A state judge has slammed the door on a legal challenge by opponents of Uber, clearing the way for the rideshare giant to run traditional taxis off the road.
In a decision unveiled Wednesday, Queens Supreme Court Justice Allan Weiss ruled that for-hire vehicles could use electronic hails to compete with yellow cabs—something they have been doing well enough to threaten the existence of the iconic 80-year-old industry.
If that means yellow-cab medallions worth a collective $10 billion or so just two years ago become worthless, the judge suggested, so be it.
“Any expectation that the medallion would function as a shield against the rapid technological advances of the modern world would not have been reasonable,” he wrote. “In this day and age, even with public utilities, investors must always be wary of new forms of competition arising from technological developments.”
The plaintiffs, led by four Queens credit unions who lent heavily to medallion buyers, plan to appeal.
“In the meantime, however, a catastrophe is unfolding, as an entire industry continues to be illegally destroyed, while elected officials allow it to happen on their watch,” their lawyer Todd Higgins said in a statement that apparently referred to defendants Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “It is a stunning abdication of leadership and responsibility that will haunt New York City for years to come.”
The “catastrophe” he cited is the possible slew of loan defaults in the coming months if owners stop making payments on medallions that have plunged in value since peaking at more than $1 million and don’t generate enough income for the borrowers to repay their debts. No medallions have been sold since February, when two went for $700,000 each. A wave of foreclosure auctions could reveal that the market now considers medallions to be worth substantially less, which could trigger more defaults and auctions—a so-called death spiral.
Judge Weiss made clear that that’s not his concern. “It is not the court’s function to adjust the competing political and economic interests disturbed by the introduction of Uber-type apps,” he wrote.
Uber was not a defendant in the lawsuit, which sought to compel the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission and the attorney general to stop livery cars from scooping up passengers who hail them from the street using smartphones. But the de Blasio administration defended Uber’s interests by arguing that e-hails are pre-arranged travel, which does not require a taxi medallion. The judge said it was regulators' right to make that determination, and that e-hails are not the same as street hails made by lifting one's arm or whistling.
Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairwoman Meera Joshi said, “This decision is a victory for the riding public, and leaves no question as to the appropriateness of our regulatory approach to app-dispatched services. Passengers will remain free to continue to enjoy the many transportation options available to them."
Earlier this summer, Uber had fought with the commission and Mr. de Blasio over their proposal to cap rideshare companies' growth in the city while a study of their effect on traffic was conducted. The plan was tabled by the City Council after a public-relations blitz by Uber and the company's agreement to turn over trip data the administration wanted.
Uber's e-hail app reached the city in 2011, but it was in mid 2014 that the company took off, heavily recruiting drivers and flooding the streets with 20,000 vehicles that could respond to Manhattan smartphone hails within two minutes. Taxi revenues began to sag, and some of the 13,000-plus yellow cabs sat idle for entire shifts for lack of drivers.
Melrose Credit Union, which has 78% of its loan portfolio tied to medallions, and three other lenders filed their suit in May and sought an injunction to stop Uber, arguing that they would suffer irreparable harm if nothing was done while the case proceeded. The case was combined with two other lawsuits from medallion owners, taxi drivers, leasing agents and other yellow-cab interests. The ruling was far worse than they expected: not only no injunction, but outright dismissal of the case.
"We are pleased that the court found that the city has acted appropriately in its regulatory approach to this technological innovation—electronic apps for dispatch in the for hire vehicles—which are separate and distinct from traditional street hails," said Michelle Goldberg-Cahn, the city lawyer who handled the case, in a statement.
Unless the suit is reinstated on appeal, the plaintiffs’ predictions of doom will be tested. Taxi trips and revenues have dipped but not plummeted, and medallion values could stabilize in the way that the housing market did after the 2008 crash. Yellow cabs have a new, exclusive app of their own called Arro, which their owners hope will catch on. Even Uber executives have said repeatedly that there will always be a place for yellow cabs in New York City.
But with technology shortening waits for liveries and black cars, and the cost of entry being so much less for yellow cabs’ rivals, medallion owners might have to continue reducing the price of leasing their cabs in order to attract drivers.
Only a few years ago, competition to drive taxis was so intense that drivers sometimes bribed leasing agents for the right to rent cabs while also paying the maximum lease rate allowed by city regulators. Now so many taxis are idle that some garages don’t have room for them all, prompting complaints from nearby residents about cabs hogging street parking.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150909/BLOGS04/150909863/judge-rules-on-taxi-industry-lawsuit-compete-with-uber-or-die
------------------------------------
NEW YORK,
CabbyGo, the developer of the world's first "Taxi" app that puts the power in the hands of the people by allowing riders to select their driver based on a variety of qualities, announced their worldwide service launch.
The app offers a breakthrough approach to ridesharing technology. With CabbyGo, riders can enter their service request, and drivers can bid on the trip. This patented "Auction Site" technology has never before been utilized in a taxi app, and allows the rider to select the driver with the lowest fare, or any of a number of other qualities, such as: highest rating, type of vehicle, or nearest to arrive.
With CabbyGo, a rider can select a driver that offers the best combination of price, reputation, and proximity.
"One of the major flaws in other taxi apps like Uber, is that in peak periods, the prices automatically go up," said Joshua Freedman, Founder and CEO of CabbyGo. "CabbyGo has patented Value-Set Technology, so drivers can offer lower prices if they desire," he added. "With CabbyGo, the prices go down as drivers compete for a rider's business, and with our Reputation-Plus Rating System, service is improved."
