TAMESIDE PROTEST AGAINST FAILING ADMINISTRATION

A taxi protest brought rush hour traffic to a standstill in Ashton.

Black cabs and private hire vehicles blocked both lanes of Manchester Road near the police station.

The protest came as relations between taxi drivers and Tameside Council hit an ‘all time low,’ organisers said.

Drivers said there were a number of ‘long running, unresolved’ issues with the council’s licensing department.

Jon Vickerstaff, general secretary of Tameside Owners and Drivers Association, said the trade felt it had no option but to protest.

He said: “We are not happy with the service we are getting from the council.

“There are a number of disputes that have been ongoing for too long and the council don’t seem to want to work with us.

“We are not happy with the vehicle age policy, the test and badge fares, they have not responded to our Freedom of Information requests and they owe us refunds for fee increases.

“There are other drivers within the borough who are charging much higher tariffs and ripping off the public.

“We want all fares to be fair and transparent for the public. It protects them and it protects the drivers.”

Around 100 drivers of Hackney cabs and private hire vehicles took part in the protest during rush hour on Tuesday.

The drivers started in Clarence Street, through the town centre, before dispersing at Crickets Lane.

Onlookers said the protest ‘caused chaos’ for other road users.

Tony McGhee, 53, from Ashton, said: “It was horrendous. Both lanes were shut all the way passed the police station as you were coming into Ashton town centre.

“It stopped all traffic from moving around the roundabout near Bayley Street.

“It was completely gridlocked.”

Some commuters took to Twitter to vent their frustration.

One said: “Some kind of #taxi protest going on in #Ashton - roads blocked and noisy horns. Lovely.”

Another added: “What the hell is going on in Ashton -Taxi protest? #parkedup”.”

Some suggested the drivers were protesting against private hire firm Uber - which was recently given a licence in Tameside.


However Mr Vickerstaff said it concerned the council only.

A spokesman for Tameside Council was not available to comment.

http://goo.gl/aT2YTa

UBER USA. National Strike 

 

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EASTBOURNE

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an inquiry after a senior Sussex Police officer was accused of racially abusing an Eastbourne taxi driver. The watchdog is investigating two officers following claims the senior of the two made racist and offensive remarks to the driver, who subsequently complained to the force.

The off-duty officers reportedly became confrontational and argued with two different taxi drivers on 5 September. One is alleged to have threatened to have the taxi licence removed from one of them. Subsequent inquiries by Sussex Police showed one of them accessed a police IT system in relation to the incident, reportedly without lawful purpose.

The IPCC is considering possible public order offences for the senior officer, while the other officer faces potential charges under the Data Protection Act and the Computer Misuse Act. He is also under investigation for failing to adequately challenge and report the improper conduct of the other officer.

Sussex Police has suspended the senior officer for the duration of the investigation into allegations of racist and offensive behaviour. IPCC Commissioner Jennifer Izekor said: "That a senior officer has been accused of such serious and criminal misconduct in a public setting, and racist behaviour towards a member of the public, is of significant concern and it is therefore appropriate that the IPCC provides independent oversight of this investigation."

Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: "We take any report of racism very seriously, along with any inappropriate access to police IT systems, and we will co-operate with the IPCC in their investigation. Sussex Police cares about developing and has invested in building its relationship with BME communities, through its neighbourhood policing teams and support from an independent race advisory group. We remain fully committed to providing a fair and non-discriminatory policing service to our communities."

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/sussex-police-racism-ipcc-investigate-after-senior-officer-racially-abused-eastbourne-taxi-1523597

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 PARIS

A group of Uber drivers staged a protest outside the company's Paris office Friday morning over a recent reduction in rates across the French capital. As the French newspaper L'Express reports, the group of about 50 chauffeurs were demonstrating against a 20 percent fare reduction for the company's UberX service and a 25 percent cut for UberPool, which went into effect today. The protesters were eventually dispersed by police in riot gear.

