Taxi fares in Nottingham could be slashed after a controversial new company was given the green light to launch in the city.

Private hire firm Uber – which uses a cashless system where customers order and track a cab on their smartphones – was yesterday given a licence by Nottingham City Council.

It has been welcomed by residents but taxi drivers already working in the city say they are "worried" it could put them out of business.

The company says it can offer cheaper prices than rival taxi firms because it is more efficient by providing the nearest drivers and using a centralised meter.

Max Lines, the Uber general manager in Manchester and Sheffield – who will oversee the Nottingham launch, could not give a launch date but said it would be "in the next few months".

"It's really great to have got the licence as we've proved that we're going to be good for the city," he said.

"Nottingham is a huge UK city and we've already seen a lot of demand in the app from people here, while a lot of drivers have written to us.

"There's already excitement from students and other people who have used it elsewhere."

The app, currently operational in 58 countries, works by customers registering a payment card, which is automatically debited after a taxi ride.

They input the time and address of their pick-up and can track the car journey on a map displayed on the screen of their phone.

They are also sent a photograph of the self-employed driver and car details.

After a ride, the driver and passenger can rate each other, while the customer can also use the app to make a complaint.

It has attracted controversy because drivers don't have to be trained and licensed, with recent protests held by cabbies in London and Paris against the firm.

The private hire operator's licence was awarded after three Uber representatives attended the council's regulatory and appeals committee meeting at Loxley House.

They spoke about the expansion of the company – which first launched in Britain three years ago and now operates in seven UK cities – and answered questions from councillors for two hours.

Issues addressed included how drivers' background are checked, car safety, how data is used and price surges.

Andrew Byrne, Uber head of public policy in the UK, said full checks, including criminal records, are made for all drivers and vehicles are regularly tested.

He said they can be held to account by unsatisfied customers by tracing live and past journey routes – which can be sent to others – and digital fare receipts.

Mr Byrne added: "We're able to match the demand and the efficiency of the Uber system allows us to be cheaper. In London it's 40 per cent cheaper than a black cab on average and 95 times out of 100 we will be the cheaper option."

Committee chairman Brian Grocock said: "We understand it's had a customer satisfaction throughout the country, although it's also had difficulties in various parts.

"We're open to new systems within the city because we're a progressive city with transport and look forward to working with Uber.

"I believe it will be good for younger people of the electronic age and it will safeguard people so they aren't handling money in taxis at night.

"But should Uber not work in a right and proper manner then we have the right to review the application."

The decision was welcomed by some residents, who said they would use the app.

Student Kylie Maddison, 23, of Gedling, said: "I've heard of it being used in America and it would depend on how prices compare with other companies.

"If it's cheaper, I would definitely use it. It could be the new way of getting taxis."

Customer services assistant Adam Nelan, 23, of Carlton, added: "Taxis can be really expensive so I'd be tempted if it's cheaper and more useful."

And Tim Shinfield, of Selston, believes it could prove to be popular.

The 52-year-old forklift trainer said: "If I was on a night out in Nottingham I'd use it because the buses aren't that good now.

"It's good that they do their own checks on drivers."

But existing taxi drivers are concerned about how it will affect their business.

Hackney carriage driver Paul Purwaha, 58, of Gedling, said: "People who have apps and are sitting on the train will just book their taxis on their phone rather than catching a black cab outside.

"A journey we do for £10 might be £6 with Uber so it's going to have a big effect on all the taxi trade in Nottingham.

"I'm coming towards retirement so it's not too bad for me but I'm worried for the younger drivers who it will effect a lot."

Kevin Clarke, owner of Clifton-based NG11 Cars, said: "It's not quite right because how are the cars and drivers going to be properly monitored?

"I'm a bit sceptical about the way it works but it was inevitable that it was going to come."

Councillor Nick McDonald, portfolio holder for transport, said: "Representatives from Uber presented to the Council's regulatory and appeals committee on Friday morning.

"Members asked detailed and specific questions around how the company operated, management of drivers and how they would comply with the terms and conditions of an operating licence.

"The decision was taken to grant the application subject to an additional condition that we have a contact available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if we need to get in touch with them outside office hours.

"The council has a statutory duty to grant an application for an operating licence unless it feels the applicant is not fit for purpose.

"After two hours of questioning, the committee was satisfied with the responses Uber gave and the licence was granted."

http://www.nottinghampost.com/Controversial-taxi-app-Uber-given-green-light/story-27522142-detail/story.html#ixzz3hXKdYFC2
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 WAKEFIELD

 A TAXI driver who turned to drug dealing to provide for his family and pay off mounting debts has been jailed.

Police executed a search warrant at Amjid Hunter’s home in Normanton, near Wakefield, and found cocaine and cannabis worth £27,603 hidden in the loft.

Officers also found £31,000 in cash wrapped up in bundles inside the property on Talbot Court.

Hunter’s mobile phone was seized and was found to contain text messages linking him to supplying the class A and B drugs.

Hunter was jailed for three years, nine months, after pleading guilty to possessing class A and B drugs with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.

