LUTON AIRPORT
TAXI drivers will be protesting outside Luton Town Hall at 1.30pm on Wednesday 22nd June over the awarding of a contract to a London firm.
Drivers who are a member of the RMT trade union are protesting the contract and will congregate outside Luton town hall on Wednesday 22 June at 1:30pm.
Luton Airport awarded a five year contract at the airport to London-based firm Addison Lee, after a contract with Luton Hackney Carriages Association expired in February.
Former taxi driver Barkat Hussain, of Claremont Road, Luton, fears that this could lead taxi drivers to 'flood' the town centre, which could lead to a rise in fares.
He said: "Hackney cab drivers will have no choice but to flood the town with their vehicles, as they need to feed their families and pay their mortgages like the rest of us.
"This will mean all Luton fares will be forced up as otherwise no-one will be able to make a living driving a taxi."
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT demands that the Luton Airport tender be re-run to give proper weight to the contribution from local drivers.
"RMT also demands that the taxi rank at the airport be re-instated. If this does not occur, local drivers face being ruined.
"Further, RMT demands that all local authorities stop trying to fleece local taxis.
"Allowing multi-nationals to gorge themselves on fees earned by providing local services, will simply lead to those services being overpriced and revenue being exported out of the area."
http://goo.gl/uwbplx
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STOKE
A TAXI driver has been jailed and stripped of his licence after he groped a female passenger – before stealing her purse and withdrawing money with her bank card.
Shazad Hussain has been sent to prison for 18 months after being convicted of sexual assault. The 23-year-old was finishing his shift when he picked up his victim, who had been drinking, outside a takeaway in Hanley.
The victim gave him her cash card and pin number so he could withdraw his fare from an ATM. As he drove to drop her off in Biddulph, he sexually assaulted her and did not return her purse.
Now Stoke-on-Trent City Council has condemned Hussain's behaviour, and confirmed he is no longer a licensed driver.
A trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Hussain had been to the city centre takeaway to get some food as he finished his shift at 5am.
A bouncer told him that a woman was waiting outside and wanted a taxi home to Biddulph. Despite living in Blurton, Hussain agreed to take her and withdrew the fare from a nearby cash machine.
After taking a 'circuitous' route to Biddulph he groped her twice – first touching her thigh over her clothing and moving his hand towards her groin. He then touched her breast, again over her clothes.
The court heard as he dropped her at home he offered to waive his fare if she agreed to give him oral sex – which she declined. After she got home – where her mother found her in distress – she realised she did not have her purse and contacted the police.
Meanwhile Hussain drove to several ATMs on his way home withdrawing cash using the victim's bank card – a total of £260 – until he could not carry out any more transactions.
He was later arrested and initially denied theft and sexual assault following the incident last summer. When presented with CCTV evidence by police he admitted two charges of theft, but continued to deny sexual assault. He was found guilty following a trial last month.
Nicholas Tatlow, representing Hussain at his sentencing hearing, said he had never been in trouble before.
"He is a young man of good character and good background," said Mr Tatlow. "It's clear he is very sorry for the way he behaved towards this woman on this night."
The court heard the victim, who was previously 'bubbly, outgoing and fun-loving', had become withdrawn, was drinking more and had been prescribed anti-depressants.
Judge David Fletcher sentenced Hussain, of Blurton Road, Blurton, to 18 months in prison.
He said: "You were a taxi driver. She was a lone woman, early in the morning. There was targeting of the victim and there has clearly been psychological harm caused. This was a serious piece of behaviour."
Councillor Randy Conteh, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet member for housing, communities and safer city, said behaviour like Hussain's 'is not tolerated'.
http://goo.gl/dmVvfz
------------------------------------
EDINBURGH (Update)
Bosses at one of Scotland's busiest airports have called in the police to crack down on cabbies who flout pick-up rules.
Concerns have been raised at Edinburgh Airport over drivers who pick up fares in the drop-off zone - which is banned under the terminal's byelaws.
City Cabs is the official taxi provider for the airport, and its drivers are allowed to park close to the main terminal.
But rival firms are reportedly "poaching" customers before they reach the designated rank in the multi-storey car park.
Airport bosses said they were working with police - as well as car park operators and the city council - to clamp down on those who breach the rules.
It is understood Edinburgh City Council's licensing board will be writing to the drivers.
