OXFORD

 The mytaxi app has announced it will support the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal this year - donating the equivalent amount to what drivers earn through the app in tips on Sunday.

Sajad Khan, a black cab driver in Oxford, said: “Remembrance Sunday is a day when we take a step back and remember the great sacrifices the many men and women gave for our freedom.

"This is a great initiative by mytaxi who will match the tips we make and forward the money to 2 great charities”

The app allows customers to hail a black cab through their phone and launched in Oxford earlier this year.

It recently underwent a complete redesign which is now available.

Frances Luczyc Wyhowska, vice-president at Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “We are very grateful to mytaxi for their generosity. We have been supported by mytaxi for a number of years and their donations go towards helping the war disabled and veterans by providing entertainment and outings.

"The charity relies solely on donations and the money raised helps fund more outings and entertainment for our veterans."

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/17203957.taxi-app-to-donate-tips-to-veterans-for-remembrance-day/
---------------------------------

BOURNEMOUTH

Social media 'lifts' are becoming an 'illegal industry'

"Doing lifts" is the phenomena of using social media to buy and sell car journeys in an online illegal "taxi" service.

More than 7,000 people are members of a closed group in Bournemouth, Dorset, the equivalent of a third of the town's student population.
Once people are accepted into the group they can use their own cars to make money by charging for lifts in what taxi drivers in the town are calling an "illegal industry".

Drivers and passengers in the group do not have background checks or training, pay no fees and are likely to be unlicensed and uninsured

Bournemouth Borough Council said it was aware of the group and is taking the situation "very seriously".

https://goo.gl/WCmNgL
--------------------------------------

EXETER

Indian taxi-hailing giant Ola has confirmed that it is set to launch in Exeter over the next few weeks.
The app-based service - which has rivalled Uber around the world - has obtained a license to operate in the city.

Unlike Uber, which says it currently has no plans to launch in Exeter, Ola will also offer a choice of a private hire vehicle or metered taxis.

The company is also set to launch in Bath and Bristol in the coming weeks following a successful launch in South Wales earlier this year.

Ben Legg, managing director of Ola UK, said: "We can’t wait to grow the Ola community and welcome drivers and passengers across the region to our platform, as we build momentum in the UK.

"Whether you’re on a night out, rushing to catch a flight, caught up in stormy weather or just need a hug from your mum, Ola will be able to help people across the region reach their destinations safely and conveniently.

"We have been delighted by how both passengers and drivers have welcomed our services in South Wales, reflecting how we put them at the heart of our approach.

"As we have shown, Ola is genuinely committed to serving and enriching the communities in which we operate and working closely with local authorities to help with their mobility goals."

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/uber-rival-taxi-service-ola-2188520