Uber introduced the rate cut in response to recent promotional campaigns from French taxi companies, which have offered lower fares for young passengers and late night trips. The San Francisco-based company said it would compensate drivers for the difference over the next six weeks, writing in a blog post that the increased volume of passengers would ultimately boost their revenue. The post also noted that drivers in New York saw their hourly turnover increase by 50 percent following a similar fare reduction, but the drivers protesting this morning apparently aren't convinced.

Uber's rate reduction in Paris comes more than two weeks after France's highest court upheld a ban on the company's low-cost UberPop service, which was at the center of widespread protests that taxi unions staged earlier this year. Uber has faced regulatory hurdles in many of the countries it currently operates in, but the opposition from French taxi unions has been particularly fierce. Two Uber France executives are currently facing criminal charges related to the operation of UberPop.

Drivers in the US have staged protests over rate cuts, as well. Earlier this year, The New York Observer reported on an Uber fare reduction in Washington, DC, where some drivers accused the company of "undercutting Uber’s competition at any cost." Drivers who spoke to The Observer said they were working harder for less money following the cut, and that they had considered striking in protest.

An Uber France spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on today's demonstration.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/9/9486041/uber-france-drivers-protest-paris-fare-cut

 WOLVERHAMPTON
 
Private hire taxi drivers are being given licences without having to demonstrate they know their way around, because they can use a sat nav.

Wolverhampton council has been accused of quietly dropping the Knowledge-style practical exam for private hire licences, although it remains in force for black cabs. All drivers still have to be trained and learn the key locations. And they also have training to recognise potential child sexual exploitation, which councils have brought in after the Rotherham sex abuse scandals.

Previously all drivers had to sit a practical assessment lasting around two hours to demonstrate their local knowledge.

It included 50 locations and key destinations such as West Park, New Cross Hospital and Bentley Bridge. But the test no longer applies to private hire drivers, whose cabs are booked in advance with an agreed fare.

Drivers have also been tested on their English since 2012.

Colin Parr, licensing manager for Wolverhampton council, said: “We scrutinise prospective drivers’ previous motoring convictions and depending on their nature they may have a bearing on their ability to secure a licence.

“The robust Knowledge-style practical examination continues to be undertaken by new Hackney Carriage drivers. This is no longer a requirement of new Private Hire driver, though an understanding of the city’s geography remains a component of the training.

“This is because Hackney Carriage drivers charge a metered fare, and therefore need to demonstrate to us that they have an intimate knowledge of Wolverhampton unaided by a sat nav.

“By the same token, private hire fares are agreed at the time of booking and it is standard industry practice now for private hire drivers to use sat navs.”

A taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said: “They’ve rushed this through and got rid of the driving test element, which has been quietly dropped.

“Now as long as a private hire vehicle has a sat nav, that’s enough for him to demonstrate he knows where he’s going.” Parminder Sekhon, chairman of the Wolverhampton Taxi Owners’ Association, said: “A sat nav is a tool but it doesn’t replace your knowledge. You couldn’t rely on one in Wolverhampton city centre at the moment with all the changes.”

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/10/12/sat-navs-spell-end-for-taxi-driver-tests/
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THREE OF DUBLIN’S largest taxi firms have come together to launch a new app that allows users to order, track and pay for their taxis through their phones.

The eCab app – a collaboration between Xpert Taxis, National Radio Cabs and VIP Taxis – is being launched today with the aim at providing a “more professional and higher quality taxi service” than existing competitors.

The partnership will see a fleet of close to 2,000 cars being readily available to collect and drop customers in the greater Dublin area.

All drivers signed up to the service will be garda vetted, uniformed and trained by the participating taxi companies.

Dublin Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh welcomed the initiative ahead of its launch, saying the companies involved are “setting the standards for the Irish taxi market” by providing a service that will “enhance public safety”.

The eCab app –  which charges participating companies a small commission - is already available in five other countries, including France and Canada.

But unlike many of its competitors, it only works with drivers from fully licensed taxi companies, something those behind the Dublin partnership say will provide customers with a better quality experience than other services.

Dubliners who download the app from today will get €10 off their first taxi ride.

