New international taxi app Ola has launched in Birmingham and is offering free rides to customers.
All Brummies have to do is download the Ola app onto their phones and their first ride under £10 will be free. After that they will automatically be entitled to 50 per cent off their next five rides.
Ola similar to the Uber service , lets customers order cabs through an app on their phones. The company also serves Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Dudley and Sandwell.
Unlike Uber, Ola can be used to book black cabs as well as private hire vehicles. However this particular offer is available on private hire vehicles only.
When the launch of Ola in Birmingham was announced in early April, UK managing director Ben Legg said: “We have come to town after local drivers got in touch asking for more employment opportunities in the city.
"We are leading the way with driver benefits and are the only platform to include black cab drivers in our dynamic fleet.
"We are committed to working together with drivers and the local authorities, to help the community grow and achieve safety and mobility goals, such as Birmingham’s Clean Air Strategy.”
Founded in India in 2010, the company's first UK launch was Cardiff in August 2018, followed by Bristol , Bath and Exeter and Liverpool.
To get your free first ride under £10 and 50% off your next five rides download the Ola app to your phone before Friday, May 31
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/new-uber-rival-ola-offering-16202362
-----------------------------
Tuesday 30 April 2019
CCTV Commisioner cast doubts on Legality of Blanket use of CCTV in Licensed Vehicles.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VolvhYToqgqMib5x59APkcvBZKZNUCxQ/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VolvhYToqgqMib5x59APkcvBZKZNUCxQ/view?usp=sharing
Monday 29 April 2019
Uber and Lyft have stopped accepting new drivers on their respective platforms in New York City, Politico reports. The move comes after the city passed new rules that are designed to curb the explosive growth of ride-hail companies.
On its website, Uber attributes the new policy to “new [Taxi and Limousine Commission] regulations.” (To find Lyft’s notice about not accepting new drivers, I had to go through the process of signing up as a new driver.) This is a reference to legislation passed by the New York City Council in December 2018, which requires ride-hail companies to pay drivers at least $17.22 an hour after expenses. The pay formula uses a so-called “utilization rate,” which accounts for the share of time a driver spends with passengers in their vehicles compared to time spent idle and waiting for a fare.
The rules penalize companies for running too many cars without passengers on city streets. The higher a company’s utilization rate, the less it has to pay drivers to meet the new wage floor requirement. The rules were intended to increase pay for drivers, while also addressing what many saw as an oversaturated market in New York City.
In that sense, today’s news suggests the rules are having their desired effect. The wage rule was passed several months after the city council approved a new vehicle cap for Uber and Lyft in the hopes of reversing worsening traffic congestion. That rule doesn’t affect Uber and Lyft’s ability to onboard new drivers; it just restricts the number of vehicles that can be used to pick up passengers.
While wildly popular among riders, Uber and Lyft have been a source of almost constant grief for policymakers, disability advocates, taxi medallion holders, and labor groups. Critics complain that Uber and Lyft have been allowed to dominate the market without having to follow many of the same rules that apply to yellow taxis. This has led to a glut of drivers that has outstripped demand, driving down wages and increasing traffic congestion. At the time, New York City’s law capping the number of drivers was held up as a potential model for other cities that want to rein in the ride-hail industry.
Uber stopped onboarding new drivers in New York City on April 1st, followed soon after by Lyft. In January, Lyft sued the city to block the new wage rules, arguing that they would create an uneven playing field and would ultimately mean their own drivers would be paid less. Three weeks later, Uber sued the city over the cap on new ride-hail drivers.
“As drivers exit the industry and demand from riders increases, we will once again seek to add new drivers,” an Uber spokesperson said.
“Because of TLC regulations, we’re currently not accepting new drivers in New York City,” Lyft said. “We do have a waitlist and will let drivers know when they can apply to drive.”
https://www.theverge.com
On its website, Uber attributes the new policy to “new [Taxi and Limousine Commission] regulations.” (To find Lyft’s notice about not accepting new drivers, I had to go through the process of signing up as a new driver.) This is a reference to legislation passed by the New York City Council in December 2018, which requires ride-hail companies to pay drivers at least $17.22 an hour after expenses. The pay formula uses a so-called “utilization rate,” which accounts for the share of time a driver spends with passengers in their vehicles compared to time spent idle and waiting for a fare.
The rules penalize companies for running too many cars without passengers on city streets. The higher a company’s utilization rate, the less it has to pay drivers to meet the new wage floor requirement. The rules were intended to increase pay for drivers, while also addressing what many saw as an oversaturated market in New York City.
In that sense, today’s news suggests the rules are having their desired effect. The wage rule was passed several months after the city council approved a new vehicle cap for Uber and Lyft in the hopes of reversing worsening traffic congestion. That rule doesn’t affect Uber and Lyft’s ability to onboard new drivers; it just restricts the number of vehicles that can be used to pick up passengers.
While wildly popular among riders, Uber and Lyft have been a source of almost constant grief for policymakers, disability advocates, taxi medallion holders, and labor groups. Critics complain that Uber and Lyft have been allowed to dominate the market without having to follow many of the same rules that apply to yellow taxis. This has led to a glut of drivers that has outstripped demand, driving down wages and increasing traffic congestion. At the time, New York City’s law capping the number of drivers was held up as a potential model for other cities that want to rein in the ride-hail industry.
Uber stopped onboarding new drivers in New York City on April 1st, followed soon after by Lyft. In January, Lyft sued the city to block the new wage rules, arguing that they would create an uneven playing field and would ultimately mean their own drivers would be paid less. Three weeks later, Uber sued the city over the cap on new ride-hail drivers.
“As drivers exit the industry and demand from riders increases, we will once again seek to add new drivers,” an Uber spokesperson said.
“Because of TLC regulations, we’re currently not accepting new drivers in New York City,” Lyft said. “We do have a waitlist and will let drivers know when they can apply to drive.”
https://www.theverge.com
The account is thought to be worth a ‘six-figure’ sum. MHP’s brief includes helping mytaxi have a voice in the debate about the future of mobility in the UK and to shape the app’s strategic approach to key policy initiatives in a highly regulated industry in the UK and regionally.
The brief also includes providing mytaxi with a voice around safety and standards of the sector.
Mytaxi is part of the Free Now group, the ride-hailing joint venture between BMW and Daimler and operates across more than 100 European cities and beyond. Teneo Blue Rubicon led on public affairs and PR strategy after mytaxi merged and rebranded with Hailo in 2016.
"As mytaxi moves into an exciting new phase in the UK, pushing for increased standards and competition across the sector and moving into the mobility space, MHP is the perfect partner to help us achieve our goals and deliver for both drivers and passengers alike," mytaxi UK general manager David Savage said.
www.prweek.com
---------------------------------------------------
New security precautions are being considered at Birmingham Council House and more support provided for councillors amid rising levels of 'hate' and harassment.
The trigger for the review of new measures came earlier this month when angry taxi drivers confronted members of the city's licensing committee.
Some councillors reported feeling intimidated and left the meeting room as cabbies voiced protests against a new emissions policy which they say could damage their trade and livelihoods.
It was the latest incident amid rising concerns among some councillors about personal harassment and abuse.
For some councillors the personal abuse they have endured has got so bad they have considered quitting; others have retreated from social media and even avoided public events under police advice after particularly nasty anonymous threats.
"You get to the point where you feel you are going to have a breakdown if you carry on, and you think about quitting. This is not about legitimate criticism and political dispute, which can be painful but is fair," said one councillor, Nicky Brennan (Lab, Sparkhill).
"This is harassment driven by a desire to undermine people, particularly women. I have been afraid in my own home; I have been advised not to hold public surgeries for constituents after one particularly horrible threat. That is just not on."
Cllr Brennan has previously spoken out about the level of abuse she has endured since being elected as a councillor last year. "It seems to be a regular feature of being in public life for women. I have been threatened with rape and violence, called stupid, called all sorts of swearwords.
"I've had hardcore pornography sent to me, usually when I've been talking about domestic violence, or rape, or sexual assault."
She said she wanted more done to support councillors facing abuse, including counselling support.
Her views were echoed by the city council's deputy leader Brigid Jones, who spoke frankly about the issues that she had experienced personally and her desire to ensure her fellow councillors felt safe going about their work.
She said the recent confrontational licensing meeting at the Council House, combined with individual concerns raised by several councillors, had triggered a review of security.
"As local politicians we do not have police protection or access to the level of advice that MPs have, nor is the Council House or other places where we carry out our work subject to protective security blocks and bag searches and so on.
"Yet many of the issues we deal with do arouse extreme emotions.
"We take decisions that affect people's personal lives, their families, their livelihoods and jobs.
"We have had to make cuts for four years in a row. Particularly over the last couple of years, we have not been meeting expectations and cannot afford to save all services, or need to impose measures that are unwelcome. Naturally people get angry."
Said Coun Jones: "The behaviour that happened at licensing (over taxi services) was horrendous. As a result we have asked for a review of security at council meetings.
"The principle of open democracy and keeping meetings open to all is really important but we also need to ensure we are robust in the level of security we provide."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jaguar Land Rover is looking at a deal to acquire a London taxi firm heavily involved in driverless passenger transport.
Addison Lee, which is the second biggest taxi firm in the capital behind Uber, has been put up for sale by its current owners the Carlyle Group.
JLR is up against other car manufacturers, private equity firms and tech companies, according to reports in the Sunday Telegraph.
Bank of America and Rothschild have been hired to find a buyer for the firm, which is valued at around £300m.
Jaguar Land Rover has had its share of troubles in recent years, and analysts have suggested that this move would position JLR better for future developments in the industry, including driverless technology.
Addison Lee has been involved in bringing this technology into the taxi sector. It announced in November 2018 that it was to lead a £15m government-backed consortium to help launch self-driving passenger cars in the capital by 2021.
In its most recent available accounts, Addison Lee posted revenues of £345.7m for the year to 31 August 2017, up from £263.9m the year before. However Addison Lee has had its own troubles, facing app-based services like Uber. It reported a loss of £20.8m for the year, compared to a profit of £10.5m in the previous period.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com
Comment: The upcoming demo might not help these negotiations:
--------------------------------------------
Ubers unfair Competition
New and exciting technological innovations are constantly disrupting existing markets and changing the way we live our lives for the better.
However, in some cases, new players have emerged and refused to play by the rules to the detriment of customers and drivers. The UK’s taxi and private hire vehicle market is a prime example of this.
The Department for Transport asked Professor Mohammad Abdel-Haq to lead an independent investigation into the UK’s taxi and private hire services. His final report made a number of sensible recommendations for reform of how taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed.
Some of the laws governing taxis date back to before the invention of the motor car, and while there were some reforms made in the 2015 Deregulation Act, it’s high time for a comprehensive update to bring legislation into the 21st century.
This is why I and my colleagues on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis are very disappointed that the Government did not accept all of the recommendations made in Professor Abdel-Haq’s report. There is nothing radical here. They are simply good, common-sense suggestions for long-overdue reform.
I was pleased to see my colleague Nusrat Ghani as the Minister responsible for taxis commit to bringing forward primary legislation.
As it stands, this is intended to set national minimum licensing standards for taxi and private hire and to introduce a national database of licensing details. However, I believe that this new legislation can and should be more ambitious.
The taxi and private hire market has become unfairly skewed – particularly in London – to the detriment of the world-famous black taxi trade and the livelihood of cab drivers, including many of my constituents.
The rise of app-based private hire services has fundamentally altered the environment in which taxis and minicabs operate, of which Uber has undoubtedly played the most significant role. It has flooded towns and cities across the country, undercutting existing taxi and private hire vehicle operators while flouting regulation and failing to provide a quality service.
Private hire vehicle numbers have spiralled since Uber entered the UK market in 2012, causing increased congestion and pollution in our towns and cities. While London’s black taxi trade complies with strict regulations – they pass the rigorous Knowledge test, use special vehicles, meet enhanced disability requirements and have set fares by TfL – Uber’s business model allows it to operate on a completely different playing field. It arrives in our towns offering unrealistically low prices that local taxi and private hire drivers simply can’t match, and once established, uses its algorithms to hike up prices.
