WOLVERHAMPTON

A ‘mystery shopper’ exercise to check the performance of taxis drivers in a city when required to assist people with disabilities has proved a success and is to be extended.

 
The scheme consisted of a series of journeys made in both Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles by wheelchair users, people with mobility difficulties and blind or partially-sighted passengers with guide dogs in Wolverhampton.

 

Those taking part were also asked to complete a questionnaire relating to issues of safety, accessibility, the driver’s attitude, comparison to other transport facilities and anything they thought was particularly good or bad.
 
The council’s commercial regulation manager, Chris Howell, told members of the city’s non-statutory licensing committee that as a result of the feedback obtained, he felt the scheme could be continued and extended.
 
“We engaged with a number of volunteers from local disability groups, council employees and a member of West Midlands Police to carry out the mystery shopper scheme,” he said.

“A total of 19 journeys were undertaken in December last year and in February by volunteers using both Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. 

“These were people who were either wheelchair users, had difficulties with mobility due to hip replacements and osteoarthritis, or were blind or partially-sighted and accompanied by a guide dog.”

A report to the committee revealed that 13 journeys were undertaken in private hire vehicles and six in Hackney carriages. 

Two journeys were taken by a volunteer in a wheelchair. Seven journeys were taken by a volunteer that was blind or partially sighted and accompanied by a guide dog. Two journeys were taken by volunteers who were blind/partially-sighted and also had difficulties with their mobility.

 

“During two of the journeys undertaken in Hackney carriages by wheelchair volunteers, the drivers failed to secure the wheelchair users correctly,” said Mr Howell.

“As a result both drivers attended a review hearing and a wheelchair training and assessment course. I’d like to propose that we continue the exercise and extend the remit.” 

Each mystery shopper was required to hire a taxi from a rank in the city centre to a particular destination and then book a private hire for a return journey. 

If physically possible, the mystery shopper was asked to travel alone. All visits and questionnaires were conducted anonymously to ensure accurate and efficient results could then be collated.

 

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/wolverhampton/2020/05/28/taxi-hire-mystery-shopper-scheme-is-extended/

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Uber is installing in-car partitions in 400 cars across Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham as part of a pilot scheme to prevent the spread of coronavirus between drivers and passengers.

 
The ride-hailing giant is also distributing hygiene kits to drivers and couriers as part of new safety measures.

A pilot scheme, developed in partnership with the AA, will see 400 cars in the North East installed with in-car partitions.

The firm says this will "help build a better understanding of how people can travel from A to B as safely as possible".

The screens will be installed by the AA, who will also sanitise every car as part of the installation process.

Uber is also teaming up with Unilever to provide hygiene kits for drivers and couriers. These kits will be distributed in the coming weeks and will include antibacterial spray and hand gel, among other items.

Over 2.2million masks will be distributed to drivers and couriers, in addition to the 1.1million that have already been sent and 95,000 cleaning sprays.

Jamie Heywood, Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, Uber, said: “The safety of the riders and drivers who use the Uber app is our number one priority. 

"For weeks we’ve been urging people to stay home and make essential trips only. As people start to think about moving again, we hope our pilot in the North East of England will help bring about a greater understanding of how to get people from A to B as safely as possible.”

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/400-uber-taxis-trial-car-18246802 

MANCHESTER

A drug driver who miraculously emerged unharmed after flipping his car following a 135mph police chase has been jailed.

Mohammed Qureshi, 29, who had hopes of becoming a taxi driver and previously worked as an Uber Eats driver, has been locked up for 10 months.

His lawyer said Qureshi 'panicked' after initially being stopped by police, as he had taken cocaine, had the drug on him and was not insured to drive his car.

Manchester Crown Court was told that some of his friends had encouraged him to take cocaine as he was suffering a 'low mood' following the breakdown of his relationship.

Police in an unmarked car spotted Qureshi, from Levenshulme, driving a black Seat car in Cheetham Hill, at about 10.30pm on October 8 last year.

They became suspicious after finding that the vehicle was insured to a woman, his mother.

They pulled him over and told him to get out.

But Qureshi sped off, reaching speeds of about 70mph in built up areas, where the speed limit was 30mph.

He overtook other cars and went through red lights.

Later he joined the M60 at junction 19 heading towards Bury.

During the chase on the motorway, officers noted that they were travelling at 135mph and were 'not making much progress', prosecutor Gavin Howie said.

Qureshi then joined the M66, again heading towards Bury.

At one point Qureshi turned his lights off on the motorway, where there were no street lights on. He later turned them on again.

Police decided it was no longer safe to continue the pursuit.

Further down the carriageway, near junction three at Pilsworth, Qureshi lost control and crashed the car, which flipped onto its roof.

The vehicle was said to be 'completely written off'.

Qureshi tried running away, prosecutors said, but after being wrestled to the ground he told officers he was sorry.

The pursuit lasted for about 15 minutes, covering about five miles.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/aspiring-taxi-driver-led-police-18319117

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CALIFORNIA

Uber says 158,000 drivers will lose work if they're reclassified as employees

Uber has been crunching data, and it's come up with an internal analysis on what would happen if it reclassified its California drivers as employees. According to the company, passengers could expect to see prices go up 20% to 120%, and tens of thousands of drivers might be out of work.