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: "We're aware that there is an issue with taxis picking up in our drop-off zone.
"This is not allowed under airport byelaws and we're working with our car park operators Empark, Police Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council Licensing Board to deal with it.
"Our taxi operators are aware of this issue and support us as we try to ensure our drop-off area is safe, efficient and used for its proper purpose."
A City Cabs driver, who did not wish to be named, said the problem began when the layout of the airport was changed in April to deal with an increase in passenger numbers.
He said: "There is major unrest between the official airport taxi companies, which are being charged £2.90 by the airport for each pick-up, and the rest of Edinburgh cabs who are coming into the airport to steal customers from under our noses.
"It is soul-destroying watching other taxis touting, dropping people off and getting fares straight away while we wait for up to two hours [in the designated rank] not making any money. And some drivers are coming in empty and trying to steal customers.
"I'm at the end of my tether. They are taking cash out of our pockets."
But Les McVay, company secretary at City Cabs, downplayed the extent of the problem and said the deal they had made with the airport was a "success story".
http://goo.gl/iXj0zp
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Saturday, 18 June 2016
EDINBURGH
Airport chiefs have called in the police to crack down on cabbies who flout the rules.
Concerns have been raised over drivers who pick up fares in the drop-off zone – which is banned under the terminal’s byelaws.
City Cabs is the official taxi provider for the airport, which allows the firm’s drivers to park close to the main terminal.
One driver told the Evening News that rival firms were regularly “poaching” customers before they reached the designated rank in the multi-storey car park.
Airport bosses said they were working with police – as well as car park operators and the city council – to clamp down on those who breach the rules.
It is understood that the council’s licensing board will be writing to the drivers.
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “We’re aware that there is an issue with taxis picking up in our drop-off zone. This is not allowed under airport byelaws and we’re working with our car park operators Empark, Police Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council Licensing Board to deal with it.
“Our taxi operators are aware of this issue and support us as we try to ensure our drop-off area is safe, efficient and used for its proper purpose.”
The City Cabs driver, who did not wish to be named, said the problem began when the layout of the airport was changed in April to deal with an increase in passenger numbers.
He said: “There is major unrest between the official airport taxi companies, which are being charged £2.90 by the airport for each pick-up, and the rest of Edinburgh cabs who are coming into the airport to steal customers from under our noses.
“It is soul-destroying watching other taxis touting, dropping people off and getting fares straight away while we wait for up to two hours [in the designated rank] not making any money. And some drivers are coming in empty and trying to steal customers.
“I’m at the end of my tether. They are taking cash out of our pockets.”
However, Les McVay, company secretary at City Cabs, downplayed the extent of the problem and insisted the firm’s deal with the airport was a “success story”.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Western, urged airport chiefs to do everything in their power to help the official drivers with whom they have a “commercial arrangement”.
He said: “Some people will chance their arm and I absolutely support Edinburgh Airport for cracking down on this practice.
“Our black cabs have been suffering since Uber was introduced in Edinburgh and this is another problem that hard-working taxi drivers have to deal with. Black cabs are a vital part of our transport infrastructure.”
http://www.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-airport-calls-police-over-taxi-drivers-fare-battle-1-4158246?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Airport chiefs have called in the police to crack down on cabbies who flout the rules.
Concerns have been raised over drivers who pick up fares in the drop-off zone – which is banned under the terminal’s byelaws.
City Cabs is the official taxi provider for the airport, which allows the firm’s drivers to park close to the main terminal.
One driver told the Evening News that rival firms were regularly “poaching” customers before they reached the designated rank in the multi-storey car park.
Airport bosses said they were working with police – as well as car park operators and the city council – to clamp down on those who breach the rules.
It is understood that the council’s licensing board will be writing to the drivers.
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “We’re aware that there is an issue with taxis picking up in our drop-off zone. This is not allowed under airport byelaws and we’re working with our car park operators Empark, Police Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council Licensing Board to deal with it.
“Our taxi operators are aware of this issue and support us as we try to ensure our drop-off area is safe, efficient and used for its proper purpose.”
The City Cabs driver, who did not wish to be named, said the problem began when the layout of the airport was changed in April to deal with an increase in passenger numbers.
