LONDON
Private hire drivers are taking legal action against London Mayor Sadiq Khan over the congestion charge.
The group, which includes Uber drivers, says the charge is discriminatory as 94% of them are from black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds.
London's "black cab" licensed taxis will remain exempt.
The mayor's office says it is not prepared to ignore the damaging impact the rise in private hire vehicles is having on congestion and air pollution.
From 8 April, private hire vehicle drivers will have to pay the £11.50 daily congestion charge to drive in central London, under rules introduced by the mayor.
Uber driver Abdurzak Hadi says that as he drives in central London from Monday to Friday, he will be almost £60 a week worse off.
"I will be punished for coming to work. This is a tax on poor drivers," says Mr Hadi.
Most drivers, such as those working for Uber, will have to pay the charge themselves and cannot pass it on to passengers, because it is the company that sets the rates for fares.
London has roughly 114,000 private hire (PHV) drivers, who are overwhelmingly from black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and this is what has led to a legal challenge.
The percentage figure comes from a report to the mayor entitled "Changes to the Congestion Charge", which followed a consultation which Transport for London says received 10,000 responses.
The report says: "As the majority of PHV drivers (about 94%) are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME) and many are from deprived areas, there is a disproportionate impact on these groups."
However, it assesses the impact as being "minor adverse".
The report also includes analysis showing that a majority of black cab drivers are white British.
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which represents private hire drivers, is seeking a judicial review of the mayor's decision on the basis that it indirectly discriminates against BAME PHV drivers.
'Fundamentally unfair'
On Friday, the union began that process by writing a pre-action letter to the mayor.
Indirect discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010. It occurs where there is a practice, policy or rule that is applied generally to a large group but a sub group that possess a particular 'protected' characteristic ends up being treated less favourably.
Those characteristics include race, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender reassignment, maternity and pregnancy, marriage or civil partnership.
IWGB general secretary Dr Jason Moyer-Lee calls the plan "regressive" and "both discriminatory and fundamentally unfair".
"We would urge the mayor to adopt one of the many alternative policies which would actually address congestion, instead of just penalising low-paid ethnic minority workers," says Dr Moyer-Lee.
He argues that if the minimum wage was paid to all private hire drivers, companies would control the number of drivers because they would not want cars circulating without paying passengers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47360402
Thursday 28 February 2019
BOLTON
AN ASPIRING private hire driver who admitted to fantasising about having sex with a child has been refused a licence.
Police were first made aware of the man in January 2010, after he claimed to be having a sexual relationship with a neighbour and her 14-year-old daughter.
The statements had been made to a different woman who had been exchanging text messages and explicit photographs with the would-be driver after he contacted her on Facebook, calling himself Dave from Barnsley.
However, after hearing his claims about the alleged sexual relationship with a child, the woman approached police officers and the man was subsequently arrested and questioned.
At this point, the man revealed that he had never had a sexual relationship with a child, although he admitted to making the claims.
He also told police that this was something he had fantasised about.
The situation was then flagged up to Bolton Council's licensing committee on sensitive cases after the man applied to be given a private hire licence.
The hearing, held earlier this month, was chaired by Cllr Madeline Murray and included Cllr Hilary Fairclough, Cllr Susan Haworth and Cllr Hamid Khurram.
This latest case follows several other private hire drivers who have had issues with their licences at hearings held by councillors in the past few months following complaints, convictions and other concerns.
These hearings are held behind closed doors, which is why the drivers are not named. However, some details are later published on the council’s website after a decision is made.
After taking into account the allegations made against the man, the committee refused to give him a licence, claiming he does nt fit with regulations as a "fit and proper person" for the role.
It relates to regulations which state that "any applicant connected to illegal sexual activity or any form of indecency" should not be granted a licence to drive a private hire vehicle.
The committee concluded: "Members of the public and in particular, the elderly, infirm and children or vulnerable adults entrust their personal safety and wellbeing to private hire drivers whenever they take a journey.
"Passengers often travel alone and are vulnerable to inappropriate behaviour.
"The sub-committee’s primary duty is of concern for the safety and wellbeing of the public
"In summary, based on the applicant’s own admitted conduct, the evidence available and the council’s statement of fitness and suitability there is therefore reasonable cause to refuse to grant the private hire driver’s licence."
https://bit.ly/2VmFeM2
-------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
Generous Scousers have rallied behind the family of a mum killed in a horror taxi crash.
The woman died after the private hire car she was travelling to work in was involved in a crash with a BMW on the East Lancs Road on Wednesday morning.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene, at the junction of Bridgehouse Lane, for the mum who friends have described as "bubbly and beautiful" and a "lovely woman".
In another act of respect for the popular woman, dozens of people have also rallied behind her family by donating almost £2,000.
Read More
Top news stories
Around £10,000 has been raised so far through two fundraising sites with the staggering amounts being donated on JustGiving and GoFundMe in an attempt to support the woman's husband and children as they cope with her death.
The pages, set up by a friends of the family, explains how their lives had "changed forever" and that the money would be used to support them "at this tragic time"
The woman has not been officially named but on Wednesday night her husband requested on Facebook that people do not call his family and give them their privacy.
https://bit.ly/2GSJyj6
AN ASPIRING private hire driver who admitted to fantasising about having sex with a child has been refused a licence.
Police were first made aware of the man in January 2010, after he claimed to be having a sexual relationship with a neighbour and her 14-year-old daughter.
The statements had been made to a different woman who had been exchanging text messages and explicit photographs with the would-be driver after he contacted her on Facebook, calling himself Dave from Barnsley.
However, after hearing his claims about the alleged sexual relationship with a child, the woman approached police officers and the man was subsequently arrested and questioned.
At this point, the man revealed that he had never had a sexual relationship with a child, although he admitted to making the claims.
He also told police that this was something he had fantasised about.
The situation was then flagged up to Bolton Council's licensing committee on sensitive cases after the man applied to be given a private hire licence.
The hearing, held earlier this month, was chaired by Cllr Madeline Murray and included Cllr Hilary Fairclough, Cllr Susan Haworth and Cllr Hamid Khurram.
This latest case follows several other private hire drivers who have had issues with their licences at hearings held by councillors in the past few months following complaints, convictions and other concerns.
These hearings are held behind closed doors, which is why the drivers are not named. However, some details are later published on the council’s website after a decision is made.
After taking into account the allegations made against the man, the committee refused to give him a licence, claiming he does nt fit with regulations as a "fit and proper person" for the role.
It relates to regulations which state that "any applicant connected to illegal sexual activity or any form of indecency" should not be granted a licence to drive a private hire vehicle.
The committee concluded: "Members of the public and in particular, the elderly, infirm and children or vulnerable adults entrust their personal safety and wellbeing to private hire drivers whenever they take a journey.
"Passengers often travel alone and are vulnerable to inappropriate behaviour.
"The sub-committee’s primary duty is of concern for the safety and wellbeing of the public
"In summary, based on the applicant’s own admitted conduct, the evidence available and the council’s statement of fitness and suitability there is therefore reasonable cause to refuse to grant the private hire driver’s licence."
https://bit.ly/2VmFeM2
-------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
Generous Scousers have rallied behind the family of a mum killed in a horror taxi crash.
The woman died after the private hire car she was travelling to work in was involved in a crash with a BMW on the East Lancs Road on Wednesday morning.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene, at the junction of Bridgehouse Lane, for the mum who friends have described as "bubbly and beautiful" and a "lovely woman".
In another act of respect for the popular woman, dozens of people have also rallied behind her family by donating almost £2,000.
Read More
Top news stories
Around £10,000 has been raised so far through two fundraising sites with the staggering amounts being donated on JustGiving and GoFundMe in an attempt to support the woman's husband and children as they cope with her death.
The pages, set up by a friends of the family, explains how their lives had "changed forever" and that the money would be used to support them "at this tragic time"
The woman has not been officially named but on Wednesday night her husband requested on Facebook that people do not call his family and give them their privacy.
https://bit.ly/2GSJyj6
Wednesday 27 February 2019
YORK
A number of taxi drivers’ associations in York have made a complaint to City of York Council claiming the authority is making licensing decisions based on "misinformation".
York’s Independent Taxi Association, Hackney Carriage Association, Private Hire Association and Station Taxis Association raise concerns over information provided by council officers to a licensing meeting in February.
The complaint claims the advice was insufficient for councillors to make a fully-informed decision over issues relating to the way Uber operates.
The complaint document says
“We would like a public statement and acknowledgement regarding all the misinformation that was presented at the meeting to clarify for the viewing and listening public, the elected members and the trade, the points which are accurate and those which are not.”
A spokesperson for City of York Council said:
“City of York Council recently took a report to its Licensing committee on 11 February to present its position regarding the interpretation of the law relating to private hire licensing and the ability to work outside the area within which they are licensed.
We have been clear on our position on this.”
Minster FM understands that the council is not immediately treating the matter as a formal complaint but that may change.
The reason is because it was not about an alleged breach of council rules, but the work of officers and their interpretation of legislation.
Updated - We now understand that this IS being treated as a formal complaint now
https://bit.ly/2UdlDxE
-------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
A passenger in a taxi has died in a crash on the East Lancs road in the early hours of this morning.
Police confirmed today that a female passenger had died following the incident whilst the driver is in a serious condition in hospital.
A 26-year-old man who was driving a BMW has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been taken to a police station where he will be questioned.
At around 5.10am police were called to the junction of the East Lancs Road and Stonebridge Lane in Croxteth after a collision.
Police are appealing for information regarding the crash. Anyone with information, who witnessed the collision, or has dashcam footage, can contact @MerPolCC, call (0151) 7775747 or 101 with reference 19100077634 or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
https://bit.ly/2IIWh9H
-----------------------------
WILMSLOW
A taxi driver who was subject to an attempted robbery in Wilmslow managed to tag one of his assailants with red paint, forcing them to flee.
The driver, a 30-year-old man from Stockport, was approached by the three men on Albert Road in Wilmslow , shortly before 2am on Sunday, February 24.
The victim was checking his passenger side door outside the vehicle when the three men approached him, standing in front of the driver's door and demanding his cash box while brandishing a knife or screwdriver.
But the driver managed to use a red paint deterrent spray on the men, hitting one and forcing them to run off along Alderley Road.
The first man is described as white, 5’7”, slim with a local accent and wearing all black with his hood up.
The second man was described as dressed in black and the third man was described as taller than the other two men, wearing all black with white trainers on.
Detective Constable Cameron Mair said: “Although this incident happened in the early hours of the morning there were a number of people and cars in the area.
"We are asking anyone in the area to get in touch if they saw anything - particularly if you saw someone with red paint on their hoodie.
“We are also asking drivers who drove through the area at around that time to check their dashcam footage.
"No one should have to face threats and intimidation when they are out making an honest living and we want to catch those responsible.”
If you have any information about the incident you can contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 331011.
-----------------------------
A number of taxi drivers’ associations in York have made a complaint to City of York Council claiming the authority is making licensing decisions based on "misinformation".
York’s Independent Taxi Association, Hackney Carriage Association, Private Hire Association and Station Taxis Association raise concerns over information provided by council officers to a licensing meeting in February.
The complaint claims the advice was insufficient for councillors to make a fully-informed decision over issues relating to the way Uber operates.
The complaint document says
“We would like a public statement and acknowledgement regarding all the misinformation that was presented at the meeting to clarify for the viewing and listening public, the elected members and the trade, the points which are accurate and those which are not.”
A spokesperson for City of York Council said:
“City of York Council recently took a report to its Licensing committee on 11 February to present its position regarding the interpretation of the law relating to private hire licensing and the ability to work outside the area within which they are licensed.
We have been clear on our position on this.”
Minster FM understands that the council is not immediately treating the matter as a formal complaint but that may change.
The reason is because it was not about an alleged breach of council rules, but the work of officers and their interpretation of legislation.
Updated - We now understand that this IS being treated as a formal complaint now
https://bit.ly/2UdlDxE
-------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
A passenger in a taxi has died in a crash on the East Lancs road in the early hours of this morning.
Police confirmed today that a female passenger had died following the incident whilst the driver is in a serious condition in hospital.
A 26-year-old man who was driving a BMW has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been taken to a police station where he will be questioned.
At around 5.10am police were called to the junction of the East Lancs Road and Stonebridge Lane in Croxteth after a collision.
Police are appealing for information regarding the crash. Anyone with information, who witnessed the collision, or has dashcam footage, can contact @MerPolCC, call (0151) 7775747 or 101 with reference 19100077634 or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
https://bit.ly/2IIWh9H
-----------------------------
WILMSLOW
A taxi driver who was subject to an attempted robbery in Wilmslow managed to tag one of his assailants with red paint, forcing them to flee.
The driver, a 30-year-old man from Stockport, was approached by the three men on Albert Road in Wilmslow , shortly before 2am on Sunday, February 24.
The victim was checking his passenger side door outside the vehicle when the three men approached him, standing in front of the driver's door and demanding his cash box while brandishing a knife or screwdriver.
But the driver managed to use a red paint deterrent spray on the men, hitting one and forcing them to run off along Alderley Road.
The first man is described as white, 5’7”, slim with a local accent and wearing all black with his hood up.
The second man was described as dressed in black and the third man was described as taller than the other two men, wearing all black with white trainers on.
Detective Constable Cameron Mair said: “Although this incident happened in the early hours of the morning there were a number of people and cars in the area.
"We are asking anyone in the area to get in touch if they saw anything - particularly if you saw someone with red paint on their hoodie.
“We are also asking drivers who drove through the area at around that time to check their dashcam footage.
"No one should have to face threats and intimidation when they are out making an honest living and we want to catch those responsible.”
If you have any information about the incident you can contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 331011.
-----------------------------
Tuesday 26 February 2019
LONDON ASSEMBLY MEMBER
London Assembly member Keith Prince puts Mayor Khan on the spot over 'sponsored' Via Van on demand Bus service;
https://twitter.com/KeithPrinceAM/status/1100449760882888706
https://londonist.com/london/transport/tfl-on-demand-bus-service-app-sutton
Potential industrial action by taxi drivers opposed to the council's approach to the introduction of a clean air zone in the city centre has been delayed pending further discussions, it has been confirmed.
