Taxi firm advertised for drivers stating we 'do not want Pakistanis'

The firm blamed customers saying: 'My experience is that most customers prefer white, British drivers'

A taxi firm that posted on Facebook stating it did not "want Pakistanis" driving for it has denied being racist.
The owner of Sandfields-based Cardy Cabs in Port Talbot said he won't employ "foreign drivers", claiming customers do not like them.

Janet Cardy posted an advertisement for new drivers on Facebook on Sunday.
Later, when she was engaging with some of the responses she got, Mrs Cardy wrote: "No p***s"
Instead she told the applicant to try another firm who have "all foreign drivers."
She added: "They like dark ones."

The conversation where Ms Cardy made the comment
The Facebook post has since been deleted but a screenshot was taken and has been widely shared since.
In one response Mrs Cardy wrote: "I got one working with me now I get on with him but the customers moan a bit.
"I have had a lot of them they good work but they could say don’t send him."

Mrs Cardy's husband, firm owner Howard Cardy said the fallout had been blown out of proportion.
Mr Cardy said he often picks up the taxi service's phone and claimed his customers tell him: "Do not send a p***."
"It is something older people used to say - they do not like them," he added.
"They prefer to get in other drivers' cars.
"My experience is that most customers prefer white, British drivers.
"We had a foreign driver before, from Croatia, but people didn't like him because of his accent.
"I am reluctant to employ foreign drivers but the one I have is good as gold."
 
Mr Cardy said they were not racist, adding in the past they had employed two men from Bangladesh.
He said the drivers were good but the problem were his customers, who he claimed they said not to send them.
Writing on social media, Sarah Miller wrote: "Wow this is unbelievable Janet Cardy you are absolutely shocking.
"I personally have always rung your company when in need of a taxi but after this disgrace of a post I shall never

"I personally have always rung your company when in need of a taxi but after this disgrace of a post I shall never use your firm again.
"Hang your head in shame for the utter foul that comes from your mouth and secondly please learn to spell."
Julie Evans wrote it was disgusting, adding she always used to use the firm but wouldn't anymore.

Saera Cole wrote it made no difference what the customer wants.

She added: "It’s what’s legal and what’s not and last time I checked it was a criminal offence to discriminate based on race!"
South Wales Police has said the local neighbourhood policing and community safety team were aware of the posts and were reviewing the matter.
A spokeswoman said: "People are reminded that every social media site has terms of use and to adhere to these."

A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesman said: "The council condemns the unacceptable racist and discriminatory comments made as part of this social media post.
"The individual in question does not hold any licences with this authority, hence we are unable to take formal action. 
"We have however been in discussions with the Police Licensing Officer (of South Wales Police), who has advised that any person wishing to make a complaint should do so by calling 101.”

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/taxi-firm-advertising-drivers-do-16630384
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 DUNDEE

A new dominant player has emerged in Dundee’s taxi market after two of the city’s largest cab firms agreed a merger, seeing 12 jobs lost.
Staff and drivers were called to a meeting on Monday morning where a deal that will see City Cabs 505050 and Tele Taxis join forces, to create Dundee’s largest taxi company, was confirmed for the first time.
The move will also mean City Cabs’ 12 office employees, four of whom are part-time, will lose their jobs with immediate effect after being told their roles will not transfer to the new firm.

City Cabs director Jimmy Marr, who will work as a consultant for around six months before leaving the business entirely, said he has already secured employment for six of the staff and is working on finding work for the rest within his businesses.

Mr Marr said: “This deal just makes sense in light of changing technology. I’ve spoken to everyone in the office one-to-one and I think they are happy enough after we were able to find work for them.

“Going forward, we’re just going to be getting everything into place and I think this will mean we can provide a better service for our corporate customers.”

In a joint statement released on Monday, management said the deal would also mean a better facility for local residents.
They said: “The directors of City Cabs 505050 and Tele Taxis are pleased to announce the merger of both companies to form Dundee’s largest taxi company.

“The merger takes place with immediate effect and will provide an enhanced level of taxi services to the public of Dundee.”
“Using state-of-the-art technology and systems, the merged company will continue to deliver tailored solutions to both corporate and private customers alike.”

