COVENTRY

A NEW service offered by Virgin Trains and app-based taxi company Uber will undermine ‘safer’ city black cabs, council chiefs claim.

A two-week pilot scheme offers passengers an option to combine their rail travel with an online Uber booking.

It was announced today it will function initially on trains arriving at London Euston and Birmingham New Street.

The service will then expand to other routes depending on feedback.

Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for city services, Jayne Innes, has said she is disappointed by the move and believes it raises serious concerns about passenger safety.

She says it is uncertain whether the service will come to Coventry.

Coun Innes, alongside other council leaders and unions, has previously campaigned against Uber, claiming it is unfairly undermining the ‘gold standard’ licensed black cab.

But Uber’s services remain popular among taxi users who see it as a cheaper and easier alternative to traditional black cabs.

Uber contests claims it cuts corners on passenger safety, training, driver checks and other matters.

Coun Innes claims the new partnership, if extended to Coventry, could mean people are tempted away from potentially safer, Coventry-licensed black cabs.

Coun Innes said: “I have regularly called for a consistent standard for licensing laws for taxis and drivers to be implemented across the country as at the moment, standards vary widely.

“Ours are more rigorous as for us, ensuring passenger safety is paramount.

“Uber has never even applied for its taxis to be licensed by Coventry council, and I can only conclude this is because they are unwilling to meet the standards we expect.”

In Coventry, the council says all taxi drivers are DBS and DVLA checked – in line with national driving standards.

All cab drivers have to be trained in helping people with disabilities, as well as having to pass a road knowledge test.

Coun Innes added: “I would urge Virgin to reconsider this partnership. The black cabs of England – that have their home in Coventry – are famous and respected around the world and we believe they are the safest and best choice for travellers.”
 
At present, taxi and private hire drivers can work anywhere in England once they have their licence.

With Uber passengers can use apps on their phones to hail a taxi, which can be shared with other passengers.

Many of the Uber taxis operating in Coventry are licensed by Wolverhampton Council.

Coun Christine Thomas, deputy chair of the council’s licensing committee, added: “Although it is encouraging that our lobbying of Virgin Trains has not seen Coventry included in the first part of this scheme, there is nothing to say we will not be in future.”

We have contacted Uber for a statement.

source= Coventry Observer
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 ROTHERHAM

 A FORMER taxi driver has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl who was in care - but cleared of three other charges.

Khurram Javed (35), of Clifton Crescent, Rotherham, was jailed for two years today for the 2014 sexual assault.

He was found not guilty on another count of rape against the girl and also cleared of two sexual assaults against another girl aged 13.

The jury deliberated for around an hour-and-a-half following the seven-day trial at Sheffield Crown Court

The trial was part of the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood which is investigating non-familial child sexual exploitation and abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

Rotherham Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.

http://bit.ly/2H9aVB8 
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LAST WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

  Daniel Zeichner Labour, Cambridge

The Minister will have seen the major story yesterday, highlighting the problems of licensing and cross-border working in the taxi and private hire industry, and the concerns around public safety. 

Regrettably, my private Member’s Bill—the Licensing of Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill—was talked out a few weeks ago.

 Will the Minister now give the public an assurance that the Government will come forward urgently with legislation to address these concerns?

Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. I also read the story, which was very alarming. He knows that licensing authorities are responsible for ensuring that taxi drivers are fit and proper, renewing licences and doing criminal record checks.

 He will also be aware that there is a task and finish group looking at taxis. I am waiting for that group to present its report to me. I assure the hon. Gentleman that I am looking at the issue very closely, as the safety of passengers is a big priority for me.

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WAYMO USA

(Reuters) — Fiat Chrysler will add up to 62,000 more cars to Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit Waymo, the companies said on Thursday, as part of Waymo’s plan to roll out a robotaxi service in the U.S. later this year.

The announcement comes on the day when Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp said it would invest $2.25 billion in General Motors Co’s self-driving unit.

Large tech companies, established automakers and well-funded startups including Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] and Tesla Inc are all stepping up efforts to gain pole position in the self-driving cars market, which is expected to carry the automobiles industry into the next era.

“We’re excited to deepen our relationship with FCA that will support the launch of our driverless service and explore future products that support Waymo’s mission,” Waymo Chief Executive Officer John Krafcik said in a statement.

Fiat Chrysler (FCA), which already has a partnership with Waymo, will add Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo’s existing fleet, the companies said on Thursday. Delivery of the cars is expected to begin in late 2018.

The companies are also in early discussions about using Waymo’s technology in FCA cars to be sold in retail.

Alphabet’s self-driving unit said in March it will also add up to 20,000 Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc [TAMOJL.UL] electric vehicles to its upcoming autonomous fleet.

Waymo, which says it has self-driven 6 million miles on public roads, said on Thursday it was on track to launch the world’s first self-driving transportation service later this year, which will allow passengers to use Waymo’s app to request a vehicle.

The company has plans to roll out a ride service for the public in the Phoenix, Arizona area in coming months, with plans to later launch it more widely.

FCA, which has delivered 600 Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo till date, first announced its partnership with the company in May 2016.