CabbyGo also empowers drivers, as the system provides them the ability to individually set their own prices and decide which rides they want, and which they don't.
"I recently spoke to an Uber driver in New York, who complained that he often tried to find one last 'end-of-shift' fare that would take him near his home in Brooklyn, but the app would increase the rates so much during peak periods, that he often drove back to his home neighborhood without a rider," Freedman commented. "With CabbyGo, the driver can lower his price to entice a rider, so he never has to make a 'repositioning' trip without a paying fare."
CabbyGo drivers are all screened and undergo background checks, have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), are registered, and properly insured.
http://goo.gl/vEOvWh
Thursday, 10 September 2015
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
PLYMOUTH
A policeman who had been ‘called out of bed’ in the early morning hours went through a red light and was in a collision with a female taxi driver’s cab.
Police have revealed that the officer involved had been called from his bed to attend an incident in the early hours of the morning when he “confused” a green traffic light arrow for his own lane's light on Union Street.
He was in a collision with Lynda Austin's Mercedes people carrier.
Lynda is a taxi driver with 15 years’ experience but she has been left shaken by the incident.
"This is my livelihood," said the 61-year-old, who is from Plymouth but lives in Looe with her husband, Anthony, also a taxi driver, "but they haven't even apologised.
"My cab is a write-off, and personally I can't even get into a car. I'm too drive frightened to drive."
Lynda was driving towards the Union Rooms on Sunday, August 9, at about 2am when the collision occurred.
She described how she was travelling at "no more than 25mph" and had just gone through a green light when the collision, on the driver's side of the cab, happened.
"Next thing I know my air bag went off and I'd gone into the railing and traffic lights," she said.
"Someone came running over saying I needed to get out of the cab as they saw smoke, but it was just dust from the air bag. Luckily I didn't have any passengers in the car."
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Police-officer-8216-called-bed-8217-collision/story-27768850-detail/story.html#ixzz3lJKyET5I
-----------------------------------
A Wellingborough taxi driver has been prosecuted after overcharging a customer.
Seydi Vakas Colak was ordered to pay £845 after being found guilty of not using the meter in his cab, resulting in his passenger being charged too much.
The action also invalidated his vehicle insurance.
Wellingborough Council's licensing team received a complaint in October last year that Mr Colak, a licensed hackney carriage driver, had taken a passenger from the rank in Orient Way to an address in the town without turning on the meter in his cab.
At the end of the short journey, Mr Colak told his passenger the fare was £3.50. As this was more than they usually paid, the passenger asked for a receipt and then contacted the council.
An investigation by licensing officers showed that because the meter wasn't used, the fare charged was in excess of the maximum allowed under the set tariff prescribed by the council. It was determined that not using the meter was contrary to the byelaws for hackney carriages and also meant the vehicle insurance was not valid.
http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.uk/Northants-taxi-driver-fined-450-overcharging/story-27771071-detail/story.html#ixzz3lJKYJv2r
----------------------------------------
Taxi drivers have staged rallies in Melbourne and Sydney demanding state governments outlaw the ride-sharing service UberX.
Around 400 drivers and their supporters gathered outside the New South Wales parliament chanting, “Shame on Uber”, and demanding the state transport minister, Andrew Constance, resign.
“We don’t want [Uber] regulated, we want them out,” one driver told the raucous crowd. Another warned: “If the minister won’t stop Uber, then we will stop Uber. If he doesn’t have the balls, we have the balls.”
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/10/taxi-drivers-block-streets-of-sydney-and-melbourne-in-rally-against-uberx
----------------------------------------
LONDON
Automotive LPG supplier Autogas has asked TfL to consider LPG options in new licensing proposals for taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).
The proposals are in regard to the Ultra-Low Emission Zone in central London.
In order to tackle air pollution and emissions problems in central London, TfL is recommending a revised voluntary decommissioning scheme for taxis over 10 years old and the requirement that all taxis and new PHVs new to licensing from January 2018 to be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC).
Autogas believes that TfL’s proposal to increase the charging infrastructure of electric vehicle charge points in order to support the uptake of ZEC-ready electric vehicles by the commercial sector (including taxis and PHVs), neglects already-established alternative fuels which could otherwise assist in achieving air quality goals.
Linda Gomersall, general manager of Autogas, said: “We are concerned that TfL has again ignored alternative fuels already in place that can contribute to its vision of reducing air pollution.
“We strongly support TfL’s objective of improving air quality in central London by reducing vehicle emissions and as such, we are continually looking for opportunities to work with TfL to deliver their goal in improving the capital’s air quality.”
Gomersall added: “It’s not just London that could benefit from more LPG powered taxis and PHVs.
“Councils across the country that are dealing with polluted city centres need to look at a range of fuel options and LPG could provide an ideal solution.”
http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleet-industry-news/2015/09/09/autogas-urges-tfl-to-consider-lpg-taxi-options
A policeman who had been ‘called out of bed’ in the early morning hours went through a red light and was in a collision with a female taxi driver’s cab.
Police have revealed that the officer involved had been called from his bed to attend an incident in the early hours of the morning when he “confused” a green traffic light arrow for his own lane's light on Union Street.
He was in a collision with Lynda Austin's Mercedes people carrier.
Lynda is a taxi driver with 15 years’ experience but she has been left shaken by the incident.