He said: “There is major unrest between the official airport taxi companies, which are being charged £2.90 by the airport for each pick-up, and the rest of Edinburgh cabs who are coming into the airport to steal customers from under our noses.
“It is soul-destroying watching other taxis touting, dropping people off and getting fares straight away while we wait for up to two hours [in the designated rank] not making any money. And some drivers are coming in empty and trying to steal customers.
“I’m at the end of my tether. They are taking cash out of our pockets.”
However, Les McVay, company secretary at City Cabs, downplayed the extent of the problem and insisted the firm’s deal with the airport was a “success story”.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Western, urged airport chiefs to do everything in their power to help the official drivers with whom they have a “commercial arrangement”.
He said: “Some people will chance their arm and I absolutely support Edinburgh Airport for cracking down on this practice.
“Our black cabs have been suffering since Uber was introduced in Edinburgh and this is another problem that hard-working taxi drivers have to deal with. Black cabs are a vital part of our transport infrastructure.”
http://www.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-airport-calls-police-over-taxi-drivers-fare-battle-1-4158246?
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Thursday, 16 June 2016
UBERK MANCHESTER. Its what the Public have been waiting for.
A group of Stone Roses revellers were charged over £160 for an Uber taxi from the Etihad to Altrincham.
After enjoying his 20th birthday at the first of the Manchester band’s gigs this week, student Will Sloan said he was left in disbelief when he found out that the journey from the stadium to his home in Altrincham cost him £163.07.
He said: “We noticed at the time that he was going pretty much the longest way possible. We would usually expect to pay about £30-£40 to get home but when I found out I couldn’t believe it. It was outrageous!”
At the end of the journey Will and his friends questioned the driver about his choice of route and he then admitted to taking the wrong route home, saying that he would email to sort out a refund.
Will, who called an Uber using the app on his phone, said: “This just shows that if you aren’t careful Uber can cost you a fortune. The whole situation has put me off ever using Uber again and ruined what would have been a great birthday.”
The three pals chose to get a taxi home when they saw the queue for the Metrolink stretched from the station all the way down to the junction on Alan Turning Way and back again.
They were told the surcharge for their journey would be 4.9.
But after the trip Will went on the app’s help section and clicked on the driver ‘chose a poor route’ option.
He has now been told he will be refunded £50 instantly, making the cost of the journey just over £100.
Despite the refund, he has contacted the online taxi company asking for more.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/stone-roses-fans-outraged-after-11481720
COMMENT
Driving a PH Car can be difficult at the best of times. The Punters moaning after every Journey and going to the Papers is, in my opinion, very unfair.
The driver has to make a Living, that is why he charged a modest £16.80 a mile, for what should have been a 9.7 mile Journey.
I am however struggling to grasp why the driver went out to Worsley first and then turned left to get to his destination.
UBERK, its what the Manchester Public want ! !
A group of Stone Roses revellers were charged over £160 for an Uber taxi from the Etihad to Altrincham.
After enjoying his 20th birthday at the first of the Manchester band’s gigs this week, student Will Sloan said he was left in disbelief when he found out that the journey from the stadium to his home in Altrincham cost him £163.07.
He said: “We noticed at the time that he was going pretty much the longest way possible. We would usually expect to pay about £30-£40 to get home but when I found out I couldn’t believe it. It was outrageous!”
At the end of the journey Will and his friends questioned the driver about his choice of route and he then admitted to taking the wrong route home, saying that he would email to sort out a refund.
Will, who called an Uber using the app on his phone, said: “This just shows that if you aren’t careful Uber can cost you a fortune. The whole situation has put me off ever using Uber again and ruined what would have been a great birthday.”
The three pals chose to get a taxi home when they saw the queue for the Metrolink stretched from the station all the way down to the junction on Alan Turning Way and back again.
They were told the surcharge for their journey would be 4.9.
But after the trip Will went on the app’s help section and clicked on the driver ‘chose a poor route’ option.
He has now been told he will be refunded £50 instantly, making the cost of the journey just over £100.
Despite the refund, he has contacted the online taxi company asking for more.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/stone-roses-fans-outraged-after-11481720
COMMENT
Driving a PH Car can be difficult at the best of times. The Punters moaning after every Journey and going to the Papers is, in my opinion, very unfair.
The driver has to make a Living, that is why he charged a modest £16.80 a mile, for what should have been a 9.7 mile Journey.