Of Uber's 209,000 drivers in the state, the company said, 76% could lose their jobs on the ride-hailing platform. Rural areas would be hit hardest by these cutbacks.

   

"Shifting to an employment model would force us to limit the number of people who could drive on Uber in order to manage costs that are fixed per employee," the company said.

Most economists agree the system would change if drivers were to become employees. But some say numbers like these need more context. For example, rural areas already have minimal coverage by Uber and some drivers only work a few hours a week. 

If drivers were employees, the platform would run more efficiently, said Michael Reich, co-chair of the Center on Wage and Employment Dynamics at the University of California at Berkeley.

"Some drivers who work more than 40 hours per week will reduce their hours," Reich said. "Many who drive less than 40 hours per week are likely to increase their hours."

Uber's new analysis comes as the debate over gig worker classification in California heats up. Currently, most gig economy companies classify their workers as independent contractors, rather than employees.

 That means the companies aren't responsible for benefits like health insurance, sick leave and minimum wage. California passed a law last fall mandating that gig workers be classified as employees. The law, AB 5, went into effect on Jan. 1.

https://www.cnet.com/news/uber-says-158000-drivers-will-lose-work-if-theyre-reclassified-as-employees/

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WAKEFIELD

A "gun fanatic" who shot dead a taxi driver at a railway station has died in prison.

Colin Cheetham murdered father-of-three Stuart Ludlam at Cromford station in Derbyshire in September 2009.

The 71-year-old did not know his victim and appeared to have had no motive other wanting to shoot a "complete stranger", his trial heard.

A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed Cheetham had died at HMP Wakefield on 1 May.

In 2010 the killer, from Ripley, Derbyshire, was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-52799080

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A group of taxi drivers from Barrow who have been made unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic have gotten together to create their own co-operative taxi firm.

Brian White, 47, who has twenty year’s taxi driving experience, launched Coastal Cars last week (May 22) with nine other taxi drivers.

The group had all worked for A1 Taxis based on Rawlinson Street.

Brian said: “Sadly the boss decided to shut down so there were no health risks to any of us. We’ve been off work for weeks and it’s meant forty lads out of work.

“The time has allowed for some of us to set up as we want however, it’s almost like going back to factory settings and we’re doing it our own way.

 We’re our own bosses. Instead of the likes of radio rental we just ask for contribution costs towards the bills, operator wage etc. There’s no skimming the top.”

The firm is taking strict safety measures regarding customer health and limiting passengers to the back seat. It’s also ensuring constant cleaning of all cars and is encouraging contactless payments where possible.

In order to get the business of the ground during hard times, the community has rallied around. Michael Hoad, who set up the Corner Shop in Barrow, offered pay for flyers and distribute them when he got wind of the idea.

 Street Cars on Dalkeith Street has offered the new firm some space to rent to help with the taxi operator licence and one local has offered to help as an operator for free whilst the business gets going.

Brian said: “I’d just like to thank everyone who’s helped us. I think everyone knows we’re all good lads who are nice and polite and our customers have always known that too.

https://www.lancs.live/news/local-news/new-barrow-taxi-firm-set-18321397

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High Wycome

The death of a sixth Uber driver linked to coronavirus has prompted urgent calls for minicabs to be properly equipped with PPE.

Father-of-four Zahid Pervaiz, 65, is the latest to die after picking up a passenger he believed was infected by the killer disease.

Mr Pervaiz, from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, died in intensive care last Friday and had saved all his life for a trip to Mecca which he was due to take next month.

His death came a day after 27-year-old Zeeshan Ahmed, whose death is also being linked to the virus.

Mert Dogus, whose 49-year-old father Haci Ali Dogus died at the end of March, said: 'I 100 per cent believe drivers need PPE or they need help from the Government. 

'If they can’t have PPE, then they should stop driving. There is this problem with not enough PPE being available for NHS workers, but cab drivers need them too.'

Mr Dogus, from Hackney, worked six days a week. Mert said his father was convinced he contracted the virus after regularly picking up passengers from Heathrow. 

‘In their cars they can’t be two meters away and they are in a confined space,' he added.

‘But if they get ill then they have to be treated by the NHS workers anyway. The PPE might prevent all this... It is a huge dilemma.’

Yaseen Asleem, head of the United Private Hire Drivers association whose organisation represents drivers in eight cities, said PPE would save lives.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8248543/Sixth-Uber-driver-death-linked-coronavirus-prompt-urgent-calls-minicabs-issued-PPE.html

NOTTINGHAM

More than 120 taxi drivers are refusing to buy new low emission cabs after making as little as £15 a day during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nottingham City Council wants around 400 hackney cabs to be upgraded to low emission vehicles to improve air quality.

Taxi drivers said they have been told the vehicles must be in place by June 30.

Drivers will have to take out loans to buy the new fleet, which can cost between £32,000 to £75,000 per vehicle.

But taxi driver associations have blasted the decision for the council to push ahead with the plans when no money is being made from the profession to pay for them.

