NEW YORK CABS.. FIXED FARES
Starting this week, booking a surge-free ride with an upfront price in an NYC taxi is as easy as using your preferred ride-hailing service. The new initiative is a citywide expansion of the city’s Taxi and Limo Commission pilot with the ride-hailing Waave app.
Now available in all five boroughs, New Yorkers can use Waave app’s Taxi Max feature to book an NYC taxi — both yellow and green — for what Waave said are “significantly more-affordable rates for long distance trips,” such as to the outer boroughs or to JFK or LaGuardia Airports.
For example, a Tuesday afternoon ride from Manhattan to JFK had a $53.80 fare in any size NYC taxi, while that price would’ve cost $113.50 in a standard-sized car via a ride-haling app, Waave said.
Prior to this flat rate, NYC taxi passengers face a metered fare that would often uptick thanks to to the city’s infamous traffic.
“With Waave, New Yorkers can count on the ease and dependability they have come to expect from other ride-hailing apps, while enjoying considerable savings,” said CEO Dan Iger, adding that NYC taxi drivers “now have the technology they need to compete on a level playing field, which will boost their earnings while reducing traffic congestion and pollution.”
https://goo.gl/b3RMuX
======================
BURY
A TAXI driver who allegedly rubbed his groin on a female passenger repeatedly has lost a second appeal against his licence revocation.
Amman Khan Muhammad had his licence to drive a Hackney carriage revoked by Bury Council's licensing and safety panel last October, on grounds that he was no longer a "fit and proper" person to do so.
The revocation followed a complaint, received by the panel, that the 28-year-old had rubbed his groin against a woman several times while conveying her on a 15 minute journey.
She also complained to the taxi operator Muhammad was working for at the time, Elton Bullitt, and Greater Manchester Police.
Muhammad lodged an appeal against the revocation, but this was dismissed by Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court, who upheld the council's decision.
He then appealed again to Manchester crown Court, however it was again dismissed, with the court agreeing with what the council had said.
The court concluded that, given the overriding consideration of public safety, and the high level of propriety demanded of licence holders, the appellant was not a fit and proper person.
Muhammad was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.
The courts decision has been welcomed by member of Bury Council.
Angela Lomax, Bury’s head of trading standards and licensing, said: “This result highlights the tenacity of the licensing team in ensuring the high standards expected of our driving fleet is maintained.
"The driver has appealed the licensing and safety panel’s decision twice and each time the appeal has been dismissed by the court.”
Councillor Judith Kelly, cabinet member for corporate affairs and HR, added: “The safety of the public is paramount and we will not allow this to be compromised.
"We require high standards for all taxi drivers and operators and we will not hesitate in taking action against those who fail to meet those standards.
"I would also like to thank the complainant who took the time and trouble to report her concerns to the council and give evidence in court which assisted the judge.”
https://goo.gl/z23mmq
-------------------------------------------
NEWCASTLE (STAFFORD)
Taxi drivers are threatening to go on strike after slamming the design of their town centre taxi rank.
They are complaining that Newcastle's High Street rank is too narrow.
It means customers are bashing cab doors into new concrete posts and seats and damaging the vehicles.
Now Newcastle Hackney Carriage Association wants the taxi rank to be moved to Hassell Street.
Association vice-chairman Bashir Choudhry said: “Staffordshire County Council has moved the markings closer to the pavement which means the taxi rank is too narrow.
"Our cars are damaged by the street furniture, including lampposts, seating areas and benches, as people bang their doors on them. People sitting on the benches also kick our doors.
“We are totally fed up with this council. It is not interested in talking to us.”
Fellow Hackney carriage driver Anwarul Ahli said: “If there is a delivery then people cannot get around and we struggle to get disabled people out of our vehicles.”
The association says it will go on strike if it does not get a meeting with the council.
Hackney carriage driver Muhammad Sidique said: “Hassell Street was convenient because there were no traffic jams. We don’t have space on High Street for queuing. It was also more convenient for older people who don’t want to walk all the way from the market to High Street. We had more business on Hassell Street.
https://bit.ly/2OYB5uS
===========================
Friday, 28 September 2018
Thursday, 27 September 2018
LONDON
An Addison Lee private hire driver has hand a heart attack whilst behind the wheel of his vehicle on one of London’s busiest roads.
The unnamed driver fell ill on Euston road, not far from London St Pancras station. The passenger of the Addison Lee vehicle frantically took to the wheel of the Ford Galaxy, bringing it to a halt outside the British Library.
Once the vehicle had stopped, the passenger jumped out and was able to flag down a passing ambulance.
According to a report by Lucas Cumiskey in the HamHigh, paramedics pulled the driver out of his window and performed CPR and shocked his chest.
He was then taken in the ambulance straight to hospital.
A spokesperson for Addison Lee released a statement saying:
“One of our drivers unfortunately suffered a heart attack while on a journey today.
“We have established contact with the driver’s family who are aware that he is in a stable condition and currently recovering in hospital.
“Thankfully, the driver brought the car to a halt safely on the side of the road, ensuring no one was hurt in the incident.
“We are grateful to the passenger who flagged down a passing ambulance before leaving the vehicle by the time our team arrived – we are currently following up with the passenger to check on their well being.
“We will continue to monitor the driver’s condition and provide assistance as needed.”
------------------------------------
New students in Northampton are being offered easy tips for staying safe at night time as part of an ongoing personal safety campaign.
As new students get used to the town, they are being encouraged to use an approved safer route home and make use of support provided by taxi marshals and Northampton Street Pastors during nights out in the town centre.
This support is being provided as part of the extended “Night Out? Do it right” personal safety campaign, which was launched in the town back in March 2017.
The campaign originally focused on providing young people with advice about taxi and private hire car use as well as safety tips such as planning how you will get home, saving an ICE (In case of emergency) contact on their phone and using anti-spiking bottle caps.
The 2018 extension of the campaign will see students being offered a signposted route from the town centre, back to the new Waterside campus during Freshers’ week.
A download of the route is also available from the borough council’s website as an easy reminder.
In addition, a new taxi marshal scheme is being trialled in the town during busy pay day weekends, starting from Friday, 28 September.
The taxi marshals will be on hand at the Georges Row taxi rank to help manage queues and offer help to vulnerable people on nights out, alongside Northampton Street Pastors who are also out in the town during payday weekends and Bank Holidays.
The Street Pastors support pub and security staff, as well as Northamptonshire Police, by providing a calming and reassuring presence in Bridge Street, Abington Street and Wellingborough Road. They also provide practical support such as signposting to relevant organisations or contacting the family and friends of people who or vulnerable or have become separated from their friends.
Councillor Anna King, Cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “The Night out? Do it right” campaign has been hugely successful in promoting common sense tips to young people and others who enjoy an evening out in the town.
“With the new University of Northampton Campus opening this September, we felt we needed to do all we can to ensure that the new students feel safe and settled in the town, as quickly as possible.
“We hope that the introduction of the safer route home and taxi marshals, and the continuation of the support from Northampton Street Pastors, aids this process as well as providing essential assistance to everyone involved in our night time economy.”
https://goo.gl/ntjkVr
--------------------------------------
PORTUGAL
Striking taxi drivers blocked traffic in major Portuguese cities Wednesday and converged on parliament to protest a law that sets working conditions for rival app-based ride-sharing companies such as Uber.
The drivers have been on strike for the past week in Lisbon, Porto and Faro to demonstrate opposition to a law that consolidates the position of Uber, Spanish-based Cabify, and Estonian rival Taxify.
Bus lanes were blocked in Lisbon, traffic snarled by 500 cabs near the parliament, and tourists forced to find other ways of reaching town from the airport.
"All we want is a fair law," cab driver Fernando Pereira told AFP.
Florencio de Almeida, head of the taxi association Antral, complained that the new legislation "legalises unfair competition. It is made to order for companies like Uber."
His group seeks limits on the number of vehicles such companies can operate, and he vowed not to budge unless the government provided "guarantees" to that effect.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa told lawmakers his government would not yield either, arguing that "there is an unjust situation, but in favour of taxis."
One measure in the new law introduces a five-percent tax on commissions that ride-sharing companies earn by setting up drivers with clients.
In neighbouring Spain, where tension between the two groups is also strong, Uber and Cabify drivers plan to protest Thursday against a government decree they say will rescind their licences and threaten 60,000 jobs.
https://www.expatica.com/pt/news/country-news/Portugal-transport-taxis-demonstration_2117116.html
--------------------------------------
BRUSSELS. WOULD BE PRIME MINISTER TRY'S TO DO A RUNNER
Jeremy Corbyn clearly had a lot on his mind when he arrived in Brussels today – as he completely forgot to bring some Euros to pay the taxi.
Talk about an economic crisis.
The Labour leader’s blushes were only saved when an aide did a last minute whip-round outside the EU headquarters.
It seems the cabbie was refusing to drive inside the gates until Mr Corbyn coughed up the money.
He risked being late for his meeting with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, until the aides stepped in. Labour aide Jack McKenna could be heard saying: ‘Does anyone have any euros?’
Seumas Milne, Mr Corbyn’s director of strategy and communications, laughed as another aide handed over the money.
Mr McKenna later joked on Twitter: ‘Brussels taxis accepting card payments just became Labour’s seventh Brexit test and must now be at the heart of any future deal.’
An Addison Lee private hire driver has hand a heart attack whilst behind the wheel of his vehicle on one of London’s busiest roads.
The unnamed driver fell ill on Euston road, not far from London St Pancras station. The passenger of the Addison Lee vehicle frantically took to the wheel of the Ford Galaxy, bringing it to a halt outside the British Library.
Once the vehicle had stopped, the passenger jumped out and was able to flag down a passing ambulance.
According to a report by Lucas Cumiskey in the HamHigh, paramedics pulled the driver out of his window and performed CPR and shocked his chest.
He was then taken in the ambulance straight to hospital.
A spokesperson for Addison Lee released a statement saying:
“One of our drivers unfortunately suffered a heart attack while on a journey today.
“We have established contact with the driver’s family who are aware that he is in a stable condition and currently recovering in hospital.
“Thankfully, the driver brought the car to a halt safely on the side of the road, ensuring no one was hurt in the incident.
“We are grateful to the passenger who flagged down a passing ambulance before leaving the vehicle by the time our team arrived – we are currently following up with the passenger to check on their well being.
“We will continue to monitor the driver’s condition and provide assistance as needed.”
------------------------------------
New students in Northampton are being offered easy tips for staying safe at night time as part of an ongoing personal safety campaign.
As new students get used to the town, they are being encouraged to use an approved safer route home and make use of support provided by taxi marshals and Northampton Street Pastors during nights out in the town centre.
This support is being provided as part of the extended “Night Out? Do it right” personal safety campaign, which was launched in the town back in March 2017.