Last week the council's licensing committee published an update to their plans for a Clean Air Zone in the city centre, with particular emphasis on the arrangements around Hackney Carriage Vehicles (HCV).
According to city council figures, only 72 of the 1,265 Hackney Carriages licensed to operate in the city will be compliant with the new emission standards being imposed by the pollution charge from January 2020.
Following meetings last week the Rail and Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), which represents HCV drivers, announced a series of 'go slow' protests across the city centre, in protest at the costs being imposed on drivers to convert their vehicles to meet emissions standards.
However, following discussions on Friday (February 22), RMT representative Raja Amin said that the protests had been postponed after the council made some concessions on their proposals.
The update featured 12 points which represented a change from the council's original policy in relation to taxis.
These included :
"And we got prepared to start a dispute action from Monday. But Mr Chris Neville, the director of licensing, phoned me up on Friday afternoon and asked if we could sit around a table to resolve this, which we were quite happy to do as we made clear in our letter of dispute.
https://bit.ly/2Ez3CVi
------------------------------------------------------
PLYMOUTH
Councillors are being given the option to set a lower rise in fees paid by Plymouth taxi drivers after an outcry at the size of a planned increase.
In mid-January the city council published a draft set of new fees for hackney carriage and private hire drivers which in some cases were up by more than 80 per cent.
The size of the rise led to noisy protests by taxi drivers who twice drove in convoy through the city centre to highlight their opposition to the changes.
For hackney drivers, it was proposed that a one-year black cab licence goes from £210 to £342 and a one-year driver’s licence from £112 to £165.
A one-year private hire vehicle licence was proposed to go from £117 to £170, with a one-year driver’s licence going from £82 to £120.
Now officers have come up with alternative proposals including lower increases to the main charges.
Both options will be considered by councillors on the taxi licensing sub-committee on Thursday.
Hackney carriages are the black cabs that pick up from taxi ranks and can be hailed in the street, while private hire taxis have to be booked in advance.
Both categories are licensed and regulated by the city council, and it also sets fares for hackney carriages.
The council service including enforcement has to be self-financing, and the city council says the rises are needed to balance the books.
The new fees are due to come into force on March 1.
https://bit.ly/2BUXPHU
-------------------------------------------------
BISHOP AUCKLAND
A WOMAN punched a taxi driver and smashed up his car with a walking stick in a fit of drunken anger after realising she did not have the means to pay the fare on New Year's Eve, a court heard.
Lauren Ashley Kirsopp, 22, of Davies Street, Ferryhill, then kicked a police officer following her arrest.
She admitted charges of assault by beating, criminal damage and assault of an emergency worker, when she appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday.
Kayleigh Hellen, prosecuting, said: "The defendant has gone into a taxi at 10.05pm on New Year's Eve at Bishop Auckland market place.
"The fare was agreed but when the destination was reached the defendant became abusive and aggressive before punching the taxi driver.
"She has then climbed from the vehicle and smashed it with a walking stick."
The court heard the windscreen was cracked, a wiper damaged and there were large dents all over the bodywork.
When she was later arrested, in the early hours of New Year's Day, she was taken to Bishop Auckland police station where she assaulted a police officer by kicking him once in the leg.
A victim impact statement from the taxi driver said: "This was the busiest night of the year for business. I lost a full night's work. They were my first paying customers and there was £1,000 worth of damage done to my taxi. I feel very vulnerable as an individual. I didn't expect this. This has never happened before but now I feel emotionally drained and upset about what happened."
Ms Hellen said Kirsopp had taken part in restorative justice, where she met her police officer victim face to face and answered questions through a third party for the taxi driver victim. She had also written letters of apology.
Kirsopp, who was representing herself, said: "I needed a taxi to Coundon. It was all because I didn't have enough money for the taxi. I had been drinking all day. it was totally out of character. I got in the taxi and I didn't have the right money and I kicked off."
She said that she was planning on seeking help for anger management issues and other mental health problems.
"I shouldn't have took it out on the taxi driver," she added. "I didn't realise how much it had affected both the taxi driver and the police officer."
https://bit.ly/2TmvDHG
London Assembly member Keith Prince puts Mayor Khan on the spot over 'sponsored' Via Van on demand Bus service;
https://twitter.com/KeithPrinceAM/status/1100449760882888706
https://londonist.com/london/transport/tfl-on-demand-bus-service-app-sutton
-----------------------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
Last week the council's licensing committee published an update to their plans for a Clean Air Zone in the city centre, with particular emphasis on the arrangements around Hackney Carriage Vehicles (HCV).
According to city council figures, only 72 of the 1,265 Hackney Carriages licensed to operate in the city will be compliant with the new emission standards being imposed by the pollution charge from January 2020.
Following meetings last week the Rail and Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), which represents HCV drivers, announced a series of 'go slow' protests across the city centre, in protest at the costs being imposed on drivers to convert their vehicles to meet emissions standards.
However, following discussions on Friday (February 22), RMT representative Raja Amin said that the protests had been postponed after the council made some concessions on their proposals.
What concessions were made?
These included :
Removing the emission standard of Euro 4 and Euro 6 and replacing it with a 'strict vehicle ageing policy'.
Increasing the age limit on HCV's from 14 to 15 years.
Allowing any HCV that is less than 15 years old and any Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) that is less than 12 years old to work until such time as it reaches its age limit.
Any vehicle that does not reach the standards would be able to keep working until they reach their age limit, but would have to pay the daily Clean Air Zone charge.
Any HCV that is suitable for an LPG conversion can be converted regardless of its age, provided that its physical condition is structurally sound and it will last until December 2025.
A HCV will be able to carrying on working after 1st January 2020 if it has entered into a binding contract for an LPG conversion.
"Well as you saw, after the first 12 points were sent out last Wednesday we announced a dispute with Birmingham City Council and gave them some dates from Monday to Friday for two weeks where we’d drive slow in the area," he said.
https://bit.ly/2Ez3CVi
------------------------------------------------------
PLYMOUTH
Councillors are being given the option to set a lower rise in fees paid by Plymouth taxi drivers after an outcry at the size of a planned increase.
In mid-January the city council published a draft set of new fees for hackney carriage and private hire drivers which in some cases were up by more than 80 per cent.
The size of the rise led to noisy protests by taxi drivers who twice drove in convoy through the city centre to highlight their opposition to the changes.
For hackney drivers, it was proposed that a one-year black cab licence goes from £210 to £342 and a one-year driver’s licence from £112 to £165.
A one-year private hire vehicle licence was proposed to go from £117 to £170, with a one-year driver’s licence going from £82 to £120.
Now officers have come up with alternative proposals including lower increases to the main charges.
Both options will be considered by councillors on the taxi licensing sub-committee on Thursday.
Hackney carriages are the black cabs that pick up from taxi ranks and can be hailed in the street, while private hire taxis have to be booked in advance.
Both categories are licensed and regulated by the city council, and it also sets fares for hackney carriages.
The council service including enforcement has to be self-financing, and the city council says the rises are needed to balance the books.
The new fees are due to come into force on March 1.
https://bit.ly/2BUXPHU
-------------------------------------------------
BISHOP AUCKLAND
A WOMAN punched a taxi driver and smashed up his car with a walking stick in a fit of drunken anger after realising she did not have the means to pay the fare on New Year's Eve, a court heard.
Lauren Ashley Kirsopp, 22, of Davies Street, Ferryhill, then kicked a police officer following her arrest.
She admitted charges of assault by beating, criminal damage and assault of an emergency worker, when she appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday.
Kayleigh Hellen, prosecuting, said: "The defendant has gone into a taxi at 10.05pm on New Year's Eve at Bishop Auckland market place.
"The fare was agreed but when the destination was reached the defendant became abusive and aggressive before punching the taxi driver.
"She has then climbed from the vehicle and smashed it with a walking stick."
The court heard the windscreen was cracked, a wiper damaged and there were large dents all over the bodywork.
When she was later arrested, in the early hours of New Year's Day, she was taken to Bishop Auckland police station where she assaulted a police officer by kicking him once in the leg.
A victim impact statement from the taxi driver said: "This was the busiest night of the year for business. I lost a full night's work. They were my first paying customers and there was £1,000 worth of damage done to my taxi. I feel very vulnerable as an individual. I didn't expect this. This has never happened before but now I feel emotionally drained and upset about what happened."
Ms Hellen said Kirsopp had taken part in restorative justice, where she met her police officer victim face to face and answered questions through a third party for the taxi driver victim. She had also written letters of apology.
Kirsopp, who was representing herself, said: "I needed a taxi to Coundon. It was all because I didn't have enough money for the taxi. I had been drinking all day. it was totally out of character. I got in the taxi and I didn't have the right money and I kicked off."
She said that she was planning on seeking help for anger management issues and other mental health problems.
"I shouldn't have took it out on the taxi driver," she added. "I didn't realise how much it had affected both the taxi driver and the police officer."
https://bit.ly/2TmvDHG
Monday 25 February 2019
LONDON
The High Court has confirmed that switching your taximeter on before you assist a disabled person – even if you do not actually charge them – is an office under the Equality Act 2010.
The Circumstances
London Black Cab driver Thomas McNutt was found guilty of an offence under section 165 of the Equality Act 2010 when he switched on his taximeter before assisting the complainant, Emma Vogelman, with loading her wheelchair. Mr McNutt was found guilty despite not actually charging the complainant any money, in fact he did not end up taking Ms Vogelman.
Mr McNutt sought an appeal by way of case stated. The questions before Mr Justice Julian Knowles were:
Did Mr McNutt make an additional charge for carrying a wheelchair user, Emma Vogelman, on 4 October 2017?
Did the magistrates err in law by convicting him of making an additional charge for carrying a wheelchair user, contrary to s 165(7) Equality Act 2010?
The main issue on the appeal is whether a ‘charge’ was made by Mr McNutt by the act of him switching on his taximeter before Ms Vogelman had boarded, even though she never entered his taxi, no money was demanded (either expressly or by implication) and they ended up travelling in a different taxi.
Mr McNutt argued that the temporary activation of a taximeter without more does not result in the making of a ‘charge’ within the meaning of s 165.
He argued that action alone is not sufficient to amount to a charge in circumstances where Ms Vogelman did not enter his cab, no monies changed hands, no price was quoted and no services rendered. He says there has to be a demand for the fare (either expressly or by implication) before the taxi driver ‘makes a … charge’ within s 165(4)(b).
Mr McNutt also argued that a charge is not made until the end of the journey because then and only then can the payable amount be determined with certainty.
Transport for London, respondents in the case, argued that the phrase ‘make any additional charge’ in s 165 is not restricted to merely occurring at the point at which the metered fare (including an impermissible extra amount) is actually demanded at the end of the journey, but should also include:
when an indication is given by the driver at the point of hiring that they will be made liable to an additional charge and;
where the taximeter is switched on before the disabled person and their wheelchair have been loaded, thereby creating a pecuniary obligation on the disabled passenger to pay the metered fare, the boarding process taking more time than it would for a non-disabled person, thereby resulting in an additional charge.
TfL argued that if Mr McNutt’s argument is correct, most taxi drivers would be able to avoid carrying disabled passengers by giving an indication at the point of hiring that there would be a significant surcharge. That would discourage most disabled passengers from travelling with that driver.
The judgement
Mr Justice Julian Knowles dismissed Mr McNutt’s appeal ruling that “…in my judgment the words ‘make an additional charge’ in s 165(4)(b) mean to impose an additional financial liability or commitment on a disabled wheelchair user as compared with an able bodied passenger, and such a liability or commitment is imposed no later than the point when a London taxi driver switches on his meter before such a person and their wheelchair have boarded the taxi.”
In relation to TfL’s argument that, by giving an indication at the point of hiring, this would put disabled people off, Knowles J said: “In my judgment such an indication also amounts to a financial liability or commitment, and thus a charge within s 165(4)(b), albeit of a contingent kind.”
Implications
Whilst this case related to a TfL licensed Black Cab driver, Knowles J noted that “I have focussed in this judgment on London taxis fitted with taximeters because this appeal concerns such a vehicle. However, I hope it will be of assistance if I say something about private hire vehicles (PHVs) in London, and taxis and PHVs outside London, all of which are also subject to s 165… I see no basis for reaching a different conclusion in relation to hackney carriages outside London as compared with those in London.
“Providing an inflated fare estimate to a disabled passenger would in my view infringe s 165(4)(a) even though there may be no liability on the passenger (who may refuse to accept the estimate). To amplify what I have already said about taxi drivers providing inflated fare estimates if, for example, a licensed private hire company had a poster in the window of its office to the effect that there was a £50 surcharge for a wheelchair user, then that would amount be a contingent additional charge caught by s 165(4)(b). If this were not so then private hire companies could avoid taking disabled passengers without consequence which, for the reasons I have already given, would be inconsistent with the entire purpose of s 165.”
https://bit.ly/2tEoyUr
--------------------------------------
Crowdfunded lawyer suing Uber told he can't swerve taxi app giant's £1m legal bill
If you lose, get your cheque book out, High Court judge rules amid two-year legal battle
A millionaire barrister who started a crowdfunded lawsuit against taxi app maker Uber over a £1 VAT receipt has lost his attempt to stop Uber claiming legal costs against him.
In a judgment handed down today, Mr Justice Trower rejected both Jolyon Maugham QC's attempt to shield himself from a legal bill of up to £1m and his initial attempt to appeal against that rejection, a big setback for Maugham's two-year legal battle against Uber in London.
In throwing out Maugham's attempt to limit his costs liability to £20,000 in the High Court case he brought against the infamous taxi app, the judge found that Maugham had crowdfunded £107,650 to bring the case, "of which well in excess of 50%" came from "the black cab trade" – including £20,000 from a single unidentified black cab source. Taxi drivers in the British capital see Uber as their main commercial rival.
Had Mr Justice Trower made the protective costs order that Maugham asked him to, the lawyer would have had to pay no more than £20,000 if he lost – giving him a big advantage considering that, in the judge's words, Uber's legal costs "could reach £1m at first instance".
Maugham, a tax lawyer, is currently suing Uber in the High Court over what he says is its failure to give him a VAT receipt for £1.06 on a £6.34 taxi journey, an amount he accepted to be "trivial".