Chander Sood, 61, of Wollaton, has been a hackney taxi driver for 26 years in Nottingham.
He is also the former secretary of the Nottingham City Hackney Carriage Owners and Drivers Association, which represents cab drivers in the city.

He said out of the 411 fleet there was more than 120 drivers which have refused to buy the new vehicles during the pandemic.

He told Nottinghamshire Live: "Where is the money going to come from if you are not making any money? How are we going to pay the installments? It is a high investment."

He said: "Most drivers are taking £15 to £20 a day under lockdown. They can't afford it. We need help from the council."

The council plan is have more than 400 new Hackney cabs in Nottingham, which will either be electric or the cleanest diesels.

The scheme aims to deter the most-polluting vehicles from entering the city in a bid to curb air pollution, and bring it down to legal levels as soon as 2020.

Nottingham City Council placed orders for a small number of the vehicles to lease back to drivers, as well as investing £700,000 of Government funding into electric charging points around the city.

Taxi driver Wasim Amin, chairman of Nottingham Licensed Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, which represents more than 300 drivers, said: "It is difficult times, not just for taxi drivers but for everyone. It is devastating.

"We do want to put these vehicles in (to the city) but how are we going to make it pay? It is common sense. How is it going to work for the person who has taken that burden on?

"We are all up for these changes and the air quality on taxis but it is not feasible because of finances. The council need to reconsider."

Portfolio Holder for Growth and the City Centre, Cllr Sam Webster, said: “We understand it’s a difficult time for taxi drivers. There has been a lead-in time of more than two years to respond to new rules requiring only Euro 6 diesel or ultra-low emission vehicles to be eligible for a licence to operate in Nottingham.

“130 drivers have already made the change, but unfortunately a minority still haven’t done so. We have taken a flexible approach and introduced some leeway by allowing owners approaching the end of their licence to retain their plates for six months, instead of the usual one month, to decide whether they wish to buy a compliant replacement vehicle or not.

“We are also giving six-month extensions to those drivers who can show they are in the process of buying a replacement vehicle but are unable to take delivery because of lockdown. We will continue our dialogue with the trade and keep the extension period under review."

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/taxi-drivers-refusing-buy-low-4153380

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LAKE DISTRICT

An axe and "large quantity" of cocaine were discovered after police stopped a taxi in Cumbria during the early hours of this morning.

Cumbria Roads Police today released a picture of the taxi after the swoop on the A590 dual carriageway near Newby Bridge.

Both the taxi driver and passenger were arrested following "a lengthy chat" and the weapon and drugs were seized after the dramatic Lake District swoop.

Police tweeted details of the operation at around 4am today and said the taxi had travelled from Halifax in West Yorkshire.

Confirming the arrests Cumbria Roads Police confirmed: "Taxi from Halifax stopped on the A590 dual carriageway near Newby Bridge. After a lengthy chat with the driver and passenger they were both arrested due to one breaching his restraining order and both for possession of an axe and a large quantity of cocaine."

 https://www.lancs.live/news/local-news/axe-large-quantity-cocaine-found-18292951

OXFORD

RESIDENTS at the scene of a major police incident yesterday have spoken about what they saw and heard.

Saunders Road in Cowley was blocked off by police for most of the day and one resident said a relative was shouted at by police when they stepped outside for a cigarette.

One resident reported seeing six undercover cars, two riot vans, three normal police cars and officers in balaclavas.

They said: “My kids were playing in the garden and all we heard was really loud shouting, it was like people were fighting.

“The kids ran in the house and I could see a taxi being boxed in.

“The taxi driver had come from the top of the road and police boxed him in, they had tasers and guns and were shouting for him to get down.

“They dragged him out the car and arrested him, he was quite young, maybe in his 30s – he was just smiling.

“I heard some residents asking the officers if they had found a firearm.

“Police then took the taxi after they took him.”

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18462610.taxi-boxed-in-police-major-incident-oxford/
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SINGAPORE: ComfortDelGro will install plastic shields in 400 taxis in a trial that aims to minimise contact between cabbies and passengers, reducing the spread of COVID-19, said the firm on Wednesday (May 20).

Dubbed the V-shield, it covers the driver's cabin entirely and is locally made using "an unbreakable material", said ComfortDelGro in a media release, adding that the shield also serves as added protection against "violent physical harm".

Installation of the shields has begun and the taxi operator will continue to roll them out in 50 taxis every week.

It said the shield will be extended to more taxis if the trial is successful.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-precaution-taxi-comfort-plastic-shield-coronavirus-12751394

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Ola To Lay Off 1,400 Staff, CEO Says Pandemic Hit Revenues


https://www.ndtv.com/business/ola-cabs-layoff-news-ola-to-lay-off-1-400-employees-ceo-says-covid-19-lockdown-hits-revenue-2232047

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LONDON

Uber has hired the AA to install screens in cabs as part of a social distancing trial

Commercial and private drivers of passenger vehicles have been among the groups worst affected by the disease due to the difficulties of social distancing in a confined space.

This has led to minicab companies taking safety measures such in response to the UK’s government’s easing of some coronavirus restrictions and people return to work. Taxi companies are distributing free personal protective equipment (PPE) to drivers and installing screens inside vehicles.

