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
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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
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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
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