I am however struggling to grasp why the driver went out to Worsley first and then turned left to get to his destination.
UBERK, its what the Manchester Public want ! !
Wednesday, 15 June 2016
PENDLE
Councillors in Lancashire will meet today ahead of plans to bring in a new taxi rating system. Recent spot checks in Pendle revealed 70% of cabs stopped were not fit for the road. In future those deemed unsafe could be named and shamed.
Last month bosses voted to extended the maximum age a vehicle can operate from 9 years to 11. Pendle Council leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal denied that the change would lead to a reduction in safety.
If you look at how things currently stand there are a lot of boroughs in Lancashire which have no vehicle age limitations.
"We have had ours for a number of years.
"The age of the vehicle isn't the issue as far as I am concerned because it is highlighted by our testing procedure that cars which are only three-years-old fail the safety checks.
"The issue for me is that at the moment there is no way for the public to know how safe a vehicle is when they ring up for a taxi.
"That is why I have asked the taxi licensing committee to work on a scheme hat would publicise good taxi operators but also highlight the poor ones regarding maintenance and safety of their vehicles. It would be something similar to the star rating system that we have for takeaways and restaurants.
– CLLR MOHAMMED IQBAL
http://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/2016-06-16/new-taxi-rating-scheme-set-for-pendle/
------------------------------------------------------------
The Government has agreed to introduce new measures placing a duty on local councils ‘to consider how they can prevent child sexual exploitation when they issue licences for taxis and private hire vehicles’.
It follows campaigning from a Rotherham steering group made up of abuse survivors and town MP Sarah Champion. Tougher measures have already been ordered in Rotherham, where all taxis will have to contain CCTV cameras from next month.
Professor Alexis Jay’s inquiry in August 2014 – which found that at least 1,400 children had been victims of sexual exploitation in Rotherham over 16 years – had noted the ‘prominent role’ of taxi drivers in such offending.
Miss Champion said: “I am pleased that the steps that Rotherham Council took locally, will now be implemented nationally. We have a responsibility to keep all children safe. It has been two years since the Rotherham abuse scandal, and only now the Government has listened and taken action to make the taxi profession safer for the most vulnerable children. Whilst I welcome this decision, it is disgraceful that the Government has taken this long to act.”
Javed Khan, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “New measures to make taxis safer for vulnerable children at risk of exploitation are needed urgently.”
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/new-national-rules-planned-on-taxi-drivers-following-rotherham-scandal-1-7965297#ixzz4BiTxwnaX
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GATESHEAD
A motorcyclist was left with minor injuries after a collision with a taxi in Gateshead .
At around 6.10pm on Tuesday, June 14, police received a report of a collision between a taxi and a motorcyclist at the junction of Bensham Road and Saltwell Road.
Police have said the taxi was stationary but when their passenger exited the vehicle it collided with the motorcyclist who suffered minor injuries when he fell from his bike.
Both the passenger and the driver stopped to check on the motorcyclist but then left the area without leaving any details.
Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident and are keen to speak to the taxi driver involved or to the passenger of the vehicle to help establish the circumstances.
Those involved, or anyone who witnessed the collision, should call police on 101 quoting reference 969 14/06/16.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/motorcyclist-injured-after-crash-taxi-11479273?
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ROCHDALE
A taxi driver may lose his sight after a punter smashed his window and sent glass flying into his eye.
The 38 year-old victim had working in Middleton in the early hours of Sunday when he was approached about a fare.
However after he refused, the man flew into a rage and smashed the driver’s side window sending broken into the air and causing serious injuries to the driver.
The cabbie remains in hospital for surgery. Doctors say he may lose the sight in one eye.
Officers attended the scene of the attack on Manchester Old Road at around 1.15am however the attacker could not be found.
It is believed he fled the scene in another taxi.
The suspect was described as a mixed race aged between 18 and 22, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall and had short curly black hair in an Afro style and was wearing dark jeans and a grey hooded top.
Det Cone Daniel Daly, of GMP’s Rochdale borough, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a man simply trying to earn an honest living and he may lose the sight in his eye permanently.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have seen anything that will help us with our investigation to come forward.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/taxi-driver-lose-sight-after-11478361?