London’s largest private hire car operator, Addison Lee, is fitting perspex partition screens between drivers and passengers across its 4,000 vehicles next week. The screens need to be flame-retardant and shatter-proof.

Liam Griffin, chief executive of Addison Lee, said: “We know there is significant demand from drivers, passengers, businesses and the general public for more to be done to make transport cleaner and safer as we go back to work, including calls for the introduction of partition screens into private hire vehicles. That's why we have taken the decision to begin rolling out the installation of safety screens between drivers and passenger seats.”
The company is using an electrostatic antimicrobial cleanse of vehicles and aims to facilitate social distancing by encouraging passengers to use the rear seats of its seven-seater vehicles.
https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/65543/how-to-protect-cab-drivers-from-covid-19-/

Birmingham Taxi Cop was Copped.

A motorbike cop has been dismissed from the police for gross misconduct after he sent an explicit photo to a woman while on duty.

Award-winning PC Dave Humpherson, from West Midlands Police, met "Miss A" at a petrol station just hours after matching on dating app Bumble.

The 41-year-old - voted police officer of the year in 2019 - was in uniform and on duty when he got into her car at a Shell garage on the A491 in Bell End, near Clent, on September 2, 2019.

The purpose of the meeting was to "explore the possibility of having a sexual relationship", a virtual hearing at Lloyd House in Birmingham was told.

PC Humpherson, who served 22 years with the force and worked to stop taxi drivers operating illegally, later sent her an explicit photo on WhatsApp the same day, the hearing was told.

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson, who presided over the misconduct hearing, said the actions were “reckless and unwise.”

He found the officer had breached standards for discreditable conduct, duties and responsibilities. It amounted to gross misconduct and the officer was dismissed without notice.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/police-officer-year-sacked-sending-18272619

LEICESTER

PEOPLE are being asked for their views on whether the number of Hackney carriages normally operating in Leicester meets passengers’ demands.

Leicester City Council licenses over 300 hackney cabs to work in the city, and is carrying out a consultation with customers to gauge their past experience of getting a taxi.

Passengers will be asked a number of questions about their use of taxis, including how easily they were able to flag one down and whether they were able to get one where and when required.

The passenger survey is being carried out online at Leicester City Council’s consultation page, and runs until June 11.

Work began just before the coronavirus lockdown to survey taxi numbers, the number of ranks and the numbers of passengers queueing.

Originally the passenger survey was due to be carried out in person, but the lockdown means it is now being done online, so the results can be matched to the traffic data.

Passengers will be asked about their experience of using taxis before the lockdown, although they will also be asked if the coronavirus crisis will affect their decision on whether or not to use taxis in future.

Leicester deputy city mayor responsible for regulatory services, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “It is important to know whether the number of Hackney cabs licensed to operate in Leicester reflects the needs of customers, who want to be sure they can get a taxi whenever they need to.

“The market has changed over recent years, so this survey will help give us an up to date understanding of people’s experiences of using taxis locally.

“Unfortunately the work that we’d started was then interrupted by the lockdown, so we are carrying out this passenger consultation online, to ensure it is as close in time as possible to the original traffic surveys we’ve already done.”

https://news.leicester.gov.uk/news-articles/2020/may/consultation-asks-passengers-about-their-taxi-use/
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LONDON

Hero cabbie Michael Hayes drives his taxi to his local hospital after a long stint ferrying passengers around London to take doctors, nurses and other key NHS staff home free when they come off shift. 

A&E nurse Micaela Giner Simon... "Michael is absolutely amazing and kind." Picture: Barts NHS Trust

The father-of-three turns up at Newham Hospital whenever he can before he drives home to East Ham, just to make sure medical staff get safely home themselves. 

“I really wanted to show my appreciation for NHS staff by offering a little bit of comfort at the end of a long and arduous shift,” he says. 

“I just wanted to do something when the true extent of the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Michael, a cab driver for 14 years, keeps himself and his passengers safe by taping all air gaps in the taxi partition and blocking the hatch, then puts on a mask when he’s speaking to passengers in the street at a safe distance. 

“I give the inside of the cab a wipe over with antibacterial spray between every job,” he points out. “I also wash my hands frequently.

https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/nhs-hospital-staff-cab-rides-home-1-6591506

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SCOTLAND

Private Hire drivers are furious after being denied permission to install screens in cars - despite their occupation having one of the highest death rates from coronavirus.

Death rates among male cabbies down south are at a rate of 36.4 per 100,000 according to the Office of National Statistics - one of the highest, and above bus drivers, chefs and shop assistants.
Many NHS workers are using cabs to get to work to avoid using public transport - and in Scotland so far six cabbies have died from the virus, according to union United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD).

Of those, three deaths have occurred in Glasgow - but the local authority has denied requests to allow taxi drivers to install protective screens, citing health and safety fears.

UPHD Glasgow chair Barry Sloan said: “In this epidemic, everyone is unsure what the best course of action is regarding safety.

"We turned to Glasgow City Council for guidance to be fobbed off and told no screens allowed.
“We stated that member drivers are catching Covid-19 and unfortunately some have passed away from the virus.

