WEST MIDLANDS

Taxi drivers are urgently needed across the Black Country as two companies prepare to merge together in a bid to take on Uber.

It was recently revealed that 24 7 Cars and ABC Cars plan to join together to create a 'super firm' of 700 taxis.

And as preparations get underway, 24 7 Cars has planned a recruitment day to sign up 100 new drivers for the firm.

Company director Shahzad Ali said there was a 'greater need and demand' for efficient and reliable taxi service across the Black Country.

He said: "Taxi drivers play a fundamental role in their community, they take the public to their hospital appointments, the school run and everything in-between. It is a rewarding and fulfilling job where you are your own boss.

"As a company we are investing in the training and development of our drivers and are striving to achieve professional levels.

"We have also invested in our customer service centre and technology systems to achieve and deliver a world class customer service.

"We are currently doing about 50,000 journeys a week all around the West Midlands, there is enough demand to double that if we get enough drivers."

24 7 Cars is an independently-owned company but if it merged with ABC Cars would operate under a new name and base, serving Willenhall, Darlaston, Bilston, Wolverhampton, Bloxwich and Walsall.

If the merger goes ahead it is thought that the new business would be one of the biggest 20 private hire firms in the country.

Bosses have said the move would involve a ‘total revamp’ of both companies, with new purpose-built offices under consideration. Both 24 7 and ABC currently have around 300 licensed cars each on the road.

Uber, which allows people to use a mobile phone app to book a taxi, launched in Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall in 2016.

All applicants must be 25 years old or above, have had a driving licence for two years, pass police checks and medical, while also having a good knowledge of the area.

The recruitment day will be on Wednesday, August 15 from 10am to 5pm at the Village Hotel, Tempus Drive in Walsall.

https://goo.gl/hDS5mF 

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 TYNEMOUTH

This is the moment a taxi ended up stuck on a beach.

A Blueline driver was pictured next to his beached vehicle in the sand at Tynemouth on Sunday morning.

The picture shows the front tyres lodged deep with sand covering the bonnet of the car.

It is believed after accepting a job, the driver drove down the slope off Beverley Terrace and ended up trapped on the seafront.

The taxi firm blamed “inconsiderate” drivers for the mishap and said no customers were affected.

A bystander, who pictured the incident opposite St George’s Church at about 1.30am, says the driver attempted to turn around on the beach after making the wrong turn.

The member of the public said: “The driver got a job and took a wrong turn down the slope to the seafront. They thought it would be fine to turn around on the beach.

“Luckily he got pulled out without any damage, it would have been a different story if the tide had been coming in.”

It is believed the taxi was pulled out of the sand a short time later by a 4x4 vehicle.

https://goo.gl/Shg9D3   

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 A Hull taxi driver says he has been fined nine times for using bus lanes in two weeks - despite being allowed to use them.

Borhin Uddin has been working as a taxi driver in the city for almost three years, making the switch from a private hire firm to driving a Hackney carriage cab one year ago.

In just two years, he has been fined more than 10 times for using bus penalties. But nine of those fines have taken place within just a two week period, meaning the council has billed him for up to two bus lane fines per day.

“I have tried calling Hull City Council but they say they can’t find any information about my vehicle on their bus lane penalty log,” said the 33-year-old.

“They have just said there is nothing there, but I keep getting this letters telling me I have been fined.

“I have paid the £142 to be licensed with Hull City Council, it says that on my taxi, but they’re just not listening.”

Mr Uddin says he was also fined for entering bus lane just before Christmas, and he appealed the fine with a letter evidencing his valid taxi licence. Now however, he says the council are not accepting his licence as valid.

“Of course my licence is valid, I have it all here,” he said. “I have every right to drive in the bus lane as a Hackney carriage, but instead I’m being fined every time.

“The council just will not listen to me.”

Mr Uddin has been fined twice on July 19 and July 23, as well as fines on July 21, July 24, July 25, July 28 and July 30, totalling nine fines altogether.

With bus lane fines costing £30 each if they are paid within a certain time period, usually two weeks, these fines would cost a total of £270. Fines are doubled to £60 if they are paid any later than the stated time frame.

A spokeswoman for Hull City Council said: "In this case, there has been a problem with the updating of the system which informs enforcement of the vehicles which are able to use the bus lanes.

“The fines in relation to this taxi have consequently been revoked.”

 https://goo.gl/t84FdD
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