Addison Lee and Audi have announced a six-month pilot partnership to incorporate the Audi e-tron into the taxi firm’s fleet as it moves towards a zero-emissions future.

The driver service says it will provide five of the low carbon SUVs to its customer offering, which it hopes will help customers, drivers and the business understand the opportunities made available and the challenges posed by running a fully electric service.

The trial aims to provide operational insights into real-world EV operating performance and considerations, with a goal to influence decisions regarding a wider potential EV rollout in coming years.

Last year the taxi service joined forces with autonomous software specialist Oxbotica to digitally map London’s roads and infrastructure, including the locations of curbs, traffic lights and islands, ahead of plans to introduce self-driving taxis to the capital city by 2021.

Andy Boland, CEO of Addison Lee Group, said: “Integrating electric vehicles into transport networks will be central to helping cities hit air quality targets and reduce emissions.

“As our partnership with Audi and our wider low carbon initiatives demonstrate, we are committed to playing our part in helping to rapidly improve air quality in London and across the UK.”

www.energylivenews.com
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LIVERPOOL

 Police have launched an appeal after a taxi driver claimed he was sexually assaulted by a passenger while driving through Liverpool city centre.

The incident is said to have happened while the driver was heading down Pembroke Street during the early hours of the morning. The driver, said to be in his 30s, claims that a customer sexually assaulted him as he was driving.

The ECHO understands the driver forced the man out of the taxi after the incident. He later reported the matter to police, which is said to have happened at around 12.40am  on May 12.

 
A police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police are currently investigating an allegation of sexual assault following an incident that took place on 12th May.

"The incident was reported to have happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at around 00:40am on Pembroke Street, Liverpool when a taxi driver, a man in his 30s, was reportedly sexually assaulted by a male passenger. Officers are continuing to investigate the incident and are working with the taxi driver to identify the person responsible."

Detective Inspector Graeme Towndrow said: “Anyone that has also been a victim of a similar incident is urged to get in contact so we can investigate and bring offenders to justice.

“No one should be made to feel uncomfortable or scared going about their daily business. Taxi drivers are key within the Merseyside community and we’ll do everything we can to support everyone living, working and visiting Merseyside.”

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
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EDINBURGH

Councillors have been accused of creating a “false economy” for cabbies as taxis being brought into the Capital for the first time will be able to meet less strict emission standards than touted - due to a lack of affordable second hand vehicles on the market.

Under a rule change agreed by the city council’s regulatory committee, taxis being licensed in Edinburgh for the first time, which were expected to meet high Euro 6 standards by April 2020, will now only have to meet more pollutant Euro 5 rules. Current licensed taxis must be upgraded to Euro 6 standards by March 2023.

The city council’s regulatory committee agreed to relax the rules after granting around 150 exemptions since the rules were introduced in October 2018. Licensing officials said that around half of the requests for exemptions, which are heard behind closed doors, have been approved by councillors – including some for Euro 2 standards.
Regulatory services manager Andrew Mitchell told councillors that relaxing the grace period would give the taxi trade “some breathing space”.

He added: “Committee have allowed Euro 2, 3 and 4 vehicles to operate beyond the deadline.
“On reflection, I think some relief for the second hand market maybe proportionate. At present, buying a Euro 6 at second hand is just not an option.”

Earlier, councillors heard from solicitor Jonny Nisbet, speaking on behalf of the taxi trade, who warned that cabbies were left with the option that “either you find an exemption or you find a brand new vehicle”.

Last week, the council’s transport and environment committee pressed ahead with draft proposals for a low emission zone (LEZ). Under the plans, taxis would have until the end of 2021 to meet Euro 6 standards in order to enter the city centre.

Vice-convener of the transport and environment committee, Cllr Karen Doran, said: “I don’t know how can we make an argument that it’s financially viable for someone who can’t afford a Euro 6 now to buy a Euro 5 and then a year later buy a Euro 6.
“I don’t actually understand how this policy is going to work or how it’s going to help taxi drivers in any way.”

More than 500 taxis have already been upgraded to meet the new conditions.

Cllr Steve Burgess said: “My concern is what that does in terms of incentivising a move in the taxi fleet to less polluting vehicles.

www.edinburghnews.
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EAST MIDLANDS

A taxi driver has spoken out against what he has described as the "absolutely ridiculous" decision to change the parking tariff at East Midlands Airport's rapid drop-off point.

On Monday, May 20, the airport changed the fee from 10 minutes for £2 to five minutes for £2.
Drivers are then charged an additional £1 per minute after the five minutes has passed.

An East Midlands Airport spokesman has said the decision to change the tariff is to reduce the congestion that builds due to drivers spending more than five minutes at the drop-off point, which is right outside the airport's arrivals and departures entrances.

But Tony Parkinson, 44, of Bilborough, who has been driving taxis for 23 years, now feels he can't do his job "properly" due to having to rush customers to avoid "extortionate" fees.

The taxi driver who works for a private firm, regularly does airport runs up and down the country and claims his colleagues and members of the public will be left out of pocket by the decision.

He said: "It's an absolutely ridiculous decision that they can't warrant.

"There was no forewarning for it. I did a drop off on Sunday night when it was £2 for 10 minutes and then on Monday day it was £2 for five minutes.

"I pride myself on my customer service. I feel like I'm not able to do my job properly now and have to rush people out the taxi and to the door so I don't get charged extortionately. It's just a money-making scheme.

Andy Tyler Smith, East Midlands Airport’s customer services and security director, said: “Passengers being dropped off at the forecourt are subject to a charge. This is designed to reduce traffic congestion at the airport and surrounding roads, making the site safer, while encouraging increased use of alternative, more sustainable transport options.

"The rapid drop off parking provides the most convenient access to the airport’s terminal. Over 80 percent of current users are in and out of rapid drop off in less than five minutes.

"Reducing the 10 minute wait to five minutes will continue to improve the effectiveness of this facility allowing more vehicles to get in and out quicker.

“Drivers who wish to wait longer can park free of charge for one hour in 'Long Stay 2' which is situated near the airport bus stop at the west side of the airport site.

"A frequent, free bus service takes passengers to and from the main terminal entrance within 5 minutes or, by foot, it’s a 15 minute walk.

"Vehicles carrying disabled passengers who have a Blue Badge can park free of charge for 30 minutes in 'Short Stay 1', the closest car park to the both departures and arrivals.”

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/taxi-driver-says-cant-job-2891646
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