This would allow him to reclaim the money from HMRC as a business expense. He argued that the true force of his lawsuit would be to expose Uber London Ltd to liability for extra taxes.
In court papers seen by The Register Maugham's net income was said to be £400,000 a year, something the judge took into account when deciding not to stop Uber from recovering its legal costs if it wins the main case. He also owns two properties.
Uber argues that it "does not itself provide transportation services" and is therefore not subject to VAT on its taxi journeys. If Uber users want VAT receipts, it told the judge that depends "on whether the driver... is registered for VAT". If a court rules that Uber itself is subject to VAT, however, Maugham – who is well known for his campaigning against the 2016 result of the UK's referendum on the EU – claimed he could trigger a £1bn VAT bill against Uber.
This morning Uber and Maugham's legal teams were engaged in further arguments over a potential £157,000 legal bill just for the one-day application hearing on 6 February.
In a statement published by his Good Law Project, Maugham said: "We have grave concerns about the implications of the decision. It is an invitation to private corporations to use the threat of costs liability to dodge legal accountability. It makes it difficult or impossible to hold them to account. It damages the rule of law. And these consequences, we believe, will further undermine popular consent to capitalism."
The case, Maugham QC v Uber London Ltd, continues. ®
source: Taxi Defence Barristers
--------------------------------------
Birmingham’s black cab drivers are switching to cheaper and more easily available private hire cars to beat new clean air rules.
And they have warned they will ‘make a noise’ to protect their jobs unless more help is made available to the struggling trade.
Birmingham’s Hackney Carriage drivers have been told to swap their ageing and heavily polluting cars for new electric vehicles, or convert them to run on gas if they wish to keep their licences after January 1, 2020.
Both the new licensing regime and plans for a clean air zone means that the vast majority of black cabs on the roads will either not be licensed or be charged to operate in the city centre.
With new electric black cabs costing at least £55,000, many drivers have instead decided to apply for the less strict private hire licence - under which they can drive regular petrol cars made after 2006 and diesel cars since 2015.
The decision to axe licences for high polluting cabs from 2020 was made last year, amid warnings that it would leave just 70 black cabs on the road, down from the current level of more than 1,300.
Taxi driver and RMT union representative Mozafar Ali said the future for drivers is ‘very unclear’ and called on council bosses to make detailed plans to help drivers.
“We are not very happy, about 90 per cent of black cab drivers cannot afford an electric car - it is £55,000 or £176 per week to lease them. We are struggling as it is.”
He said drivers want to see firm offers of help to go green or the city risks being short of cabs. "Otherwise we are going to have to make a noise," he warned.
The authority has claimed cabs – which queue in ranks with engines running – were partly responsible for the city centre’s high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which causes an estimated 900 premature deaths a year in Birmingham.
The taxi drivers say they work in the city centre and want cleaner vehicles too - but need help.
Now city council bosses are offering parallel licences in a single application - to offer black cab drivers the chance to gain a private hire license, which has less stringent requirements, without paying extra.
The council believes there is an increasing demand from black cab drivers for private hire licences.
A licensing officer said: “This increase is for two reasons. One is because a lot of drivers would like to work for Uber, whether that is right or not is up to them.
Brum's new Clean Air Zone (CAZ)
“And there’s an imminent requirement to replace the older and more polluting hackney carriage vehicles.”
He said they are looking to ‘diversify’ into private hire driving until the costs of electric or greener black cabs comes down enough for them to go back.
The first electric cab dealership in Birmingham was launched this week.
As part of its consultation on the clean air zone the council has pledged to look at a leasing scheme for green cabs.
https://bit.ly/2EyHev9
The High Court has confirmed that switching your taximeter on before you assist a disabled person – even if you do not actually charge them – is an office under the Equality Act 2010.
The Circumstances
London Black Cab driver Thomas McNutt was found guilty of an offence under section 165 of the Equality Act 2010 when he switched on his taximeter before assisting the complainant, Emma Vogelman, with loading her wheelchair. Mr McNutt was found guilty despite not actually charging the complainant any money, in fact he did not end up taking Ms Vogelman.
Mr McNutt sought an appeal by way of case stated. The questions before Mr Justice Julian Knowles were:
Did Mr McNutt make an additional charge for carrying a wheelchair user, Emma Vogelman, on 4 October 2017?
Did the magistrates err in law by convicting him of making an additional charge for carrying a wheelchair user, contrary to s 165(7) Equality Act 2010?
The main issue on the appeal is whether a ‘charge’ was made by Mr McNutt by the act of him switching on his taximeter before Ms Vogelman had boarded, even though she never entered his taxi, no money was demanded (either expressly or by implication) and they ended up travelling in a different taxi.
Mr McNutt argued that the temporary activation of a taximeter without more does not result in the making of a ‘charge’ within the meaning of s 165.
He argued that action alone is not sufficient to amount to a charge in circumstances where Ms Vogelman did not enter his cab, no monies changed hands, no price was quoted and no services rendered. He says there has to be a demand for the fare (either expressly or by implication) before the taxi driver ‘makes a … charge’ within s 165(4)(b).
Mr McNutt also argued that a charge is not made until the end of the journey because then and only then can the payable amount be determined with certainty.
Transport for London, respondents in the case, argued that the phrase ‘make any additional charge’ in s 165 is not restricted to merely occurring at the point at which the metered fare (including an impermissible extra amount) is actually demanded at the end of the journey, but should also include:
when an indication is given by the driver at the point of hiring that they will be made liable to an additional charge and;
where the taximeter is switched on before the disabled person and their wheelchair have been loaded, thereby creating a pecuniary obligation on the disabled passenger to pay the metered fare, the boarding process taking more time than it would for a non-disabled person, thereby resulting in an additional charge.
TfL argued that if Mr McNutt’s argument is correct, most taxi drivers would be able to avoid carrying disabled passengers by giving an indication at the point of hiring that there would be a significant surcharge. That would discourage most disabled passengers from travelling with that driver.
The judgement
Mr Justice Julian Knowles dismissed Mr McNutt’s appeal ruling that “…in my judgment the words ‘make an additional charge’ in s 165(4)(b) mean to impose an additional financial liability or commitment on a disabled wheelchair user as compared with an able bodied passenger, and such a liability or commitment is imposed no later than the point when a London taxi driver switches on his meter before such a person and their wheelchair have boarded the taxi.”
In relation to TfL’s argument that, by giving an indication at the point of hiring, this would put disabled people off, Knowles J said: “In my judgment such an indication also amounts to a financial liability or commitment, and thus a charge within s 165(4)(b), albeit of a contingent kind.”
Implications
Whilst this case related to a TfL licensed Black Cab driver, Knowles J noted that “I have focussed in this judgment on London taxis fitted with taximeters because this appeal concerns such a vehicle. However, I hope it will be of assistance if I say something about private hire vehicles (PHVs) in London, and taxis and PHVs outside London, all of which are also subject to s 165… I see no basis for reaching a different conclusion in relation to hackney carriages outside London as compared with those in London.
“Providing an inflated fare estimate to a disabled passenger would in my view infringe s 165(4)(a) even though there may be no liability on the passenger (who may refuse to accept the estimate). To amplify what I have already said about taxi drivers providing inflated fare estimates if, for example, a licensed private hire company had a poster in the window of its office to the effect that there was a £50 surcharge for a wheelchair user, then that would amount be a contingent additional charge caught by s 165(4)(b). If this were not so then private hire companies could avoid taking disabled passengers without consequence which, for the reasons I have already given, would be inconsistent with the entire purpose of s 165.”
https://bit.ly/2tEoyUr
--------------------------------------
Crowdfunded lawyer suing Uber told he can't swerve taxi app giant's £1m legal bill
If you lose, get your cheque book out, High Court judge rules amid two-year legal battle
A millionaire barrister who started a crowdfunded lawsuit against taxi app maker Uber over a £1 VAT receipt has lost his attempt to stop Uber claiming legal costs against him.
In a judgment handed down today, Mr Justice Trower rejected both Jolyon Maugham QC's attempt to shield himself from a legal bill of up to £1m and his initial attempt to appeal against that rejection, a big setback for Maugham's two-year legal battle against Uber in London.
In throwing out Maugham's attempt to limit his costs liability to £20,000 in the High Court case he brought against the infamous taxi app, the judge found that Maugham had crowdfunded £107,650 to bring the case, "of which well in excess of 50%" came from "the black cab trade" – including £20,000 from a single unidentified black cab source. Taxi drivers in the British capital see Uber as their main commercial rival.
Had Mr Justice Trower made the protective costs order that Maugham asked him to, the lawyer would have had to pay no more than £20,000 if he lost – giving him a big advantage considering that, in the judge's words, Uber's legal costs "could reach £1m at first instance".
Maugham, a tax lawyer, is currently suing Uber in the High Court over what he says is its failure to give him a VAT receipt for £1.06 on a £6.34 taxi journey, an amount he accepted to be "trivial".
This would allow him to reclaim the money from HMRC as a business expense. He argued that the true force of his lawsuit would be to expose Uber London Ltd to liability for extra taxes.
In court papers seen by The Register Maugham's net income was said to be £400,000 a year, something the judge took into account when deciding not to stop Uber from recovering its legal costs if it wins the main case. He also owns two properties.
Uber argues that it "does not itself provide transportation services" and is therefore not subject to VAT on its taxi journeys. If Uber users want VAT receipts, it told the judge that depends "on whether the driver... is registered for VAT". If a court rules that Uber itself is subject to VAT, however, Maugham – who is well known for his campaigning against the 2016 result of the UK's referendum on the EU – claimed he could trigger a £1bn VAT bill against Uber.
This morning Uber and Maugham's legal teams were engaged in further arguments over a potential £157,000 legal bill just for the one-day application hearing on 6 February.
In a statement published by his Good Law Project, Maugham said: "We have grave concerns about the implications of the decision. It is an invitation to private corporations to use the threat of costs liability to dodge legal accountability. It makes it difficult or impossible to hold them to account. It damages the rule of law. And these consequences, we believe, will further undermine popular consent to capitalism."
The case, Maugham QC v Uber London Ltd, continues. ®
source: Taxi Defence Barristers
--------------------------------------
Birmingham’s black cab drivers are switching to cheaper and more easily available private hire cars to beat new clean air rules.
And they have warned they will ‘make a noise’ to protect their jobs unless more help is made available to the struggling trade.
Birmingham’s Hackney Carriage drivers have been told to swap their ageing and heavily polluting cars for new electric vehicles, or convert them to run on gas if they wish to keep their licences after January 1, 2020.
Both the new licensing regime and plans for a clean air zone means that the vast majority of black cabs on the roads will either not be licensed or be charged to operate in the city centre.
With new electric black cabs costing at least £55,000, many drivers have instead decided to apply for the less strict private hire licence - under which they can drive regular petrol cars made after 2006 and diesel cars since 2015.
The decision to axe licences for high polluting cabs from 2020 was made last year, amid warnings that it would leave just 70 black cabs on the road, down from the current level of more than 1,300.
Taxi driver and RMT union representative Mozafar Ali said the future for drivers is ‘very unclear’ and called on council bosses to make detailed plans to help drivers.
“We are not very happy, about 90 per cent of black cab drivers cannot afford an electric car - it is £55,000 or £176 per week to lease them. We are struggling as it is.”
He said drivers want to see firm offers of help to go green or the city risks being short of cabs. "Otherwise we are going to have to make a noise," he warned.
The authority has claimed cabs – which queue in ranks with engines running – were partly responsible for the city centre’s high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which causes an estimated 900 premature deaths a year in Birmingham.
The taxi drivers say they work in the city centre and want cleaner vehicles too - but need help.
Now city council bosses are offering parallel licences in a single application - to offer black cab drivers the chance to gain a private hire license, which has less stringent requirements, without paying extra.
The council believes there is an increasing demand from black cab drivers for private hire licences.
A licensing officer said: “This increase is for two reasons. One is because a lot of drivers would like to work for Uber, whether that is right or not is up to them.
Brum's new Clean Air Zone (CAZ)
“And there’s an imminent requirement to replace the older and more polluting hackney carriage vehicles.”
He said they are looking to ‘diversify’ into private hire driving until the costs of electric or greener black cabs comes down enough for them to go back.
The first electric cab dealership in Birmingham was launched this week.
As part of its consultation on the clean air zone the council has pledged to look at a leasing scheme for green cabs.
https://bit.ly/2EyHev9
Sunday 24 February 2019
A woman taxi driver has quit her job in disgust after suffering sexual assault and harassment from drunk male passengers.
Zoe Temple has bravely spoken out about the abuse she had to endure from a minority of men in her two years working as a driver in the Llandudno area.
Zoe, 28, told North Wales Live how she has been touched, stroked and spoken to inappropriately.
But the final straw for her came on Saturday, February 2 when she had to fight off a passenger who was trying to kiss her on the mouth.
On Boxing Day 2017 she was also subjected to a sexual assault by another male passenger which was investigated by police.
Zoe, who also works as a teaching assistant, waived her automatic right to anonymity to highlight the abuse.
She said: "A minority of drunk men seem to think it's ok to touch, kiss, and/or speak inappropriately to female taxi drivers.
"On Boxing Day in 2017 I picked up a man from Llandudno train station who was very drunk.
"He sat in the passenger seat in the front of the car, and whilst I was driving on the A55, he started stroking my thighs and my arm, kissing my arm and stroking my back, and told me how we were going home to have sex with each other.
'It's not ok to touch or kiss'
"He said I can't believe I've 'pulled' you, to which I responded that I was his taxi driver."
She continued: "At one stage he even grabbed the steering wheel of the car and called me a 'bitch' when I tried to push him away.
"I couldn't stop the car, as it was dangerous and I was worried what would happen to him if I threw him out on the hard shoulder as he was so drunk."
Zoe, who is set to study for a master's degree in speech and language therapy, said she dropped the man in a well lit part of Rhyl, and then phoned the police.
'I felt totally violated'
The force investigated the incident but never managed to track the man down.
She said: "In my opinion the police didn't take it seriously enough. I received a text message from the police saying nothing more could be done to track the man down, a call explaining that would have been better I think.
