MAMCHESTER

There are severe delays on Metrolink tonight after a tram and taxi were involved in a crash in the city centre.

The incident happened on Windmill Street, near to the Manchester Central complex, on Monday evening.

An eyewitness at the scene said the black Volkswagen taxi looked 'hardly damaged' and nobody looked to be 'seriously hurt'.

But Metrolink tweeted at around 6.30pm to confirm there had been a road traffic collision, with 'severe' delays on the Bury line.

There are also severe delays on the Rochdale via Oldham line.



Src= MEN
----------------------------------------

 Cab drivers across Glasgow will be tested on their English and knowledge of the city amongst tough new measures proposed to tackle a shocking rise in passenger complaints.

Members of Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee are expected to introduce a policy, as suggested by Unite – Glasgow Cab Section, which means taxis and private hire car drivers will need to complete an SQA qualification before they can take passengers.

Figures have also revealed the number of complaints made against cab companies in the city had more than doubled in five years. Between 2014 and 2018 the number of incidents rose from 430 to 1038.

The number of private hire car drivers has also increased.

The move will make Glasgow the second local authority in Scotland after Dundee to introduce the testing.

In February Konstantinos Theodoropoulos was denied a cab licence because he couldn’t identify the City Chambers despite being inside the building opposite.

The council’s licensing committee deals with complaints of pirating, cherry-picking hires and over-charging fares. Drivers have also refused to assist wheelchair users or carry guide dogs.

A report submitted to the council reveals that the course would cost between £300-£400 per driver.

While it is hoped the level of customer service will be improved concerns have been raised by some representatives that the time to complete the course could be “detrimental” and impact the number of people willing to enter the trade.

Alex Wilson, chairman of the licensing board, said: “We are hoping the qualification will raise the standards of our drivers. It is going to replace the existing customer care course which is really outdated.

“The qualification will include a language test and suitable ways to help passengers with disabilities and mental health problems. There is already a code of conduct in place for taxi drivers but this new policy will include private hires.

“It will be mandatory for every new driver to complete. Existing drivers will have to complete it before they renew their licence. Applicants will have to know where key locations are – including the City Chambers.”

Read more: Glasgow City Council blocks plans to launch female-only taxi service

Calum Anderson of the Glasgow Cab Section said he was happy that the council had “embraced” the union’s idea. He added: “The standards of private hire car drivers and taxi services are going down. It is ridiculous taxis and cab drivers can gain a licence without a qualification or any training. If someone is required to do training, it means they will take time and effort to achieve their qualification.

“I am hoping it will deter anyone from coming into the profession for just a casual exercise. ”

https://bit.ly/2MdqXBB 
----------------------------------

 MEDWAY

A taxi firm has invested £200,000 in technology in a bid to fight off competition from Uber drivers.

Long established Vokes in Medway, which now incorporates Windmill Taxis and Rainham Cabs, has installed an automated dispatch system accepting bookings by app, web and by phone.

Customers are also able to track their taxi via a smartphone and are made aware of the cabbie’s name and car registration number.

Over the last three years, the international online firm Uber has impacted on independent Medway licensed cabbies, competing for trade and income.

Uber supporters have cited modern technology as the reasons why clients use them.

Mark Robinson, a partner at Vokes, said over the past year it had transformed from a traditional operator to a “high tech service provider”.

Mr Robinson, said: “Our new systems do everything Uber does and very much more - all under the watchful eye of the local authority.

"All our drivers have to meet the very high standards set by Medway Council, all intended to ensure a safe, consistent and reliable service to the general public.”

Uber is not licensed to act as a hackney carriage, a licence issued by the council, within the Towns.

Users simply book their journeys using a smartphone app and the firm is free to operate at will within Medway without breaking the law.

There are thought to be about 200 drivers working for the internet giant. Some come from outside the area with insufficient geographical knowledge.

Medway’s licensed drivers, who are self-employed, have to undergo regular stringent health, safety and driving checks and demonstrate that they know their patch.

Mr Robinson said: “To overcome a licensed taxi or private hire driver in Medway is no easy task.