The campaign originally focused on providing young people with advice about taxi and private hire car use as well as safety tips such as planning how you will get home, saving an ICE (In case of emergency) contact on their phone and using anti-spiking bottle caps.
The 2018 extension of the campaign will see students being offered a signposted route from the town centre, back to the new Waterside campus during Freshers’ week.
A download of the route is also available from the borough council’s website as an easy reminder.
In addition, a new taxi marshal scheme is being trialled in the town during busy pay day weekends, starting from Friday, 28 September.
The taxi marshals will be on hand at the Georges Row taxi rank to help manage queues and offer help to vulnerable people on nights out, alongside Northampton Street Pastors who are also out in the town during payday weekends and Bank Holidays.
The Street Pastors support pub and security staff, as well as Northamptonshire Police, by providing a calming and reassuring presence in Bridge Street, Abington Street and Wellingborough Road. They also provide practical support such as signposting to relevant organisations or contacting the family and friends of people who or vulnerable or have become separated from their friends.
Councillor Anna King, Cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “The Night out? Do it right” campaign has been hugely successful in promoting common sense tips to young people and others who enjoy an evening out in the town.
“With the new University of Northampton Campus opening this September, we felt we needed to do all we can to ensure that the new students feel safe and settled in the town, as quickly as possible.
“We hope that the introduction of the safer route home and taxi marshals, and the continuation of the support from Northampton Street Pastors, aids this process as well as providing essential assistance to everyone involved in our night time economy.”
https://goo.gl/ntjkVr
--------------------------------------
PORTUGAL
Striking taxi drivers blocked traffic in major Portuguese cities Wednesday and converged on parliament to protest a law that sets working conditions for rival app-based ride-sharing companies such as Uber.
The drivers have been on strike for the past week in Lisbon, Porto and Faro to demonstrate opposition to a law that consolidates the position of Uber, Spanish-based Cabify, and Estonian rival Taxify.
Bus lanes were blocked in Lisbon, traffic snarled by 500 cabs near the parliament, and tourists forced to find other ways of reaching town from the airport.
"All we want is a fair law," cab driver Fernando Pereira told AFP.
Florencio de Almeida, head of the taxi association Antral, complained that the new legislation "legalises unfair competition. It is made to order for companies like Uber."
His group seeks limits on the number of vehicles such companies can operate, and he vowed not to budge unless the government provided "guarantees" to that effect.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa told lawmakers his government would not yield either, arguing that "there is an unjust situation, but in favour of taxis."
One measure in the new law introduces a five-percent tax on commissions that ride-sharing companies earn by setting up drivers with clients.
In neighbouring Spain, where tension between the two groups is also strong, Uber and Cabify drivers plan to protest Thursday against a government decree they say will rescind their licences and threaten 60,000 jobs.
https://www.expatica.com/pt/news/country-news/Portugal-transport-taxis-demonstration_2117116.html
--------------------------------------
BRUSSELS. WOULD BE PRIME MINISTER TRY'S TO DO A RUNNER
Jeremy Corbyn clearly had a lot on his mind when he arrived in Brussels today – as he completely forgot to bring some Euros to pay the taxi.
Talk about an economic crisis.
The Labour leader’s blushes were only saved when an aide did a last minute whip-round outside the EU headquarters.
It seems the cabbie was refusing to drive inside the gates until Mr Corbyn coughed up the money.
He risked being late for his meeting with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, until the aides stepped in. Labour aide Jack McKenna could be heard saying: ‘Does anyone have any euros?’
Seumas Milne, Mr Corbyn’s director of strategy and communications, laughed as another aide handed over the money.
Mr McKenna later joked on Twitter: ‘Brussels taxis accepting card payments just became Labour’s seventh Brexit test and must now be at the heart of any future deal.’
Greater Manchester launch of OLA comes closer
OLA UK LTD are nearing thier launch in GTR Manchester. On Wednesday 26 they obtained thier Oldham Operators License, to go along with the others they hold in the MCR metroploitan area.
Thankfully the incompetence of Manchester licensing is holding them back for now. The OLA proprieters License in Manchester has been marked 'Pending' since 6 June this year.
However I am told they need to Launch next month, in time for the festive period, so, like so many other License seekers held back by delays in Manchester they will no doubt launch here anyway and to hell with Manchester.
Sometimes it is easier to ask forgiveness rather than permission.
OLA UK LTD are nearing thier launch in GTR Manchester. On Wednesday 26 they obtained thier Oldham Operators License, to go along with the others they hold in the MCR metroploitan area.
Thankfully the incompetence of Manchester licensing is holding them back for now. The OLA proprieters License in Manchester has been marked 'Pending' since 6 June this year.
However I am told they need to Launch next month, in time for the festive period, so, like so many other License seekers held back by delays in Manchester they will no doubt launch here anyway and to hell with Manchester.
Sometimes it is easier to ask forgiveness rather than permission.
Sunday, 23 September 2018
BRADFORD
Police were called to a crash on Friday - and then had to seize the taxi which was called to pick up one of the crash victims.
Police were called out to an RTC in Bradford on Friday. While at the scene, a taxi was called to pick up one of the people involved.
But the taxi which turned up had been declared SORNED - which means that the vehicle had been declared as not in use on the roads and was not legal to be driven.
In an unbelievable slice of luck for the police - or an incredible moment of stupidity for the taxi driver - the police ran a quick check and found that the car was showing as SORN.
West Yorkshire Police said: "Taxi arrives to pick folk up following an RTC, unfortunately Taxi is showing as SORN. New booking required."
The incident prompted calls for more checks on taxis.
M. Azam said: "They should be checked more because most of them are dodgy when they are flooded other cities and not working in their own patches they think they get away with out checks.
https://goo.gl/c6fhun
-------------------------------------------
NEWCASTLE (kidsgrove)
New taxi drivers face having to prove they can speak English in a council crackdown on cabbies' language skills.
Newcastle Borough Council wants applicants to provide an English language certificate to prove they can 'communicate with customers effectively'.
It is part of council plans to create an in-house 'knowledge' test to make sure drivers know the rules of the road, understand the law around disability and taxi legislation, and complete child-sex exploitation training every three years.
Existing rules require drivers to hold a Btec qualification, although this has no English language requirement. The new in-house test would also include a written English test.
Members of the authority's licensing and public protection committee this week backed the plan which will now be subject to a 12-week consultation.
The council report states: "The English speaking requirement is to ensure that drivers can communicate with customers effectively, pass the requisite qualifications and understand the training being provided to them.
Councillor Tony Kearon has supported the shake-up - but questioned whether it goes far enough.
He said: “In terms of the English speaking requirement it seems like we’re still dealing with a situation where drivers are appearing in front of the council committee with interpreters or saying they breached licensing because they don’t understand the requirements.
“Will there be the expectation for drivers who have English as a second language that they will have a face-to-face interview with council staff? Written evidence can come from anyone.”
The council will accept certificates from English as a Second Language (ESOL) or the Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Council officer Matthew Burton said: “If the applicant cannot converse to a satisfactory standard we will ask them to attend and pass an English course."
But cabbies are sceptical about the changes - and blame the council for de-regulating taxi licences.
Newcastle and Kidsgrove Taxi Drivers’ Association vice-chairman Bashir Choudahry said: “Five or six years ago there were only 50 taxi drivers in the area - and now there are 250 cars and no increased demand.
“The council did not listen to us and now there are so many taxi licences out there it is unbelievable.
“They should put a freeze on taxi licences and if a driver leaves the trade then don’t replace them.
“Drivers are struggling to get work and waiting two hours for a job that’s worth £2.50. There are also drivers ripping off customers and the council needs to sort it out.”
https://goo.gl/m6YM7C
------------------------------------
Taxi drivers in North Somerset will have to attend compulsory safeguarding training to help tackle child sexual exploitation.
North Somerset Council is expected to sign off on its Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing policy for 2018-2023 at a meeting next week.
Under the new policy, mandatory safeguarding training will be introduced for all drivers.
This has been introduced in a number of other council’s across the country in a bid to address growing concerns over children and others vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.
According to North Somerset , the training will not only apply to existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers but also to beginners going through the job application process.
The other main change to the policy will see vehicles more than eight-years-old only be issued with a six-month licence, all other vehicles will be subject to the usual annual licence review.
Also, previously, it has been a requirement that taxi vehicles need to be under eight years old at first license.
As part of the revision of the policy, the council has proposed that this age be reduced to five years.
Changes to the policy follow a public consultation held earlier this year.
A spokesman from North Somerset Council said: “Following a public consultation, the council has agreed that taxi drivers can continue to own vehicles that are eight-years-old, as per the previous policy, but they must renew their license every six months, instead of annually.
“This is to ensure vehicles are at a suitable standard to protect public safety.”
North Somerset full council is expected to meet on Tuesday (September 25) to officially approve the policy.
https://goo.gl/fQYsWj
-----------------------------------------
Police were called to a crash on Friday - and then had to seize the taxi which was called to pick up one of the crash victims.
Police were called out to an RTC in Bradford on Friday. While at the scene, a taxi was called to pick up one of the people involved.
But the taxi which turned up had been declared SORNED - which means that the vehicle had been declared as not in use on the roads and was not legal to be driven.
In an unbelievable slice of luck for the police - or an incredible moment of stupidity for the taxi driver - the police ran a quick check and found that the car was showing as SORN.
West Yorkshire Police said: "Taxi arrives to pick folk up following an RTC, unfortunately Taxi is showing as SORN. New booking required."
The incident prompted calls for more checks on taxis.
M. Azam said: "They should be checked more because most of them are dodgy when they are flooded other cities and not working in their own patches they think they get away with out checks.
https://goo.gl/c6fhun
-------------------------------------------
NEWCASTLE (kidsgrove)
New taxi drivers face having to prove they can speak English in a council crackdown on cabbies' language skills.
Newcastle Borough Council wants applicants to provide an English language certificate to prove they can 'communicate with customers effectively'.
It is part of council plans to create an in-house 'knowledge' test to make sure drivers know the rules of the road, understand the law around disability and taxi legislation, and complete child-sex exploitation training every three years.
Existing rules require drivers to hold a Btec qualification, although this has no English language requirement. The new in-house test would also include a written English test.
Members of the authority's licensing and public protection committee this week backed the plan which will now be subject to a 12-week consultation.
The council report states: "The English speaking requirement is to ensure that drivers can communicate with customers effectively, pass the requisite qualifications and understand the training being provided to them.
Councillor Tony Kearon has supported the shake-up - but questioned whether it goes far enough.
He said: “In terms of the English speaking requirement it seems like we’re still dealing with a situation where drivers are appearing in front of the council committee with interpreters or saying they breached licensing because they don’t understand the requirements.
“Will there be the expectation for drivers who have English as a second language that they will have a face-to-face interview with council staff? Written evidence can come from anyone.”