"This is my livelihood," said the 61-year-old, who is from Plymouth but lives in Looe with her husband, Anthony, also a taxi driver, "but they haven't even apologised.
"My cab is a write-off, and personally I can't even get into a car. I'm too drive frightened to drive."
Lynda was driving towards the Union Rooms on Sunday, August 9, at about 2am when the collision occurred.
She described how she was travelling at "no more than 25mph" and had just gone through a green light when the collision, on the driver's side of the cab, happened.
"Next thing I know my air bag went off and I'd gone into the railing and traffic lights," she said.
"Someone came running over saying I needed to get out of the cab as they saw smoke, but it was just dust from the air bag. Luckily I didn't have any passengers in the car."
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Police-officer-8216-called-bed-8217-collision/story-27768850-detail/story.html#ixzz3lJKyET5I
-----------------------------------
A Wellingborough taxi driver has been prosecuted after overcharging a customer.
Seydi Vakas Colak was ordered to pay £845 after being found guilty of not using the meter in his cab, resulting in his passenger being charged too much.
The action also invalidated his vehicle insurance.
Wellingborough Council's licensing team received a complaint in October last year that Mr Colak, a licensed hackney carriage driver, had taken a passenger from the rank in Orient Way to an address in the town without turning on the meter in his cab.
At the end of the short journey, Mr Colak told his passenger the fare was £3.50. As this was more than they usually paid, the passenger asked for a receipt and then contacted the council.
An investigation by licensing officers showed that because the meter wasn't used, the fare charged was in excess of the maximum allowed under the set tariff prescribed by the council. It was determined that not using the meter was contrary to the byelaws for hackney carriages and also meant the vehicle insurance was not valid.
http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.uk/Northants-taxi-driver-fined-450-overcharging/story-27771071-detail/story.html#ixzz3lJKYJv2r
----------------------------------------
Taxi drivers have staged rallies in Melbourne and Sydney demanding state governments outlaw the ride-sharing service UberX.
Around 400 drivers and their supporters gathered outside the New South Wales parliament chanting, “Shame on Uber”, and demanding the state transport minister, Andrew Constance, resign.
“We don’t want [Uber] regulated, we want them out,” one driver told the raucous crowd. Another warned: “If the minister won’t stop Uber, then we will stop Uber. If he doesn’t have the balls, we have the balls.”
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/10/taxi-drivers-block-streets-of-sydney-and-melbourne-in-rally-against-uberx
----------------------------------------
LONDON
Automotive LPG supplier Autogas has asked TfL to consider LPG options in new licensing proposals for taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).
The proposals are in regard to the Ultra-Low Emission Zone in central London.
In order to tackle air pollution and emissions problems in central London, TfL is recommending a revised voluntary decommissioning scheme for taxis over 10 years old and the requirement that all taxis and new PHVs new to licensing from January 2018 to be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC).
Autogas believes that TfL’s proposal to increase the charging infrastructure of electric vehicle charge points in order to support the uptake of ZEC-ready electric vehicles by the commercial sector (including taxis and PHVs), neglects already-established alternative fuels which could otherwise assist in achieving air quality goals.
Linda Gomersall, general manager of Autogas, said: “We are concerned that TfL has again ignored alternative fuels already in place that can contribute to its vision of reducing air pollution.
“We strongly support TfL’s objective of improving air quality in central London by reducing vehicle emissions and as such, we are continually looking for opportunities to work with TfL to deliver their goal in improving the capital’s air quality.”
Gomersall added: “It’s not just London that could benefit from more LPG powered taxis and PHVs.
“Councils across the country that are dealing with polluted city centres need to look at a range of fuel options and LPG could provide an ideal solution.”
http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleet-industry-news/2015/09/09/autogas-urges-tfl-to-consider-lpg-taxi-options
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
LONDON
Parliament to debate "The Future of Black Cabs in London". This is a new item, only recently added to the calender. I note the day chosen is the one before the next Bumper trade Demo.
Middlesbrough taxi drivers' fees to rise while vehicle licences will go down
Sarah Dale
Taxi drivers’ fees will rise under new rules drawn up for Middlesbrough’s taxi and private hire trade.
Under new proposals, drivers’ fees will rise by £149 to £204 for new applicants and by £57 to £112 for renewals.
Meanwhile vehicle licences will be cut by an average of around £230 for new applications and £175 for renewal.
The move follows a review of Middlesbrough Council’s taxi fees, and will be considered at a council meeting today.
A 56-day consultation on the fees will then be carried out before their introduction at the start of next year at the latest.
The review was launched after a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman that the authority could not demonstrate how its existing fees were calculated.
While fees - for both operators and drivers - had increased in line with inflation over recent years, the authority was unable to show that they were an accurate reflection of administering the service.
The council was forced to apologise to Teesside’s largest taxi company Boro Taxis after the Local Government Ombudsman reprimanded Middlesbrough Council following the complaint by Christine Bell, Boro Taxis’ company secretary. The fees have now been recalculated with help from Capita Local Government.
A current surplus in the taxi licensing budget of £137,000 will be used to offset the cost of new and renewing vehicle applications.
The new fee structure will come into force in either December or January.
The move also sees the introduction of optional three-year driver licences and five-year private hire operator licences, as required by a new law.
The new licences will be introduced at the same time as the new fees structure, with applicants in the interim being offered a one-year licence at the existing fee.