Uber journeys legally must be pre-booked and drivers cannot ‘ply for hire’ on the streets looking for business. Yet this is essentially what the company does via its app. Uber drivers circle around passenger hotspots, taking up road space and polluting towns and cities, while pushing out local taxi drivers and small minicab firms.
The current licensing system also poses significant risks to the safety of passengers which must be urgently addressed. Anyone who reads a newspaper will be well aware of the shocking cases of child sexual exploitation in places like Rotherham, which were exacerbated by the weak licensing system.
Just last month, news reports revealed a number of allegations of sexual assault made against drivers who were licensed by Wolverhampton Council but used these licences to ‘cross border hire’ and work in other areas where they have not been granted a licence. At present, local authorities who want to control which drivers operate in their area cannot do so, because a driver licensed in one authority can work anywhere.
This means that areas such as Rotherham who try to set higher standards for taxi and private hire vehicles in their areas to ensure public safety cannot enforce these in practice. Setting a legal definition of where drivers are allowed to work, under what licence, must form part of new legislation.
So what should this new legislation look like? I support calls from local government that they be given the power to cap private hire numbers as they see fit. New legislation also needs to finally set out in law who is allowed to ‘ply for hire’, and who is not. It must define where drivers are allowed to work to improve accountability and safety.
I believe in strong competitive markets, but competition must be fair. Taxi drivers and private hire operators must be able to compete on a level playing field with companies like Uber.
London’s black cab trade is arguably the most admired in the world; part of the fabric of our heritage and culture. I hope that the Government realises the extent of the consensus across all parties in the House for those recommendations made by Professor Abdel-Haq and rethinks its approach to reform. We need to completely rewrite outdated taxi and private hire laws and make them fit for the future.
Author Iain Duncan -Smith ( former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
New and exciting technological innovations are constantly disrupting existing markets and changing the way we live our lives for the better.
However, in some cases, new players have emerged and refused to play by the rules to the detriment of customers and drivers. The UK’s taxi and private hire vehicle market is a prime example of this.
The Department for Transport asked Professor Mohammad Abdel-Haq to lead an independent investigation into the UK’s taxi and private hire services. His final report made a number of sensible recommendations for reform of how taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed.
Some of the laws governing taxis date back to before the invention of the motor car, and while there were some reforms made in the 2015 Deregulation Act, it’s high time for a comprehensive update to bring legislation into the 21st century.
This is why I and my colleagues on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis are very disappointed that the Government did not accept all of the recommendations made in Professor Abdel-Haq’s report. There is nothing radical here. They are simply good, common-sense suggestions for long-overdue reform.
I was pleased to see my colleague Nusrat Ghani as the Minister responsible for taxis commit to bringing forward primary legislation.
As it stands, this is intended to set national minimum licensing standards for taxi and private hire and to introduce a national database of licensing details. However, I believe that this new legislation can and should be more ambitious.
The taxi and private hire market has become unfairly skewed – particularly in London – to the detriment of the world-famous black taxi trade and the livelihood of cab drivers, including many of my constituents.
The rise of app-based private hire services has fundamentally altered the environment in which taxis and minicabs operate, of which Uber has undoubtedly played the most significant role. It has flooded towns and cities across the country, undercutting existing taxi and private hire vehicle operators while flouting regulation and failing to provide a quality service.
Private hire vehicle numbers have spiralled since Uber entered the UK market in 2012, causing increased congestion and pollution in our towns and cities. While London’s black taxi trade complies with strict regulations – they pass the rigorous Knowledge test, use special vehicles, meet enhanced disability requirements and have set fares by TfL – Uber’s business model allows it to operate on a completely different playing field. It arrives in our towns offering unrealistically low prices that local taxi and private hire drivers simply can’t match, and once established, uses its algorithms to hike up prices.
Uber journeys legally must be pre-booked and drivers cannot ‘ply for hire’ on the streets looking for business. Yet this is essentially what the company does via its app. Uber drivers circle around passenger hotspots, taking up road space and polluting towns and cities, while pushing out local taxi drivers and small minicab firms.
The current licensing system also poses significant risks to the safety of passengers which must be urgently addressed. Anyone who reads a newspaper will be well aware of the shocking cases of child sexual exploitation in places like Rotherham, which were exacerbated by the weak licensing system.
Just last month, news reports revealed a number of allegations of sexual assault made against drivers who were licensed by Wolverhampton Council but used these licences to ‘cross border hire’ and work in other areas where they have not been granted a licence. At present, local authorities who want to control which drivers operate in their area cannot do so, because a driver licensed in one authority can work anywhere.
This means that areas such as Rotherham who try to set higher standards for taxi and private hire vehicles in their areas to ensure public safety cannot enforce these in practice. Setting a legal definition of where drivers are allowed to work, under what licence, must form part of new legislation.
So what should this new legislation look like? I support calls from local government that they be given the power to cap private hire numbers as they see fit. New legislation also needs to finally set out in law who is allowed to ‘ply for hire’, and who is not. It must define where drivers are allowed to work to improve accountability and safety.
I believe in strong competitive markets, but competition must be fair. Taxi drivers and private hire operators must be able to compete on a level playing field with companies like Uber.
London’s black cab trade is arguably the most admired in the world; part of the fabric of our heritage and culture. I hope that the Government realises the extent of the consensus across all parties in the House for those recommendations made by Professor Abdel-Haq and rethinks its approach to reform. We need to completely rewrite outdated taxi and private hire laws and make them fit for the future.
Author Iain Duncan -Smith ( former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
Thursday 25 April 2019
John Hayes Conservative, South Holland and The Deepings
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing to improve passenger safety.
Hansard source
(Citation: HC Deb, 10 April 2019, cW)
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
The response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing issued on 12 February committed to bring forward legislation to enable national minimum standards in licensing, enable greater enforcement powers for licensing officers and to establish a national licensing database to assist in the sharing of relevant information.
The Department is currently consulting on draft statutory guidance to be issued to licensing authorities on how they can use their extensive existing powers to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm when using taxi and private hire vehicle services.
---------------------------------------------------
Thangam Debbonaire Opposition Whip (Commons)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of implementing recommendation 11 of the Task and Finish Group report on Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles published in September 2018.
Hansard source
(Citation: HC Deb, 9 April 2019, cW)
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
As outlined in the Government’s response to the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group, published in February 2019, Government is considering carefully how the restriction of out-of-area journeys by taxis and private hire vehicles proposed might work in practice, with a view to legislating.
------------------------------------------
MILTON KEYNES
Taxi Licensing Officers from Milton Keynes and South Northants Councils recently joined forces with Thames Valley Police to carry out checks on taxi drivers on an evening of positive enforcement action.
On 5 April 2019 licensed vehicles were stopped and checked on the roads of Milton Keynes during a safety operation which targeted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles with suspected defects and licensing breaches. The aim of the operation was to proactively tackle vehicle defects found among taxis in the city.
As a result, 21 vehicles licensed by Milton Keynes, South Northants and Aylesbury Vale Councils were stopped and checked at the roadside – of which 13 were identified as having defects that required further examination by the Council’s testing station.
All 13 vehicles were thoroughly inspected by examiners with a variety of faults, including tyre damage, defective lights, oil leaks, rust, no roof/door signage, faulty brakes and bodywork damage.
Four of the 13 vehicles were licensed by Milton Keynes and nine by Aylesbury Vale Council. One further vehicle licensed by SNC was suspended for vehicle defects at the road side and the plate was surrendered by the driver.
Steve Hayes, Head of Transport at MK Council said: “It is vital that people have absolute confidence in the safety of licensed vehicles and this operation was designed to highlight those who do not maintain their vehicles.
“We will continue to work with Thames Valley Police and our neighbouring Local Authorities to ensure the safety of the public when using these services.”
www.instituteoflicensing.org
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing to improve passenger safety.
Hansard source
(Citation: HC Deb, 10 April 2019, cW)
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
The response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing issued on 12 February committed to bring forward legislation to enable national minimum standards in licensing, enable greater enforcement powers for licensing officers and to establish a national licensing database to assist in the sharing of relevant information.
The Department is currently consulting on draft statutory guidance to be issued to licensing authorities on how they can use their extensive existing powers to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm when using taxi and private hire vehicle services.
---------------------------------------------------
Thangam Debbonaire Opposition Whip (Commons)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of implementing recommendation 11 of the Task and Finish Group report on Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles published in September 2018.
Hansard source
(Citation: HC Deb, 9 April 2019, cW)
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
As outlined in the Government’s response to the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group, published in February 2019, Government is considering carefully how the restriction of out-of-area journeys by taxis and private hire vehicles proposed might work in practice, with a view to legislating.
------------------------------------------
MILTON KEYNES
Taxi Licensing Officers from Milton Keynes and South Northants Councils recently joined forces with Thames Valley Police to carry out checks on taxi drivers on an evening of positive enforcement action.
On 5 April 2019 licensed vehicles were stopped and checked on the roads of Milton Keynes during a safety operation which targeted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles with suspected defects and licensing breaches. The aim of the operation was to proactively tackle vehicle defects found among taxis in the city.
As a result, 21 vehicles licensed by Milton Keynes, South Northants and Aylesbury Vale Councils were stopped and checked at the roadside – of which 13 were identified as having defects that required further examination by the Council’s testing station.
All 13 vehicles were thoroughly inspected by examiners with a variety of faults, including tyre damage, defective lights, oil leaks, rust, no roof/door signage, faulty brakes and bodywork damage.
Four of the 13 vehicles were licensed by Milton Keynes and nine by Aylesbury Vale Council. One further vehicle licensed by SNC was suspended for vehicle defects at the road side and the plate was surrendered by the driver.
Steve Hayes, Head of Transport at MK Council said: “It is vital that people have absolute confidence in the safety of licensed vehicles and this operation was designed to highlight those who do not maintain their vehicles.
“We will continue to work with Thames Valley Police and our neighbouring Local Authorities to ensure the safety of the public when using these services.”
www.instituteoflicensing.org
Tuesday 23 April 2019
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has promised “a million” self-driving taxis on the road in 2020, with full self-driving capabilities ready this year.
Musk made the remarks at an “Autonomy Investor Day” at the company’s Palo Alto headquarters on Monday, where executives gave details on a new neural network chip for autonomous driving that is to be built into all new Tesla cars.
Advertising
The company also gave more information on its strategy of relying on cameras and radar to help the car make self-driving decisions, and eliminating the laser-based LIDAR that most competitors are using in addition to other sensors.
LIDAR is “expensive and unecessary”, Musk said at the event, saying cameras and radar provided all the information needed for self-driving vehicles and predicting that rivals would “dump LIDAR”.
Musk said Tesla designed the new chip from the ground up, beginning in 2016.
Never having built a chip before, the company has produced “the best chip in the world”, he said.
The unit is placed behind the glove box in new vehicles, and features redundancy so that if one chip fails a second can take over.
He said Tesla has been training its Autopilot self-driving software to handle unpredictable events such as other cars cutting in front of the vehicle.
An update handling cut-ins was pushed live three months ago, he said.
Musk argued all the hardware necessary to make Tesla vehicles self-driving is already present, with only software improvements remaining.
“It’s a very difficult software problem,” he said.
But he went on to claim it would be solved within months, with cars able to autonomously navigate dense urban areas such as New York and San Francisco by the end of the year and autonomous taxis to follow next year.
Source= www.silicon.co.uk
------------------------------
A taxi driver was attacked with a machete and hammer after being called to a house in Trafford.
Police say two people have been arrested following the incident in Flixton.
Officers told how the taxi driver was called to an address on Irlam Road.
There the offenders opened the front doors and began to attack the driver with weapons.
It's not thought his injuries were life threatening.
During the robbery they stole £100 before running off. The car was also damaged.