Councillors in Lancashire will meet today ahead of plans to bring in a new taxi rating system. Recent spot checks in Pendle revealed 70% of cabs stopped were not fit for the road. In future those deemed unsafe could be named and shamed.
Last month bosses voted to extended the maximum age a vehicle can operate from 9 years to 11. Pendle Council leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal denied that the change would lead to a reduction in safety.
If you look at how things currently stand there are a lot of boroughs in Lancashire which have no vehicle age limitations.
"We have had ours for a number of years.
"The age of the vehicle isn't the issue as far as I am concerned because it is highlighted by our testing procedure that cars which are only three-years-old fail the safety checks.
"The issue for me is that at the moment there is no way for the public to know how safe a vehicle is when they ring up for a taxi.
"That is why I have asked the taxi licensing committee to work on a scheme hat would publicise good taxi operators but also highlight the poor ones regarding maintenance and safety of their vehicles. It would be something similar to the star rating system that we have for takeaways and restaurants.
– CLLR MOHAMMED IQBAL
http://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/2016-06-16/new-taxi-rating-scheme-set-for-pendle/
------------------------------------------------------------
The Government has agreed to introduce new measures placing a duty on local councils ‘to consider how they can prevent child sexual exploitation when they issue licences for taxis and private hire vehicles’.
It follows campaigning from a Rotherham steering group made up of abuse survivors and town MP Sarah Champion. Tougher measures have already been ordered in Rotherham, where all taxis will have to contain CCTV cameras from next month.
Professor Alexis Jay’s inquiry in August 2014 – which found that at least 1,400 children had been victims of sexual exploitation in Rotherham over 16 years – had noted the ‘prominent role’ of taxi drivers in such offending.
Miss Champion said: “I am pleased that the steps that Rotherham Council took locally, will now be implemented nationally. We have a responsibility to keep all children safe. It has been two years since the Rotherham abuse scandal, and only now the Government has listened and taken action to make the taxi profession safer for the most vulnerable children. Whilst I welcome this decision, it is disgraceful that the Government has taken this long to act.”
Javed Khan, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “New measures to make taxis safer for vulnerable children at risk of exploitation are needed urgently.”
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/new-national-rules-planned-on-taxi-drivers-following-rotherham-scandal-1-7965297#ixzz4BiTxwnaX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GATESHEAD
A motorcyclist was left with minor injuries after a collision with a taxi in Gateshead .
At around 6.10pm on Tuesday, June 14, police received a report of a collision between a taxi and a motorcyclist at the junction of Bensham Road and Saltwell Road.
Police have said the taxi was stationary but when their passenger exited the vehicle it collided with the motorcyclist who suffered minor injuries when he fell from his bike.
Both the passenger and the driver stopped to check on the motorcyclist but then left the area without leaving any details.
Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident and are keen to speak to the taxi driver involved or to the passenger of the vehicle to help establish the circumstances.
Those involved, or anyone who witnessed the collision, should call police on 101 quoting reference 969 14/06/16.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/motorcyclist-injured-after-crash-taxi-11479273?
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ROCHDALE
A taxi driver may lose his sight after a punter smashed his window and sent glass flying into his eye.
The 38 year-old victim had working in Middleton in the early hours of Sunday when he was approached about a fare.
However after he refused, the man flew into a rage and smashed the driver’s side window sending broken into the air and causing serious injuries to the driver.
The cabbie remains in hospital for surgery. Doctors say he may lose the sight in one eye.
Officers attended the scene of the attack on Manchester Old Road at around 1.15am however the attacker could not be found.
It is believed he fled the scene in another taxi.
The suspect was described as a mixed race aged between 18 and 22, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall and had short curly black hair in an Afro style and was wearing dark jeans and a grey hooded top.
Det Cone Daniel Daly, of GMP’s Rochdale borough, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a man simply trying to earn an honest living and he may lose the sight in his eye permanently.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have seen anything that will help us with our investigation to come forward.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/taxi-driver-lose-sight-after-11478361?
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
Uber is experimenting with a decidedly retro service: a telephone dispatch system that would allow people without smartphones to call a hotline and order an Uber ride, according to a transit official in Pinellas County, Florida. The system is being tested as a pilot program in conjunction with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, which plans to launch it on July 18th. The call-in feature is part of a local program that will grant publicly subsidized Uber rides to low-income residents who do not have cars or easy access to the area’s bus-based public transit system, according to Christopher Cochran, senior planner at the PSTA.
