MILTON KEYNES

A heavily pregnant passenger feared for her life after a reckless taxi driver used his mobile phone behind the wheel.

Anne-Marie, from Milton Keynes, was taking a Skyline Taxi on the A5 towards Bletchley on Monday when she spotted her driver on his phone.

The mum-to-be pleaded with the driver to stop but he refused.

She said: “I’m eight months pregnant so I became very emotional at the fact he could have killed me, my unborn baby and himself.

“To be honest I was just completely disgusted not only at the illegal driving but the driver’s manner when I asked for him to not use his mobile phone.”

The angry 27-year-old took to Twitter to blast the irresponsible driver, posting a picture of his blatant act of stupidity.

Anne-Marie posted: “Yet another disappointing service from @Skylinetaxis in Milton Keynes...this was AFTER I asked for him to put his phone down and had informed the driver I’m pregnant.”

She then reported the incident to police before filing a complaint against the taxi firm and Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC).

Anne Marie added: “The driver was aggressive the whole journey and it was very uncomfortable.

”It’s just ignorant and careless behaviour.”

A spokesman for Skyline Taxis said it has liaised with Anne-Marie and the driver has been suspended from its circuit.

“We understand this has been passed on to the police and we will assist the police with their enquiries.”

Thames Valley Police confirmed: “A report has been made, we are liaising with the aggrieved and an investigation is under way.”

https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/caught-on-camera-heavily-pregnant-woman-pleads-with-taxi-driver-to-get-off-his-phone-1-8920182
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Taxi app Ola hopes to start up in Brighton and Hove if it gets a licence.

Hailed as a rival to Uber, Ola wants a five-year licence to operate a private hire service, where taxis are pre-booked.

The company started out in India before branching out to Australia and recently launched in Birmingham.

It also operates in South Wales, Merseyside and Reading.

In its application Ola has committed to using Brighton and Hove licensed drivers and vehicles only.

Any out of town drivers who drop off in the city will only be permitted to complete a maximum of two pick-ups here within a 24 hours period.

The company has given its Brighton address as Queensbury House in Queen’s Road.

The GMB and Unite unions made a joint representation which was described as not an objection.

Secretary of GMB’s  Brighton and Hove Taxi section, Andrew Peters said competition is always welcome provided it is all on the same level.

But both unions are concerned that OLA does not consider that it is a “transport provider”.

Mr Peters said: “This is what Uber has always stated and yet it has applied for an operator licence to provide the means of transport to the public which is quite ironic.

“This is where the very experienced trade has concerns because there is a huge responsibility on all licensed operators for the protection of the public.

“This is especially relevant where there has been horrific news about vulnerable people being abused via a small core of taxi/private hire drivers in places like Rotherham and such like.”

Mr Peters pointed out the city’s taxi trade works with the council to maintain high standards to protect the public, and all companies now have their own app.

He added: “International cab apps are now popping up all over the place which in one sense is very good for the public but local councils must ensure that these entities are ‘fit and proper’ and are aware of the full responsibilities.

“Unfortunately when they deny they are ‘transport providers’ that is where eyebrows are raised within the local trades.”

A three-councillor panel meets at Hove Town Hall to discuss the application from 10am on Monday 12 May.

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