On the GMP Trafford North Facebook page, officers said: "Two offenders have been arrested in connection to a robbery on a taxi driver on Irlam Rd, Flixton.
"They have called for a taxi from an address and as the taxi pulls up, the two open the drivers door and the front passenger door and attack the driver with a machete and a hammer.
"They steal £100, damage his taxi and then run off.
"The following day, the same taxi company receive a call for a taxi from the same location with the voices sounding similar.
Source= M.E.N.
-------------------------------------
UBERK
A SOZZLED reveller was stung with a £300 Uber bill after forgetting to change her home address - instead ordering one to Newcastle.
Helen Dryden, 25, had been on a boozy day out with pals in London when she ordered a taxi back to take her back to her home in Guildford.
But she forgot her home address was still set to Newcastle where she went to university - 270 miles away.
Tipsy Helen then fell asleep in the back of the Uber - waking up and hour later to discover she was 60 miles north in Milton Keynes.
She then had to explain her mistake to the driver, who was forced to do a U-turn and take her 75 miles away to the right address.
Helen said: "I couldn't believe it. The whole day ended up costing me about £400.
"I feel so embarrassed. I was a bit too drunk and just fell asleep.
I got too drunk. I'm supposed to be getting more responsible as I get older but it's not happening so far"
source= www.thesun.co.uk
---------------------------------
Birmingham taxi drivers have apologised to the public after their go-slow demonstration caused mass disruption in the city centre - but have warned it could get worse.
Dozens of black cabs brought traffic in and around Pagoda Island to a standstill on Monday morning during the protest over the city council's Clean Air Zone plans and will protest again today (April 24).
National Express diverted a number of buses, particularly routes serving south Birmingham, while some commuters abandoned them on the roundabout and walked through the gridlocked vehicles on foot instead.
West Midlands Police officers were also present with the force saying they will take action against any driver causing 'deliberate obstruction' by remaining stationary.
Around 40 Hackney carriages lined up on Smallbrook Queensway shortly before 8am but it is estimated up to 80 took part in the two-hour crawl.
It was the first of nine protests to be held over the coming days, some of which will target the evening rush hours.
Raja Amin, president for the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union Midlands council which is leading the campaign, declared the demonstration a success and warned that even more drivers could join in over the course of week.
He said: "We wanted to show Birmingham City Council that we are not going to take their policy lying down.
"Most people said to us before that it is too early, people are on holiday, schools and colleges are closed, it might not have an impact.
"But the sheer number of drivers who turned up meant it was very successful.
"They didn't even have to go anywhere, today they went 25 yards up the road and brought the city to a gridlock during a holiday period.
"I think everyone wanted to see how this one would go but now they are getting more together.
"I think there will be more drivers taking part."
A few of the taxi drivers involved in the go-slow protest
The Clean Air Zone will launch in Birmingham in January 2020 imposing an £8 daily charge on any car travelling inside the A4540 ring road which falls below certain emission standards.
Diesels older than EURO 6 (2015) and petrols older than EURO 4 (2006).
Earlier this month the council's Licensing and Public Public protection committee approved new emissions policies for Hackney carriage and private hire drivers
While they made some concessions to the drivers they did not meet all of their demands, such as exemption from the charge as well as more money towards converting to LPG or buying a new vehicle.
The council admitted hundreds of drivers will still have to upgrade or replace their cars.
Mr Amin said: "My message to the public at large is that I apologise from the bottom of my heart for any inconvenience caused to their journey or travel.
"We are sincerely sorry to them. But we didn't bring this, it is the council's ridiculous policy being imposed on us that has made us do this.
"We don't enjoy doing this to the public. This was a last resort.
"This isn't a sudden thing we have been saying for months.
"We just want to have a dialogue with the council.
"The public should talk to councillors and tell them to sit around the table with us, we want to negotiate.
"Our doors are open, let's compromise, build a bridge and walk over it."
Birmingham City Council response
Cllr Waseem Zaffar, transport and environment chief, issued an updated statement today.
He did not acknowledge the disruption caused by the go-slow demonstration but emphasised that the authority is spending £15m of its £39m Clean Air Zone funding from the Government supporting Hackney carriage and private hire drivers.
Cllr Zaffar said: "I’m aware of the concerns of how the Clean Air Zone will affect Hackney carriage and private hire drivers.
"As I’ve said on many occasions, I totally understand that the introduction of the CAZ will have an impact on anyone driving a vehicle that does not meet modern emission standards, and I get the drivers’ concerns.
"My late father was a driver in Birmingham, I have a lot of family and friends who are drivers and I’ve in the past represented the taxi trade as a trade union official - I understand this will be challenging and that’s why we worked very hard to get £15m from Government to support drivers through the change.
source- BBC
Musk made the remarks at an “Autonomy Investor Day” at the company’s Palo Alto headquarters on Monday, where executives gave details on a new neural network chip for autonomous driving that is to be built into all new Tesla cars.
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The company also gave more information on its strategy of relying on cameras and radar to help the car make self-driving decisions, and eliminating the laser-based LIDAR that most competitors are using in addition to other sensors.
LIDAR is “expensive and unecessary”, Musk said at the event, saying cameras and radar provided all the information needed for self-driving vehicles and predicting that rivals would “dump LIDAR”.
Musk said Tesla designed the new chip from the ground up, beginning in 2016.
Never having built a chip before, the company has produced “the best chip in the world”, he said.
The unit is placed behind the glove box in new vehicles, and features redundancy so that if one chip fails a second can take over.
He said Tesla has been training its Autopilot self-driving software to handle unpredictable events such as other cars cutting in front of the vehicle.
An update handling cut-ins was pushed live three months ago, he said.
Musk argued all the hardware necessary to make Tesla vehicles self-driving is already present, with only software improvements remaining.
“It’s a very difficult software problem,” he said.
But he went on to claim it would be solved within months, with cars able to autonomously navigate dense urban areas such as New York and San Francisco by the end of the year and autonomous taxis to follow next year.
Source= www.silicon.co.uk
------------------------------
A taxi driver was attacked with a machete and hammer after being called to a house in Trafford.
Police say two people have been arrested following the incident in Flixton.
Officers told how the taxi driver was called to an address on Irlam Road.
There the offenders opened the front doors and began to attack the driver with weapons.
It's not thought his injuries were life threatening.
During the robbery they stole £100 before running off. The car was also damaged.
On the GMP Trafford North Facebook page, officers said: "Two offenders have been arrested in connection to a robbery on a taxi driver on Irlam Rd, Flixton.
"They have called for a taxi from an address and as the taxi pulls up, the two open the drivers door and the front passenger door and attack the driver with a machete and a hammer.
"They steal £100, damage his taxi and then run off.
"The following day, the same taxi company receive a call for a taxi from the same location with the voices sounding similar.
Source= M.E.N.
-------------------------------------
UBERK
A SOZZLED reveller was stung with a £300 Uber bill after forgetting to change her home address - instead ordering one to Newcastle.
Helen Dryden, 25, had been on a boozy day out with pals in London when she ordered a taxi back to take her back to her home in Guildford.
But she forgot her home address was still set to Newcastle where she went to university - 270 miles away.
Tipsy Helen then fell asleep in the back of the Uber - waking up and hour later to discover she was 60 miles north in Milton Keynes.
She then had to explain her mistake to the driver, who was forced to do a U-turn and take her 75 miles away to the right address.
Helen said: "I couldn't believe it. The whole day ended up costing me about £400.
"I feel so embarrassed. I was a bit too drunk and just fell asleep.
I got too drunk. I'm supposed to be getting more responsible as I get older but it's not happening so far"
source= www.thesun.co.uk
---------------------------------
Birmingham taxi drivers have apologised to the public after their go-slow demonstration caused mass disruption in the city centre - but have warned it could get worse.
Dozens of black cabs brought traffic in and around Pagoda Island to a standstill on Monday morning during the protest over the city council's Clean Air Zone plans and will protest again today (April 24).
National Express diverted a number of buses, particularly routes serving south Birmingham, while some commuters abandoned them on the roundabout and walked through the gridlocked vehicles on foot instead.
West Midlands Police officers were also present with the force saying they will take action against any driver causing 'deliberate obstruction' by remaining stationary.
Around 40 Hackney carriages lined up on Smallbrook Queensway shortly before 8am but it is estimated up to 80 took part in the two-hour crawl.
It was the first of nine protests to be held over the coming days, some of which will target the evening rush hours.
Raja Amin, president for the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union Midlands council which is leading the campaign, declared the demonstration a success and warned that even more drivers could join in over the course of week.
He said: "We wanted to show Birmingham City Council that we are not going to take their policy lying down.
"Most people said to us before that it is too early, people are on holiday, schools and colleges are closed, it might not have an impact.
"But the sheer number of drivers who turned up meant it was very successful.
"They didn't even have to go anywhere, today they went 25 yards up the road and brought the city to a gridlock during a holiday period.
"I think everyone wanted to see how this one would go but now they are getting more together.
"I think there will be more drivers taking part."
A few of the taxi drivers involved in the go-slow protest
The Clean Air Zone will launch in Birmingham in January 2020 imposing an £8 daily charge on any car travelling inside the A4540 ring road which falls below certain emission standards.
Diesels older than EURO 6 (2015) and petrols older than EURO 4 (2006).
Earlier this month the council's Licensing and Public Public protection committee approved new emissions policies for Hackney carriage and private hire drivers
While they made some concessions to the drivers they did not meet all of their demands, such as exemption from the charge as well as more money towards converting to LPG or buying a new vehicle.
The council admitted hundreds of drivers will still have to upgrade or replace their cars.
Mr Amin said: "My message to the public at large is that I apologise from the bottom of my heart for any inconvenience caused to their journey or travel.
"We are sincerely sorry to them. But we didn't bring this, it is the council's ridiculous policy being imposed on us that has made us do this.
"We don't enjoy doing this to the public. This was a last resort.
"This isn't a sudden thing we have been saying for months.
"We just want to have a dialogue with the council.
"The public should talk to councillors and tell them to sit around the table with us, we want to negotiate.
"Our doors are open, let's compromise, build a bridge and walk over it."
Birmingham City Council response
Cllr Waseem Zaffar, transport and environment chief, issued an updated statement today.
He did not acknowledge the disruption caused by the go-slow demonstration but emphasised that the authority is spending £15m of its £39m Clean Air Zone funding from the Government supporting Hackney carriage and private hire drivers.
Cllr Zaffar said: "I’m aware of the concerns of how the Clean Air Zone will affect Hackney carriage and private hire drivers.
"As I’ve said on many occasions, I totally understand that the introduction of the CAZ will have an impact on anyone driving a vehicle that does not meet modern emission standards, and I get the drivers’ concerns.
"My late father was a driver in Birmingham, I have a lot of family and friends who are drivers and I’ve in the past represented the taxi trade as a trade union official - I understand this will be challenging and that’s why we worked very hard to get £15m from Government to support drivers through the change.
source- BBC
Monday 22 April 2019
BIRMINGHAM
Traffic and travel chaos is predicted across Birmingham for a FORTNIGHT as taxi drivers have stage go-slow protests.
Cabbies have announced two weeks worth of go-slow protests around the city centre.
The move comes after they claimed they were 'steamrolled' over the Clean Air Zone.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which represents hundreds of black cab drivers in Birmingham, confirmed it will hold the first demonstration from Tuesday, April 23.
The first demo will be held between 8am and 10am.
They will conduct another go-slow between the same times the following day before then targeting the evening rush hours.
https://bit.ly/2GCZjJI
-----------------------------------------------
BURNLEY
A WOMAN had to jump out of the path of a taxi as it ploughed into a petrol station.
Chloe Egan feared for her life as a black Hackney cab crashed through the Spar shop at Kitchen’s Garage in Trafalgar Street, Burnley, at 11pm on Saturday.
The car had gone through a large glass window and stopped in the middle of the store, destroying stock.
Ms Egan said the shelving nearest to the window started toppling down towards her.
