Monday, 28 March 2016
GOSPORT
Shocking footage of a boy hanging out of the rear window of a moving car has sparked an outcry – as police have said no action will be taken.
Driving instructor Mike Light, 47, was teaching a student in Heritage Way, Gosport, when the rear-facing dashcam captured the video.
When the car drew closer and he stopped at traffic lights he turned around and saw that it was a young boy hanging out of the window.
Hampshire police’s Collision Assessment Team said no offence was committed and no action was taken.
Brake – the road safety charity – said the boy should have been wearing a seat belt.
Mr Light, who has nine years of experience teaching drivers, said: ‘It was surprising but what’s more disgusting is the response from Hampshire police.
‘I didn’t expect anything else to be honest. He was hanging out the window, he could quite easily have fallen out.
‘I’m a driving instructor and trying to promote road safety, I’m passionate about it.’
http://goo.gl/qMT6yE
----------------------------------------
NEWCASTLE
Police are appealing for help after reports that a woman was put into a taxi against her will in Newcastle city centre.
A member of the public saw the woman on Saint Nicholas Street outside of Tup Tup bar at 1.20am this morning being put into the taxi by two men. She appeared not to know the men and did not want to get into the black cab.
The woman had previously been on the floor outside of the Tup Tup bar when the two men helped her up and got into a taxi with her and possibly another woman.
The two men are described as both being black, aged mid 20’s, 5ft 9" tall, muscular build and with short black hair. One was wearing a red long sleeved top, possibly a jumper. The second man was wearing a white long sleeved shirt/top.
The woman is described as white, aged 18 – 21 years, 5ft 8" tall, slim build, long blonde hair which was worn down past her shoulders, and was wearing a white or gold coloured sparkley dress.
Enquiries are ongoing into the incident including checking CCTV and making enquiries with local taxi firms.
Officers want to speak to the people involved in the incident, or anyone who was in the area this morning and who might have seen something.
Chief Inspector Ron Charlton said:
Witnesses have told us that they think they saw the woman being forced into the taxi and that she may have not known who these two men were, this is very concerning and we want to find this woman and make sure she is ok.
This could potentially be a misunderstanding but it's important we find those involved and make sure everything is ok. I'd urge this woman, the two men, or anyone who might know who this is to contact us as soon as possible."
– Chief Inspector Ron Charlton
http://goo.gl/2VHooo
----------------------------------------
STOKE
THE driver and a passenger in a stolen Mercedes fled the scene after smashing into a taxi leaving the cabbie hurt.
The pair also abandoned a second passenger after the late-night crash in North Road, Cobridge.
Police and ambulance crews were called at 4.20am yesterday to the scene of the collision, which flipped the Mercedes onto its roof.
The road was closed for several hours while the vehicles were recovered.
Paramedics took a 22-year-old man who was travelling in the Mercedes to the Royal Stoke University Hospital where he is understood to have undergone an operation after suffering a collapsed lung and injuries to his head and arm.
The taxi driver was also taken to the same hospital suffering with neck and back pain, but he has since been allowed home.
http://goo.gl/Pr6sE4
----------------------------------
DORSET
A Heroic taxi driver and his passenger pulled a young woman from her burning car moments before it turned into a “fireball” on Saturday.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that it received reports of the blaze on Dorset Way, Poole, at 3.30am and that two passers-by had freed the vehicle’s driver prior to their arrival.
One of those passers-by was 32-year-old Darrel Priestley who was travelling back to his Broadstone home after an evening out with his fiancée, Jayne Weeks, when they saw a smoking car on the side of the carriageway.
http://goo.gl/UIFBa0
------------------------------------
NEW YORK
A taxi medallion owner has been caught taking drivers for a ride.
Andrew Rosenberg, a medallion owner and manager of 142 medallions, will have to pay $750,000 to more than a thousand burned drivers for skimming from fares paid by credit card and overcharging them on cab leasing fees, according to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
The credit card rounding to even numbers — stiffing drivers an average of .73 cents per payout — was a bonanza for Rosenberg, allowing his company, Style Management Corp., to take about $159,000 between October 2010 and April 2014.
Meanwhile, drivers were paying too much to lease cabs through Rosenberg’s Style Management. Some drivers who leased a cab for daily 12-hour periods paid $6.23 a shift above the capped rate. When taxi rules changed in 2012 to further limit these lease fees on drivers, hacks were overcharged up to $140 a week on top of the limit.
"Taxi drivers work hard every day to keep New York moving and their earnings should not be squeezed by taxi companies which own or manage medallions," Schneiderman said in a statement.
Under a deal with the attorney general's office, Rosenberg agreed to stop rounding payments and keep lease fees to drivers within the cap. Rosenberg will also have to show the attorney general’s office it’s in compliance with taxi rules for the next two years.
City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi, whose agency referred the case to the attorney general, said the enforcement effort sends a "powerful message of support to TLC drivers and an equally strong warning to those who would contemplate depriving them of their hard-earned pay.”
Rosenberg, of Armonk in Westchester County, did not return request for comment left at his business and could not be reached at other numbers.
http://goo.gl/ZaztYg
----------------------------------
Thursday, 24 March 2016
A Shrewsbury taxi driver who admitted indecently assaulting two young girls more than 20 years ago has been jailed for five years.
Tommasso Picardo was arrested after one of the girls, now an adult who cannot be named for legal reasons, went to police in February last year.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard she told police the 56-year-old, of Crewe Street, had sexually assaulted her in the summer of 1995.
Mr Anthony Potter, prosecuting, said Picardo initially told police: “I wholeheartedly deny these allegations.”
But in a second interview last month, he told officers he had also assaulted another girl at the same time as the assault on the first victim in 1995.
Picardo had pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault at a previous court hearing and appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday to be sentenced.
Judge Robin Onions told him: “It is impossible to understand why you behaved the way you did. You had not done it before and have not done it since.”
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2016/03/24/jailed-shrewsbury-taxi-driver-indecently-assaulted-young-girls/
---------------------------------------
West Bromwich.
Sandwell’s first bus lane cameras will be installed to capture motorists using lanes illegally through West Bromwich.
But private hire taxi drivers have hit out the move saying it causes ‘discrimination’ between cab drivers as Hackney Carriages will still be allowed to use the lane.
Council officials want to enforce a ban on the stretch of New Street outside Sandwell College’s Central Sixth campus with CCTV cameras.
Around 3,000 cars have been using New Street, past Sandwell College’s Central Sixth campus.
Sandwell Council wants to enforce a ban already in place and say the cameras will deter motorists flouting the ban.
The new proposal will see only Hackney Carriages allowed through the zone on New Street, in a move cabinet member for highways and environment councillor Maria Crompton has described as ‘best for public safety’.
Congestion
She said: “I believe that Hackney Carriages entering the bus only street can do so without significantly increasing the number of cars that add to the congestion, which isn’t the case for private hire vehicles.