Plans are in place to expand the service’s remit to other parts of the country over the coming months.

http://www.thejournal.ie/taxis-dublin-ecab-mobile-app-2381423-Oct2015/

ROSSENDALE Council has hit back at its Bradford counterpart in the escalating row about taxi licences.

The leader of of the east Lancashire authority rejected claims made by Councillor Val Slater, who accused Rossendale of licensing hundreds of drivers who were only interested in crossing the Pennines to work as private hire vehicles in Bradford.

Cllr Slater, who is deputy leader of the Bradford authority and its portfolio holder for transport, also claimed standards were lower in the Lancashire council's area than in Yorkshire.

Rossendale Council has been accused of approving too many hackney carriage licences. It has 1,864 drivers who have been issued with taxi licences and just two for private hire for a population of 65,000.

In contrast Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Chorley and Pendle currently have jointly issued 336 taxi licences and 1,973 private hire permits for a combined population of 700,000.

Bradford has 222 black cab licences and 2,700 private hire vehicle permits for its 500,000 residents.

Rossendale Council leader Alyson Barnes and its taxi association boss David Lawrie accused Bradford and other Yorkshire and East Lancashire councils of operating an unlawful cap on black cab licences.

But Cllr Slater’s fears were echoed by Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson and Blackburn cab drivers’ leader Mohammed Younis.

Cllr Slater also claimed drivers turned down in Bradford were going to Rossendale.

She said she had not been able to convince Rossendale to tackle the problem despite repeated attempts.

“We have tried to talk to their leader about why they are setting these low standards,” she said.

“I would not get in a private hire that was licensed in Rossendale.”

Cllr Slater said Rossendale had lower standards for knowledge tests, English tests and criminal record checks and that cabs with its licenses are also immune from Bradford’s safety spot-checks.

Last month, an enforcement officer from Rossendale Council joined Bradford staff on a spot-checking exercise finding problems with all four of its licensed vehicles stopped.

Cllr Barnes said: “We are following the law regarding taxi licences.

“The government says there should be no arbitrary cap as operated by other councils and this needs sorting out.

“We reject allegations that our standards for driver or cab safety are lower but we are reviewing our policies.

“Two thirds of applications are refused.

“We may be issuing too many licences and are reviewing our procedures to include new maths and English tests.

“We are looking at introducing a test for drivers over whether they intend use their vehicles mainly in the borough.”

Mr Lawrie said: “The reason people come here is that other councils operate a cap on the number of hackney carriage licences, contrary to clear government policy.

“If they did not operate that cap, which in my view is not legal, drivers would not be coming to Rossendale for licences.

“Bradford and other councils need to look at their own licensing regime not blame Rossendale.”

A spokesman for Rossendale Council’s licensing department said the £783,000 a year revenue from taxi licensing was ring-fenced to cover the significant costs of the licensing service.

Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson said: “We set high standards for taxis.

“Unfortunately when a vehicle is licensed elsewhere we are not able to carry out the same rigorous checks.

“How Rossendale Council acts is a matter for them, although I do know that this approach has been criticised by a number of authorities around us.”

Mr Younis said: “We have problem in the borough with Rossendale taxis operating as private hire vehicles here.

“The council there issues too many hackney carriage licences and they operate as minicabs all over the North-West and the country.”

Cllr Slater added: "We are proud of our licensing system. We set high standards and I do not apologise for that. I think that is what passengers in Bradford deserve."

http://goo.gl/IBRIVB

TAXI fares in Bury could rise, it has been warned, unless council bosses give drivers a fairer licence deal.

A court ruling has forced local authorities across the UK to re-think how they set annual licensing fees for taxi drivers.

Some councils have put fees up and, though Bury has reduced the fees by £3.33 a year, some drivers believe it could be cheaper.

Charles Oakes, chairman of the Hackney Drivers' Association, which represents dozens of black-cab drivers in Bury, said members of the public could still bear the brunt of fare rises.

"I am taking this stand not just for the drivers I represent, but for every resident of Bury," said Mr Oakes.

