Passengers taking trains from Paddington can now arrive at the London station in style - and with zero emissions.

Under a "UK first" partnership, ticket holders with First Great Western services can pre-book a transfer to and from the station in a Nissan Leaf or Tesla Model S through taxi service eConnect cars.
"This is the first time a train operator has partnered with an electric vehicle operator in London to create a transport solution that truly represents smarter, greener travel for those coming to and from London," said Alistair Clarke, owner and managing director of eConnect cars.

The company, established in London in January 2014, delivered over 10,500 passengers last year, driving over 93,000 miles in the process. eConnect cars calculates that its fully electric fleet helped to save over 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere in London during last year.

The deal with eConnect forms part of First Great Western's commitment to reducing its impact on the environment. The company has also brought in new engines for its high speed trains that it claims reduce CO2 emissions by 64 per cent and fuel use by 15 per cent, introduced on-board waste recycling schemes, and is working to encourage more biodegradable and recyclable packaging.

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2407042/electric-taxi-firm-offers-first-class-ticket-to-paddington
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Two of the biggest taxi firms in Sheffield announced today that they are set to merge.

From 1 June, City Taxis will acquire Mercury Taxis, which will increase the combined business’ fleet to more than 1,400 drivers. Existing fare structures will remain unchanged.

This deal comes after City Taxis recently switched to a state of the art new 10,000sq ft headquarters and offices at Waterside Court, Attercliffe, Sheffield, from previous premises at Manor Top in the city.

Completing 75,000 per week, City Taxis currently has 1,000 public and private sector accounts, employs 85 people at its offices and will acquire 39 staff from Mercury in the merger.

The total combined average job count will hit 110,000 per week. City Taxis aim to become a benchmark for private hire operators in the UK through use of technology, enhanced customer service, improved safety and higher driver standards.

city Taxis has recently introduced one of the world’s most advanced booking and dispatch  systems. Other features include an intelligent phone system and an innovative and informative online booking portal.

Arnie Singh, managing director of City Taxis, said: “At a time when competition for business within the taxi industry is increasing, this merger and consolidation is a significant and important move for both companies. It also provided a suitable exit route for the shareholders of Mercury Taxis in light of their desire to retire from playing an active role in the business."

“Our drivers will be able to access fares across the entire city and well into the surrounding areas such as Rotherham, North Derbyshire and Barnsley. City Taxis will strengthen its position as everyone’s ‘local’ taxi company and provide a very strong service in every Sheffield postcode and beyond."

“We are all looking forward to this exciting chapter in our company’s development. City Taxis  believe that by facilitating this merger and by all working together it can provide the public in the Sheffield City Region with an enhanced standard of service”.

https://bdaily.co.uk/finance/05-05-2015/sheffield-taxi-merger-set-to-become-one-of-the-biggest-operators-in-the-country/
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LEEDS

A TAXI driver was caught with heroin worth more than a quarter of a million pounds in his car, a court heard.

Police arrested Basharat Hussain, a driver with Leeds city centre-based Aireline Taxis, as he headed along the M62 on his way to deliver seven kilogrammes of the class A drug worth £272,600.

Hussain, 28, was jailed for five years, nine months after pleading guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/leeds-taxi-driver-had-250-000-of-heroin-in-car-1-7245391