“There are fewer Hackney Carriages in comparison, and private hire vehicles have the advantage of a pre-booking system where they can pick up customers from any point, rather than use the taxi ranks assigned for Hackney Carriages.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/03/24/sandwell-taxi-drivers-hit-out-at-bus-lane-cameras/
------------------------------------
A PENSIONER who fraudulently claimed more than £50,000 in benefits “to make ends meet” while working as a taxi driver has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Grandfather David Rivett, 77, dishonestly claimed pension credit and housing and council tax benefits for around ten years from 2005, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor, Richard Woolfall, said Rivett, of Westfield Court, Burley, Leeds, originally claimed for the benefits in early 2005 when he stated he was single and unemployed.
Mr Woolfall said in April 2005, Rivett applied for a taxi licence and renewed that licence every year until 2014.
Rivett worked as a private hire driver until 2015 when he failed his medical and was no longer able to continue.
Father-of-four Rivett admitted two charges of failing to notify a change in circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefits.
Mitigating Genan Hashim, said: “He had very little income coming in from his taxi driver services. This is not a man who has lived a luxurious lifestyle as a result of this.
“He lives alone in a two-bedroom flat. He didn’t have holidays. He has very little in the way of savings. I’m told this was just to make ends meet.”
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/leeds-oap-taxi-driver-in-51-000-benefit-fraud-1-7815639#ixzz43tLFxtpf
----------------------------------
Brussels
The taxi driver who drove the Brussels suicide bombers to the airport was not allowed to touch their explosives-laden bags and they sat in silence during the journey, Belgian newspaper DH reported citing unidentified sources.
Brahim El Bakraoui and two other men suspected of carrying out the attack on Tuesday travelled from the Brussels district of Schaerbeek to the airport.
The airport bombs and a suicide bombing at Maelbeek metro station in the city centre, which prosecutors said was carried out by El Bakraoui's brother Khalid, killed at least 31 people and injured 270.
A man wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket did chat with the taxi driver, talking about his anger towards the United States and how he disagreed with some of its actions, DH said.
A bespectacled man wearing a cream jacket and black hat ran out of the airport terminal, federal prosecutors said, before a third suitcase bomb exploded in the departures area as bomb disposal experts were clearing the area, causing no casualties.
The man, captured on film with the suicide bombers, is being sought by police.
DH said the taxi driver smelled ammonia during the journey and when he dropped the men off at the airport noticed their bags had traces of white powder on them.
He heard about the explosions while driving his next passenger and immediately went to the police, it said.
On Wednesday, DH reported that a mix-up by a Brussels taxi dispatcher meant a small car was sent to pick up the bombers instead of the minivan they had ordered and the passengers were forced to leave one bag behind. Police later found a nail bomb in an apartment in Schaerbeek.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-belgium-blast-taxi-idUKKCN0WQ1JZ
-----------------------------------
HERTFORDSHIRE
A 21-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by the driver of a silver taxi after being picked up from Market Place in Hitchin and dropped off in Letchworth between 2.30am and 4am on Sunday, March 20.
In a second assault police believe is linked, a 33-year-old woman got into a taxi near The Drapers Arms pub in Stevenage High Street between 12.05am and 12.20am on Saturday, March 19, and was allegedly sexually assaulted by the driver during the journey.
Det Con Kirsty Rusbridge, from the Herts police sexual offences investigation team, said: “I fully appreciate that these incidents will, understandably, cause concern and I would like to reassure people that a full investigation is under way.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have any information which could assist our enquiries to please come forward.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people to remain vigilant when out and about. Keep the number of a reputable taxi firm saved in your phone and try and pre-book to ensure that the driver is genuine. Avoid travelling alone if possible and make sure that the driver has a valid taxi license on display.”
Anyone with information should contact DC Rusbridge on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
-----------------------------------
USA, Verifone
Curb, the app formerly known as Taxi Magic, is getting a fresh coat of paint and some unique features. The relaunch comes under its new owner, Verifone Systems, a public company based in San Jose that operates the entertainment and payment systems in about half of New York City's yellow and green taxis. When it goes live next month, Curb will allow users to hail and pay for a metered taxi ride, as well as —€” for the first time ever —€” book a yellow cab in advance. The app is re-launching in New York City, but is already available in Chicago and Boston. Verifone says it hopes to eventually bring Curb to all 60 cities in which the company operates across the US.
Verifone's app Way2Ride, which debuted in September 2015, will be folded into Curb and eventually phased out, said Jason Gross, head of product and marketing for the company. There will be a $1.95 fee every time you use the app to book a taxi. Riders can rate their drivers, just like with Uber. And drivers will get notices about possible trips through the systems already installed in their taxis.
Starting out, Curb will only be compatible with the 14,000 yellow and green cabs that use Verifone's credit card machines and in-taxi entertainment systems, but Gross said that by summer, the app should work in every yellow and green cab in the city under an agreement with Creative Mobile Technologies (CMT), the city's other taxi technology company.
"If you've got that 8AM flight tomorrow morning and you need a cab at 6, it's going to be there waiting for you," Gross said of Curb's pre-arrangement feature. "It's raising the level of service that yellow and green cabs can provide."
http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/23/11294758/curb-app-taxi-hail-uber-nyc-verifone
------------------------------------------------
CROYDEN
A POLICE officer has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 after a jury found her guilty of jumping a taxi without paying in Croydon.
PC Nicola Elston, 28, a serving Metropolitan Police officer attached to Lambeth borough, was found guilty today following a three-day trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The jury found her guilty of making off without payment of a taxi fare in Croydon on June 27, but not guilty of assault. She had pleaded not guilty to both offences.
PC Elston was sentenced to a £3,150 fine and £1,000 costs.
A Met spokesman said the officer remains restricted. "Now that the cr iminal proceedings have been completed we will be able to complete our misconduct process," he said.
----------------------------------------------
NATIONAL
Taxis are to be given a legal duty to carry wheelchair-using passengers - 20 years after the law was first approved by Parliament.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones said he aimed to implement anti-discrimination measures by the end of the year after bowing to pressure to end two decades of inaction.
The move came hours before the publication of a House of Lords report about disability which was expected to strongly criticise his failure to commit to the measure.
Rights for guide dog and wheelchair users not to be refused access to taxis and other private hire vehicles were first put into legislation in the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act.
But only the guide dog sections were ever brought into force, despite the wheelchair provisions being included in the Equality Act of 2010.
They say a taxi must carry a passenger in their chair at no extra charge and "take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort".
Drivers must also transport the wheelchair if the passenger wants to travel in a passenger seat and " give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonably required".
In evidence to the Lords committee examining the impact of the Equality Act on disabled people, Mr Jones had declined to commit to the move.
He said the Government wanted to avoid unnecessary regulation on business and "need to consider whether there are alternative ways of improving driver behaviour and the service the public receives before implementing legislation" but that he was " quite supportive of the basic principle".
The committee found his reasoning "entirely unconvincing".
The move will be welcomed by disability campaigners but doubts will remain about the enforcement of the rules as many guide dog owners complain that they are still refused by some drivers.
Mr Jones said: "Everyone has the right to access public transport. We have made progress but there is a long way to go before there is equal access.
"We are in the process of strengthening the law, placing a clear duty on taxi drivers to assist passengers with wheelchairs and making it a criminal offence to charge them extra.
"We are also working with transport operators to improve access to buses and train stations across the country and will continue to work with disability groups and local authorities as we make further improvements."