It is understood no decision has yet been made on whether a new name will be used for the merged business or if it will continue under one of the existing brands.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk
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 OLA CARDIFF

A tuk-tuk private hire firm has been given the go ahead to operate in Cardiff.

Customers will be able to use a ride-hailing app to book the electric vehicles, also known as rickshaws, which seat two passengers.

Cardiff councillors gave their backing to the plans at a special meeting on Tuesday.

A report said the vehicles, called Zbees, would be used for short distances in the city and Cardiff Bay.
The firm said its vehicles had zero emissions as they operated on battery power.

Private hire firm Ola has been given the green light to operate tuk-tuks in Cardiff.

Passengers using the app, originating from India, will be able to e-hail an electric rickshaw called a Zbee. The vehicles will be able to accommodate two passengers, travelling short distances in the city and around Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff councillors gave Ola the green light and created special conditions for private hire licensed Tuk tuks at a meeting on Tuesday.

In the report, Ola plan to run a fleet of 20 Zbees each operating 80 hours a week. A total of 30 drivers will be hired on contract each expected to work 50 hours per week.

Ola say Cardiff will benefit from being the first city in the UK to host a completely zero emission shuttle run service and will help in achieving the city’s aim of 100% zero emission transport vehicles by 2022.

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 TEESIDE


A killer taxi driver hid incriminating dashcam footage after mowing down a beloved grandad.
Mohammed Naeem threw the camera into the glove compartment of his Skoda Octavia after hitting William John Joseph Byrne as he crossed Ormesby Road.

Analysis of the camera's recordings found Naeem had committed 70 speeding offences during the six-hour shift leading up to the 69-year-old's death and was speeding when he hit him.

The 29-year-old was jailed at Teesside Crown Court on Monday as the distraught family of Mr Byrne - known locally as Irish John - looked on.

Mohammed Naeem who has been jailed for three years for death by dangerous driving - which killed William John Joseph Byrne
Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said the taxi driver had picked up two passengers from the Pig Iron, in Corporation Road , Middlesbrough, at around 10pm on May 26 last year.

The father-of-three hurtled down the A66 at 70mph, before turning onto the Trunk Road and accelerating down Ormesby Road - a 30mph zone - at 49mph.

An eyewitness travelling behind Naeem said she saw him "pulling away from her quickly" and was "doing something in the roof area" moments before he collided with Mr Byrne at a pelican crossing which had been on green for motorists.
 
She said Naeem "didn't slow down at all" and in her opinion "hadn't even noticed" the grandad as he crossed the road.
Mr Byrne was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he sadly died as a result of injuries

www.gazettelive.co.uk 
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YORK

A FAKE “taxi driver” has been jailed for seven years for sexually assaulting a woman passenger.
The 24-year-old victim told York Crown Court she believed her drink had been spiked during a night out in the city centre with friends.
She said she felt “mangy” and “totally out of it” as she left Vudu.
Dominic Spiteri, 53, came up to her, said he was a taxi driver and offered to take her home on “mates rates”.
Once they were alone in his vehicle, he started molesting her and took her to a lonely layby in the countryside, where he sexually assaulted her so hard, she was in pain for days afterwards.

She said she couldn’t stop him because of the state she was in but kept saying “no”.
Spiteri, who worked as a doorman on city centre clubs, denied claiming to be a taxi driver or spiking her drink.
He claimed from the witness box that she had introduced him to her friends inside Vudu. In the car, she had flirted with him and initiated sexual contact.

He denied witness statements that the victim had vomited when they reached the hotel where her friends were staying.
The jury convicted Spiteri , of Parliament Street, Norton, of sexual assault after four hours in retirement.
“The victim was particularly vulnerable due to her personal circumstances,” Judge Simon Batiste told Spiteri. “She was alone in a “taxi” with you, late at night where she was obviously clearly incapable due to her intoxicated state.You took advantage of that.
“You have not shown one shred of remorse for your behaviour.
“This was a horrible attack.”
He jailed Spiteri for seven years, made a lifelong sexual harm prevention order forbidding him to have a woman alone with him in a car or contacting the victim in any way and put him on the sex offenders’ register for life.

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk
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