"No support was offered from the police. Conwy Council could also perhaps review how things are done/the safety of both male and female drivers."
https://bit.ly/2tziyfI
------------------------------------
Councillors in Bridgend have supported proposals for a national database of taxi drivers and private hire operators in Wales.
According to reports by Wales Online, at the moment there is no legal requirement for councils to share information with one another which might help them make decisions when they issue licenses.
Welsh local authorities set their own licensing standards leading to fears some drivers are applying for licenses in areas where standards are lower and then operating in areas whose standards they don’t meet – and where enforcement action cannot be taken against them.
There is no legislation which enables a council to take enforcement action against a driver licensed in a different local authority.
Licensing policy officer Daniel Cook is reported to have told councillors of Bridgend Council’s licensing committee: “The proposal to create national standards operating throughout Wales would hopefully reduce the risk of applicants choosing to shop around for lower standards.
“At the moment if a driver is refused a licence in Bridgend no-one in the 21 other local authorities would be aware of that.
“If they had received a criminal conviction that would show up on a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check but when their behaviour was questionable and didn’t lead to a conviction there is no way for other authorities to know.”
Councillors voted in favour of authorising the head of Shared Regulatory Services to respond to the consultation on behalf of the council.
They said they supported proposals for a shared database and the creation of national standards but said they preferred the option of allowing local authorities to continue to have responsibility for licensing taxis and private hire operators as opposed to control being passed into a national licensing authority.
Source: Wales Online
---------------------------------
STOKE
A taxi driver has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of sexually abusing a woman in his cab.
The 48-year-old father-of-nine agreed a £10 fare to take his victim home following her night out with friends in Hanley and she sat in the back of the cab.
But he asked her to sit in the front of the taxi before touching her, kissing her face and groping her breasts.
The victim pleaded with him to let her get out of the cab and her ordeal finally came to an end when he eventually stopped near Park Hall.
Now Khan, of Newshaw Walk, Hanley, has been convicted of assault by penetration and two charges of sexual assault following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court this week.
The court heard the woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - left Hanley at 2.45am.
Stoke on Trent Live reported that prosecutor Tom Kenning told the jury: “She left on her own and looked for a taxi. The first taxi driver she tried said he would charge £15 to take her home but the second taxi, driven by the defendant, agreed to take her for £10.
“She got in the back and he said, ‘You seem like a nice girl’. She said she had left early on her own because she had work in the morning. He said, ‘Why don’t you get in the front'? and she did. She thought he was being pleasant. If she had not had a drink she may have been alerted to what he was intending to do.
Tawab Khan has been jailed for seven years after being convicted by a jury of assault be penetration and two offences of sexual assault
Tawab Khan has been jailed for seven years after being convicted by a jury of assault be penetration and two offences of sexual assault
“He touched her and tried to kiss her. She said, ‘No, stop’. He continued driving.
“He said, ‘You are a nice girl, you are a beautiful girl'. She became concerned. He grabbed her breasts. It became clear he was not going the most direct route to her home.
“He put his hand on her leg and sexually assaulted her. She repeatedly asked to be let out. He eventually did. She was upset and called the police.”
The court heard police arrested Khan later that morning. He told officers the woman had groped him.
In a victim statement the woman says she has suffered panic attacks and flashbacks since her ordeal and now barely goes out.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Khan is a committed community member who is involved in the North Staffordshire volleyball team.
He came to this country from Afghanistan after being targeted by warlords due to him being a successful businessman. Six of his nine children are still financially dependant on him.
https://bit.ly/2Vk6FGu
Zoe Temple has bravely spoken out about the abuse she had to endure from a minority of men in her two years working as a driver in the Llandudno area.
Zoe, 28, told North Wales Live how she has been touched, stroked and spoken to inappropriately.
But the final straw for her came on Saturday, February 2 when she had to fight off a passenger who was trying to kiss her on the mouth.
On Boxing Day 2017 she was also subjected to a sexual assault by another male passenger which was investigated by police.
Zoe, who also works as a teaching assistant, waived her automatic right to anonymity to highlight the abuse.
She said: "A minority of drunk men seem to think it's ok to touch, kiss, and/or speak inappropriately to female taxi drivers.
"On Boxing Day in 2017 I picked up a man from Llandudno train station who was very drunk.
"He sat in the passenger seat in the front of the car, and whilst I was driving on the A55, he started stroking my thighs and my arm, kissing my arm and stroking my back, and told me how we were going home to have sex with each other.
'It's not ok to touch or kiss'
"He said I can't believe I've 'pulled' you, to which I responded that I was his taxi driver."
She continued: "At one stage he even grabbed the steering wheel of the car and called me a 'bitch' when I tried to push him away.
"I couldn't stop the car, as it was dangerous and I was worried what would happen to him if I threw him out on the hard shoulder as he was so drunk."
Zoe, who is set to study for a master's degree in speech and language therapy, said she dropped the man in a well lit part of Rhyl, and then phoned the police.
'I felt totally violated'
The force investigated the incident but never managed to track the man down.
She said: "In my opinion the police didn't take it seriously enough. I received a text message from the police saying nothing more could be done to track the man down, a call explaining that would have been better I think.
"No support was offered from the police. Conwy Council could also perhaps review how things are done/the safety of both male and female drivers."
https://bit.ly/2tziyfI
------------------------------------
Councillors in Bridgend have supported proposals for a national database of taxi drivers and private hire operators in Wales.
According to reports by Wales Online, at the moment there is no legal requirement for councils to share information with one another which might help them make decisions when they issue licenses.
Welsh local authorities set their own licensing standards leading to fears some drivers are applying for licenses in areas where standards are lower and then operating in areas whose standards they don’t meet – and where enforcement action cannot be taken against them.
There is no legislation which enables a council to take enforcement action against a driver licensed in a different local authority.
Licensing policy officer Daniel Cook is reported to have told councillors of Bridgend Council’s licensing committee: “The proposal to create national standards operating throughout Wales would hopefully reduce the risk of applicants choosing to shop around for lower standards.
“At the moment if a driver is refused a licence in Bridgend no-one in the 21 other local authorities would be aware of that.
“If they had received a criminal conviction that would show up on a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check but when their behaviour was questionable and didn’t lead to a conviction there is no way for other authorities to know.”
Councillors voted in favour of authorising the head of Shared Regulatory Services to respond to the consultation on behalf of the council.
They said they supported proposals for a shared database and the creation of national standards but said they preferred the option of allowing local authorities to continue to have responsibility for licensing taxis and private hire operators as opposed to control being passed into a national licensing authority.
Source: Wales Online
---------------------------------
STOKE
A taxi driver has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of sexually abusing a woman in his cab.
The 48-year-old father-of-nine agreed a £10 fare to take his victim home following her night out with friends in Hanley and she sat in the back of the cab.
But he asked her to sit in the front of the taxi before touching her, kissing her face and groping her breasts.
The victim pleaded with him to let her get out of the cab and her ordeal finally came to an end when he eventually stopped near Park Hall.
Now Khan, of Newshaw Walk, Hanley, has been convicted of assault by penetration and two charges of sexual assault following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court this week.
The court heard the woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - left Hanley at 2.45am.
Stoke on Trent Live reported that prosecutor Tom Kenning told the jury: “She left on her own and looked for a taxi. The first taxi driver she tried said he would charge £15 to take her home but the second taxi, driven by the defendant, agreed to take her for £10.
“She got in the back and he said, ‘You seem like a nice girl’. She said she had left early on her own because she had work in the morning. He said, ‘Why don’t you get in the front'? and she did. She thought he was being pleasant. If she had not had a drink she may have been alerted to what he was intending to do.
Tawab Khan has been jailed for seven years after being convicted by a jury of assault be penetration and two offences of sexual assault
Tawab Khan has been jailed for seven years after being convicted by a jury of assault be penetration and two offences of sexual assault
“He touched her and tried to kiss her. She said, ‘No, stop’. He continued driving.
“He said, ‘You are a nice girl, you are a beautiful girl'. She became concerned. He grabbed her breasts. It became clear he was not going the most direct route to her home.
“He put his hand on her leg and sexually assaulted her. She repeatedly asked to be let out. He eventually did. She was upset and called the police.”
The court heard police arrested Khan later that morning. He told officers the woman had groped him.
In a victim statement the woman says she has suffered panic attacks and flashbacks since her ordeal and now barely goes out.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Khan is a committed community member who is involved in the North Staffordshire volleyball team.
He came to this country from Afghanistan after being targeted by warlords due to him being a successful businessman. Six of his nine children are still financially dependant on him.
https://bit.ly/2Vk6FGu
Saturday 23 February 2019
LAST WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
Lord Hylton Crossbench
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Transport for London (TfL) about calling in mediators to resolve the dispute between TfL and London taxi drivers.
(Citation: HL Deb, 21 February 2019, cW)
Baroness Sugg Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport have regular discussions with the Mayor of London and Transport for London covering a variety of subjects including the operations of London taxis. There have been no conversations specifically about calling in mediators to resolve disputes between TfL and London taxi drivers.
---------------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK IN PARLIMENT
Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee:
Draft Air Quality (Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles Database) (England and Wales) Regulations 2019
8:55 am; Room 9, Palace of Westminster Tues 26 Feb
Lord Hylton Crossbench
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Transport for London (TfL) about calling in mediators to resolve the dispute between TfL and London taxi drivers.
(Citation: HL Deb, 21 February 2019, cW)
Baroness Sugg Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport have regular discussions with the Mayor of London and Transport for London covering a variety of subjects including the operations of London taxis. There have been no conversations specifically about calling in mediators to resolve disputes between TfL and London taxi drivers.
---------------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK IN PARLIMENT
Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee:
Draft Air Quality (Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles Database) (England and Wales) Regulations 2019
8:55 am; Room 9, Palace of Westminster Tues 26 Feb
MANCHESTER
A national boiler manufacturer has found the perfect solution for a comfortable commute, after announcing that the world’s COSIEST taxi is on its way to Manchester this week.
Despite an unassuming exterior, the ‘Baxi Taxi’, created by heating and boiler specialist, Baxi, features a very surprising interior. Designed to mimic the warmth of a cosy country lodge, the inside of the black cab is decked out from top to bottom with crushed velvet, faux fur throws and even a fluffy sheepskin rug to help keep locals warm and comfortable on their trip.
The one of a kind ‘cosy cab’ even has a stag’s head taking pride of place to create an authentic country lodge effect. Passengers lucky enough to travel in the taxi will be offered sheepskin slippers and blankets to keep them warm throughout their travels.
To celebrate the arrival of the Baxi Taxi in Manchester, the boiler brand will be offering free lifts to locals on Monday 25 February. To book a free ride, residents simply need to Tweet @Baxi_Taxi with their postcode and preferred pick up time.
Baxi Marketing Manager, Sian Lewis said: “Even though the weather is starting to improve, we’re still seeing some chilly mornings this February. That’s why we wanted to create the
Baxi Taxi – a warm and cosy haven for people in Manchester to snuggle up as they make their way to their destination.
“Getting a cab rather than walking or taking public transport can often feel like an unnecessary luxury. But because ours won’t cost a penny, it means locals can ride in absolute comfort, totally guilt-free.
“We’ve used our boiler and heating know-how to make a small space feel as warm and inviting as possible – with fantastic results.”
Free lifts will be available in Manchester city centre between 10am and 2pm on Monday 25 February. Bookings will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis, so commuters looking to grab a free ride will need to be quick to get involved. Terms and conditions apply.
To find out more about Baxi, visit www.baxi.co.uk
https://bit.ly/2GGhXRX
A national boiler manufacturer has found the perfect solution for a comfortable commute, after announcing that the world’s COSIEST taxi is on its way to Manchester this week.
Despite an unassuming exterior, the ‘Baxi Taxi’, created by heating and boiler specialist, Baxi, features a very surprising interior. Designed to mimic the warmth of a cosy country lodge, the inside of the black cab is decked out from top to bottom with crushed velvet, faux fur throws and even a fluffy sheepskin rug to help keep locals warm and comfortable on their trip.
The one of a kind ‘cosy cab’ even has a stag’s head taking pride of place to create an authentic country lodge effect. Passengers lucky enough to travel in the taxi will be offered sheepskin slippers and blankets to keep them warm throughout their travels.
To celebrate the arrival of the Baxi Taxi in Manchester, the boiler brand will be offering free lifts to locals on Monday 25 February. To book a free ride, residents simply need to Tweet @Baxi_Taxi with their postcode and preferred pick up time.
Baxi Marketing Manager, Sian Lewis said: “Even though the weather is starting to improve, we’re still seeing some chilly mornings this February. That’s why we wanted to create the
Baxi Taxi – a warm and cosy haven for people in Manchester to snuggle up as they make their way to their destination.
“Getting a cab rather than walking or taking public transport can often feel like an unnecessary luxury. But because ours won’t cost a penny, it means locals can ride in absolute comfort, totally guilt-free.
“We’ve used our boiler and heating know-how to make a small space feel as warm and inviting as possible – with fantastic results.”
Free lifts will be available in Manchester city centre between 10am and 2pm on Monday 25 February. Bookings will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis, so commuters looking to grab a free ride will need to be quick to get involved. Terms and conditions apply.
To find out more about Baxi, visit www.baxi.co.uk
https://bit.ly/2GGhXRX
The taxi hailing app MyTaxi is to change its name for the second time in two years.
The app is to become 'Free Now' later this year.
The company has said the change is as a result of its majority shareholder, Daimler, joining forces with BMW.
This is the company's second re-brand in two years.
It changed its name from Hailo back in May 2017, following a merger between the taxi app and Europe's largest e-hailing company.
In a statement on this latest change, the company said: "At MyTaxi, we're always working hard to give people the freedom to move around cities as easily as possible.
"We're excited for the next step of the MyTaxi journey as we change our name to Free Now later this year.
"As we continue to grow across Europe, it's important that we are consistent, recognisable and offer the best experience possible to all our passengers, no matter where you hail from".
But it added that there will be no change to the MyTaxi service and app.
The current MyTaxi app will become Free Now later this year through an app update.
Customers will be notified via e-mail when the re-brand is taking place. However there is not an exact date for when the change will happen.
The company explained: "As part of a new agreement between our majority shareholder Daimler AG and BMW, later this year the MyTaxi app is to join a wider mobility brand family which is focused on expanding transport services offered to passengers in Ireland, across Europe and globally.