Baroness Deech, who chaired the committee that examined the Act, said: "I am very pleased that the imminent issue of our report, in which they must have realised they were going to be severely criticised, has jolted them into action.
"But I will only be satisfied when I see it actually happen.
"Our report says that taxi drivers should be trained and that local authorities should not give them licences unless they comply with the terms of the Equality Act.
"If they breach it they should be sanctioned."
Tommasso Picardo was arrested after one of the girls, now an adult who cannot be named for legal reasons, went to police in February last year.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard she told police the 56-year-old, of Crewe Street, had sexually assaulted her in the summer of 1995.
Mr Anthony Potter, prosecuting, said Picardo initially told police: “I wholeheartedly deny these allegations.”
But in a second interview last month, he told officers he had also assaulted another girl at the same time as the assault on the first victim in 1995.
Picardo had pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault at a previous court hearing and appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday to be sentenced.
Judge Robin Onions told him: “It is impossible to understand why you behaved the way you did. You had not done it before and have not done it since.”
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2016/03/24/jailed-shrewsbury-taxi-driver-indecently-assaulted-young-girls/
---------------------------------------
West Bromwich.
Sandwell’s first bus lane cameras will be installed to capture motorists using lanes illegally through West Bromwich.
But private hire taxi drivers have hit out the move saying it causes ‘discrimination’ between cab drivers as Hackney Carriages will still be allowed to use the lane.
Council officials want to enforce a ban on the stretch of New Street outside Sandwell College’s Central Sixth campus with CCTV cameras.
Around 3,000 cars have been using New Street, past Sandwell College’s Central Sixth campus.
Sandwell Council wants to enforce a ban already in place and say the cameras will deter motorists flouting the ban.
The new proposal will see only Hackney Carriages allowed through the zone on New Street, in a move cabinet member for highways and environment councillor Maria Crompton has described as ‘best for public safety’.
Congestion
She said: “I believe that Hackney Carriages entering the bus only street can do so without significantly increasing the number of cars that add to the congestion, which isn’t the case for private hire vehicles.
“There are fewer Hackney Carriages in comparison, and private hire vehicles have the advantage of a pre-booking system where they can pick up customers from any point, rather than use the taxi ranks assigned for Hackney Carriages.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/03/24/sandwell-taxi-drivers-hit-out-at-bus-lane-cameras/
------------------------------------
A PENSIONER who fraudulently claimed more than £50,000 in benefits “to make ends meet” while working as a taxi driver has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Grandfather David Rivett, 77, dishonestly claimed pension credit and housing and council tax benefits for around ten years from 2005, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor, Richard Woolfall, said Rivett, of Westfield Court, Burley, Leeds, originally claimed for the benefits in early 2005 when he stated he was single and unemployed.
Mr Woolfall said in April 2005, Rivett applied for a taxi licence and renewed that licence every year until 2014.
Rivett worked as a private hire driver until 2015 when he failed his medical and was no longer able to continue.
Father-of-four Rivett admitted two charges of failing to notify a change in circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefits.
Mitigating Genan Hashim, said: “He had very little income coming in from his taxi driver services. This is not a man who has lived a luxurious lifestyle as a result of this.
“He lives alone in a two-bedroom flat. He didn’t have holidays. He has very little in the way of savings. I’m told this was just to make ends meet.”
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/leeds-oap-taxi-driver-in-51-000-benefit-fraud-1-7815639#ixzz43tLFxtpf
----------------------------------
Brussels
The taxi driver who drove the Brussels suicide bombers to the airport was not allowed to touch their explosives-laden bags and they sat in silence during the journey, Belgian newspaper DH reported citing unidentified sources.
Brahim El Bakraoui and two other men suspected of carrying out the attack on Tuesday travelled from the Brussels district of Schaerbeek to the airport.
The airport bombs and a suicide bombing at Maelbeek metro station in the city centre, which prosecutors said was carried out by El Bakraoui's brother Khalid, killed at least 31 people and injured 270.
A man wearing a hat and light-coloured jacket did chat with the taxi driver, talking about his anger towards the United States and how he disagreed with some of its actions, DH said.
A bespectacled man wearing a cream jacket and black hat ran out of the airport terminal, federal prosecutors said, before a third suitcase bomb exploded in the departures area as bomb disposal experts were clearing the area, causing no casualties.
The man, captured on film with the suicide bombers, is being sought by police.
DH said the taxi driver smelled ammonia during the journey and when he dropped the men off at the airport noticed their bags had traces of white powder on them.
He heard about the explosions while driving his next passenger and immediately went to the police, it said.
On Wednesday, DH reported that a mix-up by a Brussels taxi dispatcher meant a small car was sent to pick up the bombers instead of the minivan they had ordered and the passengers were forced to leave one bag behind. Police later found a nail bomb in an apartment in Schaerbeek.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-belgium-blast-taxi-idUKKCN0WQ1JZ
-----------------------------------
HERTFORDSHIRE
A 21-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by the driver of a silver taxi after being picked up from Market Place in Hitchin and dropped off in Letchworth between 2.30am and 4am on Sunday, March 20.
In a second assault police believe is linked, a 33-year-old woman got into a taxi near The Drapers Arms pub in Stevenage High Street between 12.05am and 12.20am on Saturday, March 19, and was allegedly sexually assaulted by the driver during the journey.
Det Con Kirsty Rusbridge, from the Herts police sexual offences investigation team, said: “I fully appreciate that these incidents will, understandably, cause concern and I would like to reassure people that a full investigation is under way.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have any information which could assist our enquiries to please come forward.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people to remain vigilant when out and about. Keep the number of a reputable taxi firm saved in your phone and try and pre-book to ensure that the driver is genuine. Avoid travelling alone if possible and make sure that the driver has a valid taxi license on display.”
Anyone with information should contact DC Rusbridge on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
-----------------------------------
USA, Verifone
Curb, the app formerly known as Taxi Magic, is getting a fresh coat of paint and some unique features. The relaunch comes under its new owner, Verifone Systems, a public company based in San Jose that operates the entertainment and payment systems in about half of New York City's yellow and green taxis. When it goes live next month, Curb will allow users to hail and pay for a metered taxi ride, as well as —€” for the first time ever —€” book a yellow cab in advance. The app is re-launching in New York City, but is already available in Chicago and Boston. Verifone says it hopes to eventually bring Curb to all 60 cities in which the company operates across the US.
Verifone's app Way2Ride, which debuted in September 2015, will be folded into Curb and eventually phased out, said Jason Gross, head of product and marketing for the company. There will be a $1.95 fee every time you use the app to book a taxi. Riders can rate their drivers, just like with Uber. And drivers will get notices about possible trips through the systems already installed in their taxis.
Starting out, Curb will only be compatible with the 14,000 yellow and green cabs that use Verifone's credit card machines and in-taxi entertainment systems, but Gross said that by summer, the app should work in every yellow and green cab in the city under an agreement with Creative Mobile Technologies (CMT), the city's other taxi technology company.
"If you've got that 8AM flight tomorrow morning and you need a cab at 6, it's going to be there waiting for you," Gross said of Curb's pre-arrangement feature. "It's raising the level of service that yellow and green cabs can provide."
http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/23/11294758/curb-app-taxi-hail-uber-nyc-verifone
------------------------------------------------
CROYDEN
A POLICE officer has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 after a jury found her guilty of jumping a taxi without paying in Croydon.