The council will accept certificates from English as a Second Language (ESOL) or the Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Council officer Matthew Burton said: “If the applicant cannot converse to a satisfactory standard we will ask them to attend and pass an English course."
But cabbies are sceptical about the changes - and blame the council for de-regulating taxi licences.
Newcastle and Kidsgrove Taxi Drivers’ Association vice-chairman Bashir Choudahry said: “Five or six years ago there were only 50 taxi drivers in the area - and now there are 250 cars and no increased demand.
“The council did not listen to us and now there are so many taxi licences out there it is unbelievable.
“They should put a freeze on taxi licences and if a driver leaves the trade then don’t replace them.
“Drivers are struggling to get work and waiting two hours for a job that’s worth £2.50. There are also drivers ripping off customers and the council needs to sort it out.”
https://goo.gl/m6YM7C
------------------------------------
Taxi drivers in North Somerset will have to attend compulsory safeguarding training to help tackle child sexual exploitation.
North Somerset Council is expected to sign off on its Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing policy for 2018-2023 at a meeting next week.
Under the new policy, mandatory safeguarding training will be introduced for all drivers.
This has been introduced in a number of other council’s across the country in a bid to address growing concerns over children and others vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.
According to North Somerset , the training will not only apply to existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers but also to beginners going through the job application process.
The other main change to the policy will see vehicles more than eight-years-old only be issued with a six-month licence, all other vehicles will be subject to the usual annual licence review.
Also, previously, it has been a requirement that taxi vehicles need to be under eight years old at first license.
As part of the revision of the policy, the council has proposed that this age be reduced to five years.
Changes to the policy follow a public consultation held earlier this year.
A spokesman from North Somerset Council said: “Following a public consultation, the council has agreed that taxi drivers can continue to own vehicles that are eight-years-old, as per the previous policy, but they must renew their license every six months, instead of annually.
“This is to ensure vehicles are at a suitable standard to protect public safety.”
North Somerset full council is expected to meet on Tuesday (September 25) to officially approve the policy.
https://goo.gl/fQYsWj
-----------------------------------------
Friday, 21 September 2018
COLCHESTER
Proposals to install CCTV cameras in all taxi and private high vehicles operating in Colchester have been opposed by owners and drivers in the town.
The borough council plans have been opposed by many drivers and taxi operators over the high cost - but now a compromise may be on the way.
Taxi and limousine drivers are the most likely workers to die a violent death on the job, a CDC report has shown. Compared to other workers, they have an increased risk of such deaths because they work with cash, with the public, alone and during nighttime hours.
In order to help safeguard taxi drivers, as well as the public when disputes arise, Colchester Borough Council, the licensing authority, is planning to update its policies to include more rules.
One key element is introducing compulsory CCTV in all cabs next year. But the town’s drivers and owners are up in arms.
Clive Woolgar of Five Sevens Taxis in Colchester said: “The drivers are 100% against the council system. It is the main topic every day in the office.
“We are not against CCTV.I have it in my cab and my son has put his in two years ago. It does protect the driver, if he gets a complaint against him he can prove what happened.
“But drivers don’t want to spend nearly £600 on a council system with CBC in the car, which the driver has no access to.
“You can pick up a CCTV system for £70 and get it installed for another £30, that is £100.”
Colchester councillor Mike Lilley, whose responsibilities include planning, public safety and licensing, said: “We are out to consultation on these changes and getting feedback.
“CCTV is something all the drivers, Hackney cabs and private hire, agree it is a good idea.
“It does protect the driver, as well as the public. If there is a dispute, CCTV would allow us to investigate.
“There are occasions where passengers run off without paying, or drivers are abused, and it would provide evidence.”
Cllr Lilley added that the problem for the owners and the drivers is the cost of up to £500 for the system which was recommend to the authority.
“Some drivers already have CCTV,” he said. “We have listened to them. I think we will change the policy so we can allow the drivers and owners to buy the system that they want, so long as it does conform, and that it is a HD system we can use to prosecute.”
http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/colchester-cabs-to-have-cctv-essex-taxi-drivers-to-get-cameras-in-cabs-1-5706543
-------------------------------------------
WIRRAL
A cabbie has revealed the 'dire' state of the industry, and said an increase in fares of up a third approved by Wirral Council on Wednesday was 'completely fair and justified.'
David Vose was speaking after a rise approved by Wirral Council saw black cab fares rise, but said it would help overworked black cab drivers on 80-hour weeks just to make a simple wage.
He said: “What people don’t understand is the outgoings and costs we have. The industry isn’t rolling in money – we are actually often working below the minimum wage.
“I did a feasibility study in 2010 showing it takes over 32 hours to cover just the costs and your wage, and that’s got a lot worse since 2010 to where we are now.
“Sometimes people jump in a cab to go round the corner and they’re not happy that it’s a £4.50 fee, but they don’t realise we’ve waited an hour for that job.
“I think this rise is completely fair and justified.”
Mr Vose has been driving Hackney Carriages for 28 years, and also gave his views on why the industry in Wirral, in particular, has suffered.
He said: “The industry is in the worst state now that I’ve ever seen it. The main reason is that Birkenhead is in decline. There’s no investment being put into the town. We’ve lost out ever since Liverpool became the Capital of Culture in 2008.
“We just started to go downhill. People would go out in the evening and to the theatre and places like that, but never in Birkenhead or Wirral, always Liverpool.
“There’s no investment being put into Birkenhead at all. In 2010, my rank was doing 2.17 jobs per hour. Now we are 1.5 jobs per hour.
“Drivers are working in excess of 80 hours per week just to make a decent wage. It affects your quality of life, working day and night.”
Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, Unite representative Derek Cummins said while the rise seemed “quite excessive”, it was needed as there has only been a '20p increase in seven years.'
The decision means a one-mile journey on the night tariff will increase from £4.30 to £5.40 – by 25.6%.
A one-mile journey on the normal day rate tariff will rise from £4 to £4.60.
For a one-mile trip on public and bank holidays, that will mean a 14.3% increase from £4.90 to £5.60, while on the Christmas and New Year tariff, that will see a 37.5% rise – from £6.40 to £8.80.
Councillors at Wednesday’s licensing, health and safety and general purposes committee unanimously approved the rise, with costs effective from November 1.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the committee unanimously agreed to keep its cap on the number of Hackney carriage vehicle licences in Wirral to 289.
https://goo.gl/2rj1q8
---------------------------------------
MUNICH
In Munich, taxi drivers have been holding a demonstration against whet they describe as ‘cheap copies’ such as the major ride-hailing firms.
At Munich airport, for example, the taxi drivers have to wait in line for long, unproductive periods, whereas the drivers of other services do not. One representative of the drivers said that taxis are part of the overall public service network.
All of this comes at a time when Lufthansa and start-up Mytaxi are beginning a test phase allowing passengers to pre-book a car to the city centre via an app.
https://goo.gl/WPbKg8
---------------------------------------
READING
A TAXI driver has been jailed for 14 years after admitting to a series of sex attacks on drunk and vulnerable customers.
Ruhen Miah, 42, of Newbury, Berkshire, used his job as a licensed taxi driver to attack four women who were trying to get home after nights out in Newbury town centre.
Judge Angela Morris, sentencing at Reading Crown Court, told Miah that some of the victims were "so intoxicated they had no chance of defending themselves".
Morris said there was "a degree of targeting" in Miah's behaviour and he had abused the trust not just of his victims but also friends who had put them in his taxi and urged him to get them home safely.
Miah was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for rape, five years for assault by penetration, eight years for an attempted rape and 18 months each for two counts of sexual assault.
He had previously pleaded guilty to all counts. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
https://goo.gl/JMGXZ8
Proposals to install CCTV cameras in all taxi and private high vehicles operating in Colchester have been opposed by owners and drivers in the town.
The borough council plans have been opposed by many drivers and taxi operators over the high cost - but now a compromise may be on the way.
Taxi and limousine drivers are the most likely workers to die a violent death on the job, a CDC report has shown. Compared to other workers, they have an increased risk of such deaths because they work with cash, with the public, alone and during nighttime hours.
In order to help safeguard taxi drivers, as well as the public when disputes arise, Colchester Borough Council, the licensing authority, is planning to update its policies to include more rules.
One key element is introducing compulsory CCTV in all cabs next year. But the town’s drivers and owners are up in arms.
Clive Woolgar of Five Sevens Taxis in Colchester said: “The drivers are 100% against the council system. It is the main topic every day in the office.
“We are not against CCTV.I have it in my cab and my son has put his in two years ago. It does protect the driver, if he gets a complaint against him he can prove what happened.
“But drivers don’t want to spend nearly £600 on a council system with CBC in the car, which the driver has no access to.
“You can pick up a CCTV system for £70 and get it installed for another £30, that is £100.”
Colchester councillor Mike Lilley, whose responsibilities include planning, public safety and licensing, said: “We are out to consultation on these changes and getting feedback.
“CCTV is something all the drivers, Hackney cabs and private hire, agree it is a good idea.
“It does protect the driver, as well as the public. If there is a dispute, CCTV would allow us to investigate.
“There are occasions where passengers run off without paying, or drivers are abused, and it would provide evidence.”
Cllr Lilley added that the problem for the owners and the drivers is the cost of up to £500 for the system which was recommend to the authority.
“Some drivers already have CCTV,” he said. “We have listened to them. I think we will change the policy so we can allow the drivers and owners to buy the system that they want, so long as it does conform, and that it is a HD system we can use to prosecute.”
http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/colchester-cabs-to-have-cctv-essex-taxi-drivers-to-get-cameras-in-cabs-1-5706543
-------------------------------------------
WIRRAL
A cabbie has revealed the 'dire' state of the industry, and said an increase in fares of up a third approved by Wirral Council on Wednesday was 'completely fair and justified.'
David Vose was speaking after a rise approved by Wirral Council saw black cab fares rise, but said it would help overworked black cab drivers on 80-hour weeks just to make a simple wage.
He said: “What people don’t understand is the outgoings and costs we have. The industry isn’t rolling in money – we are actually often working below the minimum wage.
“I did a feasibility study in 2010 showing it takes over 32 hours to cover just the costs and your wage, and that’s got a lot worse since 2010 to where we are now.
“Sometimes people jump in a cab to go round the corner and they’re not happy that it’s a £4.50 fee, but they don’t realise we’ve waited an hour for that job.
“I think this rise is completely fair and justified.”
Mr Vose has been driving Hackney Carriages for 28 years, and also gave his views on why the industry in Wirral, in particular, has suffered.
He said: “The industry is in the worst state now that I’ve ever seen it. The main reason is that Birkenhead is in decline. There’s no investment being put into the town. We’ve lost out ever since Liverpool became the Capital of Culture in 2008.
“We just started to go downhill. People would go out in the evening and to the theatre and places like that, but never in Birkenhead or Wirral, always Liverpool.
