestrians and other drivers “at high risk”.
Kieran McKechnie, 28, took his Vauxhall Astra taxi on the two-mile race around Liverpool before smashing into a stationary car.
A judge at Liverpool Crown Court called his actions “astonishing, breathtaking and horrific” after viewing this dashcam footage.
The journey went from Boundary Road in Kirkdale and through Walton before ending at the junction of Breeze Hill and Southport Road.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/reckless-taxi-driver-speeds-80mph-9312192?
-------------------------------------------------
A RETIRED Sellafield worker from Millom is on trial accused of sexually abusing a young boy two decades ago.
John Stephens, 69, denies six counts of gross indecency with a child, who was under 14 at the time he claims he was abused.
At the opening of the trial at Preston Crown Court on November 22, the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claims Stephens would abuse him on an almost weekly basis.
Following his arrest on suspicion of historic sex offences, Stephens denied ever being alone with the boy, insisting the boy’s mum or another adult would always be there.
When the interviewing officer told him about the allegations that had been made against him, Stephens replied: “Definitely not. I don’t know where you have got that from.”
Stephens admitted he knew the youngster and would be “playful” with the lad but said he did not buy him sweets.
http://bit.ly/2gJhHWk
------------------------------------------------------
Fylde MP Mark Menzies has backed a move for taxi drivers across the UK to receive the same disability discrimination training.
The call for standardised training came from cabinet office shadow minister Andrew Gwynne, after a number of high profile cases where taxi drivers refused to pick up a blind customer because they had a guide dog with them. In one instance, a blind passenger reported her dog being locked in the closed boot of a taxi.
In the Parliamentary debate on the issue, Mr Menzies asked: “Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is important for each and every one of us in the House to raise this issue with our local authority and through columns in our local newspapers, to ensure that no one can use ignorance as a defence for refusing services to blind and disabled people?”
Mr Gwynne told him: “Absolutely. I thank the hon. Gentleman for sponsoring my Bill; his support is greatly appreciated.”
http://www.longridgenews.co.uk/news/fylde-mp-mark-menzies-backs-taxi-campaign-1-8252543?
-----------------------------------------------------------
A 27-YEAR-OLD Chippenham man picked a bad place for a nap following a night out after being found asleep in a stolen taxi.
The strange scenario happened at 4.21am on Sunday (November 20) when a taxi was stolen from outside the Rivo Lounge by two men and found shortly after at Bath Road carpark.
The man found inside the car was arrested for taking the vehicle without consent and released on bail pending further enquiries.
Police are still searching for the second man who is described as white, medium build, tall, short blond hair who was wearing a white jacket and in his 30s.
http://bit.ly/2gkmWb0
---------------------------------------------------------
EIRE
Taxi drivers were handed down on-the-spot fines worth over €35,000 last year for breaches of regulations governing the industry.
The National Transport Authority reported that increased compliance checks on vehicles and drivers in 2015 resulted in 692 fixed charges notices totalling €35,410 being issued to taxi licence holders.
The single biggest number of fixed payment notices — around 40% of the total — were related to drivers failing to notify details of the vehicle being operated to the NTA. Such a breach incurs a fine of €40.
The NTA said the registering of such information was important as it is used to support the Driver Check App which allows passengers or intending passengers to assess the details of their taxi driver and vehicles and to email a chosen third party the details for security reasons.
NTA officials carried out almost 40,900 checks and audits on taxi drivers and their vehicles in 2015. That is an increase of 45% on 2014 figures. The second most common offence committed by drivers was standing for hire in a location that was not an appointed taxi rank while 14 drivers were fined €250 each for having taxi meters which gave out inaccurate readings. Over three quarters of fixed-payment notices were paid with the remainder proceeding to court for prosecution.
The NTA said 154 cases ended up in court last year for the non-payment of fixed payment notices.
An additional 99 court cases were brought last year for breaches of legislation outside of the system of on-the-spot fines. The NTA said it was successful in over 94% of cases which resulted in a criminal prosecution.
The latest annual report also showed the total number of complaints against taxi drivers fell 2.5% last year to 928, T hat us down down from 952 in 2014.
More than half of all complaints related to the conduct, behaviour or identification of a driver.