Once the new fee structure is implemented, drivers and operators who have paid for a one-year licence during the consultation period will be able to convert it to the appropriate new licence.
Councillor Julia Rostron, executive member for adult health and social care, said: “Middlesbrough Council has for a number of years adopted a similar approach to taxi licensing fees to authorities up and down the country. We do however accept that the basis for this approach could not be fully evidenced.
“The new structure will result in some considerable changes, but the work that has gone into its formulation will ensure that the fees charged accurately represent the costs involved in the licensing process, as well as reflecting the reduced cost of the taxi licensing service as a whole.”
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/middlesbrough-taxi-drivers-fees-rise-10016592
Portugal..Lisbon
A taxi driver who refused to stop working during a 3,000-strong strike against Uber was viciously attacked by those protesting on the streets of Lisbon.
Shocking pictures show the slender man being attacked by numerous other colleagues, who were striking because of the US-based taxi app Uber, which many feel flout rules that they must abide.
One shows a bigger man, believed to be a taxi driver, with one hand on his collar and the other trying to get a lock on his head, with his knee heading towards the stomach of the working driver.
Shocking pictures show the slender man being attacked by numerous other colleagues, who were striking because of the US-based taxi app Uber, which many feel flout rules that they must abide
A gang of six protesters surrounding the working man, with a different driver pulling him by his shirt as the situation intensifies during the protest
Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide
'No to illegal transport' and 'For fair competition' were among slogans some drivers pasted onto their windscreens at protests in southern cities. This one in Lisbon simply shows the logo with a cross through it
Another shows a gang of six protesters surrounding the working man, with a different driver pulling him by his shirt as the situation intensifies.
In another, the same man pulling his shirt stands just a couple of feet away and is throwing a kick at him while the other holds his hands up in defence.
Taxi drivers also launched eggs at the vehicles of other working drivers during the slow-drive.
Three thousands cab drivers brought traffic to a crawl Tuesday in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities as they held the latest in a string of protests worldwide against Uber.
Recent months have seen a flurry of protests amid claims Uber provides unfair competition by flouting rules and restrictions regulating professional vehicles.
Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide.
The ruling was filed against Uber's US-based, rather than Europe-based, department.
Antral said some 3,000 taxis joined Tuesday's go-slow demonstration in the capital but police put the figure at 700.
Parallel protests in the northern city of Porto and Faro in the south drew the support of 800 and 150, Lusa news agency reported.
Other taxi drivers also launched eggs at the vehicles of colleagues who continued to work during the strike
Union Antral said some 3,000 taxis joined Tuesday's go-slow demonstration in the capital but police put the figure at 700
A policeman watches as taxi cabs block a street during a protest action in Lisbon. This one is heavily decorated with anti-Uber slogans
A man holds a placard reading 'Europe incoming; Portugal without government! UBER go out' on the streets
'No to illegal transport' and 'For fair competition' were among slogans some drivers pasted onto their windscreens.
'Thanks to Uber, we are losing customers - especially on airport runs. The authorities see what is going on - but do nothing,' complained Carlos Ferreira, a 66-year-old Lisbon cabbie.
Antral slammed Uber for 'illegally' continuing to operate despite the court ruling.
Uber's head of services in Portugal, Rui Bento, said the firm had appealed the ruling and was awaiting a final decision.
The latest protests follow similarly vociferous complaints elsewhere in Europe, the United States and India.
Uber resumed its Indian operations in January after last year being banned following a rape allegation against one of its drivers.
June saw angry scenes in Paris, resulting in rioting by taxi drivers and the arrest of two Uber executives.
Three thousands cab drivers brought traffic to a crawl Tuesday in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities as they held the latest in a string of protests worldwide against Uber
Tourists were forced to walk down the middle of the traffic during an absolute standstill in the city
The company responded by suspending its lower cost UberPOP service in a country which has restricted its activities.
Unions representing taxis in Brussels have called a strike for September 16, with drivers from other European capitals also expected to participate.
Visitors to Lisbon were divided between sympathy and frustration.
'We understand the drivers. I prefer to pay a few euros more and reach my destination safely,' said German Michael Zerwas, 50.
But Briton Sarah Chapman, 52, was angry.
'My father is in a coma in hospital in Lisbon. I wanted to pay him a last visit before heading back to the United Kingdom. But thanks to the taxi strike I shan't be able to see him.'
Antral chairman Florencio Almeida insisted the action was justified.
'Uber are practising unfair competition with taxis and don't respect the law,' said Almeida.
Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide
Many complained about the disruption but Antral chairman Florencio Almeida insisted the action was justified
http://goo.gl/3B14w4
----------------------------------------
ST ALBANS
Taxi marshall scheme needs more support
City centre bars and clubs are being asked to give financial backing to a taxi marshal scheme that aims to make St Albans safer.
St Albans District Council has been helping to run the project designed to ensure people return home safely after a night out.
The marshals patrol taxi queues in St Peter’s Street and Batchwood Hall to stop them becoming flashpoints for alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.
CCTV operators have recorded the Marshalls stepping in to stop potential trouble on numerous occasions.
Late-night licensed premises have been invited to contribute to the running costs, but not all have chipped in.
Now the District Council is inviting all other late-night licensed businesses in the area to follow their example and share the cost.
The Taxi Marshall system was first introduced in St Albans City centre in 2005 and at Batchwood Hall in 2009.