“There’s no investment being put into Birkenhead at all. In 2010, my rank was doing 2.17 jobs per hour. Now we are 1.5 jobs per hour.
“Drivers are working in excess of 80 hours per week just to make a decent wage. It affects your quality of life, working day and night.”
Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, Unite representative Derek Cummins said while the rise seemed “quite excessive”, it was needed as there has only been a '20p increase in seven years.'
The decision means a one-mile journey on the night tariff will increase from £4.30 to £5.40 – by 25.6%.
A one-mile journey on the normal day rate tariff will rise from £4 to £4.60.
For a one-mile trip on public and bank holidays, that will mean a 14.3% increase from £4.90 to £5.60, while on the Christmas and New Year tariff, that will see a 37.5% rise – from £6.40 to £8.80.
Councillors at Wednesday’s licensing, health and safety and general purposes committee unanimously approved the rise, with costs effective from November 1.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the committee unanimously agreed to keep its cap on the number of Hackney carriage vehicle licences in Wirral to 289.
https://goo.gl/2rj1q8
---------------------------------------
MUNICH
In Munich, taxi drivers have been holding a demonstration against whet they describe as ‘cheap copies’ such as the major ride-hailing firms.
At Munich airport, for example, the taxi drivers have to wait in line for long, unproductive periods, whereas the drivers of other services do not. One representative of the drivers said that taxis are part of the overall public service network.
All of this comes at a time when Lufthansa and start-up Mytaxi are beginning a test phase allowing passengers to pre-book a car to the city centre via an app.
https://goo.gl/WPbKg8
---------------------------------------
READING
A TAXI driver has been jailed for 14 years after admitting to a series of sex attacks on drunk and vulnerable customers.
Ruhen Miah, 42, of Newbury, Berkshire, used his job as a licensed taxi driver to attack four women who were trying to get home after nights out in Newbury town centre.
Judge Angela Morris, sentencing at Reading Crown Court, told Miah that some of the victims were "so intoxicated they had no chance of defending themselves".
Morris said there was "a degree of targeting" in Miah's behaviour and he had abused the trust not just of his victims but also friends who had put them in his taxi and urged him to get them home safely.
Miah was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for rape, five years for assault by penetration, eight years for an attempted rape and 18 months each for two counts of sexual assault.
He had previously pleaded guilty to all counts. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
https://goo.gl/JMGXZ8
Tuesday, 18 September 2018
ROTHERHAM
A TAXI driver has been found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a girl who was living in a children’s home.
Darren Hyett (54), of Broom Chase, Rotherham, was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (Monday) of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault following a two-week trial.
He was cleared of four counts of rape, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity with a child and perverting the course of justice.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on a further count of rape.
Hyett sexually abused the girl when she was living at St Edmund's Care Home, Thurcroft, as a teenager while he was working for A1 Taxis. He groomed her with gifts, money, drink and drugs.
He was aged between 40 and 44 when the offences took place, between 2004 and 2007. The complainant was aged between 15 and 18.
Hyett has been remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on October 12.
Rotherham Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.
Hyett was charged as part of the National Crime Agency’s investigation into historic CSE in the town — dubbed Operation Stovewood — between 1997 and 2013.
This was the fifth Operation Stovewood trial. To date, 35 people have been arrested, of whom 18 have been charged and seven convicted.
https://goo.gl/inysGc
-------------------------------------
TRAFFORD
New taxi drivers may have to prove they can speak English - and pass a local knowledge test - before being allowed behind the wheel in Trafford.
There are also plans to provide a dual badge for both Hackney carriage and private hire drivers - and the cost of a licence is set to go up.
Council chiefs plan to ask applicants to provide a relevant English language certificate.
They have not yet decided on the new fee because the format of the local knowledge exam needs to be agreed, and the work involved calculated.
The cost of a three-year licence is currently £432 and includes the price of a training course and DBS check.
Town hall bosses plans to change the current system in a bid to crackdown on the number of licence applications it receives from out of town drivers.
In 2015, Trafford council scrapped the requirement for taxi drivers to pass a knowledge test - the only town hall in Greater Manchester to do so.
The range of acceptable qualifications to prove English skills was also extended, in a bid to speed up the process.
But since a change in policy the council has received 'several thousand' expressions of interest from drivers wanting a licence.
“A significant amount of these are from people living out of the area," a town hall report reads.
"In the absence of a local knowledge test there seems to be a perception with applicants that it is easier to obtain a licence in Trafford than other authorities."
Members of the council's public protection sub-committee will consider the plan on Thursday.
The town hall ran a public consultation on the changes in June. Nearly 700 people responded.
A report said some agreed with the reintroduction of the knowledge test, saying it's ‘frustrating’ drivers are not familiar with the area and take longer routes than necessary.
Others said sat navs have made the test ‘obsolete’.
There was strong support for a requirement for drivers to speak fluent English, the report added.
"Everyone who responded said good communication was an essential part of being a driver - particularly for vulnerable people using the service,” papers added.
Paul Kinsey, chairman of Trafford Taxi Drivers Association, welcomed the plans.
He said the council should never have scrapped the local knowledge test - or relaxed the rules around applicants providing proof of English language skills.
"That was a huge mistake," he said.
“This is a really hard job, we need good quality drivers, and not the kind that rip people off by taking them the longest route because they don’t know the area.
“Relying on a sat nav just isn’t good enough - and not having skills to communicate properly is even more frustrating because it can put customers off."
Source=MEN
-----------------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
Councils need more powers to take action against unsafe taxi drivers, a Birmingham MP has said.
In a letter to the Transport Secretary, Edgbaston's Preet Gill said she has "concerns" over taxi drivers registered under one authority working elsewhere.
She said December's Belgrave Middleway crash had "raised concerns" about the lack of monitoring of drivers.
The local Private Hire Drivers' Association said it supports action against people working out of area.
On 17 December, Hackney carriage driver Imtiaz Mohammed, 33, was killed, along with his passengers, in the three car crash near Edgbaston.
His inquest was told Mr Mohammed had traces of cocaine and another substance in his system, though this was "not a factor" in the crash, according to the collision investigator.
Mr Mohammed's licence was registered in nearby Sandwell, Birmingham City Council said.
But, in her letter to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP, Ms Gill said it raised concerns over how taxi drivers are monitored and "urgent action" was needed to ensure councils have powers they need over all drivers working in their area, even if they were registered elsewhere.
In 2015, a change in the law meant a driver does not have to live or operate in the local authority area that grants their licence.
Ms Gill said it is clear to her that action needs to be taken to prevent taxi drivers from being able to register in one local authority but work in another.
Imtiaz Mohammed Image copyright PA
Image caption Father-of-six Imtiaz Mohammed was killed in the crash on Belgrave Middleway in December
It said for it to grant a licence, prospective drivers must meet several criteria, including completing a criminal conviction check (DBS).
Following recommendations by coroner Louise Hunt after Mr Mohammed's inquest, the city council is working on producing a draft drug testing policy for licensed drivers, for consideration by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee.
Raheel Shah, from the West Midlands Private Hire Drivers' Association said he would welcome "any steps" to curb problems since deregulation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-45562675
A TAXI driver has been found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a girl who was living in a children’s home.
Darren Hyett (54), of Broom Chase, Rotherham, was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (Monday) of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault following a two-week trial.
He was cleared of four counts of rape, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity with a child and perverting the course of justice.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on a further count of rape.
Hyett sexually abused the girl when she was living at St Edmund's Care Home, Thurcroft, as a teenager while he was working for A1 Taxis. He groomed her with gifts, money, drink and drugs.
He was aged between 40 and 44 when the offences took place, between 2004 and 2007. The complainant was aged between 15 and 18.
Hyett has been remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on October 12.
Rotherham Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.
Hyett was charged as part of the National Crime Agency’s investigation into historic CSE in the town — dubbed Operation Stovewood — between 1997 and 2013.
This was the fifth Operation Stovewood trial. To date, 35 people have been arrested, of whom 18 have been charged and seven convicted.
https://goo.gl/inysGc
-------------------------------------
TRAFFORD
New taxi drivers may have to prove they can speak English - and pass a local knowledge test - before being allowed behind the wheel in Trafford.
There are also plans to provide a dual badge for both Hackney carriage and private hire drivers - and the cost of a licence is set to go up.
Council chiefs plan to ask applicants to provide a relevant English language certificate.
They have not yet decided on the new fee because the format of the local knowledge exam needs to be agreed, and the work involved calculated.
The cost of a three-year licence is currently £432 and includes the price of a training course and DBS check.
Town hall bosses plans to change the current system in a bid to crackdown on the number of licence applications it receives from out of town drivers.
In 2015, Trafford council scrapped the requirement for taxi drivers to pass a knowledge test - the only town hall in Greater Manchester to do so.
The range of acceptable qualifications to prove English skills was also extended, in a bid to speed up the process.
But since a change in policy the council has received 'several thousand' expressions of interest from drivers wanting a licence.
“A significant amount of these are from people living out of the area," a town hall report reads.
"In the absence of a local knowledge test there seems to be a perception with applicants that it is easier to obtain a licence in Trafford than other authorities."
Members of the council's public protection sub-committee will consider the plan on Thursday.
The town hall ran a public consultation on the changes in June. Nearly 700 people responded.
A report said some agreed with the reintroduction of the knowledge test, saying it's ‘frustrating’ drivers are not familiar with the area and take longer routes than necessary.
Others said sat navs have made the test ‘obsolete’.
There was strong support for a requirement for drivers to speak fluent English, the report added.
"Everyone who responded said good communication was an essential part of being a driver - particularly for vulnerable people using the service,” papers added.
Paul Kinsey, chairman of Trafford Taxi Drivers Association, welcomed the plans.
He said the council should never have scrapped the local knowledge test - or relaxed the rules around applicants providing proof of English language skills.
"That was a huge mistake," he said.
“This is a really hard job, we need good quality drivers, and not the kind that rip people off by taking them the longest route because they don’t know the area.
“Relying on a sat nav just isn’t good enough - and not having skills to communicate properly is even more frustrating because it can put customers off."
Source=MEN
-----------------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
Councils need more powers to take action against unsafe taxi drivers, a Birmingham MP has said.
In a letter to the Transport Secretary, Edgbaston's Preet Gill said she has "concerns" over taxi drivers registered under one authority working elsewhere.
She said December's Belgrave Middleway crash had "raised concerns" about the lack of monitoring of drivers.
The local Private Hire Drivers' Association said it supports action against people working out of area.
On 17 December, Hackney carriage driver Imtiaz Mohammed, 33, was killed, along with his passengers, in the three car crash near Edgbaston.
His inquest was told Mr Mohammed had traces of cocaine and another substance in his system, though this was "not a factor" in the crash, according to the collision investigator.