“We’ve insisted that the screen partitions must be allowed to safeguard our lives, which the council have simply brushed off, saying they are not properly tested and can impact on other safety aspects like air bags not being deployed properly.

“They also stated there is no proof screens will help reduce transmission of the virus.

“UPHD responded with evidence of test studies on protective screens and a Liverpool minicab firm which installed screens in their vehicles.
“Sadly, this has pushed many drivers into making their own makeshift screens for protection.

“I am increasingly concerned for drivers’ safety.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “We fully understand the anxiety that anyone may feel when working in close proximity to members of the public during the Covid-19 crisis.

“At this stage, no-one can confirm whether such screens do restrict the spread of the virus and we have other concerns about the safety implications of such temporary modifications to vehicles.

“We have written to the Scottish Government to seek clarification on how licensed hire vehicles should operate during these challenging times.”

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18446328.glasgow-taxi-drivers-furious-plan-install-screens-cabs-blocked/

FRANCE (UBERK)

On March 4, 2020, the French Supreme Court (“the Court”) rendered a new decision on the legal classification of the agreement existing between Uber and one of its drivers, in line with its previous ruling in the Take Eat Easy case (Ruling n°374 of March 4, 2020 – Appeal n° 19-13.316 and Ruling n°79 of November 28, 2018 – Appeal n° 17-20.079).

The Court has decided that the driver is in a subordinate relationship with Uber and, therefore, that the self-employed status of the driver is merely fictitious and that the professional relationship between Uber and its driver should be reclassified as an employment contract.

Following the Court, in accordance with its established case law, an employment contract is characterized by the performance of a job under the authority of an employer who has the power (i) to give orders and instructions, (ii) to supervise performance, and (iii) to sanction non-compliance with the instructions given. 

Additionally, according to the Court’s case law, the existence of a subordinate relationship does not depend on the will expressed by the parties or on the title of the contract, but rather on the factual conditions under which the work is carried out.

In the case at hand, the Court applied the aforementioned criteria and stated in particular that:

The driver joins a digital platform, entirely set-up and organized by Uber, under the terms and conditions set by Uber.

The driver, who uses the Uber digital platform, does not build up his or her own clientele, does not freely set his or her fares and rates and does not determine the terms and conditions of the transportation service.

The fact that the driver is not obliged to connect to the digital platform and that he or she is, consequently, able to choose the working days and working hours does not exclude per se an employment/subordinate relationship.

Uber is able to sanction the driver by (temporarily or permanently) limiting or preventing access to the digital platform.

According to the Court, all these elements point towards the existence of a link of subordination between Uber and the driver.

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=092fafe2-f4ec-43a6-950c-396d9c10e522
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LIVERPOOL

An uninsured and unlicensed driver whose passenger died in a head-on crash with a taxi has been jailed.

The Ford Fiesta driven by Alex Lloyd, 26, hit a Ford S-Max private hire cab on Princess Drive in West Derby last June, Merseyside Police said.
Paul Hayes, 25, was killed and his 19-year-old girlfriend Lauren, also a passenger, was seriously injured.

Lloyd, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving, was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison.

Lloyd, of Lawson Walk, West Derby also pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death by driving a vehicle while uninsured and unlicensed, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-52682399
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LONDON

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/safety-and-security/security-on-the-network/tph-related-sexual-offences

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NEWCASTLE AND NORTH EAST

Taxi firms Addison Lee and Uber have announced new safety measures as the government looks to ease coronavirus restrictions and people return to work.

Addison Lee will fit perspex partition screens between drivers and passengers across its 4,000 vehicles next week.

And Uber is paying the AA to install partitions in 400 cars in Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham as part of an initial pilot.

Both firms are also distributing free protective equipment to drivers.

The plans follow calls for improved protections for drivers and passengers.

"We know there is significant demand from drivers, passengers, businesses and the general public for more to be done to make transport cleaner and safer as we go back to work - including calls for the introduction of partition screens into private hire vehicles," said Liam Griffin, chief executive of London-based taxi firm Addison Lee.

"That's why we have taken the decision to begin rolling out the installation of safety screens between drivers and passenger seats."

Ride hailing taxi app firm Uber said its pilot in the North East of England was crucial for the company to get a better understanding of how to carry passengers on journeys as safely as possible.

Uber is first trialling the partition screens in areas where it has been able to gain the permission of the regulator or city council, in order to ensure that the screens are installed safely.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52656090

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This week in Parliament

Lilian Greenwood Chair, Finance Committee (Commons)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on taxis and private hire drivers; and what steps his Department is taking to support that sector.

(Citation: HC Deb, 11 May 2020, cW)

Rachel Maclean Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)


The Department is aware of the issues being faced by the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector and are working with the industry to understand the particular pressures they are facing. The Self-employment Income Support Scheme will allow taxi and PHV drivers to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the 3-month period from April to June. This may be extended if needed.
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THIS WEEK IN PARLIMENT

Michelle McIlveen DUP 

I thank the Minister for her statement. I welcome the clarity given today on MOTs and the commitment by the Executive in the last number of days to supporting airports as well as city deals and their associated infrastructure projects.