Taxi Marshalls have no formal powers, but are provided with two-way radios linked to the police and the CCTV control room. They wear high-visibility jackets and are licensed and regulated by the Security Industry Authority.
The marshals have been trained in many aspects of crowd control such as defusing aggression.
Among the aims of the scheme are to reduce alcohol related crimes, increase people’s sense of safety, promote the night-time economy and protect taxi drivers.
http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/13650704.Taxi_marshall_scheme_needs_more_support/?ref=rss
A taxi driver who refused to stop working during a 3,000-strong strike against Uber was viciously attacked by those protesting on the streets of Lisbon.
Shocking pictures show the slender man being attacked by numerous other colleagues, who were striking because of the US-based taxi app Uber, which many feel flout rules that they must abide.
One shows a bigger man, believed to be a taxi driver, with one hand on his collar and the other trying to get a lock on his head, with his knee heading towards the stomach of the working driver.
Shocking pictures show the slender man being attacked by numerous other colleagues, who were striking because of the US-based taxi app Uber, which many feel flout rules that they must abide
A gang of six protesters surrounding the working man, with a different driver pulling him by his shirt as the situation intensifies during the protest
Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide
'No to illegal transport' and 'For fair competition' were among slogans some drivers pasted onto their windscreens at protests in southern cities. This one in Lisbon simply shows the logo with a cross through it
Another shows a gang of six protesters surrounding the working man, with a different driver pulling him by his shirt as the situation intensifies.
In another, the same man pulling his shirt stands just a couple of feet away and is throwing a kick at him while the other holds his hands up in defence.
Taxi drivers also launched eggs at the vehicles of other working drivers during the slow-drive.
Three thousands cab drivers brought traffic to a crawl Tuesday in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities as they held the latest in a string of protests worldwide against Uber.
Recent months have seen a flurry of protests amid claims Uber provides unfair competition by flouting rules and restrictions regulating professional vehicles.
Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide.
The ruling was filed against Uber's US-based, rather than Europe-based, department.
Antral said some 3,000 taxis joined Tuesday's go-slow demonstration in the capital but police put the figure at 700.
Parallel protests in the northern city of Porto and Faro in the south drew the support of 800 and 150, Lusa news agency reported.
Other taxi drivers also launched eggs at the vehicles of colleagues who continued to work during the strike
Union Antral said some 3,000 taxis joined Tuesday's go-slow demonstration in the capital but police put the figure at 700
A policeman watches as taxi cabs block a street during a protest action in Lisbon. This one is heavily decorated with anti-Uber slogans
A man holds a placard reading 'Europe incoming; Portugal without government! UBER go out' on the streets
'No to illegal transport' and 'For fair competition' were among slogans some drivers pasted onto their windscreens.
'Thanks to Uber, we are losing customers - especially on airport runs. The authorities see what is going on - but do nothing,' complained Carlos Ferreira, a 66-year-old Lisbon cabbie.
Antral slammed Uber for 'illegally' continuing to operate despite the court ruling.
Uber's head of services in Portugal, Rui Bento, said the firm had appealed the ruling and was awaiting a final decision.
The latest protests follow similarly vociferous complaints elsewhere in Europe, the United States and India.
Uber resumed its Indian operations in January after last year being banned following a rape allegation against one of its drivers.
June saw angry scenes in Paris, resulting in rioting by taxi drivers and the arrest of two Uber executives.
Three thousands cab drivers brought traffic to a crawl Tuesday in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities as they held the latest in a string of protests worldwide against Uber
Tourists were forced to walk down the middle of the traffic during an absolute standstill in the city
The company responded by suspending its lower cost UberPOP service in a country which has restricted its activities.
Unions representing taxis in Brussels have called a strike for September 16, with drivers from other European capitals also expected to participate.
Visitors to Lisbon were divided between sympathy and frustration.
'We understand the drivers. I prefer to pay a few euros more and reach my destination safely,' said German Michael Zerwas, 50.
But Briton Sarah Chapman, 52, was angry.
'My father is in a coma in hospital in Lisbon. I wanted to pay him a last visit before heading back to the United Kingdom. But thanks to the taxi strike I shan't be able to see him.'
Antral chairman Florencio Almeida insisted the action was justified.
'Uber are practising unfair competition with taxis and don't respect the law,' said Almeida.
Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide
Many complained about the disruption but Antral chairman Florencio Almeida insisted the action was justified
http://goo.gl/3B14w4
----------------------------------------
ST ALBANS
Taxi marshall scheme needs more support
City centre bars and clubs are being asked to give financial backing to a taxi marshal scheme that aims to make St Albans safer.
St Albans District Council has been helping to run the project designed to ensure people return home safely after a night out.
The marshals patrol taxi queues in St Peter’s Street and Batchwood Hall to stop them becoming flashpoints for alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.
CCTV operators have recorded the Marshalls stepping in to stop potential trouble on numerous occasions.
Late-night licensed premises have been invited to contribute to the running costs, but not all have chipped in.
Now the District Council is inviting all other late-night licensed businesses in the area to follow their example and share the cost.
The Taxi Marshall system was first introduced in St Albans City centre in 2005 and at Batchwood Hall in 2009.
Taxi Marshalls have no formal powers, but are provided with two-way radios linked to the police and the CCTV control room. They wear high-visibility jackets and are licensed and regulated by the Security Industry Authority.
The marshals have been trained in many aspects of crowd control such as defusing aggression.