Mr Mohammed's licence was registered in nearby Sandwell, Birmingham City Council said.
But, in her letter to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP, Ms Gill said it raised concerns over how taxi drivers are monitored and "urgent action" was needed to ensure councils have powers they need over all drivers working in their area, even if they were registered elsewhere.
In 2015, a change in the law meant a driver does not have to live or operate in the local authority area that grants their licence.
Ms Gill said it is clear to her that action needs to be taken to prevent taxi drivers from being able to register in one local authority but work in another.
Imtiaz Mohammed Image copyright PA
Image caption Father-of-six Imtiaz Mohammed was killed in the crash on Belgrave Middleway in December
It said for it to grant a licence, prospective drivers must meet several criteria, including completing a criminal conviction check (DBS).
Following recommendations by coroner Louise Hunt after Mr Mohammed's inquest, the city council is working on producing a draft drug testing policy for licensed drivers, for consideration by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee.
Raheel Shah, from the West Midlands Private Hire Drivers' Association said he would welcome "any steps" to curb problems since deregulation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-45562675
Sunday, 16 September 2018
Pembrokeshire
A taxi driver was left in a critical condition and his four passengers were seriously hurt after a crash with a 4x4 ambulance which was on an 999 call.
The crash happened at about 00:25 BST on the junction of Upper Nash and the A477 between Milton and Pemboke Dock, Pembrokeshire.
No arrests have been made.
Pembrokeshire councillor Paul Dowson, was first on the scene, arriving moments after the crash.
"It looked more or less like a head-on crash," he said.
"I couldn't believe there was anyone still alive. The front of the ambulance was smashed up.
"The ambulance driver crawled out of his car and tried to see to the driver of the taxi. He told me to get some gloves from the car.
"We had to climb through the back window of the taxi and I was hanging out of the back."
Mr Dowson, who had just finished working as a door supervisor at a wedding, said he and the ambulance driver attempted to help the injured passengers until the emergency services arrived.
He said the taxi driver had to be cut free from the wreckage and was taken to hospital as were the other passengers of the car.
----------------------------------------
MIDDLESBORO
Taxi driver who was caught on camera narrowly missing woman and children at zebra crossing loses licence
A taxi driver from Middlesbrough who narrowly missed running over a woman and young children when he overtook on a zebra crossing has been fined £1,000 and had his licence revoked by Middlesbrough Council.
Yaseen Rehman, 45, was caught on camera speeding past a waiting car while a childminder was halfway across the road with the young children she cares for.
Rehman was inches from mowing down the pedestrians and appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court to face charges of driving without due care and attention and failing to accord precedence at a crossing.
The incident took place outside of a primary school during the morning of April 24.
As reported in TeessideLive, Councillor Julia Rostron said that Middlesbrough Council’s taxi drivers carry out an important public service which demands great responsibility towards passengers and other members of the public.
She went on to say that the actions of Rehman left them no choice but to revoke his licence, preventing him from continuing work as a taxi driver.
Rehman was fined £880 and ordered to pay costs of £151.
---------------------------------------
NEW YORK
Could New York's beleaguered cabbies may get another boost from the city council?
A raft of new bills will be heard, aimed at assisting both the New York taxi industry as well as a Uber drivers.
Of the City Council’s for-hire vehicle committee's nine proposals which are under consideration, The Corey Johnson proposal which would add a surchage onto both taxi fares as well as jobs taken on ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft stands out.
Any monies raised from the surcharge will be put into a fund to assist drivers in paying for health insurance cover.
At present there is an 80 cents surcharge added to all taxi fares, 50 cents of that figure goes to funding the MTA and 30 cents goes toward helping pay for wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).
A $2.50 surcharge will begin next year if a fare is taken below 96th Street in Manhattan.
Whilst some taxi drivers see this as a positive move, there are others who are less than impressed, with drivers who already have health cover concerned that it will just become another way of "milking" the industry.
Other bills which are under consideration are plans to create a system which may help financially assist taxi medallion owners.
Another proposal is a bill to stop companies such as Uber and Lyft from taking money out of drivers pay to cover debts.
The list of proposals will be heard on Monday.
--------------------------------------
CARLISLE
Six people have been taken to hospital tonight following a serious crash in Carlisle city centre.
Three pedestrians including a 79-year-old, a white taxi and black Ford Fiesta car were involved, police say.
The collision happened at about 7pm outside the Border Rambler pub.
As an investigation began, police at the scene told that News & Star that the Ford Fiesta mounted the pavement and collided with a number of pedestrians outside the entrance to the popular pub.
But Cumbria Police said in a statement: "Police are dealing with a road traffic collision on Botchergate, outside the Rambler pub.
"This is not being treated as a deliberate act.
"Injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
"All parties involved are currently being supported by emergency services and the police are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident."
Six people have been taken to hospital tonight following a serious crash in Carlisle city centre.
Three pedestrians including a 79-year-old, a white taxi and black Ford Fiesta car were involved, police say.
The collision happened at about 7pm outside the Border Rambler pub.
As an investigation began, police at the scene told that News & Star that the Ford Fiesta mounted the pavement and collided with a number of pedestrians outside the entrance to the popular pub.
A taxi driver was left in a critical condition and his four passengers were seriously hurt after a crash with a 4x4 ambulance which was on an 999 call.
The crash happened at about 00:25 BST on the junction of Upper Nash and the A477 between Milton and Pemboke Dock, Pembrokeshire.
No arrests have been made.
Pembrokeshire councillor Paul Dowson, was first on the scene, arriving moments after the crash.
"It looked more or less like a head-on crash," he said.
"I couldn't believe there was anyone still alive. The front of the ambulance was smashed up.
"The ambulance driver crawled out of his car and tried to see to the driver of the taxi. He told me to get some gloves from the car.
"We had to climb through the back window of the taxi and I was hanging out of the back."
Mr Dowson, who had just finished working as a door supervisor at a wedding, said he and the ambulance driver attempted to help the injured passengers until the emergency services arrived.
He said the taxi driver had to be cut free from the wreckage and was taken to hospital as were the other passengers of the car.
----------------------------------------
MIDDLESBORO
Taxi driver who was caught on camera narrowly missing woman and children at zebra crossing loses licence
A taxi driver from Middlesbrough who narrowly missed running over a woman and young children when he overtook on a zebra crossing has been fined £1,000 and had his licence revoked by Middlesbrough Council.
Yaseen Rehman, 45, was caught on camera speeding past a waiting car while a childminder was halfway across the road with the young children she cares for.
Rehman was inches from mowing down the pedestrians and appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court to face charges of driving without due care and attention and failing to accord precedence at a crossing.
The incident took place outside of a primary school during the morning of April 24.
As reported in TeessideLive, Councillor Julia Rostron said that Middlesbrough Council’s taxi drivers carry out an important public service which demands great responsibility towards passengers and other members of the public.
She went on to say that the actions of Rehman left them no choice but to revoke his licence, preventing him from continuing work as a taxi driver.
Rehman was fined £880 and ordered to pay costs of £151.
---------------------------------------
NEW YORK
Could New York's beleaguered cabbies may get another boost from the city council?
A raft of new bills will be heard, aimed at assisting both the New York taxi industry as well as a Uber drivers.
Of the City Council’s for-hire vehicle committee's nine proposals which are under consideration, The Corey Johnson proposal which would add a surchage onto both taxi fares as well as jobs taken on ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft stands out.
Any monies raised from the surcharge will be put into a fund to assist drivers in paying for health insurance cover.
At present there is an 80 cents surcharge added to all taxi fares, 50 cents of that figure goes to funding the MTA and 30 cents goes toward helping pay for wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).
A $2.50 surcharge will begin next year if a fare is taken below 96th Street in Manhattan.
Whilst some taxi drivers see this as a positive move, there are others who are less than impressed, with drivers who already have health cover concerned that it will just become another way of "milking" the industry.
Other bills which are under consideration are plans to create a system which may help financially assist taxi medallion owners.
Another proposal is a bill to stop companies such as Uber and Lyft from taking money out of drivers pay to cover debts.
The list of proposals will be heard on Monday.
--------------------------------------
CARLISLE
Six people have been taken to hospital tonight following a serious crash in Carlisle city centre.
Three pedestrians including a 79-year-old, a white taxi and black Ford Fiesta car were involved, police say.
The collision happened at about 7pm outside the Border Rambler pub.
As an investigation began, police at the scene told that News & Star that the Ford Fiesta mounted the pavement and collided with a number of pedestrians outside the entrance to the popular pub.
But Cumbria Police said in a statement: "Police are dealing with a road traffic collision on Botchergate, outside the Rambler pub.
"This is not being treated as a deliberate act.
"Injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
"All parties involved are currently being supported by emergency services and the police are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident."
Six people have been taken to hospital tonight following a serious crash in Carlisle city centre.
Three pedestrians including a 79-year-old, a white taxi and black Ford Fiesta car were involved, police say.
The collision happened at about 7pm outside the Border Rambler pub.
As an investigation began, police at the scene told that News & Star that the Ford Fiesta mounted the pavement and collided with a number of pedestrians outside the entrance to the popular pub.
Friday, 14 September 2018
Rank News
Baring Street - Piccadilly Station
All drivers are reminded that the demand to access the designated Piccadilly Station rank often exceeds the feeder rank facility on Baring
Street. As a result the area on and around Baring Street becomes congested with Hackney Carriages.
The Licensing Unit are asking for drivers
co-operation in conducting any waiting in this area in a responsible manner. Over ranking will be tolerated as long as drivers queue in a responsible manner, do not obstruct the highway to other road users or block vehicular entrances to premises.
Drivers are also asked not to engage in any anti social behaviour and in particular not to litter or use the area as a toilet.
Any allegations made to the city council in respect of individual drivers being involved in any anti social behaviour or conduct which brings the
trade into disrepute will be investigated and where sufficient evidence exists appropriate action will be taken.
Wilmslow Road at its Junction with Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury
All drivers that use this rank are reminded that due to its proximity to a busy junction that waiting on Barlow Moor Road to access the rank due to it
being full is causing obstruction issues at the traffic lights, both to other motorists and pedestrians.
This is not a new problem and residents
have recently raised fresh concerns about this practice through a local councillor. As a result this location will be given additional attention
by enforcement staff and civil enforcement officers.
Residents have also been asked to submit details of any Hackney Carriage seen waiting at this
location. Letters will be sent out to specific drivers who are identifiedas carrying out this practice and persistent offenders may well be invited to explain their conduct in front of Licensing and Appeals Committee.
End of Message
Taxi Licensing Team
Manchester City Council
Thursday, 13 September 2018
Denmark’s Supreme Court upheld a verdict against four former Uber Technologies Inc. drivers, fining them for violating the country’s taxi laws.