The statement does not mention the outstanding matter of financial support for hauliers and taxi drivers. It is also disappointing that the problem accessing medical assessments has still not been resolved. In addition, DVA has introduced a fully online system for driving licence renewal. This is proving problematic for those who do not have access to the online system, with hard copy applications being returned. Can the Minister give a clear timeline for when these matters will be fully addressed?

Nichola Mallon Social Democratic and Labour Party

 

I thank the Member for her question. We have been working very hard across the Executive on the issue of hauliers.

 I have been working with the Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Agriculture. We engage very regularly with the Department for Transport and the UK Treasury. We are clear that we need to get support to our haulage industry because it has a critical role to play in securing our supply chains, and we will keep up the pressure on that.

On the taxis issue, the Member will be aware that, as Minister for Infrastructure, I have responsibility for regulation. I have put a number of solutions in place. The one that is outstanding is the specialised medical assessment. I am exploring two potential legal options. I hope to be in a position to give confirmation to Members and affected drivers as soon as possible. The challenge is getting a solution that is legally robust while being mindful of the need to ensure road safety for drivers and other road users.

On the issue of financial support for taxis, I am sure that the Member will also be aware that the Department for the Economy is responsible for financial support to those whose livelihoods have been very badly affected by this crisis. I have made representations to the Minister for the Economy, the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Communities on the potential of repurposing of taxi drivers, because I recognise that they are one of the groups that have been really badly hit.

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Jamie Stone Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Armed Forces), Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
 

I have a particularly harrowing case in my constituency: a young couple who had a taxi business, Leanne and Fraser Gair. They now have no income whatsoever and have fallen through what I might call the floorboards of the safety net.

 Will the Leader of the House be kind enough to agree with me that it would be helpful if a Minister came to the House to outline to Members like me how we can speedily try to help these people, pick them up off the floor and get them going again?

(Citation: HC Deb, 6 May 2020, c583)

Jacob Rees-Mogg Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons 

The hon. Gentleman makes a very fair point. I think all of us as constituency MPs have businesses that we would like to provide more help to and that find they cannot apply for the scheme they want. The Treasury has made enormous strides to help people. There are Treasury questions on 18 May, when this matter can be raised. The schemes are enormous and widespread, but there are some who fall through the cracks.

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HULL
Taxi driver who 'worshipped his kids' found dead at home after drinking session

James Dawson, 40, was described as an 'exceptional father'

A former bar manager described as "an exceptional father who worshipped his kids" tragically passed away after taking a mixture of drugs and alcohol.

James Dawson, 40, of Bridlington, was found by his partner dead in his home on Wellington Road on June 4, 2019.

He lived with his partner and their two daughters and previously managed The Lounge in Bridlington and later worked as a taxi driver.

Hull Coroner's Court heard that Mr Dawson drank heavily and normally had a bottle of vodka per evening.

His partner described him as drinking "to the point of passing out" while at work, but also drinking heavily on his days off.

The drinking began as a coping mechanism to "blot out the pain" after his dad died when he was 22, but he also drank and took both prescribed tablets for his arthritis, but also took diazepam which was unprescribed and smoked cannabis.
Mr Dawson was described as "funny, clever and bright" and as someone who "wanted to be there for his children who he would look after and take to activities" by his partner.

She also said "he was caring not only about his family but about his friends, but struggled with the loss of his father".

Also paying tribute to Mr Dawson, his sister described him as "larger than life, and a loyal friend that would do anything for those around him".

She said he "worshiped his kids, was an exceptional father and had no reason to leave them".

It was two days after Mr Dawson's partner had last seen him in the house that she decided to check on him, and sadly found him sitting in a chair in his bedroom holding a cannabis joint.

He was surrounded by 15 bottles of spirit on the floor around him, as well as empty packets of painkillers prescribed for him, but also unprescribed diazepam and empty food packets.

Mr Dawson's partner was not aware that anything was amiss as he snored due to his drinking and the pair both has separate bedrooms many years prior to his death.

She presumed he had been sleeping throughout the day due to working night shifts and last saw him at midnight on Sunday, June 2, but thought she heard him snoring after this.

It was not until Tues June 4 at around 7.30pm that his partner realised Mr Dawson's car was still outside and felt it was "unusual" that he had not gone to work.

She entered his room and found him lifeless and called for for an ambulance, with a paramedic then pronouncing him dead.

https://tinyurl.com/ybllrsh3
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GLASGOW

Members of the public could benefit from a 15 per cent discount on all Glasgow Taxi fares, after proposals were submitted by drivers to the board earlier this week. 

It comes as trade members become increasingly concerned over a loss in business as the coronavirus lockdown enters its seventh week.

One driver told the Glasgow Times: "The Glasgow Taxi trade has never known anything remotely like the current situation. 

"Lots of our drivers have taken long periods of work off and don’t know when they’ll start back.
“Guys are going out and working five hours for £20. They’re becoming really disheartened. If you sat there for five hours and you’d picked up four hires and pulled in 20 quid, then it’s a complete waste of time."