She said: “I jumped out of the way as the taxi came past my feet and into the shop.
“The taxi was inches from me.
“I was very scared because I did not know what was going on. It was frightening.”
The site was closed for several hours while the car was removed from the store.
Staff confirmed the Spar shop opened today but only to serve customers buying fuel.
The majority of the store was inaccessible due to the scale of the destruction.
source: Lancashire Telegraph
---------------------------------------
OXFORD
A barrister who operated a cab company without a licence has been fined £600 by the bar regulator.
Ahtiq Raja, who was a barrister at 9 King’s Bench Walk until September this year, was the director of taxi company Call a Cab. The firm was last year found guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court of five separate offences for operating a cab in a controlled district without a licence.
According to local news reports at the time, Raja and his taxi firm were ordered to pay a fine of £25,000 after a two-year legal battle. The firm was also banned from operating in Aylesbury.
The Bar Standards Board found Raja culpable of professional misconduct for behaving in a way that was likely to diminish trust and confidence in the profession. The finding was as a result of determination by consent.
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk
Traffic and travel chaos is predicted across Birmingham for a FORTNIGHT as taxi drivers have stage go-slow protests.
Cabbies have announced two weeks worth of go-slow protests around the city centre.
The move comes after they claimed they were 'steamrolled' over the Clean Air Zone.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which represents hundreds of black cab drivers in Birmingham, confirmed it will hold the first demonstration from Tuesday, April 23.
The first demo will be held between 8am and 10am.
They will conduct another go-slow between the same times the following day before then targeting the evening rush hours.
https://bit.ly/2GCZjJI
-----------------------------------------------
BURNLEY
A WOMAN had to jump out of the path of a taxi as it ploughed into a petrol station.
Chloe Egan feared for her life as a black Hackney cab crashed through the Spar shop at Kitchen’s Garage in Trafalgar Street, Burnley, at 11pm on Saturday.
The car had gone through a large glass window and stopped in the middle of the store, destroying stock.
Ms Egan said the shelving nearest to the window started toppling down towards her.
She said: “I jumped out of the way as the taxi came past my feet and into the shop.
“The taxi was inches from me.
“I was very scared because I did not know what was going on. It was frightening.”
The site was closed for several hours while the car was removed from the store.
Staff confirmed the Spar shop opened today but only to serve customers buying fuel.
The majority of the store was inaccessible due to the scale of the destruction.
source: Lancashire Telegraph
---------------------------------------
OXFORD
A barrister who operated a cab company without a licence has been fined £600 by the bar regulator.
Ahtiq Raja, who was a barrister at 9 King’s Bench Walk until September this year, was the director of taxi company Call a Cab. The firm was last year found guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court of five separate offences for operating a cab in a controlled district without a licence.
According to local news reports at the time, Raja and his taxi firm were ordered to pay a fine of £25,000 after a two-year legal battle. The firm was also banned from operating in Aylesbury.
The Bar Standards Board found Raja culpable of professional misconduct for behaving in a way that was likely to diminish trust and confidence in the profession. The finding was as a result of determination by consent.
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk
Wednesday 17 April 2019
GLASGOW City Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to introduce a cap on private hire car and taxi licenses.
A survey carried out by Local Transport Projects on behalf of the local authority found that between 2008 to 2013 the number of private hires across the city reduced from 2805 to 2638 but had risen to 3759 by 2018.
The number of taxis on the road was already limited to 1420.
The study also showed that during week days only 60 percent of private hires were in use but 90 percent of cars were needed on Friday and Saturday nights.
Read more: Glasgow Taxis's Stephen Flynn speaks out after news of his suspension
Throughout the consultation researchers engaged with private hire and taxi firms, Glasgow Association of Mental Health and the general public. Overall taxi companies seemed to have a better reputation.
Despite concerns that people may waiting longer for a cab during peak time members of the licensing committee agreed to restrict the number of taxis on the road.
They have introduced an upper limit of 1420 and and a lower limit of 1278 taxis. At the time time they agreed an upper limit of 3759 and lower limit of 3383 for private hire cars.
There are still 228 private hire car licence applications pending consideration. Private hire car companies as well as taxi firms backed the move.
John Cassidy of Network said: “We are pushing for this. Our full time drivers need to be able to make a living. This will help.”
Read more of today's top Glasgow stories
Steven Grant, secretary of Glasgow Cab Section, said: “Members made the right decision today. This is what’s best for our trade and our city.
“It will help tackle air pollution and congestion in the city. The main concern is public safety and this will hopefully cut down pirating where private hires pick up off the street illegally.”
Dougie McPherson, Glasgow Taxis Ltd chairman, said: “Overall this is a positive step for the city in creating a more level playing field for providers and ensuring the customer continues to benefit from sufficient supply and choice.”
https://bit.ly/2Xk7zUd
-------------------------------
GLASGOW LEVC
TAXI drivers in the west of Scotland can now make the switch to electric power more easily, after the opening of Glasgow’s first official dealer this week.
The TX electric taxi is now available at LEVC Glasgow, sited at the Taggart’s Volvo showroom in Hillington Park.
And to celebrate the new dealership, LEVC Glasgow will pay the £2500 deposit on a new TX in an exclusive offer for taxi drivers available until April 30.
To support the roll-out of electric taxis in the region, the Energy Saving Trust, funded by Transport Scotland, will provide interest-free loans of up to £120,000 to replace traditional hackney cabs, regardless of age.
LEVC already have one Scottish dealership in Edinburgh and expansion into Glasgow comes at a time when Scotland is investing heavily in improving air quality and an electric vehicle strategy.
LEVC Glasgow boss Derek Muir said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of our new business. Our dedicated team are on hand to provide information on the amazing technology behind the TX and look forward to welcoming taxi drivers.”
https://bit.ly/2KNMKPB
-------------------------------
EDINBURGH
A TAXI boss has warned rail chiefs against trying to charge cabs for picking up passengers at the revamped Waverley station.
He said most taxis would refuse to pay any levy which Network Rail tried to impose for using the Capital’s main train station if proposals for a massive redevelopment of the site go ahead.
A draft masterplan unveiled last month does not include much detail about taxi arrangements in the new layout, though one option is to create a street-level rank off Market Street by building up land within the current New Street car park.
Tony Kenmuir, of Central Taxis, said another idea floated was to use a ramp from Market Street down into the New Street car park.
The Calton Road entrance is also expected to become busier as part of the revamp.
Mr Kenmuir said he had an open mind about the proposals, but voiced fears a new rank could be on the “wrong side” of the station.
He said: “Most people when they come out of Waverley are heading north, south or west. If someone gets off the train and the taxi pulls out of New Street, we would have to drive around it – people could be in the taxi for five or ten minutes with £6 on the meter and still be looking at Waverley station.”
And he said he had made clear his company would not be paying to use any rank.
“If the project is a wheeze to try and take money off the taxi trade, I don’t see why we would drop people off, drive empty to the wrong side of the station and pay for the privilege of getting in.
“I don’t charge them for delivering passengers to them. Why should they charge me for picking them up? We pay our licence for the privilege of picking up anywhere in the licensing area.
“Some taxi drivers individually might decide to pay but the majority will not.”
The taxi rank inside the station was removed in 2014, causing an outcry from disabled people and others who said the move made access more difficult.
Mr Kenmuir said: “They kicked us out of the station and said it was for security reasons. Now they apparently want to let us back in, but charge us for it.
https://bit.ly/2Xk7zUd
Monday 15 April 2019
London cab drivers pre-booked work outside London - Taxi Defence Barristers
Sadiq Khan has reportedly told London cab drivers that they must seek their own legal advice on the ability for them to take pre-booked app jobs outside of London.
Whilst this article does not constitute official legal advice on the matter (and should therefore not be interpreted as such), I have provided some preliminary thoughts on the issue that may assist London Cab with considering some of the legislative issues relevant. Please contact me if for further formal advice.
The starting point should be what licensing requirements are specified in legislation. The primary legislation is the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
There is no disputing the fact that a London cabs (Hackney Carriages) cannot ply for hire outside of London.
This therefore reduces the matter to private hire/advanced booking work. Section 46(1)(a) of the 1976 Act states:
1) Except as authorised by this Part of this Act—
(a) no person being the proprietor of any vehicle, not being a hackney carriage or London cab in respect of which a vehicle licence is in force, shall use or permit the same to be used in a controlled district as a private hire vehicle without having for such a vehicle a current licence under section 48 of this Act;
And section 46(2):
If any person knowingly contravenes the provisions of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence.
Section 80 of the 1976 Act defines a “private hire vehicle” as being:
“private hire vehicle” means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to seat fewer than nine passengers, other than a hackney carriage or public service vehicle or a London cab or tramcar, which is provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers;
Section 46(1)(a) and 80 explicitly excludes London cabs. This is correct because a licensed hackney carriage vehicle cannot be both a private hire vehicle and a hackney carriage vehicle, it is always either/or.
The fact that Section 46(1)(a) explicitly excludes London cabs, suggests that they are exempt from the requirements to be licensed as private hire operators to operate in areas outside of London.
Section 46(1)(d) states that “…no person shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle without having a current licence under section 55 of this Act.”
Since London Cabs are explicitly excluded from the definition of “private hire vehicle” (s. 80), section 46(1)(d) should not apply.
The district judge posed this question for the opinion of the High Court:
“Whether it is necessary to hold a licence under section 55 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, in an area where that Act is in force, to operate a hackney carriage duly licensed as such under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 as a private hire vehicle.”
The High Court ruled it was not.
At paragraph 30 of the judgement, Collins J said:
“It seems to me apparent that section 80 excludes hackney carriages from section 46(1)(d). I say that because, without going in detail over ground that I have already covered, “operate” relates to business in relation to bookings for a private hire vehicle. An “operator’s licence” means a licence under section 55, and a “private hire vehicle” is defined as meaning a vehicle other than a hackney carriage [or London Cab*]. Thus, that, coupled with the provisions of section 55 and 56 which I have already read, seem to me to make it apparent that Parliament has recognised that different regimes apply to hackney carriages and to private hire vehicles, and that it is not necessary for a licensed hackney carriage [or London Cab*], driven by a licensed hackney carriage driver, to be subject also to the requirements of an operator’s licence; otherwise the limitations on the wording which Parliament has clearly set out would not be given their true meaning.”
And at paragraph 34:
“I have reached the clear view that the district judge in this case was correct and that section 46(1)(d) is not breached where a licensed hackney carriage [or London Cab*] and a licensed hackney carriage driver is provided for the relevant conveyance of a passenger, albeit it is provided through an operator. In those circumstances, an operator’s licence under section 55 of the Act is not appropriate, since that section does not cover hackney carriages [or London Cab*].
* Added
The judgement in this case did not specify in any way that the judgement was limited to merely hackney carriages operating in Brentwood. The outcome of the case related to the use of hackney carriages generally and to this extent the implications of the ruling can be interpreted more broadly.
Additionally, although this case involved the ability of hackney carriages (outside of London) to undertake private hire work, it can be argued that the principles established in the judgement should apply to London cabs since, like these hackney carriages, they too are explicitly excluded in the same way.
Based on the above, it appears therefore that London cabs are able to legitimately work outside London undertaking advanced or private hire work.
https://bit.ly/2GraRQc
Sadiq Khan has reportedly told London cab drivers that they must seek their own legal advice on the ability for them to take pre-booked app jobs outside of London.
Whilst this article does not constitute official legal advice on the matter (and should therefore not be interpreted as such), I have provided some preliminary thoughts on the issue that may assist London Cab with considering some of the legislative issues relevant. Please contact me if for further formal advice.
The starting point should be what licensing requirements are specified in legislation. The primary legislation is the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
There is no disputing the fact that a London cabs (Hackney Carriages) cannot ply for hire outside of London.