A lower court had earlier handed the drivers individual fines as high as 486,500 kroner ($75,800). Those amounts “were appropriate,” the Copenhagen-based Supreme Court said in a statement published on Thursday.
The case was seen as a test as prosecutors have lined up similar charges against another 1,500 Uber drivers in Denmark.
The charges were based on documents, containing income lists of drivers, that Denmark had received from authorities in the Netherlands. The fines matched the gross income the drivers received from transporting passengers in 2015 before the Nordic country in 2016 ruled that Uber was an illegal taxi service.
In 2017, Uber gave up operating in Denmark but has since said it is considering returning.
https://goo.gl/V9ZwJD
------------------------------------
Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Wigan Council could face scrutiny from a national watchdog after a taxi organisation slammed the slow pace of bringing in fare rises.
Charles Oakes, a director of the Hackney Drivers’ Association, has prepared a report for the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) over how charging more for black cab journeys has been handled in the borough.
Mr Oakes said it was “ridiculous” that it is now almost a year since the HDA applied to the authority for the 20p increase on all trips following years of fare freezes.
He claimed drivers are still some way off seeing the necessary increases in their bank accounts as, despite the licensing committee’s approving the move, any further objections may still need scrutinising.
The council has apologised for the delays but says things were now moving forward.
Mr Oakes, however, said he also intended to seek financial redress for drivers who could have received extra money already had the town hall acted more speedily.
He said: “We applied back in autumn 2017 to slightly increase the rates in Wigan because the drivers haven’t had a fare rise for a number of years. It is absolutely ridiculous that this has still not gone through. These are people’s livelihoods.
“I don’t think waiting nearly 12 months for a fare increase is reasonable. We’ve had all sorts of excuses, including report deadlines being missed and staff being off.
“It has now been sanctioned by the committee but they are duty-bound to advertise a fare increase and I’m told that hasn’t happened yet. If there are objections they then have to be heard. Meters will also have to be changed and we will have to arrange that.
“I’m also asking the ombudsman to consider compensation for drivers’ potential loss of earnings. The council wants more and more from them in terms of better-maintained vehicles, and councils and the Government want to introduce electric vehicles which are expensive and have little infrastructure for charging.
“Meanwhile the price of fuel is creeping up again as is the cost of tyres, insurance and maintenance. The council has acted totally wrongly and needs to be taken to task.”
Mark Tilley, assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services, said: “We have apologised for the slight delay in starting the consultation which ended in April.
"A report was considered by the regulation committee in June but it was felt necessary to defer the decision as representations were made at the hearing.
"At a further committee hearing in August the committee decided to approve the proposed increases and we are now moving ahead.”
-------------------------------
CLEVELAND
More than 400 instances of non-payment have been reported to Cleveland Police over the last 12 months.
On average, taxi drivers lose between £30 and £55 per week, with most fares lost on weekends when dealing with drunk or abusive customers.
Cleveland Police is now launching an initiative whereby passengers pay in advance for their journey.
The force's Assistant Chief Constable Jason Harwin said: “We’ve been working with our partners across the Cleveland Police area and identified that taxi drivers are victims of crime, including assault, racial abuse and making off without payment.
“We will treat all investigations of crime seriously and we have been talking to local taxi firms to minimise disputes and altercations.
"Taxi drivers from across our area have been encouraged to take payment up front and there will be information inside their vehicles to highlight Cleveland Police fully supports this – if you don’t want to pay up front, don’t be surprised if your journey doesn’t start.
“Under Operation Deal, we will also deliver training to our officers, so they can deal with offences against taxi drivers or companies.”
For more information on the scheme, contact council taxi licensing teams.
https://goo.gl/HHbkhJ
------------------------------------------
WEST YORKSHIRE
Councils have joined forces to launch a new enforcement scheme to make taxi journeys safer by making it harder for drivers to break the law.
Six local authorities in Yorkshire will be able to take action against taxi and private hire drivers licensed in neighbouring council areas as part of the scheme.
Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale and York councils are part of the cross-border enforcement initiative to clamp down on illegal and unsafe driving.
The move means it will be easier to take action against those who operate without insurance or a licence, pick up passengers on the street who have not pre-booked and drive with vehicle defects, council bosses said.
Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, Coun Sarah Ferriby, said: “It makes absolute sense to carry out cross-border enforcement. When we travel by private hire or taxi we do not restrict our journeys to one area, so licensing authorities shouldn’t restrict how we enforce the rules around driving those vehicles.”
The six councils said they were drawing up further policies to improve driver training and make sure drivers are suitable to hold a licence.
Coun Ferriby added: “It is worth saying that the majority of taxi and private hire drivers and their vehicles are safe and comply with the law. For them this change will have no impact.
“It is those who believe that the law doesn’t apply to them, who selfishly drive without considering the safety of their passengers, who will notice a change.”
Trending
https://goo.gl/GNm5GH
-------------------------------------------
Charles Oakes, a director of the Hackney Drivers’ Association, has prepared a report for the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) over how charging more for black cab journeys has been handled in the borough.
Mr Oakes said it was “ridiculous” that it is now almost a year since the HDA applied to the authority for the 20p increase on all trips following years of fare freezes.
He claimed drivers are still some way off seeing the necessary increases in their bank accounts as, despite the licensing committee’s approving the move, any further objections may still need scrutinising.
The council has apologised for the delays but says things were now moving forward.
Mr Oakes, however, said he also intended to seek financial redress for drivers who could have received extra money already had the town hall acted more speedily.
He said: “We applied back in autumn 2017 to slightly increase the rates in Wigan because the drivers haven’t had a fare rise for a number of years. It is absolutely ridiculous that this has still not gone through. These are people’s livelihoods.
“I don’t think waiting nearly 12 months for a fare increase is reasonable. We’ve had all sorts of excuses, including report deadlines being missed and staff being off.
“It has now been sanctioned by the committee but they are duty-bound to advertise a fare increase and I’m told that hasn’t happened yet. If there are objections they then have to be heard. Meters will also have to be changed and we will have to arrange that.
“I’m also asking the ombudsman to consider compensation for drivers’ potential loss of earnings. The council wants more and more from them in terms of better-maintained vehicles, and councils and the Government want to introduce electric vehicles which are expensive and have little infrastructure for charging.
“Meanwhile the price of fuel is creeping up again as is the cost of tyres, insurance and maintenance. The council has acted totally wrongly and needs to be taken to task.”
Mark Tilley, assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services, said: “We have apologised for the slight delay in starting the consultation which ended in April.
"A report was considered by the regulation committee in June but it was felt necessary to defer the decision as representations were made at the hearing.
"At a further committee hearing in August the committee decided to approve the proposed increases and we are now moving ahead.”
-------------------------------
CLEVELAND
More than 400 instances of non-payment have been reported to Cleveland Police over the last 12 months.
On average, taxi drivers lose between £30 and £55 per week, with most fares lost on weekends when dealing with drunk or abusive customers.
Cleveland Police is now launching an initiative whereby passengers pay in advance for their journey.
The force's Assistant Chief Constable Jason Harwin said: “We’ve been working with our partners across the Cleveland Police area and identified that taxi drivers are victims of crime, including assault, racial abuse and making off without payment.
“We will treat all investigations of crime seriously and we have been talking to local taxi firms to minimise disputes and altercations.
"Taxi drivers from across our area have been encouraged to take payment up front and there will be information inside their vehicles to highlight Cleveland Police fully supports this – if you don’t want to pay up front, don’t be surprised if your journey doesn’t start.
“Under Operation Deal, we will also deliver training to our officers, so they can deal with offences against taxi drivers or companies.”
For more information on the scheme, contact council taxi licensing teams.
https://goo.gl/HHbkhJ
------------------------------------------
WEST YORKSHIRE
Councils have joined forces to launch a new enforcement scheme to make taxi journeys safer by making it harder for drivers to break the law.
Six local authorities in Yorkshire will be able to take action against taxi and private hire drivers licensed in neighbouring council areas as part of the scheme.
Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale and York councils are part of the cross-border enforcement initiative to clamp down on illegal and unsafe driving.
The move means it will be easier to take action against those who operate without insurance or a licence, pick up passengers on the street who have not pre-booked and drive with vehicle defects, council bosses said.
Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, Coun Sarah Ferriby, said: “It makes absolute sense to carry out cross-border enforcement. When we travel by private hire or taxi we do not restrict our journeys to one area, so licensing authorities shouldn’t restrict how we enforce the rules around driving those vehicles.”
The six councils said they were drawing up further policies to improve driver training and make sure drivers are suitable to hold a licence.
Coun Ferriby added: “It is worth saying that the majority of taxi and private hire drivers and their vehicles are safe and comply with the law. For them this change will have no impact.
“It is those who believe that the law doesn’t apply to them, who selfishly drive without considering the safety of their passengers, who will notice a change.”
Trending
https://goo.gl/GNm5GH
-------------------------------------------
Monday, 10 September 2018
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Is a taxi or Uber driver more likely to rip you off on the way to the airport?
Think twice the next time you’re hailing a ride to the airport.
Have you ever gotten the feeling a taxi driver is taking you for a ride? Consider taking a Lyft or Uber instead, researchers say. Taxis take unnecessarily long detours on about 7% of routes from airports, a study distributed this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research found, and the detours are even longer for tourists. This leads to more time spent on the road and higher fares.
It’s harder for ride-sharing apps to get away with that kind of behavior. “Uber has tools in place to prevent this,” Erik Brynjolfsson a researcher at MIT Sloan School of Management, who co-wrote the paper with Meng Liu, a graduate student at Washington University in St. Louis, said. “You can watch the trip on the dashboard and rate drivers, so it’s easier to say if you’re unhappy whereas it’s relatively difficult to do that in a taxi.”
The study examined data from 95,357 New York City UberX rides, which are not shared or pooled, involving 23,974 Uber drivers. It compared those rides with taxi trips that had the same origin points and airport destinations. It also compared trips from various places in Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport, for which passengers always pay a flat fee, to trips to LaGuardia Airport, which don’t have a fixed fee, and found there were more detours on rides to and from LaGuardia.
Taxis are more likely to rip off customers because there is less opportunity for feedback, researchers said. Some 73% of trips on Uber are rated by passengers and, of those, one in 170 trips get a partial or total refund after a passenger reports an unsatisfactory experience. In contrast, NYC taxi complaints are more difficult to lodge and occur for only one in every 6,356 trips. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance did not respond to request for comment.
Both taxi and ride-share drivers sometimes must spend hours waiting to pick up a fare at the airport, according to Ippei Takahashi, the chief executive officer and founder of rideshare comparison site RideGuru. That gives drivers more incentive to go out of their way for higher fares. The average wait time is 15 to 30 minutes, but can be more than two hours long, according to the RideGuru.
Riders who want to avoid unnecessarily long routes can take Uber or Lyft, Takahashi said.