"This change will not require any actions from passengers or drivers in Ireland, who will still continue to be serviced and supported by the same existing MyTaxi Ireland team.
"It will not involve any data migration, technical adjustments or the need to download a new app."
"MyTaxi remains focused on meeting the growing public demand for taxis and the expansion of our regional footprint across Ireland in 2019", it added.
The app is available in nine countries and over 100 cities across Europe.
It carried some 16 million passengers across Ireland in 2018, its busiest year ever.
https://www.newstalk.com/news/mytaxi-re-brands-freenow-830271
------------------------------------
COVENTRY
The app-based eCars Private Hire taxi firm has launched in Coventry - and it's offering new customers £3 off their first ride.
eCars Private Car Hire has been serving customers in Birmingham and Solihull for four years - and now it has brought its services to Coventry.
The business was given the green light to begin operating by Coventry City Council in December 2018, making it the first app private hire provider service to operate in the city.
eCars Private Car Hire has since recruited 100 drivers dedicated to its Coventry service.
All drivers have been D.B.S checked and are fully licenced, meaning you can enjoy a safe and comfortable journey 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, wherever your destination may be.
Whether you're heading into town or need a lift to a business meeting, eCars will provide friendly, affordable and professional service that you won't find anywhere else.
How does it work?
Booking a trip with eCars Private Car Hire couldn't be easier as it works similar to the popular service, Uber.
Customers can book their very own private vehicle by downloading the free eCars app on their phone, which is available on the AppStore and GooglePlay.
Whether it's a quick trip across the city, or you need a lift to the airport, eCars diverse fleet will make every journey you make a breeze.
And unlike rival companies, customers won't suffer from surcharges.
If you need to travel during peak times, then you don't need to worry about paying extra, as every trip with eCars comes at a fixed rate.
There's also the option to pre-book your journey at a fixed fare, so there's no added stress if your trip takes longer than planned, just sit back and relax.
Passenger safety is a top priority for eCars too, that's why it offers a tracker device.
The customer can send an alert to a family member, friend or loved one that enables them to see where they are on their journey, as well as providing them with the details of the driver and vehicle.
And as well as serving the general public, eCars also works with schools in Birmingham provide safe a secure travel for students.
What cars are available?
eCars offer a superb variety of vehicles to its customers.
During your booking process, you can choose from a number of cars that are best suited to your journey.
There are high-end vehicles for business travel, to MPV's that are great for chartering your family to the airport and saloon cars perfect for your everyday commute.
eCars have a fleet of luxury cars for you to travel in style
And if you want to travel in style then eCars fleet of luxury vehicles, including Jaguar's, Audi's are available to you at the touch of a button.
eCars fleets are also working towards becoming as eco-friendly as possible by building up a fleet of low and zero emission cars, all under five-years-old.
How much does it cost?
One of the many benefits that come with using eCars is just how affordable each journey is.
A trip in a saloon car will have a base rate of £3.50, while executive cars and MPVs are priced at a base rate of £5.
By pre-booking your taxi online, you can pay for your journey up-front with no extra costs.
New customers can even £3 off their first trip in Coventry by using the promocode ECARS1.
Who is it available to?
eCars Private Hire is available to anyone who downloads the free app and creates an account.
There's also the option to create a corporate account which provides your business with an account manager, client admin facility and quick and reliable system that allows you to view past, present and planned trips.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/special-features/you-like-uber-youll-love-15854607
---------------------------------------
MERSEYSIDE
One of the world's largest ride-hailing taxi firms - and a direct rival to Uber - is about to launch in Merseyside.
Ola, one of the biggest companies of its kind, from India, has won a licence to operate in Liverpool and the surrounding boroughs in a move that is set to shake up the industry.
The firm said councils in Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral have given permission for the technology and transport company to operate with both hackney taxis and private hire licenses.
The app will go live to customers in March, with driver onboarding already underway.
The new app is set to go-live in this month and will the company says it will "transform" the use of transport in all Merseyside boroughs.
Company bosses said the various communities will benefit from "greater travel choice", with quicker and easier access to taxis across the area.
Ben Legg, Ola’s managing director, said: “This is an exciting moment for everyone at Ola and we are extremely pleased to arrive in Liverpool to give drivers and riders greater choice in their daily lives.”
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/game-changing-taxi-app-giant-15874103
-----------------------------------
The app is to become 'Free Now' later this year.
The company has said the change is as a result of its majority shareholder, Daimler, joining forces with BMW.
This is the company's second re-brand in two years.
It changed its name from Hailo back in May 2017, following a merger between the taxi app and Europe's largest e-hailing company.
In a statement on this latest change, the company said: "At MyTaxi, we're always working hard to give people the freedom to move around cities as easily as possible.
"We're excited for the next step of the MyTaxi journey as we change our name to Free Now later this year.
"As we continue to grow across Europe, it's important that we are consistent, recognisable and offer the best experience possible to all our passengers, no matter where you hail from".
But it added that there will be no change to the MyTaxi service and app.
The current MyTaxi app will become Free Now later this year through an app update.
Customers will be notified via e-mail when the re-brand is taking place. However there is not an exact date for when the change will happen.
The company explained: "As part of a new agreement between our majority shareholder Daimler AG and BMW, later this year the MyTaxi app is to join a wider mobility brand family which is focused on expanding transport services offered to passengers in Ireland, across Europe and globally.
"This change will not require any actions from passengers or drivers in Ireland, who will still continue to be serviced and supported by the same existing MyTaxi Ireland team.
"It will not involve any data migration, technical adjustments or the need to download a new app."
"MyTaxi remains focused on meeting the growing public demand for taxis and the expansion of our regional footprint across Ireland in 2019", it added.
The app is available in nine countries and over 100 cities across Europe.
It carried some 16 million passengers across Ireland in 2018, its busiest year ever.
https://www.newstalk.com/news/mytaxi-re-brands-freenow-830271
------------------------------------
COVENTRY
The app-based eCars Private Hire taxi firm has launched in Coventry - and it's offering new customers £3 off their first ride.
eCars Private Car Hire has been serving customers in Birmingham and Solihull for four years - and now it has brought its services to Coventry.
The business was given the green light to begin operating by Coventry City Council in December 2018, making it the first app private hire provider service to operate in the city.
eCars Private Car Hire has since recruited 100 drivers dedicated to its Coventry service.
All drivers have been D.B.S checked and are fully licenced, meaning you can enjoy a safe and comfortable journey 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, wherever your destination may be.
Whether you're heading into town or need a lift to a business meeting, eCars will provide friendly, affordable and professional service that you won't find anywhere else.
How does it work?
Booking a trip with eCars Private Car Hire couldn't be easier as it works similar to the popular service, Uber.
Customers can book their very own private vehicle by downloading the free eCars app on their phone, which is available on the AppStore and GooglePlay.
Whether it's a quick trip across the city, or you need a lift to the airport, eCars diverse fleet will make every journey you make a breeze.
And unlike rival companies, customers won't suffer from surcharges.
If you need to travel during peak times, then you don't need to worry about paying extra, as every trip with eCars comes at a fixed rate.
There's also the option to pre-book your journey at a fixed fare, so there's no added stress if your trip takes longer than planned, just sit back and relax.
Passenger safety is a top priority for eCars too, that's why it offers a tracker device.
The customer can send an alert to a family member, friend or loved one that enables them to see where they are on their journey, as well as providing them with the details of the driver and vehicle.
And as well as serving the general public, eCars also works with schools in Birmingham provide safe a secure travel for students.
What cars are available?
eCars offer a superb variety of vehicles to its customers.
During your booking process, you can choose from a number of cars that are best suited to your journey.
There are high-end vehicles for business travel, to MPV's that are great for chartering your family to the airport and saloon cars perfect for your everyday commute.
eCars have a fleet of luxury cars for you to travel in style
And if you want to travel in style then eCars fleet of luxury vehicles, including Jaguar's, Audi's are available to you at the touch of a button.
eCars fleets are also working towards becoming as eco-friendly as possible by building up a fleet of low and zero emission cars, all under five-years-old.
How much does it cost?
One of the many benefits that come with using eCars is just how affordable each journey is.
A trip in a saloon car will have a base rate of £3.50, while executive cars and MPVs are priced at a base rate of £5.
By pre-booking your taxi online, you can pay for your journey up-front with no extra costs.
New customers can even £3 off their first trip in Coventry by using the promocode ECARS1.
Who is it available to?
eCars Private Hire is available to anyone who downloads the free app and creates an account.
There's also the option to create a corporate account which provides your business with an account manager, client admin facility and quick and reliable system that allows you to view past, present and planned trips.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/special-features/you-like-uber-youll-love-15854607
---------------------------------------
MERSEYSIDE
One of the world's largest ride-hailing taxi firms - and a direct rival to Uber - is about to launch in Merseyside.
Ola, one of the biggest companies of its kind, from India, has won a licence to operate in Liverpool and the surrounding boroughs in a move that is set to shake up the industry.
The firm said councils in Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral have given permission for the technology and transport company to operate with both hackney taxis and private hire licenses.
The app will go live to customers in March, with driver onboarding already underway.
The new app is set to go-live in this month and will the company says it will "transform" the use of transport in all Merseyside boroughs.
Company bosses said the various communities will benefit from "greater travel choice", with quicker and easier access to taxis across the area.
Ben Legg, Ola’s managing director, said: “This is an exciting moment for everyone at Ola and we are extremely pleased to arrive in Liverpool to give drivers and riders greater choice in their daily lives.”
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/game-changing-taxi-app-giant-15874103
-----------------------------------
Thursday 21 February 2019
BERLIN
Around 700 taxi drivers gathered in front of the German Transport Ministry in Berlin on Thursday to protest government plans for liberalizing the market for ride-hailing services like Uber.
"No one wants to suppress the taxi industry," Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said, speaking on a stage erected in front of the ministry. His comments, spoken into a microphone, were drowned out by booing from the crowd.
The protest was triggered by a discussion paper from the ministry that was made public at the beginning of the week.
The document included changes to Germany's Passenger Transportion Act that would, for example, give ride-hail services like Uber better market access by removing a rented vehicle's obligation to return to its point of origin.
Unlike taxis, Uber drivers must currently return to their main location after each trip and are not allowed to wait for customers in the streets.
Addressing the demonstrators, Scheuer said that the paper was only a provisional outline to serve as a basis for discussion. Balancing the interests of the taxi industry is a main priority, Scheuer said, but so is the discussion of new forms of mobility.
https://bit.ly/2E0Hm5a
----------------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
A woman was killed by the same "drug driven" taxi which had dropped her off on her doorstep just seconds earlier.
Much-loved Judith Rogers was tragically struck by a Ford Mondeo private hire cab at around 12.40am this morning, on Lydieth Lea in Netherley.
She suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 60-year-old was with her husband Richie and they were returning home together when the horrific collision took place, right in front of their driveway gates.
Today, stunned neighbours described Mrs Rogers as "a lovely woman who kept herself to herself".
Detectives have arrested the driver of the taxi, aged 30, who took the couple back home.
He was given a roadside test and then detained on suspicion of drug driving.
Two fire crews, and the service's search and rescue team, were alerted at 12.41am, and worked for 42 minutes to retrieve the woman from under the taxi.
Airbags and chock blocks were used by firefighters to lift the Ford Mondeo and prevent the wheels from moving.
Crews left the scene at 1.23am.
Locals said Ms Rogers and her husband often went to nearby Woolton Village, and it is thought they were returning home from a night out together.
One resident said: "From what we've been told, the taxi driver somehow hasn't seen her when she's been getting out the vehicle, and it's hit her.
This morning, husband Richie, who lives at home with his son Colin, was too upset to comment.
Residents said the couple had another child who lived in Australia, who had a grandchild that Mrs Rogers was yet to see.
A tent was today covered the spot on the roadside where the accident happened.
Officers were carrying out door-to-door enquiries on Lydieth Lea.
Today, police launched an appeal for witnesses and asked anyone who saw the accident to get in touch.
A spokesman said: "At around 12.40am, officers were called to reports that a Ford Mondeo had been involved in a collision with a 60-year-old female pedestrian in Lydieth Lea.
"Emergency services attended however the pedestrian was sadly pronounced dead at the scene."
And the force added: "The victim’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers at this time.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/much-loved-mum-killed-drug-15867354
____________________
STOKE
Pervert taxi driver Tawab Khan has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of sexually abusing a young woman in his cab.
The 48-year-old father-of-nine agreed a £10 fare to take his victim home following her night out with friends in Hanley and she sat in the back of the cab.
But he asked her to sit in the front of the taxi before touching her, kissing her face and groping her breasts.
The victim pleaded with him to let her get out of the cab and her ordeal finally came to an end when he eventually stopped near Park Hall.
Now Khan, of Newshaw Walk, Hanley, has been convicted of assault by penetration and two charges of sexual assault following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court this week.
The court heard the woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - left Hanley at 2.45am.
Prosecutor Tom Kenning told the jury: “She left on her own and looked for a taxi. The first taxi driver she tried said he would charge £15 to take her home but the second taxi, driven by the defendant, agreed to take her for £10.
“She got in the back and he said, ‘You seem like a nice girl’. She said she had left early on her own because she had work in the morning. He said, ‘Why don’t you get in the front'? and she did. She thought he was being pleasant. If she had not had a drink she may have been alerted to what he was intending to do.
“He touched her and tried to kiss her. She said, ‘No, stop’. He continued driving.
“He said, ‘You are a nice girl, you are a beautiful girl'. She became concerned. He grabbed her breasts. It became clear he was not going the most direct route to her home.
“He put his hand on her leg and sexually assaulted her. She repeatedly asked to be let out. He eventually did. She was upset and called the police.”
The court heard police arrested Khan later that morning. He told officers the woman had groped him.
In a victim statement the woman says she has suffered panic attacks and flashbacks since her ordeal and now barely goes out.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Khan is a committed community member who is involved in the North Staffordshire volleyball team.
He came to this country from Afghanistan after being targeted by warlords due to him being a successful businessman. Six of his nine children are still financially dependant on him.
Mr Cliff said: “He is well known in the religious community of North Staffordshire.”