This therefore reduces the matter to private hire/advanced booking work. Section 46(1)(a) of the 1976 Act states:
1) Except as authorised by this Part of this Act—
(a) no person being the proprietor of any vehicle, not being a hackney carriage or London cab in respect of which a vehicle licence is in force, shall use or permit the same to be used in a controlled district as a private hire vehicle without having for such a vehicle a current licence under section 48 of this Act;
And section 46(2):
If any person knowingly contravenes the provisions of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence.
Section 80 of the 1976 Act defines a “private hire vehicle” as being:
“private hire vehicle” means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to seat fewer than nine passengers, other than a hackney carriage or public service vehicle or a London cab or tramcar, which is provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers;
Section 46(1)(a) and 80 explicitly excludes London cabs. This is correct because a licensed hackney carriage vehicle cannot be both a private hire vehicle and a hackney carriage vehicle, it is always either/or.
The fact that Section 46(1)(a) explicitly excludes London cabs, suggests that they are exempt from the requirements to be licensed as private hire operators to operate in areas outside of London.
Section 46(1)(d) states that “…no person shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle without having a current licence under section 55 of this Act.”
Since London Cabs are explicitly excluded from the definition of “private hire vehicle” (s. 80), section 46(1)(d) should not apply.
The district judge posed this question for the opinion of the High Court:
“Whether it is necessary to hold a licence under section 55 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, in an area where that Act is in force, to operate a hackney carriage duly licensed as such under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 as a private hire vehicle.”
The High Court ruled it was not.
At paragraph 30 of the judgement, Collins J said:
“It seems to me apparent that section 80 excludes hackney carriages from section 46(1)(d). I say that because, without going in detail over ground that I have already covered, “operate” relates to business in relation to bookings for a private hire vehicle. An “operator’s licence” means a licence under section 55, and a “private hire vehicle” is defined as meaning a vehicle other than a hackney carriage [or London Cab*]. Thus, that, coupled with the provisions of section 55 and 56 which I have already read, seem to me to make it apparent that Parliament has recognised that different regimes apply to hackney carriages and to private hire vehicles, and that it is not necessary for a licensed hackney carriage [or London Cab*], driven by a licensed hackney carriage driver, to be subject also to the requirements of an operator’s licence; otherwise the limitations on the wording which Parliament has clearly set out would not be given their true meaning.”
And at paragraph 34:
“I have reached the clear view that the district judge in this case was correct and that section 46(1)(d) is not breached where a licensed hackney carriage [or London Cab*] and a licensed hackney carriage driver is provided for the relevant conveyance of a passenger, albeit it is provided through an operator. In those circumstances, an operator’s licence under section 55 of the Act is not appropriate, since that section does not cover hackney carriages [or London Cab*].
* Added
The judgement in this case did not specify in any way that the judgement was limited to merely hackney carriages operating in Brentwood. The outcome of the case related to the use of hackney carriages generally and to this extent the implications of the ruling can be interpreted more broadly.
Additionally, although this case involved the ability of hackney carriages (outside of London) to undertake private hire work, it can be argued that the principles established in the judgement should apply to London cabs since, like these hackney carriages, they too are explicitly excluded in the same way.
Based on the above, it appears therefore that London cabs are able to legitimately work outside London undertaking advanced or private hire work.
https://bit.ly/2GraRQc
Thursday 11 April 2019
Uber continues to be heavily loss-making despite its significant growth and expansion into new businesses, the taxi app has revealed as it filed to go public in New York.
Customers travelled 26bn miles using the app last year. It said its rapid expansion into cities worldwide and new areas of business had led it to take on more losses. Uber is now expected to begin its roadshow for investors, with an actual flotation expected in early May.
The app-based taxi company, founded in San Francisco in 2009, is the second so-called “ride-hailing” firm to go public this year after Lyft, which was created three years later.
Uber has much more widespread operations than its younger rival, which is mostly restricted to the US. Lyft claims to have a 39pc market share in the USA. Neither company is profitable, with Lyft losing $911m on almost $2.2bn in revenue last year.
It floated on March 29 with an initial share price of $72, giving it a valuation of $24bn. However, it has become a target for short-sellers, who bet that the company’s stock will fall in value, and has dropped below its flotation price, with analysts concerned that the shares had been overvalued amid its lack of profitability.
It has faced legal challenges over the work status of its drivers, who are not employed by the company but are independent contractors and so are not eligible for the minimum wage or benefits such as sick leave, health insurance or a pension.
https://bit.ly/2IsbDxC
-----------------------------------------------------
50 taxi drivers in Kirklees have been stripped of their licences
And 14 are for alleged sexual offences and one for drugs
Fifty taxi drivers across Kirklees have had their licences revoked over the past four years, ExaminerLive can reveal.
A Freedom of Information request showed 14 revocations were of a sexual assault in nature and one was for a drugs offence.
It was not stated what the other revocations were over.
Kirklees Council has said the number amounts to around 2% of licensed drivers.
It said some of the sexual assault revocations had come from incidents believed to have taken place, rather than convictions in court.
Akooji Badat, of Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association, and a taxi driver for 30 years, said he thought the recent grooming scandals have handed "too much power" to licensing officers at Kirklees Council.
He added: "I think it's terrible that taxi drivers, 95-99% of whom are Muslim, are being targeted by the authorities.
"The Muslims are being made scapegoats and that's having a reflection on taxi drivers, the majority of whom are just to go to work and make an honest living.
"I don't think we should be treated in this way."
Karl Battersby, strategic director for economy and infrastructure at Kirklees Council, said it closely monitored taxi licence holders and took a 'robust approach' to who was allowed to hold them.
He said: "We have a good relationship with the police and have police officers based within our team so we're able to draw on their intelligence information.
"The safety of our residents is our absolute priority and will take no risks when it comes to protecting people.
"Where we find a concern we will take the necessary action required and if that means revoking someone's licence, that's what we'll do.
"In the last four years we have revoked 50 licenses. However, it’s important to note that in the same period of time 213 new licenses and 3030 renewals have been issued.
"The revoked licenses amount to approximately two per cent of licensed drivers.”
www.examinerlive.co.uk
Documents filed with the US regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission show that it made a small profit last year, but this was because of the sale of businesses in Asia.
It made an operational loss of $3bn. Since it was founded the company has lost $7.9bn dollars in total, it said.
Despite diversification it said its core business, providing car transportation to customers who can summon cabs using an app, still makes almost all of its money, with income of $9.2bn last year, up from $3.5bn in 2016. Its total revenue was $11.3bn.
The app-based taxi company, founded in San Francisco in 2009, is the second so-called “ride-hailing” firm to go public this year after Lyft, which was created three years later.
It has attracted controversy and has been barred either temporarily or permanently from several cities, including London, where it was granted a short-term licence last June.
Uber has since expanded into other transportation and logistics markets, including logistics with Uber Freight, food delivery with Uber Eats, and bike and scooter sharing, after it acquired start-up Jump in April last year.
Dara Khosrowshahi, its chief executive officer, admitted that there had been "missteps" caused by "our willingness to take risks that others might not, and that famous Uber hustle".
It floated on March 29 with an initial share price of $72, giving it a valuation of $24bn. However, it has become a target for short-sellers, who bet that the company’s stock will fall in value, and has dropped below its flotation price, with analysts concerned that the shares had been overvalued amid its lack of profitability.
Uber is expected to seek a valuation of $90 to $100bn. It was initially expected to be around $20bn higher, but Lyft’s fall in value is understood to have led to a drop in expectations.
https://bit.ly/2IsbDxC
-----------------------------------------------------
50 taxi drivers in Kirklees have been stripped of their licences
And 14 are for alleged sexual offences and one for drugs
Fifty taxi drivers across Kirklees have had their licences revoked over the past four years, ExaminerLive can reveal.
A Freedom of Information request showed 14 revocations were of a sexual assault in nature and one was for a drugs offence.
It was not stated what the other revocations were over.
Kirklees Council has said the number amounts to around 2% of licensed drivers.
It said some of the sexual assault revocations had come from incidents believed to have taken place, rather than convictions in court.
Akooji Badat, of Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association, and a taxi driver for 30 years, said he thought the recent grooming scandals have handed "too much power" to licensing officers at Kirklees Council.
He added: "I think it's terrible that taxi drivers, 95-99% of whom are Muslim, are being targeted by the authorities.
"The Muslims are being made scapegoats and that's having a reflection on taxi drivers, the majority of whom are just to go to work and make an honest living.
"I don't think we should be treated in this way."
Karl Battersby, strategic director for economy and infrastructure at Kirklees Council, said it closely monitored taxi licence holders and took a 'robust approach' to who was allowed to hold them.
He said: "We have a good relationship with the police and have police officers based within our team so we're able to draw on their intelligence information.
"The safety of our residents is our absolute priority and will take no risks when it comes to protecting people.
"Where we find a concern we will take the necessary action required and if that means revoking someone's licence, that's what we'll do.
"In the last four years we have revoked 50 licenses. However, it’s important to note that in the same period of time 213 new licenses and 3030 renewals have been issued.
"The revoked licenses amount to approximately two per cent of licensed drivers.”
www.examinerlive.co.uk
A NEW ride-hailing app is now available to use in Reading.
Ola announced the launch of its services in the area after local councils granted the technology and transport pioneer with both taxi and hire licenses.
The company said that the easy-to-use service will transform the use of transport in Reading by allowing greater travel choice, with quicker and easier access to taxis.
Customers can also enjoy competitive pricing, as well as 24-hour safety support with Ola’s in-app customer care and emergency service.
Ben Legg, Ola’s managing director, said: "We are incredibly excited to be launching in Reading and to become the first ride-hailing platform for local private hire drivers.
"We are looking forward to helping the diverse communities connect with the rich cultural, educational and leisure opportunities that the area offers.
"We have come to town after local drivers got in touch asking for more employment opportunities in and around Berkshire.
"We are leading the way with driver benefits and we are the only platform to include black cab drivers in our dynamic fleet.
"We are determined to work together with a mix of drivers and the local authorities to help the community to grow and achieve safety and mobility goals."
Ola is the only platform that can be used by black cabs and Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs), giving both drivers and passengers even more choice.
Following the successful UK launch of Ola in Cardiff in August 2018, the company arrived Bristol in October, Bath and Exeter in November and Liverpool this March.
Just last month, Ola also arrived in Liverpool and Birmingham, meaning Reading is Ola’s seventh UK launch in just seven months.
https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/17566911.new-ride-hailing-app-launched-in-reading/
-----------------------------
MERSEYSIDE
A taxi driver who had a money making sideline as the head of an organised crime gang was jailed today after being caught with four kg of cocaine in an Asda bag for life.
John Grace, 58, was arrested by police on January 11 2018 in Widnes , Cheshire. The drugs were said to have been worth in excess of £60,000.
Grace, of Waresley Crescent, Walton was convicted of supplying Class A drugs and was today sentenced to 12 years behind bars.
Det Insp Nick Hughes said: "We’re committed to taking dangerous substances as well as dangerous people off our streets.
"The sentencing of Grace is a result of a long-running and complex operation in relation to suspected heroin and cocaine supply and money laundering offences, which we have been investigating since May 2017.
"We’ll continue, with the support of police forces across the North West and beyond, to target those suspected of being involved in the supply and distribution of drugs, and put them before the courts.
“Drug dealers often only think of themselves and their financial gain, not thinking of the ripple effects these substances have on those who use drugs, their families and friends.
“We want Merseyside to be a safe and secure county. I would encourage the public to report those involved in supplying drugs.
“If you suspect drug dealers to be operating in your area, please DM @MerPolCC or call @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 so we can investigate accordingly.”
https://bit.ly/2UN6Ptj
-------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
Angry taxi drivers brought a council meeting to a halt as a row broke out over the impact of the Birmingham city centre Clean Air Zone.
They claimed they are being 'forced off the road' and warned that further go-slow protests around the city centre are now likely.
Birmingham City Council's Licensing and Public Protection committee passed a controversial new emissions policy which means hundreds of Hackney Carriage and private drivers will have to upgrade or replace their vehicles if they are to continue working in the city from next year.