PC Nicola Elston, 28, a serving Metropolitan Police officer attached to Lambeth borough, was found guilty today following a three-day trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The jury found her guilty of making off without payment of a taxi fare in Croydon on June 27, but not guilty of assault. She had pleaded not guilty to both offences.
PC Elston was sentenced to a £3,150 fine and £1,000 costs.
A Met spokesman said the officer remains restricted. "Now that the cr iminal proceedings have been completed we will be able to complete our misconduct process," he said.
----------------------------------------------
NATIONAL
Taxis are to be given a legal duty to carry wheelchair-using passengers - 20 years after the law was first approved by Parliament.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones said he aimed to implement anti-discrimination measures by the end of the year after bowing to pressure to end two decades of inaction.
The move came hours before the publication of a House of Lords report about disability which was expected to strongly criticise his failure to commit to the measure.
Rights for guide dog and wheelchair users not to be refused access to taxis and other private hire vehicles were first put into legislation in the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act.
But only the guide dog sections were ever brought into force, despite the wheelchair provisions being included in the Equality Act of 2010.
They say a taxi must carry a passenger in their chair at no extra charge and "take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort".
Drivers must also transport the wheelchair if the passenger wants to travel in a passenger seat and " give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonably required".
In evidence to the Lords committee examining the impact of the Equality Act on disabled people, Mr Jones had declined to commit to the move.
He said the Government wanted to avoid unnecessary regulation on business and "need to consider whether there are alternative ways of improving driver behaviour and the service the public receives before implementing legislation" but that he was " quite supportive of the basic principle".
The committee found his reasoning "entirely unconvincing".
The move will be welcomed by disability campaigners but doubts will remain about the enforcement of the rules as many guide dog owners complain that they are still refused by some drivers.
Mr Jones said: "Everyone has the right to access public transport. We have made progress but there is a long way to go before there is equal access.
"We are in the process of strengthening the law, placing a clear duty on taxi drivers to assist passengers with wheelchairs and making it a criminal offence to charge them extra.
"We are also working with transport operators to improve access to buses and train stations across the country and will continue to work with disability groups and local authorities as we make further improvements."
Baroness Deech, who chaired the committee that examined the Act, said: "I am very pleased that the imminent issue of our report, in which they must have realised they were going to be severely criticised, has jolted them into action.
"But I will only be satisfied when I see it actually happen.
"Our report says that taxi drivers should be trained and that local authorities should not give them licences unless they comply with the terms of the Equality Act.
"If they breach it they should be sanctioned."
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
ABERDEEN
A student union at an Aberdeen university has won a national award for a taxi scheme.
Robert Gordon University Students’ Union won the Campaign of the Year award at the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland awards for its taxi scheme which it established last year with Rainbow City Taxis.
The scheme allows students who find themselves in an unsafe situation without cash to book a designated “safe taxi” by calling Rainbow City Taxis and quoting their university and student number as a temporary payment.
Edward Pollock, RGU’s Student President for Communication and Democracy, said: “We are delighted that our safe taxi scheme has been recognised at a national level, which is testament to the success and importance of the initiative.
“We strive to continually enhance the university experience and as a students’ union the welfare of students is a key concern so it’s fantastic that our hard work and dedication in ensuring our students stay safe has been awarded.”
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/taxi-initiative-wins-top-safety-award/
-----------------------------------------
BRUSSELS
The Brussels airport suicide bombers forced to leave two explosives at home when their taxi arrived to collect them and only had room for three bags.
Brahim El Bakraoui, on-the-run suspect Najim Laachraoui, along with an unidentified bomber, reacted angrily when the cab driver told them they would have to leave the suitcases behind, it's reported.
The three suspects, pictured, reportedly had to leave behind two suitcases
The Brussels airport suicide bombers forced to leave two explosives at home when their taxi arrived to collect them and only had room for three bags.
Brahim El Bakraoui, on-the-run suspect Najim Laachraoui, along with an unidentified bomber, reacted angrily when the cab driver told them they would have to leave the suitcases behind, it's reported.
The men also wouldn't allow the unwitting driver to load the suitcases - packed with explosives - into the car, according to Belgian media.
Police released CCTV images of the men after the devastating attack left 14 people dead and several injured during yesterday morning's rush hour.
The driver quickly realised he had been the person to collect the trio from the Schaerbeek district of Brussels and take them to Zaventum airport and called police.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/brussels-attacks-bombers-forced-leave-7615090
COMMENT: Good job Brussels does not have any TX4's...All cases could be carried in those vehicles.
----------------------------------------------------
A student union at an Aberdeen university has won a national award for a taxi scheme.
Robert Gordon University Students’ Union won the Campaign of the Year award at the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland awards for its taxi scheme which it established last year with Rainbow City Taxis.
The scheme allows students who find themselves in an unsafe situation without cash to book a designated “safe taxi” by calling Rainbow City Taxis and quoting their university and student number as a temporary payment.
Edward Pollock, RGU’s Student President for Communication and Democracy, said: “We are delighted that our safe taxi scheme has been recognised at a national level, which is testament to the success and importance of the initiative.
“We strive to continually enhance the university experience and as a students’ union the welfare of students is a key concern so it’s fantastic that our hard work and dedication in ensuring our students stay safe has been awarded.”
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/taxi-initiative-wins-top-safety-award/
-----------------------------------------
BRUSSELS
The Brussels airport suicide bombers forced to leave two explosives at home when their taxi arrived to collect them and only had room for three bags.
Brahim El Bakraoui, on-the-run suspect Najim Laachraoui, along with an unidentified bomber, reacted angrily when the cab driver told them they would have to leave the suitcases behind, it's reported.
The three suspects, pictured, reportedly had to leave behind two suitcases
The Brussels airport suicide bombers forced to leave two explosives at home when their taxi arrived to collect them and only had room for three bags.
Brahim El Bakraoui, on-the-run suspect Najim Laachraoui, along with an unidentified bomber, reacted angrily when the cab driver told them they would have to leave the suitcases behind, it's reported.
The men also wouldn't allow the unwitting driver to load the suitcases - packed with explosives - into the car, according to Belgian media.
Police released CCTV images of the men after the devastating attack left 14 people dead and several injured during yesterday morning's rush hour.
The driver quickly realised he had been the person to collect the trio from the Schaerbeek district of Brussels and take them to Zaventum airport and called police.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/brussels-attacks-bombers-forced-leave-7615090
COMMENT: Good job Brussels does not have any TX4's...All cases could be carried in those vehicles.
----------------------------------------------------
NOTTINGHAM
Taxi drivers criticise change in direction of Station Street traffic
Confused by the new traffic system in Station Street? So were we. We've tried to make sense of it for you below.
Drivers will have to get used to a new direction for traffic on Station Street as improvement works reach the next stage.
The £1.37million project involves pedestrianising Station Street at the entrance to Nottingham Railway Station, between Trent Street and Carrington Street.
The rest of Station Street, between London Road and Trent Street, will become one-way to improve the flow of traffic around the station.
What will happen?