Among the aims of the scheme are to reduce alcohol related crimes, increase people’s sense of safety, promote the night-time economy and protect taxi drivers.
http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/13650704.Taxi_marshall_scheme_needs_more_support/?ref=rss
Monday, 7 September 2015
Ubiquitous back another loser.
Mobile commerce company Proxama has signed a long-term exclusive contract with Ubiquitous, which is the UK's largest provider of taxi advertising.
Under the new contract, Proxama's marketing division, which focuses on connecting consumers to retailers and brands via mobile proximity marketing using Bluetooth low-energy beacons, will look to install beacons in up to 4,000 black cabs across the UK so passengers can receive context-relevant messaging.
Proxama did not disclose any financial details of the deal but said the contract is for a three-year period.
John Worley, Proxama's marketing chief, said: "This is an excellent high profile partnership for us and one which we believe is extremely well suited to proximity marketing. The average cab journey lasts around 20 minutes in London and is a natural time for people to check their smartphone for messages and new content. We look forward to seeing the customer reaction."
http://sharecast.com/news/proxama-inks-london-taxi-mobile-advertising-deal/23268279.html
----------------------------------------
DUBLIN
Hailo warns against proposed College Green traffic changes
Proposed traffic changes to College Green will have significant impact on taxi passengers, drivers and local businesses, taxi service Hailo has said.
The changes, which include restrictions on private cars and taxis, form part of the Dublin City Centre Transport Study, published by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority.
The study proposes extending the current “bus gate” at College Green to exclude cars, vans and taxis on a 24-hour basis, restricting the street permanently to Luas, buses, cyclists and pedestrians.
The proposal said taxis will be excluded “from using the road space as a through route or as a taxi rank” and that the taxi rank at College Green will be relocated, to ensure the space is “utilised most efficiently”.
Hailo said the proposal to restrict access to College Green and its associated area will result in a significant inconvenience to taxi passengers by reason of the circuitous routes that taxis would have to take to deliver their passengers to their intended destination in the city centre resulting in increased travel times and additional fare costs.
It said the complete taxi restriction will also mean taxis will not be able to service hotels, bars, shops and businesses in the area.
After analysing hundreds of thousands of recent taxi journeys in Dublin city, Hailo said it found almost 20 per cent of all journeys which originate within the canal cordon currently pass through College Green and therefore will be impacted by these proposed changes.
“It is Hailo’s opinion that the measures proposed are anti-competitive by reducing the ability of customers in the city centre to access taxis, whilst also increasing the cost of journeys, thus pushing customers on to other public transport modes,” the company said.
Hailo Ireland general manager Tim Arnold said the taxi service acknowledged the importance of providing an improved public transport system. However, he said the importance of taxis in providing an alternative transport mode has not been taken into consideration in the study.
“Taxis should be considered an integral part of Dublin’s transport network. Restricting taxi access could have some potentially serious implications for taxi passengers, drivers and businesses,” he said.
He said the College Green bus gate should remain open for taxis on a 24 hour basis, but especially between the hours of 11pm and 7am, when buses and Luas services are less frequent.
“Taxi use spikes when bus and Luas services aren’t operational. Thus, taxis should be able to use College Green at those times.”
Mobile commerce company Proxama has signed a long-term exclusive contract with Ubiquitous, which is the UK's largest provider of taxi advertising.
Under the new contract, Proxama's marketing division, which focuses on connecting consumers to retailers and brands via mobile proximity marketing using Bluetooth low-energy beacons, will look to install beacons in up to 4,000 black cabs across the UK so passengers can receive context-relevant messaging.
Proxama did not disclose any financial details of the deal but said the contract is for a three-year period.
John Worley, Proxama's marketing chief, said: "This is an excellent high profile partnership for us and one which we believe is extremely well suited to proximity marketing. The average cab journey lasts around 20 minutes in London and is a natural time for people to check their smartphone for messages and new content. We look forward to seeing the customer reaction."
http://sharecast.com/news/proxama-inks-london-taxi-mobile-advertising-deal/23268279.html
----------------------------------------
DUBLIN
Hailo warns against proposed College Green traffic changes
Proposed traffic changes to College Green will have significant impact on taxi passengers, drivers and local businesses, taxi service Hailo has said.
The changes, which include restrictions on private cars and taxis, form part of the Dublin City Centre Transport Study, published by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority.
The study proposes extending the current “bus gate” at College Green to exclude cars, vans and taxis on a 24-hour basis, restricting the street permanently to Luas, buses, cyclists and pedestrians.
The proposal said taxis will be excluded “from using the road space as a through route or as a taxi rank” and that the taxi rank at College Green will be relocated, to ensure the space is “utilised most efficiently”.
Hailo said the proposal to restrict access to College Green and its associated area will result in a significant inconvenience to taxi passengers by reason of the circuitous routes that taxis would have to take to deliver their passengers to their intended destination in the city centre resulting in increased travel times and additional fare costs.
It said the complete taxi restriction will also mean taxis will not be able to service hotels, bars, shops and businesses in the area.
After analysing hundreds of thousands of recent taxi journeys in Dublin city, Hailo said it found almost 20 per cent of all journeys which originate within the canal cordon currently pass through College Green and therefore will be impacted by these proposed changes.
“It is Hailo’s opinion that the measures proposed are anti-competitive by reducing the ability of customers in the city centre to access taxis, whilst also increasing the cost of journeys, thus pushing customers on to other public transport modes,” the company said.