The defendant’s taxi licence was suspended following his arrest and he has since worked as a fast-food delivery driver.
Mr Cliff added: “There is no chance of him being able to work as a taxi driver again.”
Khan will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life.
Judge David Fletcher told him: "The one thing anyone should expect when getting into a taxi is that they are safe. On this occasion, this young woman was treated by you in a way that means she was simply not safe. She has been seriously affected psychologically.
“This was a sustained incident. She begged you to let her out of the taxi. She was upset, she was crying, she was frightened.”
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/pervert-taxi-driver-been-jailed-2569187
Around 700 taxi drivers gathered in front of the German Transport Ministry in Berlin on Thursday to protest government plans for liberalizing the market for ride-hailing services like Uber.
"No one wants to suppress the taxi industry," Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said, speaking on a stage erected in front of the ministry. His comments, spoken into a microphone, were drowned out by booing from the crowd.
The protest was triggered by a discussion paper from the ministry that was made public at the beginning of the week.
The document included changes to Germany's Passenger Transportion Act that would, for example, give ride-hail services like Uber better market access by removing a rented vehicle's obligation to return to its point of origin.
Unlike taxis, Uber drivers must currently return to their main location after each trip and are not allowed to wait for customers in the streets.
Addressing the demonstrators, Scheuer said that the paper was only a provisional outline to serve as a basis for discussion. Balancing the interests of the taxi industry is a main priority, Scheuer said, but so is the discussion of new forms of mobility.
https://bit.ly/2E0Hm5a
----------------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
A woman was killed by the same "drug driven" taxi which had dropped her off on her doorstep just seconds earlier.
Much-loved Judith Rogers was tragically struck by a Ford Mondeo private hire cab at around 12.40am this morning, on Lydieth Lea in Netherley.
She suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 60-year-old was with her husband Richie and they were returning home together when the horrific collision took place, right in front of their driveway gates.
Today, stunned neighbours described Mrs Rogers as "a lovely woman who kept herself to herself".
Detectives have arrested the driver of the taxi, aged 30, who took the couple back home.
He was given a roadside test and then detained on suspicion of drug driving.
Two fire crews, and the service's search and rescue team, were alerted at 12.41am, and worked for 42 minutes to retrieve the woman from under the taxi.
Airbags and chock blocks were used by firefighters to lift the Ford Mondeo and prevent the wheels from moving.
Crews left the scene at 1.23am.
Locals said Ms Rogers and her husband often went to nearby Woolton Village, and it is thought they were returning home from a night out together.
One resident said: "From what we've been told, the taxi driver somehow hasn't seen her when she's been getting out the vehicle, and it's hit her.
This morning, husband Richie, who lives at home with his son Colin, was too upset to comment.
Residents said the couple had another child who lived in Australia, who had a grandchild that Mrs Rogers was yet to see.
A tent was today covered the spot on the roadside where the accident happened.
Officers were carrying out door-to-door enquiries on Lydieth Lea.
Today, police launched an appeal for witnesses and asked anyone who saw the accident to get in touch.
A spokesman said: "At around 12.40am, officers were called to reports that a Ford Mondeo had been involved in a collision with a 60-year-old female pedestrian in Lydieth Lea.
"Emergency services attended however the pedestrian was sadly pronounced dead at the scene."
And the force added: "The victim’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers at this time.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/much-loved-mum-killed-drug-15867354
____________________
STOKE
Pervert taxi driver Tawab Khan has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of sexually abusing a young woman in his cab.
The 48-year-old father-of-nine agreed a £10 fare to take his victim home following her night out with friends in Hanley and she sat in the back of the cab.
But he asked her to sit in the front of the taxi before touching her, kissing her face and groping her breasts.
The victim pleaded with him to let her get out of the cab and her ordeal finally came to an end when he eventually stopped near Park Hall.
Now Khan, of Newshaw Walk, Hanley, has been convicted of assault by penetration and two charges of sexual assault following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court this week.
The court heard the woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - left Hanley at 2.45am.
Prosecutor Tom Kenning told the jury: “She left on her own and looked for a taxi. The first taxi driver she tried said he would charge £15 to take her home but the second taxi, driven by the defendant, agreed to take her for £10.
“She got in the back and he said, ‘You seem like a nice girl’. She said she had left early on her own because she had work in the morning. He said, ‘Why don’t you get in the front'? and she did. She thought he was being pleasant. If she had not had a drink she may have been alerted to what he was intending to do.
“He touched her and tried to kiss her. She said, ‘No, stop’. He continued driving.
“He said, ‘You are a nice girl, you are a beautiful girl'. She became concerned. He grabbed her breasts. It became clear he was not going the most direct route to her home.
“He put his hand on her leg and sexually assaulted her. She repeatedly asked to be let out. He eventually did. She was upset and called the police.”
The court heard police arrested Khan later that morning. He told officers the woman had groped him.
In a victim statement the woman says she has suffered panic attacks and flashbacks since her ordeal and now barely goes out.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Khan is a committed community member who is involved in the North Staffordshire volleyball team.
He came to this country from Afghanistan after being targeted by warlords due to him being a successful businessman. Six of his nine children are still financially dependant on him.
Mr Cliff said: “He is well known in the religious community of North Staffordshire.”
The defendant’s taxi licence was suspended following his arrest and he has since worked as a fast-food delivery driver.
Mr Cliff added: “There is no chance of him being able to work as a taxi driver again.”
Khan will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life.
Judge David Fletcher told him: "The one thing anyone should expect when getting into a taxi is that they are safe. On this occasion, this young woman was treated by you in a way that means she was simply not safe. She has been seriously affected psychologically.
“This was a sustained incident. She begged you to let her out of the taxi. She was upset, she was crying, she was frightened.”
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/pervert-taxi-driver-been-jailed-2569187
Wednesday 20 February 2019
TYNESIDE
Are plans to impose tolls on some of Tyneside's roads "ridiculous" or a long-overdue response to a pollution crisis?
The prospect of drivers being hit with new charges has sparked fierce debate, after Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside councils revealed their ideas to improve air quality this week.
There are two competing charging options being considered by the councils : a clean air zone (CAZ) around the centres of Newcastle and Gateshead which high-polluting vehicles could be charged either £12.50 or £50 a day to enter; or a toll of £1.70 for all cars and £3.40 for lorries to cross the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridges.
Additional measures to help meet a Government order to reduce emissions could also involve excluding certain vehicles from parts of the city centre or limiting their access to the Central Motorway.
The Newcastle Hackney Carriage Drivers Association has been vocal in its opposition to a CAZ that could force taxi drivers to pay £12.50 a day, but has now also branded the idea of a bridges toll "ridiculous".
Association chairman John Hirst added: " £1.70 for any motorist to cross the bridge? You could be on minimum wage, living in Gateshead and working in Newcastle and you would have to find £3.40 a day.
"It's going to be bad for Newcastle. You might think taxi drivers would be in favour of it because it would mean fewer people driving into the city.
"But it is not just about that. We want to be promoting the city and improving the economy, not putting people off coming here.
"This is all happening when other services are being cut back and it is the working class who are going to suffer."
A Newcastle Public Transport Users Group spokesman called for bus passengers not the be "unfairly penalised for using a more efficient and sustainable form of transport".
He added: "We are also pleased to see measures that will offer both a carrot and a stick to help people switch to more sustainable means of travel - a clean air charge will discourage people from driving polluting vehicles into areas of high air pollution at the same time as raising revenue for investment in cheaper, more reliable, and more extensive public transport.
"Any money raised from charges or tolls must therefore be ring-fenced to be spent on improved infrastructure and operations of local public transport services."
A CAZ would result in a surplus of £43m over five years, while the toll system would produce a five-year profit of £17.5m - all of which would be reinvested in highways and public transport improvements, the councils say.
https://bit.ly/2tyIkRs
-----------------------------------
DERBY
A taxi driver has been banned from the roads after he crashed into a tree when he fell asleep with his wife and a young autistic passenger in the car.
Azhar Iqbal, 41, of Tintagel Close, Derby, initially lied to Derby City Council licensing authority, claiming he swerved to avoid a fox.
But he abandoned that explanation after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.
Nottingham Crown Court heard Iqbal had been behind the wheel of a Peugeot people carrier on the eastbound carriageway of the A52, close to where it meets junction 25 of the M1, on February 9 last year at around noon.
The car drifted off the road, clipping the near side crash barriers, and ending up in trees on an embankment. It came to rest after hitting a tree.
A husband and wife had been following in their car when they saw the taxi veer to the right of the carriageway and then to the left.
https://bit.ly/2XfJAGH
------------------------------
A taxi driver from Liverpool who was carrying more than 40kg of heroin worth around £4m in the boot of his car has been jailed.
Officers stopped 44-year-old Barry Smith on September 4, last year after tracking his Skoda Octavia on the M6 northbound between junctions 13 and 14 at Stafford.
He was sentenced to 4 years 8 months at Stafford Crown Court.
Smith, of Keston Walk, Halewood, pulled onto the hard shoulder at 1.20pm and was asked by officers from Central Motorways Policing Group (CMPG) if he had anything illegal in the car. He replied ‘No.’
His car was searched and officers found two large sports bags inside the boot.
These contained square light-brown packs. A large amount of cash was also found next to the spare wheel.
A drugs expert examined the items seized and found each block was 15 to 20cm thick and weighed in at 507 grams.
The total weight was 40.5kg. Tests proved positive for heroin. Based on typical street deals being £10 for 0.1g of heroin the heroin was valued at just over £4m.
Detective Constable Neil Johnson, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This is a warning to those who think they can prey on the vulnerable in our communities.
https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/taxi-driver-found-heroin-worth-2562954
--------------------------------
COALVILLE
A taxi driver who collided with a cyclist and drove off without stopping has been stripped of his licence.
Footage of the shocking incident captured on the headcam of cyclist Dylan May shows the taxi turn into Gutteridge Street, in Coalville, on the wrong side in the early hours of Friday, January 11.
He is then seen to crash into the victim head-on.
It is claimed the taxi driver failed to stop at the scene and initially blamed the cyclist and said Mr May had been in the middle of the road.
He later admitted to being at fault and driving away from the scene after he was shown the helmet camera footage.
Mr May suffered injuries to his right arm, shoulder and elbow and his bike was significantly damaged.
He said: "I still now can't believe somebody would collide with a cyclist and just drive off, especially a so-called professional taxi driver."
https://bit.ly/2SPkvDY
Are plans to impose tolls on some of Tyneside's roads "ridiculous" or a long-overdue response to a pollution crisis?
The prospect of drivers being hit with new charges has sparked fierce debate, after Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside councils revealed their ideas to improve air quality this week.
There are two competing charging options being considered by the councils : a clean air zone (CAZ) around the centres of Newcastle and Gateshead which high-polluting vehicles could be charged either £12.50 or £50 a day to enter; or a toll of £1.70 for all cars and £3.40 for lorries to cross the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridges.
Additional measures to help meet a Government order to reduce emissions could also involve excluding certain vehicles from parts of the city centre or limiting their access to the Central Motorway.
The Newcastle Hackney Carriage Drivers Association has been vocal in its opposition to a CAZ that could force taxi drivers to pay £12.50 a day, but has now also branded the idea of a bridges toll "ridiculous".
Association chairman John Hirst added: " £1.70 for any motorist to cross the bridge? You could be on minimum wage, living in Gateshead and working in Newcastle and you would have to find £3.40 a day.
"It's going to be bad for Newcastle. You might think taxi drivers would be in favour of it because it would mean fewer people driving into the city.
"But it is not just about that. We want to be promoting the city and improving the economy, not putting people off coming here.
"This is all happening when other services are being cut back and it is the working class who are going to suffer."
A Newcastle Public Transport Users Group spokesman called for bus passengers not the be "unfairly penalised for using a more efficient and sustainable form of transport".
He added: "We are also pleased to see measures that will offer both a carrot and a stick to help people switch to more sustainable means of travel - a clean air charge will discourage people from driving polluting vehicles into areas of high air pollution at the same time as raising revenue for investment in cheaper, more reliable, and more extensive public transport.
"Any money raised from charges or tolls must therefore be ring-fenced to be spent on improved infrastructure and operations of local public transport services."
A CAZ would result in a surplus of £43m over five years, while the toll system would produce a five-year profit of £17.5m - all of which would be reinvested in highways and public transport improvements, the councils say.
https://bit.ly/2tyIkRs
-----------------------------------
DERBY
A taxi driver has been banned from the roads after he crashed into a tree when he fell asleep with his wife and a young autistic passenger in the car.
Azhar Iqbal, 41, of Tintagel Close, Derby, initially lied to Derby City Council licensing authority, claiming he swerved to avoid a fox.
But he abandoned that explanation after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.
Nottingham Crown Court heard Iqbal had been behind the wheel of a Peugeot people carrier on the eastbound carriageway of the A52, close to where it meets junction 25 of the M1, on February 9 last year at around noon.
The car drifted off the road, clipping the near side crash barriers, and ending up in trees on an embankment. It came to rest after hitting a tree.
A husband and wife had been following in their car when they saw the taxi veer to the right of the carriageway and then to the left.
https://bit.ly/2XfJAGH
------------------------------
A taxi driver from Liverpool who was carrying more than 40kg of heroin worth around £4m in the boot of his car has been jailed.
Officers stopped 44-year-old Barry Smith on September 4, last year after tracking his Skoda Octavia on the M6 northbound between junctions 13 and 14 at Stafford.
He was sentenced to 4 years 8 months at Stafford Crown Court.
Smith, of Keston Walk, Halewood, pulled onto the hard shoulder at 1.20pm and was asked by officers from Central Motorways Policing Group (CMPG) if he had anything illegal in the car. He replied ‘No.’
His car was searched and officers found two large sports bags inside the boot.
These contained square light-brown packs. A large amount of cash was also found next to the spare wheel.
A drugs expert examined the items seized and found each block was 15 to 20cm thick and weighed in at 507 grams.
The total weight was 40.5kg. Tests proved positive for heroin. Based on typical street deals being £10 for 0.1g of heroin the heroin was valued at just over £4m.