On Wednesday, the direction of traffic was switched, meaning cars will now enter Trent Street from Canal Street and exit Station Street onto London Road.
The taxi rank on Station Street will also be relocated to Trent Street.
Taxi drivers have criticised the move, and told they fear for the safety of disabled passengers who would have to cross the busy road to hail a cab.
http://goo.gl/LR7ZZm
------------------------------------
Taxi drivers criticise change in direction of Station Street traffic
Confused by the new traffic system in Station Street? So were we. We've tried to make sense of it for you below.
Drivers will have to get used to a new direction for traffic on Station Street as improvement works reach the next stage.
The £1.37million project involves pedestrianising Station Street at the entrance to Nottingham Railway Station, between Trent Street and Carrington Street.
The rest of Station Street, between London Road and Trent Street, will become one-way to improve the flow of traffic around the station.
What will happen?
On Wednesday, the direction of traffic was switched, meaning cars will now enter Trent Street from Canal Street and exit Station Street onto London Road.
The taxi rank on Station Street will also be relocated to Trent Street.
Taxi drivers have criticised the move, and told they fear for the safety of disabled passengers who would have to cross the busy road to hail a cab.
http://goo.gl/LR7ZZm
------------------------------------
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
York taxi driver subjected to terrifying attack by knifeman and thug
A TAXI driver was threatened with a knife and punched in what he described as the worst experience of his 18-year career.
Benjamin Watson and Harry Radcliffe attacked cabbie Ian Hunter after he came to collect two women the pair had been arguing with.
Katy Rafter, prosecuting, told York Crown Court yesterday that Watson, 21, and Radcliffe, 18, had been drinking at a house in Etty Avenue, Tang Hall, on March 6 last year.
The women, who had also been at the house, called a taxi to go for a night out and asked Watson and Radcliffe to leave.
But they refused and an argument was still continuing when the taxi arrived at 1am.
Ms Rafter said: "Benjamin Watson threw a brick or a stone at the taxi and the taxi driver stopped to investigate.
"Both defendants shouted at him and started dancing around him as though they were boxers.
"All of a sudden, Benjamin Watson ran towards Mr Hunter, the taxi driver, and shouted 'do you want some?'
"He was carrying a knife that was described as having a four to five inch blade."
Watson moved the knife towards Mr Hunter and again shouted 'do you want some?'.
He then threw the knife down and it was recovered by police from the road side.
Ms Rafter added: "Harry Radcliffe then ran up at this stage and threw punches towards Mr Hunter, some of which connected around Mr Hunter's head area.
"Mr Hunter was able to get inside his taxi, but was kicked in the leg by one of the defendants and had the taxi door slammed on him.
"He said that in his 18 years of being a taxi driver he has never had an experience as bad as this one.
"The incident left him shaken and with a sore jaw where Mr Watson punched him."
Watson and Radcliffe had denied four counts relating to the attack, with their trial listed for February 23.
But on the day it was due to start they both admitted one charge of affray, which the prosecution accepted.
The court heard that Watson had 30 previous conviction for 53 offences, including shoplifting and common assault.
Radcliffe had one previous conviction for criminal damage.
Defending Watson, Julian Tanikal, said he has had behavioural problems since being expelled from school at 14.
At the time, he was living with his mother in "a very unstable situation", but he was now living with his grandfather and working as a labourer.
"That stability has changed this young man," said Mr Tanikal.
"He realises that if he doesn't seize an opportunity soon, then he may not get another one."
Defending Radcliffe, Victoria Smith-Swain, said the attack took place on the night of his 17th birthday.
"He accepts it was a silly decision to consume such a large amount of alcohol that evening," she said.
"He does have some aggressive tendencies which are exacerbated by the use of alcohol."
She added: "Mr Watson was the main instigator and aggressor during this incident."
The Probation Service said Radcliffe, who is working as a labourer on the former Terry's chocolate factory site, was progressing "exceptionally well".
Ms Smith-Swain added: "He is extremely remorseful and keen to give back for his behaviour."
Jailing Watson for 14 months, Recorder Alistair Macdonald QC said: "It must have been utterly terrifying for Mr Hunter.
"It goes way beyond the custody threshold."
Sentencing Radcliffe, Mr Macdonald said: "You must understand how serious this is."
Radcliffe received a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and must observe a 10pm to 6am curfew for three months.
He was ordered to pay £200 compensation.
Mr Macdonald added: "This is an opportunity for you - you'd better take it."
http://goo.gl/COHd1l
-----------------------------------------
UBER INDIA
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought response of ANI Technologies, which runs app-based cab service under the name of Ola, on its competitor Uber's plea seeking Rs 49.61 crore as damages from Ola for allegedly interfering in its business by making fake accounts to book rides and then cancelling them.
Ola denied the allegations made by Uber and told the court it has no intention of indulging in any of the actions attributed to it by its competitor.
In view of the submission made by Ola, Justice Vipin Sanghi directed Ola to abide by its statement and listed the matter for further hearing on September 14.
"Defendants (Ola and its subsidiary Serendipity Cabs) emphatically deny the allegations. Counsel for defendants states they have not done anything to interfere with plaintiff's (Uber) business as alleged, or its system by making false accounts, bookings or cancellations... nor has any intention of doing so.
"Defendants, their agents and employees shall abide by this statement...,"the court said, and issued notice to Ola and Serendipity asking them to file their written statement, reply and submit documents within four weeks.
Uber was asked to file its rejoinder to Ola's reply in another four weeks and the matter was listed for hearing on September 14.
Uber in its plea alleged that Ola's employees have created over 93,000 fake accounts across India on Uber's platform and were using them to make false bookings which were later cancelled and thus, causing loss to Uber which has to pay the cancellation charges.
It has claimed to have paid over Rs 5 lakh as cancellation charges and alleged that by making false bookings, Ola was "squatting" on cabs associated with Uber.
Ola, on the other hand, contended in the court that Uber's plea is an "offshoot" of the contempt petition filed against it by Ola for allegedly not complying with court directions to phase out diesel cabs.
It also argued that Uber's plea was based on assumptions that Ola's employees were creating the false accounts to make bookings and then cancel them.
It also said Uber was not paying any cancellation charges as the customer is charged if he/she does not cancel booking within five minutes of making it.
Uber in its plea claimed that over four lakh bookings have been made and cancelled by Ola employees across the country, with more than 50,000 such alleged incidents in Delhi, from August last year till March which has led to more than 23,000 drivers associated with it not working for it anymore.
It alleged this amounts to "stifling the competition in an irregular manner".
Uber alleged Ola was exploiting a "loophole" in its system by using data only numbers, to which calls cannot be made, to create multiple false accounts and has sought damages of Rs 49.61 crore for loss of -- service fee due to cancellations, investment made on drivers who have left, trip fare and reputation.
To this the court said Uber should fix the loophole.
http://goo.gl/uaQ8IN
---------------------------------------------
BRUSSELS.
Police in Brussels are raiding a number of properties tonight following a tip-off from a taxi driver 'who drove the suspected bombers to the airport'.
Three blasts left at least 31 people dead and 198 injured at the capital’s airport and a carriage at Maelbeek subway station this morning.