But the meeting this week (Wednesday) spiralled out of control when drivers were told they would not be allowed to speak about the changes.
They voiced their dissatisfaction and approached committee members to remonstrate prompting a number of councillors to leave the room.
The meeting was adjourned for several minutes before it resumed and the committee approved the policy.
The new policy introduces a raft of changes, but in the main it replaces the Euro 4 (petrol) and Euro 6 (diesel) vehicle standards - applying to other cars entering the Clean Air Zone - with an age limit.
From January 2020 no diesel Hackney Carriages older than 15 years old will be granted a licence, unless they have been converted in the council's LPG pilot scheme.
It means out of around 1,120 black cab drivers only 493 will be licensed with more than 620 forced to upgrade. Although the council said 350 of those would be eligible for an LPG conversion.
The age limit for private hire vehicles was set at 12 years meaning around 2,700 out of more than 4,100 drivers will be licensed from January.
An 'exceptional condition test', which previously allowed older vehicles to operate longer, will be scrapped and only applicable to vehicles which have been retrofitted by a Government-approved scheme.
Another controversial proposal in the policy means that from January 1, 2021, all newly licensed vehicles will have to be ultra low emission, when previously the date had been 2026.
The policy has been changed significantly from original plans following consultation with drivers who put forward alternative suggestions and made a list of requests.
But not all their demands have been met.
Chairman Cllr Barbara Dring said: "We have done the best that we can, that's the commitment I have given to you (drivers) and that's the commitment I have made."
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/angry-taxi-drivers-force-council-16109079
Wednesday 10 April 2019
Germany's taxi drivers protest Uber deregulation plans
An industry body has called the demonstrations "the largest taxi protest" in Germany's modern history. Taxi drivers are rallying against plans to open Germany to ride-hailing services like Uber.
An industry body has called the demonstrations "the largest taxi protest" in Germany's modern history. Taxi drivers are rallying against plans to open Germany to ride-hailing services like Uber.
Taxi drivers across Germany on Wednesday protested against government plans to relax regulations that would allow ride-hailing services such as Uber to operate in the country.
The German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BZP) called it "the largest taxi protest in the history of the federal republic."
Currently, the taxi industry has managed to stave off greater access to the German market for such services. Uber has permission to operate in Berlin, Munich and Dusseldorf, albeit under heavy restrictions, including requiring special licenses for drivers.
The government has proposed relaxing those restrictions. However, the taxi industry has urged Berlin to shelve the reforms, saying it would decimate the livelihoods of taxi drivers.
Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said the government needs to take a balanced approach towards liberalization.
"We need a good supply of taxis that operate in fair, competitive conditions and with good social standards," Scheuer said at a taxi protest in Berlin, according to his spokesperson. "No one wants unfair, unregulated situations like in other countries."
Uber and other ride-hailing services have been criticized for undermining the heavily-regulated industry, failing to provide safety nets for drivers and, at times, compromising the security of clients.
But last year, Scheuer said Uber and other ride-hailing services provided new opportunities: "We can create new possibilities, especially in rural areas and for older people, with car services and pooling systems."
The minister also acknowledged via Twitter the upcoming protests on Tuesday, thanking a taxi driver for taking him to parliament and including a video of a two-minute conversation between the two in which Scheuer claimed he could meet "six and a half" of the seven demands issued to him by the taxi drivers' association.
https://bit.ly/2v2ID7v
-----------------------------------
NEWCASTLE
A driver has been injured after a taxi crashed into a bus stop outside Newcastle Central Station.
Northumbria Police officers are currently on scene dealing with the collision and paramedics are treating the man for leg and shoulder injuries.
Emergency services were called shortly before noon on Wednesday but luckily it is believed no one has been seriously injured.
Witnesses are being asked to get in touch with police to help with their investigation.
A spokesperson for the force said: "At 11.52am today (Wednesday), police received a report of a one-vehicle collision outside Newcastle Central Station.
“Emergency services are currently at the scene after a car was in collision with a bus stop.
“The driver of the car is being treated by ambulance staff for injuries that are not thought to be life threatening at this time.
“Any witnesses to the collision can call police on 101 quoting reference 386 100419.”
--------------------------------
An industry body has called the demonstrations "the largest taxi protest" in Germany's modern history. Taxi drivers are rallying against plans to open Germany to ride-hailing services like Uber.
An industry body has called the demonstrations "the largest taxi protest" in Germany's modern history. Taxi drivers are rallying against plans to open Germany to ride-hailing services like Uber.
Taxi drivers across Germany on Wednesday protested against government plans to relax regulations that would allow ride-hailing services such as Uber to operate in the country.
The German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BZP) called it "the largest taxi protest in the history of the federal republic."
Currently, the taxi industry has managed to stave off greater access to the German market for such services. Uber has permission to operate in Berlin, Munich and Dusseldorf, albeit under heavy restrictions, including requiring special licenses for drivers.
The government has proposed relaxing those restrictions. However, the taxi industry has urged Berlin to shelve the reforms, saying it would decimate the livelihoods of taxi drivers.
Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said the government needs to take a balanced approach towards liberalization.
"We need a good supply of taxis that operate in fair, competitive conditions and with good social standards," Scheuer said at a taxi protest in Berlin, according to his spokesperson. "No one wants unfair, unregulated situations like in other countries."
Uber and other ride-hailing services have been criticized for undermining the heavily-regulated industry, failing to provide safety nets for drivers and, at times, compromising the security of clients.
But last year, Scheuer said Uber and other ride-hailing services provided new opportunities: "We can create new possibilities, especially in rural areas and for older people, with car services and pooling systems."
The minister also acknowledged via Twitter the upcoming protests on Tuesday, thanking a taxi driver for taking him to parliament and including a video of a two-minute conversation between the two in which Scheuer claimed he could meet "six and a half" of the seven demands issued to him by the taxi drivers' association.
https://bit.ly/2v2ID7v
-----------------------------------
NEWCASTLE
A driver has been injured after a taxi crashed into a bus stop outside Newcastle Central Station.
Northumbria Police officers are currently on scene dealing with the collision and paramedics are treating the man for leg and shoulder injuries.
Emergency services were called shortly before noon on Wednesday but luckily it is believed no one has been seriously injured.
Witnesses are being asked to get in touch with police to help with their investigation.
A spokesperson for the force said: "At 11.52am today (Wednesday), police received a report of a one-vehicle collision outside Newcastle Central Station.
“Emergency services are currently at the scene after a car was in collision with a bus stop.
“The driver of the car is being treated by ambulance staff for injuries that are not thought to be life threatening at this time.
“Any witnesses to the collision can call police on 101 quoting reference 386 100419.”
--------------------------------
Tuesday 9 April 2019
EAST RIDING
All taxi drivers in the East Riding will be required to have CCTV operating in their cabs by next April under new licensing rules.
Around two-thirds of the 328 licensed drivers in the county already have CCTV and dashcam systems fitted as part of a voluntary scheme operated by East Riding Council over the past three years.
But from next year the remainder will have to install similar systems in their vehicles or face having their licences revoked.
The move was approved by the council's cabinet this week. The new rule will apply to both private hire and hackney carriage drivers.
Councillor Shaun Horton, portfolio holder with responsibility for licensing, said: "The reaction to the voluntary scheme has been extremely positive.
About two thirds of East Riding taxis now have cctv
"It has been welcomed by the industry and passengers alike and I am sure this new policy will also be a success."
Drivers who have taken part in the voluntary scheme say they believe the presence of CCTV has coincided with a reduction in violent incidents and non-payment of fares.
In addition, film footage has been used by the police and council licensing officers as evidence in investigations into cases of assault, theft and burglary.
It has also been used to counter false allegations made by passengers against drivers.
Other policy changes agreed this week include removing the requirement for drivers to complete a professional Btec qualification during the first 12 months of being licensed.
The qualification included a so-called knowledge test as well as training on safeguarding issues.
However, councillors heard the removal of government funding had led to a reduction in the number of independent training providers while the quality of some training had been found to be "questionable" in some cases.
A requirement for drivers to complete a NVQ course delivered in-house by the council remains part of the authority's licensing policy.
The council also plans to continue rolling out its programme of encouraging hackney carriage operators to use the authority's distinctive green and white livery on their vehicles.
So far, just under half of the East Riding's hackney cabs are painted green and white.
https://bit.ly/2GdAd3L
All taxi drivers in the East Riding will be required to have CCTV operating in their cabs by next April under new licensing rules.
Around two-thirds of the 328 licensed drivers in the county already have CCTV and dashcam systems fitted as part of a voluntary scheme operated by East Riding Council over the past three years.
But from next year the remainder will have to install similar systems in their vehicles or face having their licences revoked.
The move was approved by the council's cabinet this week. The new rule will apply to both private hire and hackney carriage drivers.
Councillor Shaun Horton, portfolio holder with responsibility for licensing, said: "The reaction to the voluntary scheme has been extremely positive.
About two thirds of East Riding taxis now have cctv
"It has been welcomed by the industry and passengers alike and I am sure this new policy will also be a success."
Drivers who have taken part in the voluntary scheme say they believe the presence of CCTV has coincided with a reduction in violent incidents and non-payment of fares.
In addition, film footage has been used by the police and council licensing officers as evidence in investigations into cases of assault, theft and burglary.
It has also been used to counter false allegations made by passengers against drivers.
Other policy changes agreed this week include removing the requirement for drivers to complete a professional Btec qualification during the first 12 months of being licensed.
The qualification included a so-called knowledge test as well as training on safeguarding issues.
However, councillors heard the removal of government funding had led to a reduction in the number of independent training providers while the quality of some training had been found to be "questionable" in some cases.
A requirement for drivers to complete a NVQ course delivered in-house by the council remains part of the authority's licensing policy.
The council also plans to continue rolling out its programme of encouraging hackney carriage operators to use the authority's distinctive green and white livery on their vehicles.
So far, just under half of the East Riding's hackney cabs are painted green and white.
https://bit.ly/2GdAd3L
Thursday 4 April 2019
LONDON
‘Don’t make low-pay minicab drivers pay London congestion charge’ mayor is urged
Two east London borough councillors are among 24 from all over London who have signed an open letter to City Hall today urging the mayor to scrap plans for the Congestion Charge for minicab drivers.
It’s the latest stage in a long-running protest campaign by the angry drivers which also includes blocking London Bridge tomorrow.
Tower Hamlets Council member Gabriela Salva Macallan from Bethnal Green’s St Peter’s ward put her name to the letter of support, along with Newham Council member Sasha Das Gupta from Forest Gate.
The letter urges Sadiq Khan to reconsider his decision to bring in the £11.50 daily charge from Monday for minicab drivers, which is now being challenged in the courts by the drivers’ trade union.
The charge could cost up to £3,000 a year, with many drivers earning below the minimum wage.
“These costs will be too much to bear for many,” the Labour councillors’ letter stresses. “Drivers will be forced out of their jobs, or be thrown into poverty and forced to work longer hours to get by.”
The mayor argues that the charge is necessary “to reduce congestion and air pollution” across London.
But the letter insists: “The costs of protecting our environment cannot be borne on the backs of the most vulnerable. Private hire drivers are some of the most exploited and precarious workers in London, taking home ‘poverty’ wages despite working gruelling hours.”
It follows a vote by Labour members on the London Assembly calling for the Congestion Charge on minicabs to be withdrawn. They urge instead a limit on driver licenses, a levy on operators such as Uber and a minimum wage enforcement.
TfL’s own impact assessment shows congestion would only be reduced by one per cent, with a negative impact on air pollution, the Independent Workers union claims. Licensed ‘black cab’ drivers, meanwhile, continue to be exempt from the charge.
The union has now applied for a Judicial Review of the mayor’s decision and is continuing its ongoing protests. Drivers plan to park their minicabs on London Bridge tomorrow to block it to traffic, while lobbying City Hall.
https://bit.ly/2I9rHUJ
----------------------------------
MONTREAL
Thousands of taxi drivers to hold protest in downtown Montreal on Friday
After threatening to resume pressure tactics, Quebec taxi drivers will take to the streets on Friday. Organizers say “thousands of taxis” will converge in downtown Montreal.