“Sometimes you’re waiting two hours alone on ranks for a fare." 

Drivers and members fear that if a public discount is not introduced soon, customers will continue to use competitor's services - which could result in the loss of jobs.

The driver added: "The discount would help footfall on the taxi ranks. It would help us go out to the larger schemes around Glasgow.
 

"We’ve lost an awful lot of out of city centre work because our competitors are much cheaper, however, they don’t have the overheads a taxi owner has.

 

"They can buy a good car for £10,000, whereas a new electric taxi costs £57,000 and then they have a license to buy and a test to sit. 

“We are the city's proper taxi drivers but we know can’t match our competitors, but what we can do is try to bridge the gap." 

Before plans to fully implement Glasgow's low-emission zone (LEZ) were halted, many trade members had forked out £57,000 on new electric cabs that would comply with the new regulations.

https://tinyurl.com/yatssde6

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COVENTRY

Seven weeks into lockdown, streets across the UK remain quiet in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus - and some taxi drivers have said they are "desperate" without business.

Some have cut their working hours by more than half while others have had to give up work altogether.

The RMT - the union that represents many transport workers - said 80,000 taxi drivers in the UK were in danger of becoming destitute because of the lockdown.

Generally self-employed, drivers may be able to claim 80% of their earnings under government measures - but will not receive that money until June.

"We are key workers, I think - all the people that are going to work, we take them," Faisal Riaz said. "But there's no mention of us."

After 20 years behind the wheel, Mr Riaz has given up driving his black cab in Coventry.

"We rely on the ranks," he said. "The towns are dead, our city is dead. There's no point working."

He stopped working as soon as the lockdown was announced and has now been out of work for seven weeks.

Living at home with his two young children and his 73-year-old mother, Mr Riaz decided going to work was not worth the risk for him.

"You don't know who you're picking up," he said. "We're in the hot spot."

However the decision to put the brakes on his driving career has not been without financial implications.

"It's desperate," Mr Riaz said. "Savings can only stretch so far - I've got a mortgage, kids, bills still need paying."

His wife, a driving instructor, has also had to stop working. Both are self-employed and are waiting until June when they hope to be able to receive a taxable grant provided by the government.

The grant would be worth 80% of self-employed workers' profits up to a cap of £2,500 per month, which initially will be available for three months in one lump-sum payment.

By June, however, Mr Riaz said he would have lost three months' pay.

"There's nothing for taxi drivers," he said. "There's no support."

Nahid Chowdry has been driving taxis in Solihull since moving to the UK in 2009. 

Since the lockdown, he said "work is completely dead" but nevertheless he "forces" himself to go to work.

Mr Chowdry made only about £15 one morning, and has been working four-hour days instead of 10. For the first time, he has had to apply for Universal Credit. 

"I appreciate whatever help I get," he said, but added most of that money had gone on insurance - which cost him more than £300 a month.

Mr Chowdry, who lives in Birmingham, does not own his cab, instead he has rented it from a taxi firm which he said had dropped the weekly rental fee. But he still felt companies could do more to keep their drivers safe.

He said he was scared of being exposed to coronavirus and passing it on to his children and said firms "don't provide any type of help".
"They just tell us to keep the car clean but nobody talks about us," he said.

After every passenger leaves the cab, Mr Chowdry cleans the door handles and uses hand and air sanitiser but he said he thought "more could have been done".

"It is scary," he said. "I'm scared when I go to my house and see my kids."

Sajid Hussain has been a cabbie in Birmingham and Solihull for almost 15 years.

In October, he spent £30,000 on a new car that would be compliant with the proposed Clean Air Zone in Birmingham.

"Now I'm taking home about £30 a day, maximum," he said. "I'll probably have to sell the car."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52490083

A CAMPAIGN to give licensed taxis in Glasgow exemption from the 2022 low emission zone (LEZ) targets has been launched by a trade union.

The City Council previously agreed to implement the LEZ in the city centre to all vehicles which means petrol vehicles must have an emissions standard of Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel by December 2022. 

Unite the Union, Glasgow Cab Section, is arguing that taxi drivers should be given until at least 2027 to meet the LEZ goal as it is likely to cost them between £40,000 to £60,000 to upgrade to a new model. 

Glasgow recently announced its intention to be carbon free by 2030 which would mean some members of the trade, who haven’t already, upgrading again to an electric vehicle nearer the £60,000 mark.

Calum Anderson, chairman of Glasgow Cab Section, says that the coronavirus outbreak has affected their business making it even harder to afford a new black hackney. 


Mr Anderson said: “The current crisis is an existential threat to the taxi trade, and it could take at least two to three years to recover normal earnings. 

“The absence of the night-time economy for the foreseeable future will see many operators having to rent out taxis on single shift basis. This will reduce income that goes towards new vehicles by around 50 per cent. 

“Glasgow City Council climate emergency proposals now accelerating moves towards carbon neutral city/zero emission vehicles to 2030 from original 2037 goal. 

“It is perverse to have operators spending huge sums on transition Euro 6 diesel vehicles that won’t have an economically viable lifespan. 