Police in Belgium have launched a massive manhunt to find at one suspect captured on airport CCTV moments before the blasts who police believe is still at large.
Belgian authorites fear two or more men could be on the run - with armed raids taking place at addresses across the city in the wake of the bombing as Islamic State claimed responsibility.
Live updates as ISIS bombers caught on CCTV seconds before blasts
Belgian newspaper HLN reports a taxi driver came forward to police saying he believes he unwittingly drove the bombers to the airport.
http://goo.gl/OKliSA
A TAXI driver was threatened with a knife and punched in what he described as the worst experience of his 18-year career.
Benjamin Watson and Harry Radcliffe attacked cabbie Ian Hunter after he came to collect two women the pair had been arguing with.
Katy Rafter, prosecuting, told York Crown Court yesterday that Watson, 21, and Radcliffe, 18, had been drinking at a house in Etty Avenue, Tang Hall, on March 6 last year.
The women, who had also been at the house, called a taxi to go for a night out and asked Watson and Radcliffe to leave.
But they refused and an argument was still continuing when the taxi arrived at 1am.
Ms Rafter said: "Benjamin Watson threw a brick or a stone at the taxi and the taxi driver stopped to investigate.
"Both defendants shouted at him and started dancing around him as though they were boxers.
"All of a sudden, Benjamin Watson ran towards Mr Hunter, the taxi driver, and shouted 'do you want some?'
"He was carrying a knife that was described as having a four to five inch blade."
Watson moved the knife towards Mr Hunter and again shouted 'do you want some?'.
He then threw the knife down and it was recovered by police from the road side.
Ms Rafter added: "Harry Radcliffe then ran up at this stage and threw punches towards Mr Hunter, some of which connected around Mr Hunter's head area.
"Mr Hunter was able to get inside his taxi, but was kicked in the leg by one of the defendants and had the taxi door slammed on him.
"He said that in his 18 years of being a taxi driver he has never had an experience as bad as this one.
"The incident left him shaken and with a sore jaw where Mr Watson punched him."
Watson and Radcliffe had denied four counts relating to the attack, with their trial listed for February 23.
But on the day it was due to start they both admitted one charge of affray, which the prosecution accepted.
The court heard that Watson had 30 previous conviction for 53 offences, including shoplifting and common assault.
Radcliffe had one previous conviction for criminal damage.
Defending Watson, Julian Tanikal, said he has had behavioural problems since being expelled from school at 14.
At the time, he was living with his mother in "a very unstable situation", but he was now living with his grandfather and working as a labourer.
"That stability has changed this young man," said Mr Tanikal.
"He realises that if he doesn't seize an opportunity soon, then he may not get another one."
Defending Radcliffe, Victoria Smith-Swain, said the attack took place on the night of his 17th birthday.
"He accepts it was a silly decision to consume such a large amount of alcohol that evening," she said.
"He does have some aggressive tendencies which are exacerbated by the use of alcohol."
She added: "Mr Watson was the main instigator and aggressor during this incident."
The Probation Service said Radcliffe, who is working as a labourer on the former Terry's chocolate factory site, was progressing "exceptionally well".
Ms Smith-Swain added: "He is extremely remorseful and keen to give back for his behaviour."
Jailing Watson for 14 months, Recorder Alistair Macdonald QC said: "It must have been utterly terrifying for Mr Hunter.
"It goes way beyond the custody threshold."
Sentencing Radcliffe, Mr Macdonald said: "You must understand how serious this is."
Radcliffe received a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and must observe a 10pm to 6am curfew for three months.
He was ordered to pay £200 compensation.
Mr Macdonald added: "This is an opportunity for you - you'd better take it."
http://goo.gl/COHd1l
-----------------------------------------
UBER INDIA
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought response of ANI Technologies, which runs app-based cab service under the name of Ola, on its competitor Uber's plea seeking Rs 49.61 crore as damages from Ola for allegedly interfering in its business by making fake accounts to book rides and then cancelling them.
Ola denied the allegations made by Uber and told the court it has no intention of indulging in any of the actions attributed to it by its competitor.
In view of the submission made by Ola, Justice Vipin Sanghi directed Ola to abide by its statement and listed the matter for further hearing on September 14.
"Defendants (Ola and its subsidiary Serendipity Cabs) emphatically deny the allegations. Counsel for defendants states they have not done anything to interfere with plaintiff's (Uber) business as alleged, or its system by making false accounts, bookings or cancellations... nor has any intention of doing so.
"Defendants, their agents and employees shall abide by this statement...,"the court said, and issued notice to Ola and Serendipity asking them to file their written statement, reply and submit documents within four weeks.
Uber was asked to file its rejoinder to Ola's reply in another four weeks and the matter was listed for hearing on September 14.
Uber in its plea alleged that Ola's employees have created over 93,000 fake accounts across India on Uber's platform and were using them to make false bookings which were later cancelled and thus, causing loss to Uber which has to pay the cancellation charges.
It has claimed to have paid over Rs 5 lakh as cancellation charges and alleged that by making false bookings, Ola was "squatting" on cabs associated with Uber.
Ola, on the other hand, contended in the court that Uber's plea is an "offshoot" of the contempt petition filed against it by Ola for allegedly not complying with court directions to phase out diesel cabs.
It also argued that Uber's plea was based on assumptions that Ola's employees were creating the false accounts to make bookings and then cancel them.
It also said Uber was not paying any cancellation charges as the customer is charged if he/she does not cancel booking within five minutes of making it.
Uber in its plea claimed that over four lakh bookings have been made and cancelled by Ola employees across the country, with more than 50,000 such alleged incidents in Delhi, from August last year till March which has led to more than 23,000 drivers associated with it not working for it anymore.
It alleged this amounts to "stifling the competition in an irregular manner".
Uber alleged Ola was exploiting a "loophole" in its system by using data only numbers, to which calls cannot be made, to create multiple false accounts and has sought damages of Rs 49.61 crore for loss of -- service fee due to cancellations, investment made on drivers who have left, trip fare and reputation.
To this the court said Uber should fix the loophole.
http://goo.gl/uaQ8IN
---------------------------------------------
BRUSSELS.
Police in Brussels are raiding a number of properties tonight following a tip-off from a taxi driver 'who drove the suspected bombers to the airport'.
Three blasts left at least 31 people dead and 198 injured at the capital’s airport and a carriage at Maelbeek subway station this morning.
Police in Belgium have launched a massive manhunt to find at one suspect captured on airport CCTV moments before the blasts who police believe is still at large.
Belgian authorites fear two or more men could be on the run - with armed raids taking place at addresses across the city in the wake of the bombing as Islamic State claimed responsibility.
Live updates as ISIS bombers caught on CCTV seconds before blasts
Belgian newspaper HLN reports a taxi driver came forward to police saying he believes he unwittingly drove the bombers to the airport.
http://goo.gl/OKliSA
London Evening Standards. Letters.
The debate about the future of our black-taxi trade and the advent of new app-based providers such as Uber has, for too long, been played out as an argument between those who support competition and innovation and those who are clinging to the past. The reality is far more complicated.