The call-in feature signals that Uber is looking not only to expand its clientele beyond its smartphone wielding, tech-savvy customer base, but also that the ride-hailing giant hopes to be taken more seriously by public transit agencies as a complement — or even alternative — to existing mass transport options.
-----------------------------------------------
UberK’s boss in the UK claims she has been forced to quit Twitter after being bombarded with sexist and abusive messages from taxi drivers.
Jo Bertram claimed the attacks have included one angry cabbie saying he hoped she would “get run over by a Toyota Prius”, while others have criticised her appearance including one who said she looked like Jimmy Savile.
The Uber executive, who is in charge of the minicab app across the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, spoke about the abuse today at a "powerful women" conference being held in central London, Bertram told the Fortune Most Powerful Women event at Holborn's Rosewood Hotel that she now gets staff to check her Twitter account as she cannot face logging into it herself.
http://goo.gl/fW1HSe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After putting the finishing touches to their colourful cabs, 70 taxi drivers have made their way to the seaside for the annual Edinburgh Taxi Trade Children's Outing.
From an Eddie the Eagle-inspired float to a taxi transformed into Red Riding Hood's Grandma's house, the horns beeped through an excited crowd as more than 100 families joined them at Edinburgh Zoo.
The city's cabbies take a day off to drive children with special needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses and their families on a trip to the seaside.
Funded by an organising committee of taxi drivers, who raise money throughout the year, the outing has become a staple in the city for the last 70 years.
http://goo.gl/dLpnCE
-----------------------------------------------
UBERK FLORIDA
Touted for years as the company that would disrupt the taxi industry, Uber is now going old school and experimenting with a telephone dispatch system that allows those without smartphones to call in to order an Uber ride.
If that sounds familiar, it should; it’s how taxi’s have operated for more than a century.
The new program is being tested as a pilot program with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in Florida and launches on July 18.
The program is part of a project to offer subsidized Uber rides to those typically reliant on the bus-based public transit system, according to Christopher Cochran, senior planner at the PSTA.
Under the new plan, “transit disadvantaged” residents can phone in a request for an Uber ride and be granted a taxpayer-subsidized trip anywhere within the service area during daytime hours.
The program covers both travel the dispatcher deems “urgent and life sustaining” as well as minor things, such as grocery shopping or routine medical visits.
What’s interesting is the possibilities the move opens up for cities to complement their existing public transportation options for “transit disadvantaged” individuals. The move would see Uber vying for new clientele not just in tech-savvy smartphone users, but as an additional option for municipal and state governments and a real alternative for the non-tech savvy to the traditional route of calling — or hailing — a taxi.
The Verge.
The call-in feature signals that Uber is looking not only to expand its clientele beyond its smartphone wielding, tech-savvy customer base, but also that the ride-hailing giant hopes to be taken more seriously by public transit agencies as a complement — or even alternative — to existing mass transport options.
-----------------------------------------------
UberK’s boss in the UK claims she has been forced to quit Twitter after being bombarded with sexist and abusive messages from taxi drivers.
Jo Bertram claimed the attacks have included one angry cabbie saying he hoped she would “get run over by a Toyota Prius”, while others have criticised her appearance including one who said she looked like Jimmy Savile.
The Uber executive, who is in charge of the minicab app across the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, spoke about the abuse today at a "powerful women" conference being held in central London, Bertram told the Fortune Most Powerful Women event at Holborn's Rosewood Hotel that she now gets staff to check her Twitter account as she cannot face logging into it herself.
http://goo.gl/fW1HSe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After putting the finishing touches to their colourful cabs, 70 taxi drivers have made their way to the seaside for the annual Edinburgh Taxi Trade Children's Outing.
From an Eddie the Eagle-inspired float to a taxi transformed into Red Riding Hood's Grandma's house, the horns beeped through an excited crowd as more than 100 families joined them at Edinburgh Zoo.
The city's cabbies take a day off to drive children with special needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses and their families on a trip to the seaside.
http://goo.gl/dLpnCE
-----------------------------------------------
UBERK FLORIDA
Touted for years as the company that would disrupt the taxi industry, Uber is now going old school and experimenting with a telephone dispatch system that allows those without smartphones to call in to order an Uber ride.