As part of the protest, four fleets of cars from the Greater Montreal area will arrive from north, south, east and west. They will drive to the downtown Montreal offices for Quebec’s Transport Minsitry on René-Lévesque Boulevard West.
When they arrive in downtown Montreal, drivers will park their cabs to express their anger in response to Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel’s proposed deregulation of the taxi industry.
Taxi drivers on the South Shore will meet at Place Desaulniers in Longueuil, while those on the North Shore will meet at the Laval Cosmodome. The fleet of drivers coming from the western tip of Montreal will meet at Fairview Pointe-Claire. In Montreal’s east end, taxi drivers coming are at the Galéries d’Anjou near the La Baie store.
Taxi drivers are protesting the province’s proposed Bill 17. This includes abolishing a permit quota system, thus lowering the price of permits.
Quebec is offering taxi drivers $250 million in compensation for a second consecutive year. However, taxi drivers argue the amount isn’t enough since all licences had a value totalling $1.3 billion before the arrival of Uber.Thousands of taxi drivers to hold protest in downtown Montreal on Friday
After threatening to resume pressure tactics, Quebec taxi drivers will take to the streets on Friday. Organizers say “thousands of taxis” will converge in downtown Montreal.
As part of the protest, four fleets of cars from the Greater Montreal area will arrive from north, south, east and west. They will drive to the downtown Montreal offices for Quebec’s Transport Minsitry on René-Lévesque Boulevard West.
When they arrive in downtown Montreal, drivers will park their cabs to express their anger in response to Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel’s proposed deregulation of the taxi industry.
Taxi drivers on the South Shore will meet at Place Desaulniers in Longueuil, while those on the North Shore will meet at the Laval Cosmodome. The fleet of drivers coming from the western tip of Montreal will meet at Fairview Pointe-Claire. In Montreal’s east end, taxi drivers coming are at the Galéries d’Anjou near the La Baie store.
Taxi drivers are protesting the province’s proposed Bill 17. This includes abolishing a permit quota system, thus lowering the price of permits.
Quebec is offering taxi drivers $250 million in compensation for a second consecutive year. However, taxi drivers argue the amount isn’t enough since all licences had a value totalling $1.3 billion before the arrival of Uber.
https://bit.ly/2I9hxnf
-------------------------------------
‘Don’t make low-pay minicab drivers pay London congestion charge’ mayor is urged
Two east London borough councillors are among 24 from all over London who have signed an open letter to City Hall today urging the mayor to scrap plans for the Congestion Charge for minicab drivers.
It’s the latest stage in a long-running protest campaign by the angry drivers which also includes blocking London Bridge tomorrow.
Tower Hamlets Council member Gabriela Salva Macallan from Bethnal Green’s St Peter’s ward put her name to the letter of support, along with Newham Council member Sasha Das Gupta from Forest Gate.
The letter urges Sadiq Khan to reconsider his decision to bring in the £11.50 daily charge from Monday for minicab drivers, which is now being challenged in the courts by the drivers’ trade union.
The charge could cost up to £3,000 a year, with many drivers earning below the minimum wage.
“These costs will be too much to bear for many,” the Labour councillors’ letter stresses. “Drivers will be forced out of their jobs, or be thrown into poverty and forced to work longer hours to get by.”
The mayor argues that the charge is necessary “to reduce congestion and air pollution” across London.
But the letter insists: “The costs of protecting our environment cannot be borne on the backs of the most vulnerable. Private hire drivers are some of the most exploited and precarious workers in London, taking home ‘poverty’ wages despite working gruelling hours.”
It follows a vote by Labour members on the London Assembly calling for the Congestion Charge on minicabs to be withdrawn. They urge instead a limit on driver licenses, a levy on operators such as Uber and a minimum wage enforcement.
TfL’s own impact assessment shows congestion would only be reduced by one per cent, with a negative impact on air pollution, the Independent Workers union claims. Licensed ‘black cab’ drivers, meanwhile, continue to be exempt from the charge.
The union has now applied for a Judicial Review of the mayor’s decision and is continuing its ongoing protests. Drivers plan to park their minicabs on London Bridge tomorrow to block it to traffic, while lobbying City Hall.
https://bit.ly/2I9rHUJ
----------------------------------
MONTREAL
Thousands of taxi drivers to hold protest in downtown Montreal on Friday
After threatening to resume pressure tactics, Quebec taxi drivers will take to the streets on Friday. Organizers say “thousands of taxis” will converge in downtown Montreal.
As part of the protest, four fleets of cars from the Greater Montreal area will arrive from north, south, east and west. They will drive to the downtown Montreal offices for Quebec’s Transport Minsitry on René-Lévesque Boulevard West.
When they arrive in downtown Montreal, drivers will park their cabs to express their anger in response to Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel’s proposed deregulation of the taxi industry.
Taxi drivers on the South Shore will meet at Place Desaulniers in Longueuil, while those on the North Shore will meet at the Laval Cosmodome. The fleet of drivers coming from the western tip of Montreal will meet at Fairview Pointe-Claire. In Montreal’s east end, taxi drivers coming are at the Galéries d’Anjou near the La Baie store.
Taxi drivers are protesting the province’s proposed Bill 17. This includes abolishing a permit quota system, thus lowering the price of permits.
Quebec is offering taxi drivers $250 million in compensation for a second consecutive year. However, taxi drivers argue the amount isn’t enough since all licences had a value totalling $1.3 billion before the arrival of Uber.Thousands of taxi drivers to hold protest in downtown Montreal on Friday
After threatening to resume pressure tactics, Quebec taxi drivers will take to the streets on Friday. Organizers say “thousands of taxis” will converge in downtown Montreal.
As part of the protest, four fleets of cars from the Greater Montreal area will arrive from north, south, east and west. They will drive to the downtown Montreal offices for Quebec’s Transport Minsitry on René-Lévesque Boulevard West.
When they arrive in downtown Montreal, drivers will park their cabs to express their anger in response to Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel’s proposed deregulation of the taxi industry.
Taxi drivers on the South Shore will meet at Place Desaulniers in Longueuil, while those on the North Shore will meet at the Laval Cosmodome. The fleet of drivers coming from the western tip of Montreal will meet at Fairview Pointe-Claire. In Montreal’s east end, taxi drivers coming are at the Galéries d’Anjou near the La Baie store.
Taxi drivers are protesting the province’s proposed Bill 17. This includes abolishing a permit quota system, thus lowering the price of permits.
Quebec is offering taxi drivers $250 million in compensation for a second consecutive year. However, taxi drivers argue the amount isn’t enough since all licences had a value totalling $1.3 billion before the arrival of Uber.
https://bit.ly/2I9hxnf
-------------------------------------
Wednesday 3 April 2019
TELFORD
Taxi and private hire drivers in Telford are to be trained by the company police forces use to give speed awareness courses.
From this month, anybody applying for a licence from the council will have to undergo an hour of training before taking an extensive exam on rules and regulations on becoming a taxi or private hire driver, plus a practical driving test.
TTC Group, which will run the Knowledge and Driving Standards Test, aims to explore some of the challenges and scenarios facing the drivers, including the rules and regulations of holding a hackney carriage or private hire licence and how to report collisions.
This comes as the Department for Transport is currently in consultation on whether to enforce more extensive checks on taxi drivers in efforts to close loopholes in the system and ensure the safety of residents.
Angie Astley, assistant director of neighbourhood and customer services at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Our officers apply the highest standards when we license drivers, and our partnership with TTC is to ensure the safety of anyone using a taxi or private hire vehicle.
Spot checks
“Every driver applying for a licence with Telford & Wrekin Council will receive one hour of training with an experienced road safety expert before sitting a Knowledge Test on what it means to be a taxi or private hire driver and the behaviour expected of them.
"Prior to any licence being granted, drivers must pass this test in addition to taking and passing the Driving Standards test, which is a one-hour practical exam on the road.
“If you book a private hire vehicle or hail a taxi that has been licensed by Telford & Wrekin Council, you should be safe in the knowledge that they meet our high standards – our officers will act on anyone who doesn’t.”
Spot checks conducted in Telford by police officers last year resulted in three private hire drivers facing enforcement action for picking up unbooked fares.
Andy Wheeler, business development director at TTC Group, said: “We have a proven track record in improving driving safety and behaviour and this latest contract will tap into our expertise and systems to help Telford & Wrekin Council ensure every taxi driver on local roads has gone through the right knowledge and practical driving tests.
“Hopefully, the individuals looking to secure their badges will also benefit from the new approach, advice and guidance we can offer.
"Education can play a crucial role in improving the safety of our roads.”
https://bit.ly/2WK5T65
-----------------------------------
Over 150 Glasgow students stranded without money were taking home by a city taxi firm last year.
The Student Taxi Scheme, led by Glasgow Taxis Ltd in partnership with the University of Glasgow, Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian University, was launched in 2015.
The programme allows any university student in the city without cash to get home in a Glasgow Taxi, just by using their matriculation card.
Through the initiative, Glasgow Taxis Ltd can provide the students with access to a Safe Taxi by calling and quoting a code available from the university. The student then gives the driver their student card and repays the cost to their Students’ Union when they collect their card after one working day.
A spokesman for Glasgow Taxis Ltd said: “We’re very proud of the relationship we have with the city’s universities and nowhere is that more important than through our Safe Taxi Scheme, which has now been running for almost four years.
"First and foremost, I’d like to thank our members and drivers for supporting this scheme and for their role in ensuring these 150 students all made it home safely last year, many of them new to the city of Glasgow.
“The stereotypical view is that these are students who have run out of money at the end of a night out, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
"Two recent cases involved one student who had been admitted to hospital and another at a police station who had witnessed an incident. Thankfully they were aware of our scheme and able to get home safely and quickly, alleviating not only their own stress but that of their families and friends.
“It’s another demonstration of Glasgow Taxis Ltd giving back in our position as a friend of the city. I’m delighted to confirm that we are committed to continuing the Safe Taxi Scheme throughout 2019 and look forward to continuing to support the three universities and their students when they need us most.”
Fatemeh Nokhbatolfoghahai, Vice President of Student Support at the University of Glasgow, added: “Over the last three years many of our students have benefitted from our partnership with Glasgow Taxis.
https://bit.ly/2TWynYR
--------------------------------------
NEW YORK
Uber spent $2 million since 2015 in a campaign to approve congestion pricing, the company confirmed Wednesday.
“Over the past several years, we’ve been proud to work with a diverse coalition to fight for comprehensive congestion pricing, and we’re excited to see Albany take action to reduce congestion and invest in mass transit,” said Harry Hartfeld, a spokesman for the rideshare app.
Uber has spent $1 million just since November pushing to bring congestion pricing below 61st Street, including spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund an ad on behalf of the Fix Our Transit coalition that targeted undecided pols.
The company also says it’s publicly committed to spending $10 million in support of congestion pricing nationwide.
Fewer cars on the road speeds up Uber rides — and motorists who give up their cars completely might end up as Uber customers.
Uber hired some of the city’s top lobbyists, including Stu Loeser, a onetime senior aide to former Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Five separate lobbyists were paid $423,552 last year alone, according to records filed with the city clerk.
Cabs and for-hire vehicles have already been socked with a congestion surcharge for rides below 96th Street in Manhattan.
But it’s the passengers who pay the charge for each ride — $2.50 for taxis and $2.75 for on-call car services — not the car companies.
Motorists will have to wait until at least November 2020 to find out how much they’ll have to pay to enter the congestion zone.
https://nyp.st/2VfGcdf
Taxi and private hire drivers in Telford are to be trained by the company police forces use to give speed awareness courses.
From this month, anybody applying for a licence from the council will have to undergo an hour of training before taking an extensive exam on rules and regulations on becoming a taxi or private hire driver, plus a practical driving test.