“The fact that there is a paper trail for the routes taken and all transactions enforces accountability,” he said. “Because of the transparency and the fact that everything is documented, drivers are less likely to take detours for increasing the fares.”
https://goo.gl/cZJek8
Is a taxi or Uber driver more likely to rip you off on the way to the airport?
Think twice the next time you’re hailing a ride to the airport.
Have you ever gotten the feeling a taxi driver is taking you for a ride? Consider taking a Lyft or Uber instead, researchers say. Taxis take unnecessarily long detours on about 7% of routes from airports, a study distributed this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research found, and the detours are even longer for tourists. This leads to more time spent on the road and higher fares.
It’s harder for ride-sharing apps to get away with that kind of behavior. “Uber has tools in place to prevent this,” Erik Brynjolfsson a researcher at MIT Sloan School of Management, who co-wrote the paper with Meng Liu, a graduate student at Washington University in St. Louis, said. “You can watch the trip on the dashboard and rate drivers, so it’s easier to say if you’re unhappy whereas it’s relatively difficult to do that in a taxi.”
The study examined data from 95,357 New York City UberX rides, which are not shared or pooled, involving 23,974 Uber drivers. It compared those rides with taxi trips that had the same origin points and airport destinations. It also compared trips from various places in Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport, for which passengers always pay a flat fee, to trips to LaGuardia Airport, which don’t have a fixed fee, and found there were more detours on rides to and from LaGuardia.
Taxis are more likely to rip off customers because there is less opportunity for feedback, researchers said. Some 73% of trips on Uber are rated by passengers and, of those, one in 170 trips get a partial or total refund after a passenger reports an unsatisfactory experience. In contrast, NYC taxi complaints are more difficult to lodge and occur for only one in every 6,356 trips. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance did not respond to request for comment.
Both taxi and ride-share drivers sometimes must spend hours waiting to pick up a fare at the airport, according to Ippei Takahashi, the chief executive officer and founder of rideshare comparison site RideGuru. That gives drivers more incentive to go out of their way for higher fares. The average wait time is 15 to 30 minutes, but can be more than two hours long, according to the RideGuru.
Riders who want to avoid unnecessarily long routes can take Uber or Lyft, Takahashi said.
“The fact that there is a paper trail for the routes taken and all transactions enforces accountability,” he said. “Because of the transparency and the fact that everything is documented, drivers are less likely to take detours for increasing the fares.”
https://goo.gl/cZJek8
Wednesday, 5 September 2018
TOYOTA PRIUS FIRES
Those of you who follow my Post will remember Feb 2017 when I questioned why Toyota Prius Cars were still being Licensed as PH Cars even though dozens, perhaps hundreds had caught fire. I pointed out that, In 2016, the Department of Transport published a recall notice which local authorities ignored.
http://mcrblackcab.proboards.com/thread/6056/another-prius-goes-away
Well at last, Toyota have got the message and a full recall notice has been issued.
As Toyota have stalled on this Public safety issue for two years, I believe it would not be unreasonable for Toyota Prius to be refused a license ever again.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-6133317/Toyota-plans-recall-1-mln-hybrid-models-wiring-issue.html
Those of you who follow my Post will remember Feb 2017 when I questioned why Toyota Prius Cars were still being Licensed as PH Cars even though dozens, perhaps hundreds had caught fire. I pointed out that, In 2016, the Department of Transport published a recall notice which local authorities ignored.
http://mcrblackcab.proboards.com/thread/6056/another-prius-goes-away
Well at last, Toyota have got the message and a full recall notice has been issued.
As Toyota have stalled on this Public safety issue for two years, I believe it would not be unreasonable for Toyota Prius to be refused a license ever again.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-6133317/Toyota-plans-recall-1-mln-hybrid-models-wiring-issue.html
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Coventry is poised to become a pace-setter in the UK for electric taxis with the launch of an ambitious scheme aimed at encouraging drivers to make the switch from oil burners to EVs.
The aim of the Go Electric Taxi scheme is to modernise Coventry’s taxi fleet ahead of the city being the UK City of Culture in 2021.
The scheme is being launched on Wednesday, September 5, by Coventry City Council, though a number of key partners are also on-board.
It is hoped the scheme could provide a blueprint to encourage electric taxi adoption in other UK cities, as well as improving air quality in Coventry.
The project will see over £1.2m invested in charging infrastructure and other measures.
LEVC, ESB, Siemens and Gett are involved
It is being supported by LEVC, which manufactures electric taxis in Coventry, the Irish energy company ESB, Siemens and taxi app Gett.
The initiative includes the offer of a two-week test drive to all Coventry Hackney Carriage drivers, a £2,500 incentive for the first 60 taxi drivers who go electric, free electric charging during a trial period, as well as zero commission fares on taxi app bookings.
In terms of infrastructure 39 rapid charging points will be installed by ESB and Siemens.
LEVC’s electric taxis will offer passengers laptop charging, mobile phone charging, free WiFi and the option to pay by card.
The new electric taxi loan scheme and charging points are part of a city-wide drive to cut air pollution.
Cllr Kamran Caan, the council’s cabinet member for public health and sport said: “We are committed to cutting air pollution in Coventry because we know that this will bring health benefits to people, particularly vulnerable residents with pre-existing health conditions.
“Electric vehicles are the future both nationally and globally. I hope that Hackney cab drivers will take the opportunity to try out the loan scheme.
“The vehicles are built locally – and the number of charging points is increasing all of the time.”
Jesse Norman, Minister for Roads and the Future of Mobility said: “Britain’s black cabs are iconic around the world.
“That is why the Government is supporting this initiative with £1.2 million, helping Coventry to champion these new electric models.
“The Government is committed to improving the country’s air quality and creating a low carbon economy, which is already worth billions.
“Low emission vehicles will be a key part of that transition, showing that we can meet our climate change obligations and also promote economic growth.”
One of the Coventry drivers who has already made the switch from diesel to electric power is Kartar Sabraiwal.
The 59-year-old has purchased one of the new TX models, his sixth Coventry taxi.
Mr Sabraiwal said it would slash his fuel bills and help him save money.
Covering 70-100 miles a day, he estimates he will save £400 a month.
He said: “Electric vehicles are the future – and will mean a smoother, more pleasant ride for my passengers as well as helping clean up Coventry’s air.
“The fact I will be financially better off from making the switch is also a big bonus.”
In addition, the project aims to tackle some of the biggest barriers to EV uptake – including concern about charging infrastructure.
The scheme will also see four LEVC TXs used as extended test drive vehicles – offering Coventry cab drivers a chance to experience an electric taxi first-hand.
Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC, said: “Coventry has always been the home of the black cab and this new scheme will ensure that Coventry’s taxi sector has one of the most modern, customer-centric fleets in the UK.
“These extended trials will give drivers a chance to get comfortable with our proven EV technology and see how much the vehicle delights passengers.”
LEVC has been producing the TX eCity at its £325m Ansty Park factory since the start of the year, although most of the vehicles produced so far have been sold in London. LEVC currently employs around 800 people in the city, and as production ramps up is set to increase its workforce to around 1,500 people.
https://goo.gl/DfZcCT
--------------------------------------------------------
WOLVERHAMPTON
OLA UK have been granted an Operators license in that Town.
OLA like many other Operators have been forced to apply there because other Council Licensing Staff are too incompetant to process application's in a reasonable time period.
In Manchester's case they recieved an application from OLA UK early June this year.
It took one month to 'validate' that application.
Since then.....nothing.
Manchester like all other Authorities who cannot cope have created the 'out of Town' vehicles problem, which is such a huge risk to the travelling public. Yet they blame 'others'
The aim of the Go Electric Taxi scheme is to modernise Coventry’s taxi fleet ahead of the city being the UK City of Culture in 2021.
The scheme is being launched on Wednesday, September 5, by Coventry City Council, though a number of key partners are also on-board.
It is hoped the scheme could provide a blueprint to encourage electric taxi adoption in other UK cities, as well as improving air quality in Coventry.
The project will see over £1.2m invested in charging infrastructure and other measures.
LEVC, ESB, Siemens and Gett are involved
It is being supported by LEVC, which manufactures electric taxis in Coventry, the Irish energy company ESB, Siemens and taxi app Gett.
The initiative includes the offer of a two-week test drive to all Coventry Hackney Carriage drivers, a £2,500 incentive for the first 60 taxi drivers who go electric, free electric charging during a trial period, as well as zero commission fares on taxi app bookings.
In terms of infrastructure 39 rapid charging points will be installed by ESB and Siemens.
LEVC’s electric taxis will offer passengers laptop charging, mobile phone charging, free WiFi and the option to pay by card.
The new electric taxi loan scheme and charging points are part of a city-wide drive to cut air pollution.
Cllr Kamran Caan, the council’s cabinet member for public health and sport said: “We are committed to cutting air pollution in Coventry because we know that this will bring health benefits to people, particularly vulnerable residents with pre-existing health conditions.
“Electric vehicles are the future both nationally and globally. I hope that Hackney cab drivers will take the opportunity to try out the loan scheme.
“The vehicles are built locally – and the number of charging points is increasing all of the time.”
Jesse Norman, Minister for Roads and the Future of Mobility said: “Britain’s black cabs are iconic around the world.
“That is why the Government is supporting this initiative with £1.2 million, helping Coventry to champion these new electric models.
“The Government is committed to improving the country’s air quality and creating a low carbon economy, which is already worth billions.
“Low emission vehicles will be a key part of that transition, showing that we can meet our climate change obligations and also promote economic growth.”
One of the Coventry drivers who has already made the switch from diesel to electric power is Kartar Sabraiwal.
The 59-year-old has purchased one of the new TX models, his sixth Coventry taxi.
Mr Sabraiwal said it would slash his fuel bills and help him save money.
Covering 70-100 miles a day, he estimates he will save £400 a month.
He said: “Electric vehicles are the future – and will mean a smoother, more pleasant ride for my passengers as well as helping clean up Coventry’s air.
“The fact I will be financially better off from making the switch is also a big bonus.”
In addition, the project aims to tackle some of the biggest barriers to EV uptake – including concern about charging infrastructure.
The scheme will also see four LEVC TXs used as extended test drive vehicles – offering Coventry cab drivers a chance to experience an electric taxi first-hand.
Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC, said: “Coventry has always been the home of the black cab and this new scheme will ensure that Coventry’s taxi sector has one of the most modern, customer-centric fleets in the UK.
“These extended trials will give drivers a chance to get comfortable with our proven EV technology and see how much the vehicle delights passengers.”
LEVC has been producing the TX eCity at its £325m Ansty Park factory since the start of the year, although most of the vehicles produced so far have been sold in London. LEVC currently employs around 800 people in the city, and as production ramps up is set to increase its workforce to around 1,500 people.
https://goo.gl/DfZcCT
--------------------------------------------------------
WOLVERHAMPTON
OLA UK have been granted an Operators license in that Town.