A total of 3,086 tests to become a taxi driver were taken by 1,458 candidates last year – an annual increase of 24%.
Almost 40% were successful, although it required 2.33 attempts on average to achieve a pass mark.
However, 47% of successful candidates passed on their first attempt.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taxi-drivers-fined-35000-for-regulation-breaches-431854.html?
Sunday 20 November 2016
Motorists should be able to become black cab drivers without having to learn the Knowledge in the biggest shake up of taxi regulations for 30 years, according to a Thatcherite thinktank.
The Institute of Economic Affairs is proposing a bonfire of regulations and restrictions in the taxi market to increase their number on the roads and slash fares for passengers.
Under the IEA’s plans, it would no longer be a requirement in London for new drivers to spend three years memorising routes around the capital.
The distinction between private hire vehicles – which have to be booked in advance – and taxis – which can be hailed on street corners - would be dropped.
Other changes would see minicab and – rather than just black cabs – being able to wait on taxi ranks for new passengers and drive in bus lanes without being fined.
The main requirement to drive a taxi would a clean criminal record and car insurance to protect the driver and passengers.
The IEA - which was closely linked to Margaret Thatcher's ideas in the 1980s - said new mobile phone apps like Uber had “completely transformed the taxi market and rendered the majority of existing regulations redundant”.
The IEA said the distinction between private hire vehicles and taxis had been “blurred” because cars booked using the Uber app can be booked from street corners.
Mark Littlewood, the IEA’s director general, said: “Current regulation of the taxi market is archaic and needs urgent reform. Much of the new regulatory measures taken have been obvious attempts to obstruct growth within these companies.
“The market must be liberated from overzealous government regulation to allow companies to regulate themselves according to market preferences, and to level the playing field for both taxis and private hire vehicles in a way which encourages competition and growth and to improve service for consumers.”
Last year the number of licensed minicabs and taxis jumped by nine per cent to 242,200, the highest level ever. Two thirds of these – 69 per cent – were private hire vehicles.
The report said this distinction should be dropped altogether: “Before smartphones, apps and GPS there was a clear distinction between taxis and private hire vehicles.
“Taxis were hailed for spontaneous trips and private hire vehicles (PHVs) had to be pre-booked. Technological changes have rendered that distinction obsolete.
“Yet, whilst PHV markets are open and competitive, taxi markets are still heavily protected, with the number of licences capped.
“We should not be supressing the growth of new business models, but lifting restrictions in the taxi market generally, which would lower prices.
“To ensure the market remains competitive, archaic regulations such as quantity restrictions must be lifted and privileges abolished, to establish a level-playing field.”
The thinktank pointed to evidence in New Zealand and Ireland that when restrictions are lifted “consumers have benefitted from shorter waiting times, lower fares and higher quality services”.
The IEA said there were “significant barriers to entry for would-be black cab drivers”.
It said: “Aside from the stringent Knowledge test – which can take up to four years – the iconic black cab sells for nearly £43,000.
“This is almost twice as expensive as a hybrid Toyota Prius, the common choice of Uber drivers.”
It was a “myth that smartphone-enabled apps have created an ‘unregulated’ private transport service”, the IEA said.
“Organisations such as Uber do not just offer transport services, but a set of rules and regulations under which services are provided. Private regulation such as this is preferable to statutory regulation.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/20/motorists-should-become-black-cab-drivers-without-having-to-lear/
----------------------------------------------------
CANADA
Calgary's taxi committee has voted to create 222 new taxi licences, but the decision may have created a hitch that could keep Uber from launching in the city before the holidays.
Adding more taxis will give drivers a chance to compete with the growth of ride-hailing companies like Uber, committee members argued on Friday.
Uber could hit Calgary streets in time for the holidays, councillor says
The livery transport advisory committee also approved amendments to Calgary's rules for ride-hailing, recommending the new taxis hit the streets first and that could take up to three months.
"Ninety days is typically how much time it takes to from the date of approval of a taxi plate to the date that it actually gets on the road and is rolling," said chief livery inspector Mario Henriques.
Uber was hoping to launch in Calgary in time for the holiday season.
City council, which still needs to vote on the recommendations from the committee, will discuss the changes later this month.