TTC Group, which will run the Knowledge and Driving Standards Test, aims to explore some of the challenges and scenarios facing the drivers, including the rules and regulations of holding a hackney carriage or private hire licence and how to report collisions.
This comes as the Department for Transport is currently in consultation on whether to enforce more extensive checks on taxi drivers in efforts to close loopholes in the system and ensure the safety of residents.
Angie Astley, assistant director of neighbourhood and customer services at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Our officers apply the highest standards when we license drivers, and our partnership with TTC is to ensure the safety of anyone using a taxi or private hire vehicle.
Spot checks
“Every driver applying for a licence with Telford & Wrekin Council will receive one hour of training with an experienced road safety expert before sitting a Knowledge Test on what it means to be a taxi or private hire driver and the behaviour expected of them.
"Prior to any licence being granted, drivers must pass this test in addition to taking and passing the Driving Standards test, which is a one-hour practical exam on the road.
“If you book a private hire vehicle or hail a taxi that has been licensed by Telford & Wrekin Council, you should be safe in the knowledge that they meet our high standards – our officers will act on anyone who doesn’t.”
Spot checks conducted in Telford by police officers last year resulted in three private hire drivers facing enforcement action for picking up unbooked fares.
Andy Wheeler, business development director at TTC Group, said: “We have a proven track record in improving driving safety and behaviour and this latest contract will tap into our expertise and systems to help Telford & Wrekin Council ensure every taxi driver on local roads has gone through the right knowledge and practical driving tests.
“Hopefully, the individuals looking to secure their badges will also benefit from the new approach, advice and guidance we can offer.
"Education can play a crucial role in improving the safety of our roads.”
https://bit.ly/2WK5T65
-----------------------------------
Over 150 Glasgow students stranded without money were taking home by a city taxi firm last year.
The Student Taxi Scheme, led by Glasgow Taxis Ltd in partnership with the University of Glasgow, Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian University, was launched in 2015.
The programme allows any university student in the city without cash to get home in a Glasgow Taxi, just by using their matriculation card.
Through the initiative, Glasgow Taxis Ltd can provide the students with access to a Safe Taxi by calling and quoting a code available from the university. The student then gives the driver their student card and repays the cost to their Students’ Union when they collect their card after one working day.
A spokesman for Glasgow Taxis Ltd said: “We’re very proud of the relationship we have with the city’s universities and nowhere is that more important than through our Safe Taxi Scheme, which has now been running for almost four years.
"First and foremost, I’d like to thank our members and drivers for supporting this scheme and for their role in ensuring these 150 students all made it home safely last year, many of them new to the city of Glasgow.
“The stereotypical view is that these are students who have run out of money at the end of a night out, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
"Two recent cases involved one student who had been admitted to hospital and another at a police station who had witnessed an incident. Thankfully they were aware of our scheme and able to get home safely and quickly, alleviating not only their own stress but that of their families and friends.
“It’s another demonstration of Glasgow Taxis Ltd giving back in our position as a friend of the city. I’m delighted to confirm that we are committed to continuing the Safe Taxi Scheme throughout 2019 and look forward to continuing to support the three universities and their students when they need us most.”
Fatemeh Nokhbatolfoghahai, Vice President of Student Support at the University of Glasgow, added: “Over the last three years many of our students have benefitted from our partnership with Glasgow Taxis.
https://bit.ly/2TWynYR
--------------------------------------
NEW YORK
Uber spent $2 million since 2015 in a campaign to approve congestion pricing, the company confirmed Wednesday.
“Over the past several years, we’ve been proud to work with a diverse coalition to fight for comprehensive congestion pricing, and we’re excited to see Albany take action to reduce congestion and invest in mass transit,” said Harry Hartfeld, a spokesman for the rideshare app.
Uber has spent $1 million just since November pushing to bring congestion pricing below 61st Street, including spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund an ad on behalf of the Fix Our Transit coalition that targeted undecided pols.
The company also says it’s publicly committed to spending $10 million in support of congestion pricing nationwide.
Fewer cars on the road speeds up Uber rides — and motorists who give up their cars completely might end up as Uber customers.
Uber hired some of the city’s top lobbyists, including Stu Loeser, a onetime senior aide to former Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Five separate lobbyists were paid $423,552 last year alone, according to records filed with the city clerk.
Cabs and for-hire vehicles have already been socked with a congestion surcharge for rides below 96th Street in Manhattan.
But it’s the passengers who pay the charge for each ride — $2.50 for taxis and $2.75 for on-call car services — not the car companies.
Motorists will have to wait until at least November 2020 to find out how much they’ll have to pay to enter the congestion zone.
https://nyp.st/2VfGcdf
Monday 1 April 2019
Addison Lee has been refused permission to appeal a landmark worker rights case brought by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) and bicycle courier Chris Gascoigne, marking the first time a court has denied a gig economy company the right to appeal an employment rights decision.
Addison Lee had requested permission to appeal the decisions by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Central London Employment Tribunal, which stated that Gascoigne was a worker and entitled to basic employment rights such as holiday pay. This request was denied by the Court of Appeal.
In the first ruling at the employment tribunal in 2017, which was later upheld by the EAT, employment judge Joanna Wade had been scathing about Addison Lee's use of contradictory language in its contract and its attempts to frighten off Gascoigne. The tribunals found that the company had unlawfully denied Gascoigne basic employment rights by classing him as an independent contractor, rather than a worker.
Courier and claimant Chris Gascoigne said: “I'm glad that after years of fighting this in the courts, there is now no question that I was a worker and entitled to employment rights. This case wasn't just about me, but about all the other hundreds of Addison Lee couriers that were on exactly the same contract that I was on. I hope with this victory the company stops acting unlawfully and grants all couriers the rights they are legally entitled to.”
IWGB General Secretary Jason Moyer-Lee said: “After several years of a delay strategy Addison Lee has now come to the end of the road. The company is unlawfully depriving their couriers of employment rights and its defence is unarguable. It's time for Addison Lee to accept it has lost and start giving its couriers holidays, pensions and other basic rights.”
In December 2017 an Addison Lee manager was caught on camera admitting to blacklisting a courier due to his trade union activity.
https://bit.ly/2TRnOpX
----------------------------------
SOUTHAMPTON
A BOGUS cab driver used stickers to trick potential customers into thinking he was behind the wheel of a licensed taxi.
Dennis Hewlett used chequered stickers to make his car look like a private-hire vehicle.
He also stuck no-smoking signs in the front windows of his dark-blue Vauxhall Zafira.
But he was caught out when he picked up two people who turned out to be council licensing agents.
The pair, who were working a joint sting between Southampton City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council, were picked up while standing outside Boomerang bar in Hamble.
They were approached by Hewlett, in his fake taxi, who picked them up and drove them to the Tesco store in Bursledon.
Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how he then charged the pair a fare and gave them a business card before they got out.
He was then approached by a third council worker, in another car, who followed the unlicensed vehicle.
Eastleigh Borough Council prosecutor Dave Foster said both Hewlett, of Meon Court, Southampton, and his vehicle, were unlicensed to provide either private hire or taxi services.
He failed to appear at court last week and was found guilty of illegally plying for hire in his absence.
His sentencing was adjourned until later this month to enable the council to make further enquiries.
On the same day, Eastleigh Borough Council also successfully prosecuted a licensed private hire driver who was illegally picking up passengers from a taxi rank.
Private-hire vehicle journeys must be pre-booked, while licensed Hackney Carriage drivers can carry out street and taxi rank pick-ups.
Minicab driver Shaun Scott, 46, of Fleet End Road, Warsash, was caught out in a separate sting, when he agreed to drive two undercover licensing officers from near the taxi rank at Eastleigh rail station to Botley last November.
He was hit with fines and costs in excess of £2,000 for the offence and for driving without valid insurance – which would have covered him for taxi rank pick-ups.
Scott, who was sentenced in his absence, also had eight penalty points added to his licence.
Eastleigh Borough Council’s Cabinet Lead for Transport, Councillor David Airey, said: “These two prosecutions are an excellent result for the legal and licensing teams and are a tribute to the painstaking way they build a case.
“Unlicensed drivers are not DBS (formerly CRB) checked and have not passed the Fit and Proper Person Test that indicates their suitability for the role.
“Getting a lift in an unlicensed vehicle , or a private hire vehicle that has been plying for trade, means that passengers are not insured in the event of an accident.”
https://bit.ly/2UqEmt5
Addison Lee had requested permission to appeal the decisions by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Central London Employment Tribunal, which stated that Gascoigne was a worker and entitled to basic employment rights such as holiday pay. This request was denied by the Court of Appeal.
In the first ruling at the employment tribunal in 2017, which was later upheld by the EAT, employment judge Joanna Wade had been scathing about Addison Lee's use of contradictory language in its contract and its attempts to frighten off Gascoigne. The tribunals found that the company had unlawfully denied Gascoigne basic employment rights by classing him as an independent contractor, rather than a worker.
Courier and claimant Chris Gascoigne said: “I'm glad that after years of fighting this in the courts, there is now no question that I was a worker and entitled to employment rights. This case wasn't just about me, but about all the other hundreds of Addison Lee couriers that were on exactly the same contract that I was on. I hope with this victory the company stops acting unlawfully and grants all couriers the rights they are legally entitled to.”
IWGB General Secretary Jason Moyer-Lee said: “After several years of a delay strategy Addison Lee has now come to the end of the road. The company is unlawfully depriving their couriers of employment rights and its defence is unarguable. It's time for Addison Lee to accept it has lost and start giving its couriers holidays, pensions and other basic rights.”
In December 2017 an Addison Lee manager was caught on camera admitting to blacklisting a courier due to his trade union activity.
https://bit.ly/2TRnOpX
----------------------------------
SOUTHAMPTON
A BOGUS cab driver used stickers to trick potential customers into thinking he was behind the wheel of a licensed taxi.
Dennis Hewlett used chequered stickers to make his car look like a private-hire vehicle.
He also stuck no-smoking signs in the front windows of his dark-blue Vauxhall Zafira.
But he was caught out when he picked up two people who turned out to be council licensing agents.
The pair, who were working a joint sting between Southampton City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council, were picked up while standing outside Boomerang bar in Hamble.
They were approached by Hewlett, in his fake taxi, who picked them up and drove them to the Tesco store in Bursledon.
Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how he then charged the pair a fare and gave them a business card before they got out.
He was then approached by a third council worker, in another car, who followed the unlicensed vehicle.
Eastleigh Borough Council prosecutor Dave Foster said both Hewlett, of Meon Court, Southampton, and his vehicle, were unlicensed to provide either private hire or taxi services.
He failed to appear at court last week and was found guilty of illegally plying for hire in his absence.
His sentencing was adjourned until later this month to enable the council to make further enquiries.
On the same day, Eastleigh Borough Council also successfully prosecuted a licensed private hire driver who was illegally picking up passengers from a taxi rank.
Private-hire vehicle journeys must be pre-booked, while licensed Hackney Carriage drivers can carry out street and taxi rank pick-ups.
Minicab driver Shaun Scott, 46, of Fleet End Road, Warsash, was caught out in a separate sting, when he agreed to drive two undercover licensing officers from near the taxi rank at Eastleigh rail station to Botley last November.
He was hit with fines and costs in excess of £2,000 for the offence and for driving without valid insurance – which would have covered him for taxi rank pick-ups.
Scott, who was sentenced in his absence, also had eight penalty points added to his licence.
Eastleigh Borough Council’s Cabinet Lead for Transport, Councillor David Airey, said: “These two prosecutions are an excellent result for the legal and licensing teams and are a tribute to the painstaking way they build a case.
“Unlicensed drivers are not DBS (formerly CRB) checked and have not passed the Fit and Proper Person Test that indicates their suitability for the role.
“Getting a lift in an unlicensed vehicle , or a private hire vehicle that has been plying for trade, means that passengers are not insured in the event of an accident.”
https://bit.ly/2UqEmt5
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