If that sounds familiar, it should; it’s how taxi’s have operated for more than a century.
The new program is being tested as a pilot program with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in Florida and launches on July 18.
The program is part of a project to offer subsidized Uber rides to those typically reliant on the bus-based public transit system, according to Christopher Cochran, senior planner at the PSTA.
Under the new plan, “transit disadvantaged” residents can phone in a request for an Uber ride and be granted a taxpayer-subsidized trip anywhere within the service area during daytime hours.
The program covers both travel the dispatcher deems “urgent and life sustaining” as well as minor things, such as grocery shopping or routine medical visits.
What’s interesting is the possibilities the move opens up for cities to complement their existing public transportation options for “transit disadvantaged” individuals. The move would see Uber vying for new clientele not just in tech-savvy smartphone users, but as an additional option for municipal and state governments and a real alternative for the non-tech savvy to the traditional route of calling — or hailing — a taxi.
The Verge.
THE Government has committed to introduce extra taxi licensing guidance nationally to learn lessons from Rotherham’s CSE scandal.
MP Sarah Champion will push for more detailed background checks on drivers and training on how to spot signs of grooming included.
New Rotherham Borough Council rules mean drivers need to operate CCTV during journeys from next month and activate audio equipment when carrying an unaccompanied child or vulnerable adult.
Ms Champion said: “We have a responsibility to keep all children safe. It has been two years since the Rotherham abuse scandal, and only now the Government has listened and taken action to make the taxi profession safer for the most vulnerable children.
“Whilst I welcome this decision, it is disgraceful that the Government has taken this long to act.”
The Jay report highlighted the prominent role of the taxi trade in CSE. A new clause in the Policing and Crime Bill will require local authorities to consider CSE when issuing taxi licences.
Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “New measures to make taxis safer for vulnerable children at risk of exploitation are needed urgently.
“Whilst the vast majority of taxi drivers are law abiding, taxis and private hire vehicles have been linked to many cases of child sexual exploitation.”
http://goo.gl/2AXiqh
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MP Sarah Champion will push for more detailed background checks on drivers and training on how to spot signs of grooming included.
New Rotherham Borough Council rules mean drivers need to operate CCTV during journeys from next month and activate audio equipment when carrying an unaccompanied child or vulnerable adult.
Ms Champion said: “We have a responsibility to keep all children safe. It has been two years since the Rotherham abuse scandal, and only now the Government has listened and taken action to make the taxi profession safer for the most vulnerable children.
“Whilst I welcome this decision, it is disgraceful that the Government has taken this long to act.”
The Jay report highlighted the prominent role of the taxi trade in CSE. A new clause in the Policing and Crime Bill will require local authorities to consider CSE when issuing taxi licences.
Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “New measures to make taxis safer for vulnerable children at risk of exploitation are needed urgently.
“Whilst the vast majority of taxi drivers are law abiding, taxis and private hire vehicles have been linked to many cases of child sexual exploitation.”
http://goo.gl/2AXiqh
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YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT
Licensing functions under taxi and PHV legislation: protection of children and vulnerable adults
“(1) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to public authorities as to how their licensing functions under taxi and private hire vehicle legislation may be exercised so as to protect children, and vulnerable individuals who are 18 or over, from harm.
(2) The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.
(3) The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued under this section, and any revision of it, to be published.
(4) Any public authority which has licensing functions under taxi and private hire vehicle legislation must have regard to any guidance issued under this section.
(5) Before issuing guidance under this section, the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) the National Police Chiefs’ Council,
(b) persons who appear to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of public authorities who are required to have regard to the guidance,
(c) persons who appear to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of those whose livelihood is affected by the exercise of the licensing functions to which the guidance relates, and
(d) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(6) In this section, “taxi and private hire vehicle legislation” means—
(a) the London Hackney Carriages Act 1843;
(b) sections 37 to 68 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847;
(c) the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869;
(d) Part 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976;
(e) the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998;
(f) the Plymouth City Council Act 1975 (c.xx).”—(Karen Bradley.)
This new clause provides for the Secretary of State to issue guidance to public authorities who have licensing functions under taxi and private hire vehicle legislation about how those functions may be exercised so as to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. It also imposes a duty on those public authorities to have regard to the guidance.
Brought up, and added to the Bill.
New Clause 57
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