Detective Constable Neil Johnson, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This is a warning to those who think they can prey on the vulnerable in our communities.
https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/taxi-driver-found-heroin-worth-2562954
--------------------------------
COALVILLE
A taxi driver who collided with a cyclist and drove off without stopping has been stripped of his licence.
Footage of the shocking incident captured on the headcam of cyclist Dylan May shows the taxi turn into Gutteridge Street, in Coalville, on the wrong side in the early hours of Friday, January 11.
He is then seen to crash into the victim head-on.
It is claimed the taxi driver failed to stop at the scene and initially blamed the cyclist and said Mr May had been in the middle of the road.
He later admitted to being at fault and driving away from the scene after he was shown the helmet camera footage.
Mr May suffered injuries to his right arm, shoulder and elbow and his bike was significantly damaged.
He said: "I still now can't believe somebody would collide with a cyclist and just drive off, especially a so-called professional taxi driver."
https://bit.ly/2SPkvDY
VIA VAN (aka: MyTaxi)
TfL has today (Wednesday 20 February) launched a four-week consultation on plans to trial an innovative ‘on-demand’ bus service in Sutton.
The new service will let people or groups use an app to book seats on a minibus that will stop at more convenient locations, including areas not currently served by public transport. The on-demand service is proposed to run from 6.30am to 9.30pm, seven days a week and would carry up to 14 passengers. They would benefit from a guaranteed seat, free WiFi and USB charging points and flexible stops within a certain area.
The consultation is asking Londoners for their views on the specific area of Sutton that the service should cover and suggested stopping points. The trial, which will last for a year, will help TfL gauge the level of interest for an on-demand service and assess how it would work alongside the existing public transport network in Sutton.
Sutton was chosen because it has relatively high car dependency, and TfL believes the service could encourage people to switch to a more sustainable way of travelling. In doing so it will improve London's air quality, and reduce congestion. The buses will meet the Mayor’s tough ULEZ standards, and also accommodate wheelchairs – improving accessibility.
As well as using the app, passengers will also be able to book trips over the phone. The cost of using this new type of transport will be slightly higher than a traditional bus to reflect a better experience for customers, with Freedom Passes accepted.
After a competitive bidding process, ViaVan and Go-Ahead have been chosen to operate the trial. TfL will be tapping into the expertise of the successful bidders’ collective knowledge of app development and many years’ experience operating the largest part of the bus network in London.
TfL is also exploring the possibility of delivering a second on-demand bus trial to provide further evidence about the initiative’s viability.
Drivers for the new innovative service will receive the same pay and conditions as other London bus drivers. This includes the Mayor's 'Licence for London', which guarantees a pay grade equivalent to their level of service and experience.
Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s Director of Innovation, said: “We are always looking at how we can harness the latest technological developments in transport to improve the service for our customers. This trial will help us to understand if a demand-responsive service will support the objectives of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy in reducing car dependency and if it can be deployed to support the established bus network.”
Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan, said: “ViaVan’s powerful technology is redefining mobility across Europe, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to provide fully on-demand and dynamic transportation solutions.
“We are proud to partner with Transport for London, an innovative transport authority, to provide residents of Sutton with a convenient, affordable, and congestion-reducing shared transportation alternative that creates a viable alternative to private car usage.”
Cllr Manuel Abellan, Chair of Environment and Neighbourhood Committee at Sutton Council, said: “I am delighted that Sutton has been chosen to host this new trial. Demand responsive buses have the potential to better connect parts of our borough, particularly those urban areas away from the main centres. They could also offer an appealing sustainable travel option. We are keen to see higher public transport provision in our borough and very pleased to be working with TfL to trial this new service.”
David Brown, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group, said: “As the operator of Pickmeup, the largest demand responsive service in the UK, we are delighted to work with TfL and ViaVan to help deliver this service to Sutton. And, as London’s largest bus operator, we understand how an 'on demand' service can provide further journey opportunities to complement the capital's extensive network of bus routes.
The Sutton service will help customers with the first and last mile of their trip and fits well with Go-Ahead's vision of a world where every journey is taken care of.”
Contacts
TfL Press Office
Transport for London
0343 222 4141
pressoffice@tfl.gov.uk
TfL has today (Wednesday 20 February) launched a four-week consultation on plans to trial an innovative ‘on-demand’ bus service in Sutton.
The new service will let people or groups use an app to book seats on a minibus that will stop at more convenient locations, including areas not currently served by public transport. The on-demand service is proposed to run from 6.30am to 9.30pm, seven days a week and would carry up to 14 passengers. They would benefit from a guaranteed seat, free WiFi and USB charging points and flexible stops within a certain area.
The consultation is asking Londoners for their views on the specific area of Sutton that the service should cover and suggested stopping points. The trial, which will last for a year, will help TfL gauge the level of interest for an on-demand service and assess how it would work alongside the existing public transport network in Sutton.
Sutton was chosen because it has relatively high car dependency, and TfL believes the service could encourage people to switch to a more sustainable way of travelling. In doing so it will improve London's air quality, and reduce congestion. The buses will meet the Mayor’s tough ULEZ standards, and also accommodate wheelchairs – improving accessibility.
As well as using the app, passengers will also be able to book trips over the phone. The cost of using this new type of transport will be slightly higher than a traditional bus to reflect a better experience for customers, with Freedom Passes accepted.
After a competitive bidding process, ViaVan and Go-Ahead have been chosen to operate the trial. TfL will be tapping into the expertise of the successful bidders’ collective knowledge of app development and many years’ experience operating the largest part of the bus network in London.
TfL is also exploring the possibility of delivering a second on-demand bus trial to provide further evidence about the initiative’s viability.
Drivers for the new innovative service will receive the same pay and conditions as other London bus drivers. This includes the Mayor's 'Licence for London', which guarantees a pay grade equivalent to their level of service and experience.
Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s Director of Innovation, said: “We are always looking at how we can harness the latest technological developments in transport to improve the service for our customers. This trial will help us to understand if a demand-responsive service will support the objectives of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy in reducing car dependency and if it can be deployed to support the established bus network.”
Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan, said: “ViaVan’s powerful technology is redefining mobility across Europe, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to provide fully on-demand and dynamic transportation solutions.
“We are proud to partner with Transport for London, an innovative transport authority, to provide residents of Sutton with a convenient, affordable, and congestion-reducing shared transportation alternative that creates a viable alternative to private car usage.”
Cllr Manuel Abellan, Chair of Environment and Neighbourhood Committee at Sutton Council, said: “I am delighted that Sutton has been chosen to host this new trial. Demand responsive buses have the potential to better connect parts of our borough, particularly those urban areas away from the main centres. They could also offer an appealing sustainable travel option. We are keen to see higher public transport provision in our borough and very pleased to be working with TfL to trial this new service.”
David Brown, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group, said: “As the operator of Pickmeup, the largest demand responsive service in the UK, we are delighted to work with TfL and ViaVan to help deliver this service to Sutton. And, as London’s largest bus operator, we understand how an 'on demand' service can provide further journey opportunities to complement the capital's extensive network of bus routes.
The Sutton service will help customers with the first and last mile of their trip and fits well with Go-Ahead's vision of a world where every journey is taken care of.”
Contacts
TfL Press Office
Transport for London
0343 222 4141
pressoffice@tfl.gov.uk
Friday 15 February 2019
LEVC TO DROP MORE WORKERS
Almost 40 jobs are to go at the Coventry company which makes the iconic London taxi.
The latest announcement from the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) comes just weeks after the company revealed it was set to reduce the workforce by 70 - around a fifth of the total headcount.
The initial round of job cuts on January 29 affected only agency staff but this time around 20 permanent staff are affected, along with a further 20 contractors.
The first job cuts were revealed last month just 24 hours after Prince Charles was given a guided tour of the plant at the Ansty Business Park, on the edge of the city.
The company was for many years based on Holyhead Road not far from the city centre but its operations are now at Ansty Park, where it produces its electric London taxi - the TX.
An LEVC spokesman said: “LEVC’s TX eCity has been extremely well received by the market and we expect demand to continue to grow significantly in 2019.
“As part of our efforts to improve our operations and weather more challenging economic conditions in 2019 we are reorganising some business functions which will lead to a reduction of less than 20 full time positions and the release of a similar number of contractors.
“We have communicated the changes to unions and are in discussions from today with those employees likely to be affected.”
When the first job losses were announced one production worker told CoventryLive it had not come as a total surprise.
The worker, who did not wish to be named, said: “We all knew this was coming, but we didn’t know the amount.”
Formerly the London Taxi Company, LEVC moved to its new home in Ansty Park two years ago.
https://bit.ly/2Gsz3Tm
--------------------------------
LEICESTER
Almost £500,000 is to be spent on green taxi charging points despite no 'green' black cabs being registered in the city.
It is hoped that the 28 charge points paid for with £390,000 government funding, plus the potential for £100,000 of city council cash, will encourage cabbies and taxi companies to buy greener vehicles.
Currently there are no electric hackney cabs in the city and the council doesn’t hold information about how many private hire electric vehicles there are locally, but a spokesman said it is not believed to be more than a few.
The ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) hackney carriages have only recently been released but charging points could also be used by electric private hire cars.
Black cab drivers have told Leicestershire Live that more needs to be done before they would be willing to shell out the £57,000 it costs to buy an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) hackney carriage.
City centre cabbie Harry Singh said: “The only way I would consider buying a green taxi is if the council was to scrap the 11 year time limit.
“An electric vehicle should be good for life, if I spend more than £50,000 on a new cab I want to know it’s going to last me longer than 11 years. It could take that long to pay for itself.”
Leicestershire Live has asked the city council if there are plans to change the age limit when registering electric vehicles.
Mr Singh added: “Then there’s the charging, we wouldn’t want to stop working for a few hours to charge up.
"Do we leave the vehicles there? Do we stay with it? What if there are no free charging points?
“Taxi drivers don’t live in detached houses with big driveways, they live in flats or terraced houses or main roads where you can’t just leave your car plugged in.”
Another driver, John Rainer, added: “A better way of doing it would be for the council to buy a fleet of green vehicles and lease them to drivers, we could pay a rent on the cab.
“They can buy it, charge it and store it and we pay them to use it.”
The city council was one of 17 local authorities to successfully bid for funding from the £6 million pot to support new infrastructure for greener cleaner taxis.
The authority has said it will provide up to £100,000 of match funding for the scheme.
Councillor Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for environment and public health, said: “Supporting a shift towards cleaner, greener transport is vital part of the city’s air quality action plan.
“We have already seen the positive impact that the clean air technology now being used by the city’s bus fleet is making.
“Now we want to see those benefits extended to the city’s hackney cabs. Ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place will be vital in helping local taxi operators make their fleets more environmentally-friendly.
“This new funding will help us accelerate the installation of new dedicated charging points for ultra-low emission taxis and is another important step towards achieving the city’s clean air ambitions.”
The council has already relaxed its policy that restricts the maximum age at which hackney cabs can operate to help encourage the take-up of electric taxis.
https://bit.ly/2EenvRe
Almost 40 jobs are to go at the Coventry company which makes the iconic London taxi.
The latest announcement from the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) comes just weeks after the company revealed it was set to reduce the workforce by 70 - around a fifth of the total headcount.
The initial round of job cuts on January 29 affected only agency staff but this time around 20 permanent staff are affected, along with a further 20 contractors.
The first job cuts were revealed last month just 24 hours after Prince Charles was given a guided tour of the plant at the Ansty Business Park, on the edge of the city.
The company was for many years based on Holyhead Road not far from the city centre but its operations are now at Ansty Park, where it produces its electric London taxi - the TX.
An LEVC spokesman said: “LEVC’s TX eCity has been extremely well received by the market and we expect demand to continue to grow significantly in 2019.
“As part of our efforts to improve our operations and weather more challenging economic conditions in 2019 we are reorganising some business functions which will lead to a reduction of less than 20 full time positions and the release of a similar number of contractors.
“We have communicated the changes to unions and are in discussions from today with those employees likely to be affected.”
When the first job losses were announced one production worker told CoventryLive it had not come as a total surprise.
The worker, who did not wish to be named, said: “We all knew this was coming, but we didn’t know the amount.”
Formerly the London Taxi Company, LEVC moved to its new home in Ansty Park two years ago.
https://bit.ly/2Gsz3Tm
--------------------------------
LEICESTER
Almost £500,000 is to be spent on green taxi charging points despite no 'green' black cabs being registered in the city.
It is hoped that the 28 charge points paid for with £390,000 government funding, plus the potential for £100,000 of city council cash, will encourage cabbies and taxi companies to buy greener vehicles.
Currently there are no electric hackney cabs in the city and the council doesn’t hold information about how many private hire electric vehicles there are locally, but a spokesman said it is not believed to be more than a few.
The ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) hackney carriages have only recently been released but charging points could also be used by electric private hire cars.
Black cab drivers have told Leicestershire Live that more needs to be done before they would be willing to shell out the £57,000 it costs to buy an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) hackney carriage.
City centre cabbie Harry Singh said: “The only way I would consider buying a green taxi is if the council was to scrap the 11 year time limit.
“An electric vehicle should be good for life, if I spend more than £50,000 on a new cab I want to know it’s going to last me longer than 11 years. It could take that long to pay for itself.”
Leicestershire Live has asked the city council if there are plans to change the age limit when registering electric vehicles.
Mr Singh added: “Then there’s the charging, we wouldn’t want to stop working for a few hours to charge up.
"Do we leave the vehicles there? Do we stay with it? What if there are no free charging points?
“Taxi drivers don’t live in detached houses with big driveways, they live in flats or terraced houses or main roads where you can’t just leave your car plugged in.”
Another driver, John Rainer, added: “A better way of doing it would be for the council to buy a fleet of green vehicles and lease them to drivers, we could pay a rent on the cab.
“They can buy it, charge it and store it and we pay them to use it.”
The city council was one of 17 local authorities to successfully bid for funding from the £6 million pot to support new infrastructure for greener cleaner taxis.
The authority has said it will provide up to £100,000 of match funding for the scheme.
Councillor Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for environment and public health, said: “Supporting a shift towards cleaner, greener transport is vital part of the city’s air quality action plan.
“We have already seen the positive impact that the clean air technology now being used by the city’s bus fleet is making.
“Now we want to see those benefits extended to the city’s hackney cabs. Ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place will be vital in helping local taxi operators make their fleets more environmentally-friendly.