Hailo Ireland general manager Tim Arnold said the taxi service acknowledged the importance of providing an improved public transport system. However, he said the importance of taxis in providing an alternative transport mode has not been taken into consideration in the study.
“Taxis should be considered an integral part of Dublin’s transport network. Restricting taxi access could have some potentially serious implications for taxi passengers, drivers and businesses,” he said.
He said the College Green bus gate should remain open for taxis on a 24 hour basis, but especially between the hours of 11pm and 7am, when buses and Luas services are less frequent.
“Taxi use spikes when bus and Luas services aren’t operational. Thus, taxis should be able to use College Green at those times.”
Six members of the Aylesbury child sex ring have been jailed for a total of more than 82 years for taking part in the horrifying abuse of two schoolgirls.
The Asian men went on trial for a range of sex offences between 2006 and 2012 - including multiple rape of a child under 13, child prostitution and administering a substance to "stupefy" a girl in order to engage in sexual activity.
An Old Bailey jury found Vikram Singh, Asif Hussain, Arshad Jani, Mohammed Imran, Akbari Khan and Taimoor Khan guilty in July.
Both victims came from troubled backgrounds and wanted to feel grown-up when they were befriended by the men, who groomed them by showering them with inexpensive gifts such as alcohol, DVDs, food and occasionally drugs.
While aged just 12 or 13, one of the vulnerable girls, known in the trial as A, was passed between 60 mainly Asian men for sex after being conditioned into thinking it was normal behaviour, jurors were told. The vast majority of the charges related to this child, while three charges related to girl B.
During the trial, prosecutor Oliver Saxby QC told the jury the youngsters were "easy prey for a group of men wanting casual sexual gratification that was easy, regular and readily available".
He said the girls' ideas of what was right had been "completely distorted", and that they thought what was happening was "normal" and "natural".
Mr Saxby told jurors: "Notwithstanding that they were children, they spoke in terms of these men being their boyfriends. And they were passed from man to man - sometimes on a daily basis.
"The scale of it is, you may agree, horrifying. A estimated that she had sex with about 60 men - six zero - almost all Asian."
Many of the defendants were friends from the Aylesbury area. Some were married and had children, with some working on the market and a few working as taxi drivers.
Each of the men sexually abused A, while two were said to have molested B, the court heard.
Vikram Singh, 45, of Aylesbury, was found guilty of four counts of rape and administering a substance with intent.
Asif Hussain, 33, of Milton Keynes, was convicted of three counts of rape.
Arshad Jani, 33, of Aylesbury, was found guilty of rape and conspiracy to rape.
Mohammed Imran, 38, of Bradford, was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of conspiracy to rape and one count of child prostitution.
Akbari Khan, 36, of Aylesbury, was found guilty of two counts of rape, administering a substance with intent, and conspiracy to rape.
Taimoor Khan, 29, of Aylesbury, was convicted of one count of sexual activity with a child.
An Old Bailey jury found Vikram Singh, Asif Hussain, Arshad Jani, Mohammed Imran, Akbari Khan and Taimoor Khan guilty in July.
Both victims came from troubled backgrounds and wanted to feel grown-up when they were befriended by the men, who groomed them by showering them with inexpensive gifts such as alcohol, DVDs, food and occasionally drugs.
While aged just 12 or 13, one of the vulnerable girls, known in the trial as A, was passed between 60 mainly Asian men for sex after being conditioned into thinking it was normal behaviour, jurors were told. The vast majority of the charges related to this child, while three charges related to girl B.
During the trial, prosecutor Oliver Saxby QC told the jury the youngsters were "easy prey for a group of men wanting casual sexual gratification that was easy, regular and readily available".
He said the girls' ideas of what was right had been "completely distorted", and that they thought what was happening was "normal" and "natural".
Mr Saxby told jurors: "Notwithstanding that they were children, they spoke in terms of these men being their boyfriends. And they were passed from man to man - sometimes on a daily basis.
"The scale of it is, you may agree, horrifying. A estimated that she had sex with about 60 men - six zero - almost all Asian."
Many of the defendants were friends from the Aylesbury area. Some were married and had children, with some working on the market and a few working as taxi drivers.
Each of the men sexually abused A, while two were said to have molested B, the court heard.
Vikram Singh, 45, of Aylesbury, was found guilty of four counts of rape and administering a substance with intent.
Asif Hussain, 33, of Milton Keynes, was convicted of three counts of rape.
Arshad Jani, 33, of Aylesbury, was found guilty of rape and conspiracy to rape.
Mohammed Imran, 38, of Bradford, was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of conspiracy to rape and one count of child prostitution.
Akbari Khan, 36, of Aylesbury, was found guilty of two counts of rape, administering a substance with intent, and conspiracy to rape.
Taimoor Khan, 29, of Aylesbury, was convicted of one count of sexual activity with a child.
GMB SEEKS TRIBUNAL RULING AGAINST UBER ON MINIMUM WAGE UNDERPAYMENT
GMB London Uber Driver Member Paid £1.47 Per Hour Below Minimum Wage For 234 Hours In August As Union Seeks Tribunal Ruling On Underpayment
Union plans to recover underpayment on the national minimum wage as part of the Tribunal claim that Uber drivers are directed workers says GMB Professional Drivers.