Associated Taxi spokesman Roger Richard said he would prefer to see the taxi system opened up so there are no limits on how many cars are on the street, allowing the industry to compete head-to-head with ride-hailing services.
"Why create restrictions on our side?" he said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/taxi-committee-wants-more-cabs-on-the-street-before-uber-arrives-1.3858753
The Institute of Economic Affairs is proposing a bonfire of regulations and restrictions in the taxi market to increase their number on the roads and slash fares for passengers.
Under the IEA’s plans, it would no longer be a requirement in London for new drivers to spend three years memorising routes around the capital.
The distinction between private hire vehicles – which have to be booked in advance – and taxis – which can be hailed on street corners - would be dropped.
Other changes would see minicab and – rather than just black cabs – being able to wait on taxi ranks for new passengers and drive in bus lanes without being fined.
The main requirement to drive a taxi would a clean criminal record and car insurance to protect the driver and passengers.
The IEA - which was closely linked to Margaret Thatcher's ideas in the 1980s - said new mobile phone apps like Uber had “completely transformed the taxi market and rendered the majority of existing regulations redundant”.
The IEA said the distinction between private hire vehicles and taxis had been “blurred” because cars booked using the Uber app can be booked from street corners.
Mark Littlewood, the IEA’s director general, said: “Current regulation of the taxi market is archaic and needs urgent reform. Much of the new regulatory measures taken have been obvious attempts to obstruct growth within these companies.
“The market must be liberated from overzealous government regulation to allow companies to regulate themselves according to market preferences, and to level the playing field for both taxis and private hire vehicles in a way which encourages competition and growth and to improve service for consumers.”
Last year the number of licensed minicabs and taxis jumped by nine per cent to 242,200, the highest level ever. Two thirds of these – 69 per cent – were private hire vehicles.
The report said this distinction should be dropped altogether: “Before smartphones, apps and GPS there was a clear distinction between taxis and private hire vehicles.
“Taxis were hailed for spontaneous trips and private hire vehicles (PHVs) had to be pre-booked. Technological changes have rendered that distinction obsolete.
“Yet, whilst PHV markets are open and competitive, taxi markets are still heavily protected, with the number of licences capped.
“We should not be supressing the growth of new business models, but lifting restrictions in the taxi market generally, which would lower prices.
“To ensure the market remains competitive, archaic regulations such as quantity restrictions must be lifted and privileges abolished, to establish a level-playing field.”
The thinktank pointed to evidence in New Zealand and Ireland that when restrictions are lifted “consumers have benefitted from shorter waiting times, lower fares and higher quality services”.
The IEA said there were “significant barriers to entry for would-be black cab drivers”.
It said: “Aside from the stringent Knowledge test – which can take up to four years – the iconic black cab sells for nearly £43,000.
“This is almost twice as expensive as a hybrid Toyota Prius, the common choice of Uber drivers.”
It was a “myth that smartphone-enabled apps have created an ‘unregulated’ private transport service”, the IEA said.
“Organisations such as Uber do not just offer transport services, but a set of rules and regulations under which services are provided. Private regulation such as this is preferable to statutory regulation.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/20/motorists-should-become-black-cab-drivers-without-having-to-lear/
----------------------------------------------------
CANADA
Calgary's taxi committee has voted to create 222 new taxi licences, but the decision may have created a hitch that could keep Uber from launching in the city before the holidays.
Adding more taxis will give drivers a chance to compete with the growth of ride-hailing companies like Uber, committee members argued on Friday.
Uber could hit Calgary streets in time for the holidays, councillor says
The livery transport advisory committee also approved amendments to Calgary's rules for ride-hailing, recommending the new taxis hit the streets first and that could take up to three months.
"Ninety days is typically how much time it takes to from the date of approval of a taxi plate to the date that it actually gets on the road and is rolling," said chief livery inspector Mario Henriques.
Uber was hoping to launch in Calgary in time for the holiday season.
City council, which still needs to vote on the recommendations from the committee, will discuss the changes later this month.
Associated Taxi spokesman Roger Richard said he would prefer to see the taxi system opened up so there are no limits on how many cars are on the street, allowing the industry to compete head-to-head with ride-hailing services.
"Why create restrictions on our side?" he said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/taxi-committee-wants-more-cabs-on-the-street-before-uber-arrives-1.3858753
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