Leeds Crown Court heard he was arrested after the discovery on January 24 this year and initially claimed the drugs had belonged to a taxi customer who had fled the vehicle after seeing a police car.

Mr Wray said Hunter abandoned the account after the text messages linked him to drug supply.

Adrian Pollard, mitigating, said Hunter got involved with drugs to provide for his two children after he built up debts of £60,000.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/taxi-driver-had-27-000-drug-stash-1-7385328
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 MONTREAL

 In the hopes of presenting a better image to tourists visiting Montreal, taxi drivers who operate from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport will be subjected to a dress code come November.

That coincides with the issuing of 310 new taxi permits by Aéroports de Montréal. Taxi drivers will be required to wear shoes and dress pants, as well as either a shirt or polo with a collar.

Shorts, sweat pants, jeans, hats or shirts with large logos will be banned by ADM.

The airport authority will also require newer vehicles than ever before, with a requirement that they be no more than four years old. Under the previous guidelines, the lottery was open to vehicles up to five years old.

From Aug. 3 to 15, cabbies who want to win one of the airport’s 310 permits will be eligible to submit their names to ADM, which will hold a lottery on Sept. 2 and announce the winners the following day. The permits will be valid from Nov. 15, 2015 until Nov. 14, 2016.

ADM is also pushing for larger and greener vehicles among the permits it will issue, with 108 reserved for environmentally friendly vehicles like hybrids or electric cars. Another 77 permits are reserved for minivans.

These permits are separate from the 70 permits issued for limousines at the airport, which will be awarded at the same time. The ADM will also issue 15 permits for adapted taxi services, but those permits will be valid for four years.

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/airport-taxi-drivers-will-have-to-dress-better-come-the-fall
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  Uber Technologies Inc has closed a new round of funding that values the online taxi-hailing company at nearly $51 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Uber raised close to $1 billion in the round, bringing its total funding to more than $5 billion, WSJ reported on Friday, citing one of the people.

Investors in the latest round include Microsoft Corp and the Indian media conglomerate Bennett Coleman & Co's Times Internet, the report said.

However, Bloomberg, citing a person with knowledge of the matter, reported that Microsoft was considering the investment and hasn't made a final decision.

"We filed to authorize this new funding more than two months ago," Kristin Carvell, a spokeswoman for Uber said in an email.

"We aren't commenting on additional speculation," she said.

Uber said in March that Times Internet would invest "well under" one billion rupees ($16 million) as part of a "strategic partnership".

Times Internet is the digital arm of Bennett Coleman & Co, which also runs India's largest English language daily, "Times of India".

Uber said on Thursday it would invest $1 billion in India over the next nine months, as it looks to expand its services in its biggest market outside the United States.

Uber, which already has investors such as Google Inc and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, operates in 57 countries.

Times Internet couldn't be reached for comment outside regular business hours. Microsoft declined to comment.

http://www.independent.ie/business/world/uber-valued-at-about-51-bln-after-latest-funding-round-wall-street-journal-31419566.html
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 DUDLEY

 Would-be taxi driver faked NYPD letter « Express & Star

He claimed to have the official backing of the New York Police Department – but a wannabe taxi driver’s scam has been rumbled.

The cabbie hopeful from Sandwell presented a fake letter from American cops as evidence of good conduct in a bid to get a licence in the borough. The letter was needed by Sandwell Council as the applicant had lived in the UK for less than five years. He asked a friend based in New York to obtain the certificate of good conduct on his behalf.

But he was told the applicant would have to attend in person to have his fingerprints taken or he could download the form, attend the US Embassy in London and pay for the service.

But he decided to find a way around the inconvenience so the friend created the bogus certificate on his computer and the applicant presented it to the licensing office.

But the taxi licensing office at Sandwell Council became suspicious of the certificate’s authenticity and began investigating.

After contacting the NYPD, the letter was confirmed as a forgery.

It was reported to West Midlands Police and the driver was interviewed. Police confirmed the man, being of previous good character, has now been cautioned.

The forged certificate confirmed the applicant ‘had been cleared of any record of misconduct’ and had ‘no criminal history’.

It also stated the applicant had not been ‘not been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony charges’.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “It was a great example of multi-agency co-operation, not just locally, but across the Atlantic.”

Black Country taxi driver Shaz Saleem, who is chairman of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association, said he was shocked by the driver’s actions.

“This is incredible. If he is willing to deceive the council to get a licence then what else will he deceive people about. He doesn’t deserve a licence,” he said.

“I’m pleased that Sandwell Council realised what he was up to and managed to stop him from going any further.”

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said: “It’s clear the public need to have confidence in the people who are picking them up so I’m pleased that our robust procedures were able to detect this forgery.

“Our strong relationship with the police is very important when investigating these types of matters. This should be a warning to anyone thinking of fraudulently trying to obtain a licence – don’t do it in Sandwell.”

Councillor Maria Crompton, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “It is a good example of the extensive checks we make on licence applicants in order to protect the public and an excellent example of multi-agency working with our partners.”

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/07/31/would-be-taxi-driver-faked-nypd-letter/