FACEBOOK BACK UBERK OVER LTDA.

A taxi driver group’s Facebook ad has been banned for “denigrating” rivals Uber.

The ad stated “Uber – unsafe for passengers, unsafe for road users” and featured a hand reaching from a car window to grab a woman’s purse from her handbag.

Watchdogs launched an investigation after receiving a single complaint.

The ad was found to be in breach of rules regarding imitation and denigration, and was banned from being used again.

The Facebook post in May, paid for by London-based Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), said: “Uber- unsafe for passengers, unsafe for road users. Why trust them both with your data?”

Beneath that text, a photo which looked like a CCTV image depicted an arm reaching out of the window of a car and grabbing a purse from a woman’s bag. Text in the bottom right of the image stated “UBER-CAM -1”.

The LTDA did not respond to the inquiries of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

An ASA spokesman said: “We noted that LTDA referred to Uber as unsafe for passengers and road users, and questioned whether passengers should trust Uber with their data.

“We considered the picture, in the context of the ad, was intended to portray an Uber driver stealing a woman’s purse.

“In any case the image, as well as the text in the Facebook post, created the impression that Uber drivers were untrustworthy and took part in illegal behaviour.

“We therefore concluded that the ad denigrated Uber and was therefore in breach of the Code.

“The ad must not appear again in its current form. We told the LTDA not to denigrate Uber.”

He added: “We were concerned by LTDA’s lack of response and apparent disregard for the Code.

“We reminded them of their responsibility to provide a response to our enquiries and told them to do so in future.”

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Black cab rapist John Worboys could be charged over other sex attacks after police handed prosecutors a file of evidence.

Detectives who questioned him in jail under caution in July on “a number of non-recent sexual assault allegations” have concluded their investigation.

The Crown Prosecution Service said: “We have now received an evidence file from the Metropolitan Police following that inquiry and a charging decision will be made in due course.”

The serial sex attacker, 61, whose release on parole was blocked by the High Court this year, is expected to learn in coming months if he faces a new trial.

He is again due to be considered for release by the Parole Board but the process will be halted if he is charged. Scotland Yard has previously said the new allegations include sex assault and administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence between 1997 and 2007.

https://goo.gl/zUV6Q7
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CALGARY


Taking a taxi or an Uber in Calgary could soon cost up to 30 cents more, in a move a city committee says is intended to help those with mobility issues.

The city council committee has approved a two-year pilot project to add up to a 30-cent charge to all taxi and ride-hailing service trips starting Jan. 1, 2019.

The proposal still needs approval from the rest of council.

If approved, the money will be used to help subsidize the cost of installing ramps in wheelchair-accessible taxis that provide service for those with mobility issues.

Coun. George Chahal says the city also wants a third party to run a centralized dispatch service to respond to calls for wheelchair-accessible taxis.

"I think moving to an industry-wide app that allows all taxi drivers to be under one app to access those trips that are available … is the way that we need to move forward," he said.

"I'm hoping that this central dispatch system evolves into something that's more efficient and more technologically advanced."

Council will discuss the plan later this month and, if it's approved, set the rate.

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