London’s tech industry is a strength of our city and increased competition and new technology offers consumers great potential. But the explosion in the number of private- hire vehicles on London’s streets has led to too many drivers with insufficient insurance and poor training, leaving regulators running to catch up. It has also become clear that some operators are trying to beat their competition by offering lower fares while taking advantage of tax loopholes and offshore tax arrangements. This is unacceptable and if we are not careful, London’s iconic black cabs will be driven off the road by shoddy competitors.
My message is simple: insure your drivers, train your drivers and pay your taxes or get off our streets. That is why I have put forward proposals to Parliament that promote fair competition and passenger safety. Every Londoner should be able to get into a cab knowing that it is insured, that the driver is well trained and that the operator pays its fair share of taxes.
Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North
It is a scandal that at least one in 10 minicabs operating in the capital is uninsured and that Transport for London is allowed to get away with doing nothing about it. Last week, it ratified a new set of PHV regulations that do absolutely nothing to address the problem of uninsured minicabs picking up unsuspecting passengers across the capital.
Passenger safety is paramount, yet as a result of undue influence, TfL shied away from its regulatory responsibility. Operator insurance is the only way to guarantee minicabs are insured, yet TfL didn’t think it was worth introducing. It is playing Russian Roulette with Londoners’ safety.
It is the job of a regulator to ensure that markets are fair, encourage competition and clamp down on those who flout the rules. But TfL is encouraging a race to the bottom where the cheapest provider who takes on the least responsibility wins. Is that what we want?
Steve McNamara, general secretary, Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA)
While it is important for private- hire vehicles to be insured, any additional costs to drivers will not prevent Uber from blowing black cabs out of the water. Of course it is imperative to maintain the authenticity of London’s transport, but most Londoners won’t care about this. It is the convenience that makes Uber hugely successful, and providing it can keep its prices down, it will continue to trump the service offered by black-cab drivers.
WES STREETING MP.
Today in Parliament
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/d32599c4-5705-46f1-be88-ed2a40dd319e?in=12:45:50&out=12:56:42
The debate about the future of our black-taxi trade and the advent of new app-based providers such as Uber has, for too long, been played out as an argument between those who support competition and innovation and those who are clinging to the past. The reality is far more complicated.
London’s tech industry is a strength of our city and increased competition and new technology offers consumers great potential. But the explosion in the number of private- hire vehicles on London’s streets has led to too many drivers with insufficient insurance and poor training, leaving regulators running to catch up. It has also become clear that some operators are trying to beat their competition by offering lower fares while taking advantage of tax loopholes and offshore tax arrangements. This is unacceptable and if we are not careful, London’s iconic black cabs will be driven off the road by shoddy competitors.
My message is simple: insure your drivers, train your drivers and pay your taxes or get off our streets. That is why I have put forward proposals to Parliament that promote fair competition and passenger safety. Every Londoner should be able to get into a cab knowing that it is insured, that the driver is well trained and that the operator pays its fair share of taxes.
Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North
It is a scandal that at least one in 10 minicabs operating in the capital is uninsured and that Transport for London is allowed to get away with doing nothing about it. Last week, it ratified a new set of PHV regulations that do absolutely nothing to address the problem of uninsured minicabs picking up unsuspecting passengers across the capital.
Passenger safety is paramount, yet as a result of undue influence, TfL shied away from its regulatory responsibility. Operator insurance is the only way to guarantee minicabs are insured, yet TfL didn’t think it was worth introducing. It is playing Russian Roulette with Londoners’ safety.
It is the job of a regulator to ensure that markets are fair, encourage competition and clamp down on those who flout the rules. But TfL is encouraging a race to the bottom where the cheapest provider who takes on the least responsibility wins. Is that what we want?
Steve McNamara, general secretary, Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA)
While it is important for private- hire vehicles to be insured, any additional costs to drivers will not prevent Uber from blowing black cabs out of the water. Of course it is imperative to maintain the authenticity of London’s transport, but most Londoners won’t care about this. It is the convenience that makes Uber hugely successful, and providing it can keep its prices down, it will continue to trump the service offered by black-cab drivers.
WES STREETING MP.
Today in Parliament
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/d32599c4-5705-46f1-be88-ed2a40dd319e?in=12:45:50&out=12:56:42
Monday, 21 March 2016
UBER SAN FRANCISCO FIND A WAY TO GRAB 84.9% COMMISSION
This is an extrodinary read, but have a butchers.
I add a screen grab to show the maths.
Read the full story : https://goo.gl/4bPWei
-------------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
A taxi driver who knocked down an 88-year-old woman has been spared jail after she asked for him not to be punished on her death bed.
Mary Johnson forgave Ronald Singleton, 62, for the careless driving which led to her death.
The private hire driver hit the 88-year-old when he failed to see her crossing Ullet Road in Liverpool on March 13 last year.
The Liverpool Echo reports Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said: “This is a tragic case. Ms Johnson was truly a remarkable lady.
“Even when injured by the defendant’s driving, her thoughts were not of herself, but of the defendant, for whose livelihood she was concerned.
Read more: Double death driver smashed into wall and fled as pals burned in wreckage
“She was from a generation who faced adversity and setbacks with courage and fortitude. We can learn a lesson from her stoicism and dignity.
“She clearly would not have wanted this defendant to go to prison. Although wishes of victims cannot influence sentencing, in this case it would be wrong to ignore them."
Liverpool Crown Court heard the incident happened at around midday, when Singleton, of East Prescot Road, Dovecot, was in his Peugeot 406.
A rear-seat passenger said the dad-of-two was driving safely and she had no concerns as he slowed to approach the junction and turn right.
Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, said cars heading in the opposite direction along Ullet Road stopped to allow Ms Johnson to cross, with the help of a walking aid.
The passenger could “clearly” see Ms Johnson but she believed Singleton did not see her in the middle of the road, less than six metres away.
After the crash he stopped his car, got out and was heard to say “you stepped out” before police and an ambulance were called.
Ms Johnson suffered serious leg injuries and contracted an infection in hospital before dying of multiple organ failure on April 10.
Pathologists said the crash and surgery put extra strain on her heart and the accident was “highly likely to have accelerated her death”.
Investigators said visibility was clear and only the A-pillar in Singleton’s car and electronic devices on his windscreen would have restricted his view.
Singleton denied driving carelessly or dangerously in police interview, but later admitted causing death by careless driving.
Ms Snowdon said: “When asked if he gave a cursory glance to the right and pulled out without seeing her, he said that was a possibility.”
Read more: Musician murdered concert pianist wife after becoming jealous of career
Helen Rickets visited her aunt twice in hospital following the accident.
Ms Snowdon said: “On each occasion she said she did not wish the driver of the car to be punished.
“She said he should not lose his livelihood and she did not want his family’s security to be jeopardised.”
Ms Rickets told the court: “She was the kindest, nicest lady, who always saw the best in everyone.
“She would feel the driver and his family have suffered enough and he could continue with his job and support his family.”
Jason Smith, defending, said his client was “extremely remorseful”.
He said the sentiments expressed by Ms Johnson were testament to her “good nature and to her humanity” but sadly even if he was not jailed, Singleton would lose his job.
Mr Smith said: “The reality is it’s extremely unlikely he will be able to trade or work as a taxi driver ever again.”
Judge Conrad said his sentence would have been different had Singleton been guilty of dangerous, rather than careless, driving.