He continued: "For a long time now, taxi drivers have been squeezed and costs keep rising.

"They are struggling to make a profit and yet they have held off pressing for fare rises for a long time because they don't want to charge people more, but how long can that last?"

Councils used to charge taxi drivers £60 a year for their licence, but Mr Oakes claims that the new fee of £170 for a three-year licence could be even cheaper, and has called on licensing officials to publish figures to explain how the fee was worked out.

A council spokesman said: "Drivers actually pay £10 less for a three-year licence than they would have done paying annually over the next three years.
     
"Our licensing service is committed to ongoing communication and has been sharing information on this matter with both hackney carriage and private hire licensed drivers since July 2014.

"A meeting is currently being arranged with Mr Oakes and relevant parties to discuss matters affecting the trade."

http://goo.gl/dptalu
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BISHOP AUCKLAND
 
 A TAXI driver who lost his business, home and has been left severely disabled following a car crash involving a drink driver has warned of the tragic consequences of getting behind the wheel when drunk.

Keith Foster was on his last call of the night near Bishop Auckland when he was critically hurt in the crash which claimed the life of the other driver involved.

Kieran Arkless, 23, from Willington, near Crook, was over the drink drive limit when his Ford Focus was in a head-on smash with Mr Foster’s Skoda Octavia taxi on a bend on the A689 near Newton Cap viaduct at around 12.30am on December 14.

http://goo.gl/xudYqw

 CARDIFF, Brainless Licensing.

A young woman was refused a taxi home from work at 4am despite having to walk past the scene of three sex attacks.

DJ Jasmine Freeman, 23, was turned away by the taxi firm after she finished work - and was told that her mile-long journey was "too short."

It comes just weeks after three young women were victims of serious sex assaults in the space of five days in Cardiff city centre.

The DJ had finished work at Cardiff's Buffalo Bar around 4am when her boss said he'd phone a taxi for her.

But the cab firm told her they weren't picking customers up from the bar - and told her to look elsewhere.

Jasmine lives in Cathays - a five-minute drive from the bar and past the scene of the three sex attacks.

She said: "The nearest taxi rank is a five to 10-minute walk away and there are never many taxis there.

"A taxi firm should have a duty of care to get people home safely and they certainly didn't in this case."

Her bosses said: "After all the goings on in Cardiff we do our best to make sure our staff and customers get home OK. To be refused is a joke."

Cardiff Council said private hire cabs operated under a different licence to Hackney Carriages - and who private companies choose to pick up is at their own discretion.

A spokesman said: "Private hire is basically a contract between the driver and the person getting the taxi. At that point in time, when the phone call was made, it would be that all the cars were booked, no drivers were available or any other similar scenario."

Two men have been arrested and charged with rape in connection to two of the three Cardiff sex attacks.

Khalid Alahmadi, 23, and Rebus Hamza, 40, will both appear at Cardiff Crown Court on October 12.

Alahmadi was arrested in connection with the sexual assault on a 19-year-old girl on September 24, and Hamza with the sexual assault of a 20-year-old on September 20.

Police are still investigating the third assault which took place during the early hours of September 22.

http://goo.gl/Xg6GQu

Comment; Cardiff Licensing spokesman states 
* "Private hire is basically a contract between the driver and the person getting the taxi." *

A ride booked with a PH Driver is a criminal offence. Rides have to be booked with A PH Operator and then passed to the driver. 
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 OXFORD

A Barrister who operated a cab company without a licence has been fined £600 by the bar regulator.

Ahtiq Raja, who was a barrister at 9 King’s Bench Walk until September this year, was the director of taxi company Call a Cab. The firm was last year found guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court of five separate offences for operating a cab in a controlled district without a licence.

According to local news reports at the time, Raja and his taxi firm were ordered to pay a fine of £25,000 after a two-year legal battle. The firm was also banned from operating in Aylesbury.

The Bar Standards Board found Raja culpable of professional misconduct for behaving in a way that was likely to diminish trust and confidence in the profession. The finding was as a result of determination by consent.

http://goo.gl/rk9tA3
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