“This new funding will help us accelerate the installation of new dedicated charging points for ultra-low emission taxis and is another important step towards achieving the city’s clean air ambitions.”
The council has already relaxed its policy that restricts the maximum age at which hackney cabs can operate to help encourage the take-up of electric taxis.
https://bit.ly/2EenvRe
Thursday 14 February 2019
Institute of Licensing.
The recent Government task and finish group report and consultation on proposed statutory guidance has recognised the Institute’s contribution.
The consultation version of the draft statutory (2.18) guidance recognises the contribution the Institute can play in developing training packages for taxi and private hire drivers.
In the same document, paragraph 2.50 states: “Engagement with licensing authorities identified that greater direction from the Department was sought and in some cases required.
The Department did not make specific recommendations regarding the assessment of convictions in the 2010 update of the Best Practice Guidance. In response to concerns raised by stakeholders and to assist in greater consistency in licensing, Annex A provides the Department’s recommendations on this issue. This draws on the work of the Institute of Licensing, in partnership with the LGA, the National
Association of Licensing Enforcement Officers (NALEO) and Lawyers in Local Government, in publishing its guidance on determining the suitability of taxi and PHV licensees.
In the Government’s response to the taxi finish and task group, the contribution of the Institute and its partners through its fitness guidance has been recognised: “As with the introduction of national minimum standards, Government will seek to balance the need for greater nationwide consistency with respect for local decision making. We welcome the work that the Institute of Licensing in partnership with the Local Government Association, the National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers and Lawyers in Local Government have done in this area.”
James Button, IoL President said: “I welcome the Consultation on the S177 Statutory Guidance and the response to the Task and Finish Group’s report, because it shows that there is some movement within Government over Taxi and Private Hire licensing. I am disappointed that the Government has made it clear that they do not intend to comprehensively update and review the underlying legislation, nor take forward many of the suggestions made by the Task and Finish Group.”
Stephen D Turner, Licensing Lead for Lawyers in Local Government, said: “The Institute welcomes this Consultation and will develop a response through its specialist practitioners in due course. It is pleasing to note that the Department has adopted the guidance standards relating to previous convictions developed by the Institute and published last year.
Welcome as the draft guidance is there is still an urgent need for legislative change simultaneously with or subsequent to the publication of the final guidance”
https://bit.ly/2GsCSHY
-------------------------------
A Cambridge taxi driver has been barred from the trade after claiming more than £16,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.
Mohammed Gulam Mostafa, 52, of Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, first appeared before the council’s licensing sub-committee after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) informed the authority that he had been convicted of benefit fraud.
The DWP investigation found that Mr Mostafa had claimed a total of £16,294 in housing and council tax benefit that he wasn’t entitled to during the course of several years.
As a licensed private hire driver, Mr Mostafa was required to report any convictions to the council in writing within seven days. This was not done. After the DWP made the council aware, Mr Mostafa was contacted and attended an interview at the authority’s offices to discuss the allegation and the failure to report it as per his licence conditions.
He claimed during the interview that he was not aware he needed to report it to the council. He also stated that his probation officer should have told him to report the conviction, and it was therefore not his fault. The interviewing officer advised him that the matter would be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee for a decision on his suitability to continue to hold a private hire driver licence.
The licensing sub-committee hearing took place on January 19 last year, and the decision was made to revoke his licence in the interest of public safety.
Mr Mostafa then appealed the decision to the Magistrates, who refused the appeal and upheld the original council decision. Mr Mostafa was then ordered to pay the council’s costs of £546.
At this point, Mr Mostafa advised the council of his intention to make a further appeal to the Crown Court. This took place on February 8, at Cambridge Crown Court where Mr Mostafa represented himself. The case was heard by HHJ Jonathan Cooper assisted by two lay magistrates. They upheld the Magistrate’s decision, and thereby also the original decision by the licensing sub-committee.
Mr Mostafa’s private hire driver licence was revoked immediately and he was also ordered to pay further costs of £1,968 for the Crown Court appeal.
The council's lead cabinet member for licensing, Cllr Neil Gough, said: “The safety and security of people who are travelling with taxi drivers that are licensed by SCDC is absolutely paramount. Our officers do a huge amount of work to try and ensure residents can step into any taxi with confidence and having drivers with undeclared convictions jeopardises this.
"I am pleased that, in this case, both the Magistrates and the Crown Courts agreed with us and upheld our decision to ban Mr Mostafa from holding a private hire badge. Being granted a tax license is a privilege and we hold drivers that possess them to extremely high standards – as residents quite rightly expect us to. We only license fit and proper people to be taxi drivers and will not tolerate dishonesty. This is a warning to all licensed drivers, operators and vehicle proprietors to ensure they comply fully with council issued conditions.”
Last year, the council adopted a new stringent taxi licensing policy that saw the authority become one of only a few requiring the installation of CCTV in most vehicles.
https://bit.ly/2GFf43b
The recent Government task and finish group report and consultation on proposed statutory guidance has recognised the Institute’s contribution.
The consultation version of the draft statutory (2.18) guidance recognises the contribution the Institute can play in developing training packages for taxi and private hire drivers.
In the same document, paragraph 2.50 states: “Engagement with licensing authorities identified that greater direction from the Department was sought and in some cases required.
The Department did not make specific recommendations regarding the assessment of convictions in the 2010 update of the Best Practice Guidance. In response to concerns raised by stakeholders and to assist in greater consistency in licensing, Annex A provides the Department’s recommendations on this issue. This draws on the work of the Institute of Licensing, in partnership with the LGA, the National
Association of Licensing Enforcement Officers (NALEO) and Lawyers in Local Government, in publishing its guidance on determining the suitability of taxi and PHV licensees.
In the Government’s response to the taxi finish and task group, the contribution of the Institute and its partners through its fitness guidance has been recognised: “As with the introduction of national minimum standards, Government will seek to balance the need for greater nationwide consistency with respect for local decision making. We welcome the work that the Institute of Licensing in partnership with the Local Government Association, the National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers and Lawyers in Local Government have done in this area.”
James Button, IoL President said: “I welcome the Consultation on the S177 Statutory Guidance and the response to the Task and Finish Group’s report, because it shows that there is some movement within Government over Taxi and Private Hire licensing. I am disappointed that the Government has made it clear that they do not intend to comprehensively update and review the underlying legislation, nor take forward many of the suggestions made by the Task and Finish Group.”
Stephen D Turner, Licensing Lead for Lawyers in Local Government, said: “The Institute welcomes this Consultation and will develop a response through its specialist practitioners in due course. It is pleasing to note that the Department has adopted the guidance standards relating to previous convictions developed by the Institute and published last year.
Welcome as the draft guidance is there is still an urgent need for legislative change simultaneously with or subsequent to the publication of the final guidance”
https://bit.ly/2GsCSHY
-------------------------------
A Cambridge taxi driver has been barred from the trade after claiming more than £16,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.
Mohammed Gulam Mostafa, 52, of Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, first appeared before the council’s licensing sub-committee after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) informed the authority that he had been convicted of benefit fraud.
The DWP investigation found that Mr Mostafa had claimed a total of £16,294 in housing and council tax benefit that he wasn’t entitled to during the course of several years.
As a licensed private hire driver, Mr Mostafa was required to report any convictions to the council in writing within seven days. This was not done. After the DWP made the council aware, Mr Mostafa was contacted and attended an interview at the authority’s offices to discuss the allegation and the failure to report it as per his licence conditions.
He claimed during the interview that he was not aware he needed to report it to the council. He also stated that his probation officer should have told him to report the conviction, and it was therefore not his fault. The interviewing officer advised him that the matter would be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee for a decision on his suitability to continue to hold a private hire driver licence.
The licensing sub-committee hearing took place on January 19 last year, and the decision was made to revoke his licence in the interest of public safety.
Mr Mostafa then appealed the decision to the Magistrates, who refused the appeal and upheld the original council decision. Mr Mostafa was then ordered to pay the council’s costs of £546.
At this point, Mr Mostafa advised the council of his intention to make a further appeal to the Crown Court. This took place on February 8, at Cambridge Crown Court where Mr Mostafa represented himself. The case was heard by HHJ Jonathan Cooper assisted by two lay magistrates. They upheld the Magistrate’s decision, and thereby also the original decision by the licensing sub-committee.
Mr Mostafa’s private hire driver licence was revoked immediately and he was also ordered to pay further costs of £1,968 for the Crown Court appeal.
The council's lead cabinet member for licensing, Cllr Neil Gough, said: “The safety and security of people who are travelling with taxi drivers that are licensed by SCDC is absolutely paramount. Our officers do a huge amount of work to try and ensure residents can step into any taxi with confidence and having drivers with undeclared convictions jeopardises this.
"I am pleased that, in this case, both the Magistrates and the Crown Courts agreed with us and upheld our decision to ban Mr Mostafa from holding a private hire badge. Being granted a tax license is a privilege and we hold drivers that possess them to extremely high standards – as residents quite rightly expect us to. We only license fit and proper people to be taxi drivers and will not tolerate dishonesty. This is a warning to all licensed drivers, operators and vehicle proprietors to ensure they comply fully with council issued conditions.”
Last year, the council adopted a new stringent taxi licensing policy that saw the authority become one of only a few requiring the installation of CCTV in most vehicles.
https://bit.ly/2GFf43b
THIS WEEK IN PARLIMENT
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) 12-2-19
I am today announcing to the House the launching of a consultation on statutory guidance to be issued to taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing authorities and that the Government has issued its response to the report of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.
The draft statutory guidance proposes a range of robust measures to protect taxi and PHV passengers, particularly those most vulnerable. Government and licensing authorities must work together to ensure that, above all else, the taxi and PHV services the public use are safe. The consultation on this guidance will run until 22 April 2019.
The taxi and PHV trade has experienced significant and rapid changes in recent years which have brought with them benefits but have exacerbated concerns over the existing structure of the industry and the environment in which it operates. In particular, many of these changes have highlighted inconsistencies in the licencing standards, and in the rigour with which these standards are applied by some licencing authorities.
The recommendations proposed in the draft statutory guidance are a result of extensive consultation, and in particular learning from the best practice of exemplary licensing authorities. Consulting on statutory guidance is an important first step to reforming the way the taxi and PHV sector is regulated.
In addition to the statutory guidance consultation, the Government is today publishing its response to the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group. The Government has set out its plans to introduce legislation and bring forward the urgent reforms necessary. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chair, Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq, for his report, and the members of the group for their dedication in considering the issues facing the trade and their potential remedies.
Government will when time allows bring forward legislation to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing, reinforcing the consistently high standards that the statutory guidance will bring to the sector. To ensure that drivers are under the same level of scrutiny when operating away from their licensing area we will legislate to enable enforcement and compliance checks to be conducted by any licensing officer against any vehicle regardless of where they have been licensed. Where drivers or vehicles fail to meet the national minimum standards, they will be able to take appropriate action to protect the public. Underpinning these measures will be the introduction of a national licensing database to assist the sharing of relevant information between licensing authorities and other bodies necessary to ensure that all those in the trade are ‘fit and proper’ and warrant the trust that is placed in them by the public. This database will build on the work of the Local Government Association and the National Anti-Fraud Network in establishing the National Register of Revocation and Refusals.
Taxis and PHVs provide a vital community service which is used by many people; helping them get to the shops, see their friends, or go to work or school. We will work with the trade, drivers and regulators as well as passenger groups to meet the challenges the sector is expected to face in the future and ensure that change is not at the expense of a safe and well-functioning market. This work is already underway thorough the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge and the Law Commission’s consideration on enabling autonomous vehicles. I would encourage all to engage on these issues and help shape a successful sector that all can be proud of.
This statement has also been made in the House of Lords: HLWS1293
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 12 February 2019, cWS)
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) 12-2-19
I am today announcing to the House the launching of a consultation on statutory guidance to be issued to taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing authorities and that the Government has issued its response to the report of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.
The draft statutory guidance proposes a range of robust measures to protect taxi and PHV passengers, particularly those most vulnerable. Government and licensing authorities must work together to ensure that, above all else, the taxi and PHV services the public use are safe. The consultation on this guidance will run until 22 April 2019.
The taxi and PHV trade has experienced significant and rapid changes in recent years which have brought with them benefits but have exacerbated concerns over the existing structure of the industry and the environment in which it operates. In particular, many of these changes have highlighted inconsistencies in the licencing standards, and in the rigour with which these standards are applied by some licencing authorities.
The recommendations proposed in the draft statutory guidance are a result of extensive consultation, and in particular learning from the best practice of exemplary licensing authorities. Consulting on statutory guidance is an important first step to reforming the way the taxi and PHV sector is regulated.
In addition to the statutory guidance consultation, the Government is today publishing its response to the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group. The Government has set out its plans to introduce legislation and bring forward the urgent reforms necessary. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chair, Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq, for his report, and the members of the group for their dedication in considering the issues facing the trade and their potential remedies.
Government will when time allows bring forward legislation to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing, reinforcing the consistently high standards that the statutory guidance will bring to the sector. To ensure that drivers are under the same level of scrutiny when operating away from their licensing area we will legislate to enable enforcement and compliance checks to be conducted by any licensing officer against any vehicle regardless of where they have been licensed. Where drivers or vehicles fail to meet the national minimum standards, they will be able to take appropriate action to protect the public. Underpinning these measures will be the introduction of a national licensing database to assist the sharing of relevant information between licensing authorities and other bodies necessary to ensure that all those in the trade are ‘fit and proper’ and warrant the trust that is placed in them by the public. This database will build on the work of the Local Government Association and the National Anti-Fraud Network in establishing the National Register of Revocation and Refusals.
Taxis and PHVs provide a vital community service which is used by many people; helping them get to the shops, see their friends, or go to work or school. We will work with the trade, drivers and regulators as well as passenger groups to meet the challenges the sector is expected to face in the future and ensure that change is not at the expense of a safe and well-functioning market. This work is already underway thorough the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge and the Law Commission’s consideration on enabling autonomous vehicles. I would encourage all to engage on these issues and help shape a successful sector that all can be proud of.
This statement has also been made in the House of Lords: HLWS1293
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 12 February 2019, cWS)
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