“Glasgow City Council is well behind the curve in terms of charging infrastructure. Thousands of charge points will be needed to achieve the 2030 goal and there are only 165 at present.

“We expect there will be far greater choice of electric taxis, with vastly improved range, by 2027. 

“Taxi trade emissions have been steadily falling due to natural wastage. The local authority has also implemented a policy allowing newer used vehicles to replace older ones, which is proving successful in further reducing emissions.” 

Concerns have also been raised that if drivers aren’t financially able to purchase the right car, they may have to operate the service in a saloon, making it harder for families, those with disabilities and other vulnerable members of the community to be transported around the city.

Mr Anderson added: “We know we have to follow the LEZ rules but we are just asking for some help from the council to make this possible.
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18431379.union-call-glasgow-taxis-given-low-emission-zone-exemption/

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KIRKLEES

Taxi firms being investigated for failing to pay drivers for key worker trips

Council are investigating claims from the union that drivers are complaining on a daily basis

Union chiefs have said taxi firms in Kirklees that fail to pass on payments to drivers transporting key school workers should face losing their operating licences.

Council bosses have promised to investigate claims that some taxi companies have not paid drivers as part of a schools transport contract.

But the authority's chair of licensing said withdrawing a licence could be unnecessarily punitive as all employed drivers would then lose their jobs.

The GMB union, whose members include taxi and private hire drivers, said officers were assured at the start of the coronavirus crisis that Kirklees Council would continue to pay taxi operators for school transport even if schools were closed.

The arrangement meant taxis could be used for the urgent delivery of food and supplies as well as transporting key workers across the borough in order to support local communities.

But in a development that has been described as "a potentially fraudulent scandal" GMB organiser Andrew Aldwinkle said the union was being contacted "most days" by drivers who have not been paid by their operator.

He said: "Taxi drivers have lost most of their income during the lockdown and to have this regular money withheld by greedy taxi bosses is another kick in the teeth."

The GMB has asked Kirklees Council "to investigate every incident where a taxi driver is not being paid" and to explore whether the actions of some operators is fraudulent.

The GMB has also suggested that a licence review take place if an operator is found to have been withholding money from drivers.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the council was first made aware of an issue a fortnight ago.

Officers are said to be undertaking a review.

The chair of the council's Licensing Committee, Clr Amanda Pinnock (Lab, Ashbrow), said it was "wrong" that money was not being passed on to drivers.

"Although the council has agreed they it will continue to pay them they expected the money to trickle down to drivers and that hasn't been happening."

She stressed that the issue related to just "one or two" taxi firms in Kirklees.

She added: "We are going to review and look at other options.

"It needs a council response. We need to have something in the contract that deals with something like this and with possibly some sort of reprimand.

"But it's counterproductive to take away an operator's licence because if that happens all the taxi drivers lose their jobs."

Clr Carole Pattison, the council's Cabinet Member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: “We will thoroughly investigate this to make sure this money is going to the right people who need it most.

"Many taxi drivers are continuing to work to keep this vital service running for those who need it and we thank them for that.

"We have already contacted operators to inform them they should be passing payment on to the drivers but if we do find that this is not happening, we will take action."

https://tinyurl.com/y7nxwm57

Five Stage's removal of Lockdown Removal. UK

I received the following five photo's yesterday of the PURPORTED five stages to relaxing the UK Lockdown.

They appear to be a copy of the Ireland 5 Stages published on Monday 4th.

 So bear that in mind.

Our (UK) Lockdown review takes place today, between 12:00 and 14:00. Watch it. 

Now listen to Ireland's P.M. Day's ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkuEc1aa-8

UBERK

Uber has announced plans to cut 3,700 full-time staff - about 14% of its workforce - as business plunges following pandemic shutdowns.

Chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi will also waive his base salary - set at $1m (£809,690) in 2019 - through to the year end.

The announcements come a day ahead of the firm's quarterly results.

Even before the pandemic, Uber was struggling to balance its books, making a loss of $8.5bn in 2019.

Uber said the reductions will come from its customer support and recruiting teams, and would result in $20m in severance pay and other costs.
Executives in March warned the firm had seen demand for its taxi services fall by more than 60% in coronavirus hotspots, though they said ordering via its Uber Eats food delivery service had increased.

"Since we don't know how long a recovery will take, we are taking steps to bring our costs in line with the size of our business today," the firm said in a statement on Wednesday.

Uber's business is heavily reliant on big cities, including some that have been most affected by the pandemic.

Last year, four metro areas in the US, including New York and San Francisco, and London accounted for 23% of the money spent on the platform.

Analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities called the job cuts "painful but necessary", noting that both Uber and smaller rival Lyft face long-term difficulties as more people work from home and avoid taxis for fear of infection.

"Uber and Lyft face Herculean-like challenges looking ahead as the new reality will likely change the business models of these companies [and competitors] for the foreseeable future," he wrote in a note.

Lyft last week also announced plans to axe about 17% of its workforce or almost 1,000 employees, furlough another 300 people and reduce executive pay. The firm, which is due to share quarterly results later on Wednesday, also cited the impact of the pandemic.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/06/uber-to-lay-off-3700-employees-about-14percent-of-workforce.html