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
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 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
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 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/
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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