A GMB member who works exclusively for Uber as a cab driver in London was paid £5.03 net per hour for 234 hours driving during August calendar month. This is £1.47 per hour below the national minimum wage of £6.50 per hour. For each hour he worked the fees he paid to Uber were £2.65 per hour which equated to 53% of his net pay per hour.
In July GMB, the union for professional drivers, announced that it had instructed Leigh Day to take legal action in the UK on behalf of members driving for Uber on the grounds that Uber is in breach of a legal duty to provide them with basic rights on pay, holidays, health and safety and on raising complaints. See notes to editors for copy of GMB press release and copy of article from the Times on this litigation.
GMB is asking Uber drivers to keep detailed records of income and expenditure so that underpayment of the national minimum wage can be recovered as part of the Tribunal claim that Uber drivers are directed workers and thereby covered by legislation on pay, holidays, health and safety and on raising complaints.
Set out in the table is a summary of the details of total income and expenditure and hours worked by this GMB member. GMB is happy to share the details with media outlets.
Aug 2015
Total income from all sources working for Uber
£3,232.71
Less Uber fees
- £619.60
Less other expenditure
- £1,436.75
Pay for August
£1,176.37
Total hours in August
234.00
Pay per hour
£5.03
Uber fees per hour
£2.65
Other expenditure includes: Licensing; MOT; Road Tax; Servicing / Maintenance; TfL Inspection; Car Finance; Fuel; Insurance; Parking; Uber deductions.
Steve Garelick , Secretary of the GMB professional drivers branch, said “ In August this GMB cab driver working for Uber kept detailed records of time spent driving and his income and his expenditure.
Taking into account his expenditure, this GMB member was paid £5.03 for every hour he worked in August. Fees he paid to Uber were £2.65 for every hour he worked or 53% of his hourly pay.
The hourly pay is below the national minimum wage of £6.50. If TfL keep issuing new licenses and Uber keep expanding – driving down fares, upping commissions – this will only get worse.
This fall in drivers incomes poses a threat to public safety. This is because as driver incomes fall they have to work more hours to make the same money. Uber don’t control hours and neither do TFL. Drivers fatigue is a huge public safety and occupational risk.
GMB plan to recover underpayment on the national minimum wage as part of the Tribunal claim that Uber drivers are directed workers.
We want all Uber drivers to keep detailed records so that we can recover the underpayment for them.”
End
Contact Simon Rush on 07863 256411 or Steve Garelick 07565 456 776, or Michelle Bacon 07961 709680 or GMB press office 07921 289 880 or 07974 251 823 or Steve.garelick@gmbdrivers.org
GMB London Uber Driver Member Paid £1.47 Per Hour Below Minimum Wage For 234 Hours In August As Union Seeks Tribunal Ruling On Underpayment
Union plans to recover underpayment on the national minimum wage as part of the Tribunal claim that Uber drivers are directed workers says GMB Professional Drivers.
A GMB member who works exclusively for Uber as a cab driver in London was paid £5.03 net per hour for 234 hours driving during August calendar month. This is £1.47 per hour below the national minimum wage of £6.50 per hour. For each hour he worked the fees he paid to Uber were £2.65 per hour which equated to 53% of his net pay per hour.
In July GMB, the union for professional drivers, announced that it had instructed Leigh Day to take legal action in the UK on behalf of members driving for Uber on the grounds that Uber is in breach of a legal duty to provide them with basic rights on pay, holidays, health and safety and on raising complaints. See notes to editors for copy of GMB press release and copy of article from the Times on this litigation.
GMB is asking Uber drivers to keep detailed records of income and expenditure so that underpayment of the national minimum wage can be recovered as part of the Tribunal claim that Uber drivers are directed workers and thereby covered by legislation on pay, holidays, health and safety and on raising complaints.
Set out in the table is a summary of the details of total income and expenditure and hours worked by this GMB member. GMB is happy to share the details with media outlets.
Aug 2015
Total income from all sources working for Uber
£3,232.71
Less Uber fees
- £619.60
Less other expenditure
- £1,436.75
Pay for August
£1,176.37
Total hours in August
234.00
Pay per hour
£5.03
Uber fees per hour
£2.65
Other expenditure includes: Licensing; MOT; Road Tax; Servicing / Maintenance; TfL Inspection; Car Finance; Fuel; Insurance; Parking; Uber deductions.
Steve Garelick , Secretary of the GMB professional drivers branch, said “ In August this GMB cab driver working for Uber kept detailed records of time spent driving and his income and his expenditure.
Taking into account his expenditure, this GMB member was paid £5.03 for every hour he worked in August. Fees he paid to Uber were £2.65 for every hour he worked or 53% of his hourly pay.
The hourly pay is below the national minimum wage of £6.50. If TfL keep issuing new licenses and Uber keep expanding – driving down fares, upping commissions – this will only get worse.
This fall in drivers incomes poses a threat to public safety. This is because as driver incomes fall they have to work more hours to make the same money. Uber don’t control hours and neither do TFL. Drivers fatigue is a huge public safety and occupational risk.
GMB plan to recover underpayment on the national minimum wage as part of the Tribunal claim that Uber drivers are directed workers.
We want all Uber drivers to keep detailed records so that we can recover the underpayment for them.”
End
Contact Simon Rush on 07863 256411 or Steve Garelick 07565 456 776, or Michelle Bacon 07961 709680 or GMB press office 07921 289 880 or 07974 251 823 or Steve.garelick@gmbdrivers.org
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