"Our drivers are really hurting, many claiming that their income is down by as much as 30%.

"To overcome this, they are working longer hours but it’s fair to say that a few have given up the trade and if the situation doesn’t change we expect more to follow.

“Taxi services are an important part of Medway’s transport policy and we need more drivers, not less, entering the trade.”

https://bit.ly/2wqcSX0 
-----------------------------------------

 EDINBURGH

A TAXI driver has been charged by police after a car park row with Edinburgh Airport boss Gordon Dewar.

The bizarre scene saw Dewar reportedly lying on the bonnet of 59-year-old Iain Hunter’s cab.

The row took place after Hunter dropped off a passenger

Dewar had allegedly been trying to crack down on cabs touting for business at the airport’s drop-off point last Tuesday morning.

The two men clashed when cabbie Hunter picked up three passengers in the disabled bay after dropping off a university student fare.
Scots woman, 58, dies on Ryanair plane at Majorca airport as she flew home to Edinburgh days before her birthday

Speaking to The Scotsman, Hunter said: “She was obviously going back home after university and she had loads of bags so I dropped her off in the disabled bay because there is nowhere else to park – it’s just a shambles.

“I got her bags on a trolley and three guys approached me, said they were only going to the Gyle and got in.

“All of a sudden this guy stuck his head through my window and said I can’t do that. I asked who he was and he said it didn’t matter who he was.”

Airport chief Dewar confronted Hunter

“I told him I’m a taxi driver and that if he’s an official of the airport he should identify himself.

“He said he was going to take my photo and I told him he’s not allowed to do that – just a photo of my vehicle not me. He said he could do what he wants.

“I went to pull off to the right and he stood in front of me. Then I tried to the left and he did the same.

“Then he just lay across my bonnet.

“It went on for five or six minutes.

Police say Hunter has been charged

https://bit.ly/2I6V1Ka 
--------------------------------------

 DUBLIN AIRPORT

 Pick-up and luggage charges should be reintroduced at Dublin Airport to encourage more taxi drivers to provide services at the gateway, according to the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation.

The call by the federation's president, Joe Herron, comes as Dublin Airport launches a consultation process aimed at improving the frequently criticised taxi service there.

Mr Herron said that any shortages of taxis at the airport, particularly during the evenings, is usually because drivers can get more fares working in the city centre.

"If there is work in the city centre, it is not advantageous to travel out to the airport," said Mr Herron.

He suggested that a pick-up fee could be €2 per passenger, for instance, and that a luggage fee could be introduced at 50 cent per bag, for example.

A €1.50 airport pick-up charge and 70 cent luggage fee were abolished by the then taxi regulator in 2006, sparking protests by taxi drivers.

A spokesman for Dublin Airport, which is operated by the semi-State DAA, said it would not pre-judge the outcome of the consultation process.

He said the consultation is inviting views from stakeholders including licence holders, taxi firms, transport and tourism bodies, business groups, consumer representatives, disability groups and other users.

"There are some sectoral issues that are affecting the provision of taxis generally at peak times in Dublin and these are also likely to be discussed within the remit of the consultation," he added.

Services such as a premium product, ride-sharing, and even a minimum fare are all possible outcomes from the consultation.

"We want to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to deliver an improvement in the overall taxi product at the airport," said the spokesman.

Dublin Airport has experienced a surge in passenger numbers in recent years. Last year, 31.5 million passengers used the gateway, compared to just under 30 million in 2017.

Mr Herron pointed out that on top of their normal running costs - which the National Transport Authority reckons are about €23,500 a year for an experienced taxi driver in a standard vehicle - taxi drivers must pay €440 a year to secure a permit to operate at Dublin Airport.

There are currently about 1,450 permit holders. On a typical day, between 800 and 900 permit holders operate at the airport.

Not being able to pay by credit or debit card is the single biggest gripe among taxi passengers at Dublin Airport. Queues and poor taxi journey experiences are next highest on the list, according to a survey by the DAA.

Irish Independent