He handed him six months in prison, suspended for a year, and a two-month home curfew from 9pm to 6am.
The judge banned him from driving for a year and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/taxi-driver-who-knocked-down-7604754?
-----------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM and LEEDS
Private hire and taxi group Veezu has strengthened its operations through the acquisition of two taxi companies in Birmingham and Leeds.
In the West Midlands, Veezu-owned A2B Radio Cars has acquired Able Senator Cars, bringing its fleet to more than 600 vehicles to help service its growing customer base in Birmingham, Solihull and surrounding areas.
The six-figure purchase has seen an additional 65 cars join A2B, add around 10 new geographical locations to its patch with an anticipated 5,000 extra bookings per week.
Meanwhile in Leeds, Veezu’s Amber Cars has acquired A1 Taxis, seeing 15 drivers joining its fleet to bring its pool of drivers to 860.
The five-figure deal is expected to create up to 1,500 extra bookings for the business every week in locations such as Holbeck and Beeston, which are areas of Leeds that Amber hasn’t previously had a strong presence in.
Customers of both Able Senator Cars and A1 Taxis will now benefit from Veezu’s investment into its company infrastructure, in which all of its taxi firms offer electronic booking methods such as through a mobile app, the internet and an interactive voice response system as well as maintaining traditional methods of ordering a taxi be it over the phone, walk-ins or on account.
Paul Ragan, chief executive officer of Veezu, said: “Bringing Able Senator Cars and A1 Taxis into the Veezu group enables us to increase our geographical footprint and the number of drivers we have on the road. This sees Amber strengthen even further the areas in which we operate.
“In Birmingham, there was already a lot of synergy between the operating areas of Able and A2B, although Able’s stronghold was undoubtedly south Birmingham, so for us this purchase is not necessarily about expanding the areas in which we operate but making sure we remain ‘best in class‘ to our loyal customers.
“Whereas in Leeds, the purchase will bolster our current offering as A1 Taxis’ drivers bring with them a wealth of knowledge of areas that Amber Cars hasn’t traditionally worked in day-to-day as much.
http://goo.gl/6Q4rp5
This is an extrodinary read, but have a butchers.
I add a screen grab to show the maths.
Read the full story : https://goo.gl/4bPWei
-------------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
A taxi driver who knocked down an 88-year-old woman has been spared jail after she asked for him not to be punished on her death bed.
Mary Johnson forgave Ronald Singleton, 62, for the careless driving which led to her death.
The private hire driver hit the 88-year-old when he failed to see her crossing Ullet Road in Liverpool on March 13 last year.
The Liverpool Echo reports Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said: “This is a tragic case. Ms Johnson was truly a remarkable lady.
“Even when injured by the defendant’s driving, her thoughts were not of herself, but of the defendant, for whose livelihood she was concerned.
Read more: Double death driver smashed into wall and fled as pals burned in wreckage
“She was from a generation who faced adversity and setbacks with courage and fortitude. We can learn a lesson from her stoicism and dignity.
“She clearly would not have wanted this defendant to go to prison. Although wishes of victims cannot influence sentencing, in this case it would be wrong to ignore them."
Liverpool Crown Court heard the incident happened at around midday, when Singleton, of East Prescot Road, Dovecot, was in his Peugeot 406.
A rear-seat passenger said the dad-of-two was driving safely and she had no concerns as he slowed to approach the junction and turn right.
Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, said cars heading in the opposite direction along Ullet Road stopped to allow Ms Johnson to cross, with the help of a walking aid.
The passenger could “clearly” see Ms Johnson but she believed Singleton did not see her in the middle of the road, less than six metres away.
After the crash he stopped his car, got out and was heard to say “you stepped out” before police and an ambulance were called.
Ms Johnson suffered serious leg injuries and contracted an infection in hospital before dying of multiple organ failure on April 10.
Pathologists said the crash and surgery put extra strain on her heart and the accident was “highly likely to have accelerated her death”.
Investigators said visibility was clear and only the A-pillar in Singleton’s car and electronic devices on his windscreen would have restricted his view.
Singleton denied driving carelessly or dangerously in police interview, but later admitted causing death by careless driving.
Ms Snowdon said: “When asked if he gave a cursory glance to the right and pulled out without seeing her, he said that was a possibility.”
Read more: Musician murdered concert pianist wife after becoming jealous of career
Helen Rickets visited her aunt twice in hospital following the accident.
Ms Snowdon said: “On each occasion she said she did not wish the driver of the car to be punished.
“She said he should not lose his livelihood and she did not want his family’s security to be jeopardised.”
Ms Rickets told the court: “She was the kindest, nicest lady, who always saw the best in everyone.
“She would feel the driver and his family have suffered enough and he could continue with his job and support his family.”
Jason Smith, defending, said his client was “extremely remorseful”.
He said the sentiments expressed by Ms Johnson were testament to her “good nature and to her humanity” but sadly even if he was not jailed, Singleton would lose his job.
Mr Smith said: “The reality is it’s extremely unlikely he will be able to trade or work as a taxi driver ever again.”
Judge Conrad said his sentence would have been different had Singleton been guilty of dangerous, rather than careless, driving.
He handed him six months in prison, suspended for a year, and a two-month home curfew from 9pm to 6am.
The judge banned him from driving for a year and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/taxi-driver-who-knocked-down-7604754?
-----------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM and LEEDS
Private hire and taxi group Veezu has strengthened its operations through the acquisition of two taxi companies in Birmingham and Leeds.
In the West Midlands, Veezu-owned A2B Radio Cars has acquired Able Senator Cars, bringing its fleet to more than 600 vehicles to help service its growing customer base in Birmingham, Solihull and surrounding areas.
The six-figure purchase has seen an additional 65 cars join A2B, add around 10 new geographical locations to its patch with an anticipated 5,000 extra bookings per week.
Meanwhile in Leeds, Veezu’s Amber Cars has acquired A1 Taxis, seeing 15 drivers joining its fleet to bring its pool of drivers to 860.
The five-figure deal is expected to create up to 1,500 extra bookings for the business every week in locations such as Holbeck and Beeston, which are areas of Leeds that Amber hasn’t previously had a strong presence in.
Customers of both Able Senator Cars and A1 Taxis will now benefit from Veezu’s investment into its company infrastructure, in which all of its taxi firms offer electronic booking methods such as through a mobile app, the internet and an interactive voice response system as well as maintaining traditional methods of ordering a taxi be it over the phone, walk-ins or on account.
Paul Ragan, chief executive officer of Veezu, said: “Bringing Able Senator Cars and A1 Taxis into the Veezu group enables us to increase our geographical footprint and the number of drivers we have on the road. This sees Amber strengthen even further the areas in which we operate.
“In Birmingham, there was already a lot of synergy between the operating areas of Able and A2B, although Able’s stronghold was undoubtedly south Birmingham, so for us this purchase is not necessarily about expanding the areas in which we operate but making sure we remain ‘best in class‘ to our loyal customers.
“Whereas in Leeds, the purchase will bolster our current offering as A1 Taxis’ drivers bring with them a wealth of knowledge of areas that Amber Cars hasn’t traditionally worked in day-to-day as much.
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