OLA like many other Operators have been forced to apply there because other Council Licensing Staff are too incompetant to process application's in a reasonable time period.
In Manchester's case they recieved an application from OLA UK early June this year.
It took one month to 'validate' that application.
Since then.....nothing.
Manchester like all other Authorities who cannot cope have created the 'out of Town' vehicles problem, which is such a huge risk to the travelling public. Yet they blame 'others'
Monday, 3 September 2018
LIVERPOOL TODAY
Liverpool Licensing to consult on Mandatory credit card acceptance in all Liverpool Hacks.
https://goo.gl/2uZjgR
-------------------------------------------------
LICHFIELD
A taxi driver has been told he cannot operate in Lichfield after a court upheld a decision not to renew his licence.
Lichfield District Council won the case against Mohammed Chowdhury at Stoke Crown Court after the local authority had opted not to renew his taxi driver’s licence following complaints about him and carrying out a series of mystery shopper tests.
The council said the Birmingham-based driver had overcharged, failed to give receipts and been abusive to a passenger.
Chowdhury had appealed a previous court ruling, but an appeal at Stoke Crown Court found in the council’s favour.
Cllr Ashley Yeates, Cabinet member for regulatory services, housing and wellbeing, said: “It’s so important that we have the authority to monitor any taxi drivers that operate within the district, to make sure they are offering a good service and are safe.
“This is why we’re really pleased with the Crown Court’s ruling to uphold our decision to reject Mr Chowdhury’s licence renewal application.
“We do not want any taxi drivers with poor customer service to work locally.”
The court ordered Chowdhury to pay the council’s costs of £6,000 which, when added to the £5,000 costs from the original Magistrates’ Court case, makes a total of £11,000 in costs.
https://goo.gl/2BEn5o
Liverpool Licensing to consult on Mandatory credit card acceptance in all Liverpool Hacks.
https://goo.gl/2uZjgR
-------------------------------------------------
LICHFIELD
A taxi driver has been told he cannot operate in Lichfield after a court upheld a decision not to renew his licence.
Lichfield District Council won the case against Mohammed Chowdhury at Stoke Crown Court after the local authority had opted not to renew his taxi driver’s licence following complaints about him and carrying out a series of mystery shopper tests.
The council said the Birmingham-based driver had overcharged, failed to give receipts and been abusive to a passenger.
Chowdhury had appealed a previous court ruling, but an appeal at Stoke Crown Court found in the council’s favour.
Cllr Ashley Yeates, Cabinet member for regulatory services, housing and wellbeing, said: “It’s so important that we have the authority to monitor any taxi drivers that operate within the district, to make sure they are offering a good service and are safe.
“This is why we’re really pleased with the Crown Court’s ruling to uphold our decision to reject Mr Chowdhury’s licence renewal application.
“We do not want any taxi drivers with poor customer service to work locally.”
The court ordered Chowdhury to pay the council’s costs of £6,000 which, when added to the £5,000 costs from the original Magistrates’ Court case, makes a total of £11,000 in costs.
https://goo.gl/2BEn5o
Sunday, 2 September 2018
NOTTINGHAM
Taxi drivers have racked up nearly 700 penalty points since a controversial scheme was launched by Nottingham City Council to cut bad behaviour from the trade.
But drivers say officials need to be lenient and allow them more time when dropping people off.
Parking in bus stops, on double yellow lines, and switching off the meter can see taxis issued with penalty points.
Drivers can receive up to 12 points over a three-year rolling period before their licence will be reviewed.
But if they exceed 12 points, action is taken and their licence can be suspended.
The Driver Improvement Penalty Points Scheme (DIPPS) was introduced by the city council on April 1, 2017.
The aim of the scheme was to improve overall driver behaviour, customer service and passenger safety.
Points are handed out by the council's community protection officers (CPOs).
Between April and December in 2017, a total of 301 DIPPS notices were issued, which saw two drivers interviewed. No action was taken in one case and a written warning was issued in the second.
But this number has risen this year as between January and August 2018 where 392 DIPPS notices have been issued and 19 drivers interviewed.
https://goo.gl/HeGUw6
--------------------------------------------
NEW YORK.
A man fatally shot himself in the head while riding in the back of a yellow cab on the Upper West Side early Sunday morning, police said.
The 30-year-old man got into the taxi at about 2 a.m. near the corner of 93rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, then pulled out a gun and shot himself once in the head while sitting in the backseat of the car, authorities said.
The driver pulled over and called 911 after the shooting, cops said.
Medics responded to the scene and rushed the man to Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
https://goo.gl/5aAR3S
Taxi drivers have racked up nearly 700 penalty points since a controversial scheme was launched by Nottingham City Council to cut bad behaviour from the trade.
But drivers say officials need to be lenient and allow them more time when dropping people off.
Parking in bus stops, on double yellow lines, and switching off the meter can see taxis issued with penalty points.
Drivers can receive up to 12 points over a three-year rolling period before their licence will be reviewed.
But if they exceed 12 points, action is taken and their licence can be suspended.
The Driver Improvement Penalty Points Scheme (DIPPS) was introduced by the city council on April 1, 2017.
The aim of the scheme was to improve overall driver behaviour, customer service and passenger safety.
Points are handed out by the council's community protection officers (CPOs).
Between April and December in 2017, a total of 301 DIPPS notices were issued, which saw two drivers interviewed. No action was taken in one case and a written warning was issued in the second.
But this number has risen this year as between January and August 2018 where 392 DIPPS notices have been issued and 19 drivers interviewed.
https://goo.gl/HeGUw6
--------------------------------------------
NEW YORK.
A man fatally shot himself in the head while riding in the back of a yellow cab on the Upper West Side early Sunday morning, police said.
The 30-year-old man got into the taxi at about 2 a.m. near the corner of 93rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, then pulled out a gun and shot himself once in the head while sitting in the backseat of the car, authorities said.
The driver pulled over and called 911 after the shooting, cops said.
Medics responded to the scene and rushed the man to Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
https://goo.gl/5aAR3S
Saturday, 1 September 2018
NEW YORK
A credit union has been driven into insolvency by the rise of Uber and other ride-sharing apps, as many of its loans, secured by New York City taxi medallions, have fallen into delinquency.
The Melrose Credit Union of Queens, New York, was liquidated on Friday by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Federal supervisory agency.
Melrose, which had operated for nearly a century, is the largest retail credit union to enter liquidation. It had been in NCUA conservatorship since February 2017. Its financial reports for the first half of 2018 show allowances for loan losses of $260m and a six-month net loss of $172m. Assets of $1.1bn were outweighed by liabilities of just under $1.5bn.
The majority of its loans appear to have been backed by taxi medallions, licences issued by the authorities to allow metered Yellow Cabs — the only cabs that can be hailed on the street — to operate.
Several other New York credit unions are feeling the pain of falling medallion values. One of them, Lomto, is also in NCUA conservatorship.
Five years ago New York taxi medallions sold for over $1m. Recently, as taxis face tough competition from ride-sharing services, medallions have changed hands for under $200,000.
This month, New York City issued a one-year moratorium on new for-hire vehicle licenses, and will use the moratorium period to study the impact on ride-hailing apps congestion, wages and other issues. It is the first US city to impose such a limit on services such as Uber and Lyft.
https://goo.gl/cX4DL9
------------------------------------------------
LICHFIELD
A taxi driver has been told he cannot operate in Lichfield after a court upheld a decision not to renew his licence.
Lichfield District Council won the case against Mohammed Chowdhury at Stoke Crown Court after the local authority had opted not to renew his taxi driver’s licence following complaints about him and carrying out a series of mystery shopper tests.
The council said the Birmingham-based driver had overcharged, failed to give receipts and been abusive to a passenger.
Chowdhury had appealed a previous court ruling, but an appeal at Stoke Crown Court found in the council’s favour.
Cllr Ashley Yeates, Cabinet member for regulatory services, housing and wellbeing, said: “It’s so important that we have the authority to monitor any taxi drivers that operate within the district, to make sure they are offering a good service and are safe.
“This is why we’re really pleased with the Crown Court’s ruling to uphold our decision to reject Mr Chowdhury’s licence renewal application.
“We do not want any taxi drivers with poor customer service to work locally.”
The court ordered Chowdhury to pay the council’s costs of £6,000 which, when added to the £5,000 costs from the original Magistrates’ Court case, makes a total of £11,000 in costs.
https://goo.gl/Y5DWPV
A credit union has been driven into insolvency by the rise of Uber and other ride-sharing apps, as many of its loans, secured by New York City taxi medallions, have fallen into delinquency.
The Melrose Credit Union of Queens, New York, was liquidated on Friday by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Federal supervisory agency.
Melrose, which had operated for nearly a century, is the largest retail credit union to enter liquidation. It had been in NCUA conservatorship since February 2017. Its financial reports for the first half of 2018 show allowances for loan losses of $260m and a six-month net loss of $172m. Assets of $1.1bn were outweighed by liabilities of just under $1.5bn.
The majority of its loans appear to have been backed by taxi medallions, licences issued by the authorities to allow metered Yellow Cabs — the only cabs that can be hailed on the street — to operate.
Several other New York credit unions are feeling the pain of falling medallion values. One of them, Lomto, is also in NCUA conservatorship.
Five years ago New York taxi medallions sold for over $1m. Recently, as taxis face tough competition from ride-sharing services, medallions have changed hands for under $200,000.
This month, New York City issued a one-year moratorium on new for-hire vehicle licenses, and will use the moratorium period to study the impact on ride-hailing apps congestion, wages and other issues. It is the first US city to impose such a limit on services such as Uber and Lyft.
https://goo.gl/cX4DL9
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LICHFIELD
A taxi driver has been told he cannot operate in Lichfield after a court upheld a decision not to renew his licence.
Lichfield District Council won the case against Mohammed Chowdhury at Stoke Crown Court after the local authority had opted not to renew his taxi driver’s licence following complaints about him and carrying out a series of mystery shopper tests.
The council said the Birmingham-based driver had overcharged, failed to give receipts and been abusive to a passenger.
Chowdhury had appealed a previous court ruling, but an appeal at Stoke Crown Court found in the council’s favour.
Cllr Ashley Yeates, Cabinet member for regulatory services, housing and wellbeing, said: “It’s so important that we have the authority to monitor any taxi drivers that operate within the district, to make sure they are offering a good service and are safe.
“This is why we’re really pleased with the Crown Court’s ruling to uphold our decision to reject Mr Chowdhury’s licence renewal application.
“We do not want any taxi drivers with poor customer service to work locally.”
The court ordered Chowdhury to pay the council’s costs of £6,000 which, when added to the £5,000 costs from the original Magistrates’ Court case, makes a total of £11,000 in costs.
https://goo.gl/Y5DWPV
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