Wednesday 14 June 2023

Mallorca


 Uber are calling on authorities in the Balearics to prevent an "escalation" of aggression by taxi drivers towards their drivers.


This follows an incident in Paguera when an Uber driver was stopped by a group of taxi drivers who demanded to see his service route. One of the taxi drivers was heard to say: "This is going to end badly, it's going to end very badly. We're going to burn cars."


Mallorca taxi representatives meeting to discuss Uber "illegality"


In a statement, Uber say: "We are saddened that a part of the taxi sector in Mallorca is resorting to harassment of VTC* drivers who use our platform. We ask for the collaboration of the local authorities to prevent escalation of this type of intolerable action."


The National Police and Guardia Civil are said to be closely monitoring the situation, tensions having been evident since Uber started operations in four Mallorca municipalities last week. Taxi driver associations maintain that Uber are not observing a regulation which requires a minimum thirty minutes advance booking. The associations are themselves calling for action to be taken by the Balearic ministry for mobility.


https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2023/06/15/114053/uber-mallorca-call-for-protection-from-taxi-driver-harassment.html


Taxis in Newcastle could get black and white makeovers to try to stop unlicensed drivers preying on vulnerable people.

The council is expected to sign off the idea next week, which would see hackney cabs feature the famous monochrome colours of Newcastle United.

A report showed 96% of drivers surveyed were against the proposal because of concerns over costs.

The council said the rebranding was to keep residents and visitors safe.

The move was taken amid concerns of criminals posing as taxi drivers to target victims - particularly lone women - after a night out.

The council said it was aware of "a number of recent police investigations" into sexual assault allegations relating to unlicensed vehicles.

It is also carrying out 11 prosecutions following an undercover operation in December 2022 where unlicensed vehicles picked up passengers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-65887562