DERBY
This dramatic photos show the aftermath of a crash caused when a taxi driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Azhar Iqbal blacked out while driving the yellow Hackney cab down on the eastbound carriageway of the A52, drifted off the road and smashed into a tree.
The car travelled through a grass verge and slip road, and ended up colliding with trees close to the M1 turn-off.
His autistic passenger was not injured in the crash, but Iqbal received a cut to his nose.
DerbyshireLive reports Iqbal originally claimed he had suffered a "medical episode" at the wheel, but later changed his story to say he had swerved across the road to avoid a fox.
He has now been disqualified for dangerous driving and had his taxi licence revoked, following the incident which took place in February last year.
At the time of the incident, Mr Iqbal told police he had suffered a "medical episode" which caused him to lose control of the taxi.
However, during an investigation led by Derby City Council, he changed his story to say he had swerved to avoid hitting an animal.
At trial it emerged he had in fact fallen asleep, and was seen by another driver moments before the crash with his chin touching his neck and his head looking down.
A tweet from Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit revealed the dramatic photos and read: "A good result for public safety here. Taxi driver who fell asleep at the wheel but then claimed he swerved to avoid an animal.
"Disqualification from driving for 12 months and taxi licence revoked. #RoadSafety"
Richard Antcliff, director of Public Protection and Streetpride, added: “Partnership working between the police and ourselves is essential to keeping Derby and its residents safe.
"This prosecution and licensing committee decision shows that we will work together and take action to remove unsafe drivers from the roads.”
Appearing before magistrates in Derby charged with dangerous driving, Mr Iqbal entered a guilty plea and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
The court heard how he had worked as a taxi driver for ten years "without blemish", and now has a job at a warehouse.
His barrister David Lee told the court: "He was allowed to drive on a personal licence until today. He has lost a good, well paid job as a taxi driver.
https://bit.ly/2F00mRK
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The city of Seoul is planning to roll out artificial intelligence-supported ride-location technology in all of the metro’s cabs following a successful trial.
The test with 380 taxis delivered better than 97% accuracy in predicting areas with high demand for rides. A number of participating cab firms saw a more-than 2% spike in business using the technology.
The AI-platform, developed by the city and Korea Smart Card, divides Seoul into 100m x 100m squares and bases its real-time forecasts on weather, population and ‘other factors’.
"Before, taxi drivers encountered their passengers through coincidence, however, with the ‘AI Taxi System’ their encounter will be inevitable,” the city says.
https://bit.ly/2XX3Qx6.
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SOUTH AFRICA
From 'sushi king' to taxi boss: Kenny Kunene takes on Uber with new app
"We've been inundated with calls from all over the country," says Kenny Kunene about his latest business venture.
Driven by the realisation that technology is the gateway to the future, Kunene has decided to enter the world of taxi e-hailing. He recently started a business to compete with global giants like Uber and Bolt (formerly Taxify).
His foray into the world of high-tech transport is a far cry from some of the earlier antics that got him media attention, such as eating sushi from the bodies of naked women.
Kunene’s service, called Yookoo Rides, was launched in February. It has several additional features compared to those offered by his competitors.
“Besides the fact that we are a 100% black-owned South African company, our app offers a panic button that will be linked to next of kin and our offices for emergency purposes. So in an event of any emergency, we will be able call the customer, contact the police or even dispatch security services in the area,” Kunene said in an interview with TimesLIVE.
Kunene said the app also offered a convenient payment method that allowed customers to load money for future rides. Also setting it apart from the competition is the fact that more than one trip can be made at a time.
“People use these services for different reasons and some very often. A person who uses it to work can put R2,000 on their wallet account and pay for their trips from it. Even those who travel around for fun can be able to have a budget,” he said.
Kunene said some people did not have cards nor cash (as required by Uber and Taxify), so his app allowed for trips to be paid for by other users using the "wallet" feature.
The company has so far rolled out its services to Gauteng. There are plans to expand the business to other provinces - and beyond. “In the past two weeks, we have been inundated with calls from all over the country and some neighbouring countries that want to use the service. I can assure you that we will go global,” said Kunene.
Another feature differentiating Kunene’s business is that it offers substantial discounts. “Yookoo Rides offers massive discounts of up to 40%. This varies on distance, of course. The smaller the distance, the cheaper the ride. It’s a different case when it is a long distance trip,” he said.
Local users of e-hailing services have been involved in a number of incidents in which drivers have been accused of attacks and assaults. Kunene explained that his drivers were subjected to strict vetting processes, including the submission of professional driving permits.
He said his company offered various technological innovations that are aimed at creating jobs and uplifting the youth. “Our young people have the brains and ideas, so we want to create a platform that will assist in polishing their ideas and become billionaires, because smart technology is the future.”
While the business has been up and running for almost a month, Kunene said his team had been working on it since 2015. “It didn’t just happen. It took a lot for it to finally take off. I was blessed to come across people with the same passion - and qualifications, because I am just a businessman. It was a dream come true,” he said.
TimesLIVE tested the app and the discounts varied. It was rated 4.6 out of 5 by users on the Google Play Store.
https://bit.ly/2HxSzOa
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NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Severn Trent explains why it's been using taxi drivers to check on water leaks
The water company which covers Nottinghamshire has been explaining why it has been using taxi drivers to go out and check on leaks.
Severn Trent says it has been using taxis as part of its 'Virtual Field Team' programme.
This was launched last year as a video-calling service that allows the water company's customers to speak ‘face-to-face’ with an engineer when they report a leak.
But it has now emerged that taxi drivers have been sent out by Severn Trent to send back videos of reported leaks.
A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “We’ve carried out a series of two-week trials as we look to find new, more efficient ways to find and fix leaks.
"This particular trial has looked at around 50 small leaks where we’ve used taxi drivers rather than technicians as a cheaper way to get live video footage of the leak, so our engineers back at base can quickly assess the correct response and dispatch the most appropriate team to fix it.
“We’re now looking at all the trial results to see the best way to help our engineers spend more time doing what’s best for our customers by fixing leaks rather than simply assessing them.”
The move has been strongly criticised by the GNB union.
Stuart Fegan, GMB National Officer, said: “When I found out Severn Trent are using taxi drivers to investigate leaks I thought it must be a joke.
“But no one is laughing – this has got huge safety implications for customers, the drivers and the public at large.
“Water engineers are highly trained specialists - they can spot if water is contaminated and if water produces a risk to the public.
"I doubt most taxi drivers can. They also don’t know how to pin-point leaks - meaning repair crews can dig unnecessary holes in the highway.
“And how is someone going to feel after they report a leak, expecting a Severn Trent worker to attend with a uniform and the necessary training, and a taxi driver turns up? They’d think it was a hoax call.
“Severn Trent needs to see sense and cancel the 'Uber leaks' programme immediately."
Severn Trent is the UK’s second biggest water company, stretching from mid-Wales to Rutland, and from north Wales to the Bristol Channel and the Humber.
In November it said that initial trials of the 'Virtual Field Team' scheme showed that the team had been able to review three times as many leaks compared to engineers who would have had to travel to each leak location.
https://bit.ly/2J83PDj
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LUTON
A taxi driver rapist who was able to live freely for 10 years was captured on tonight's episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody.
The channel 4 programme followed police in Luton after a routine check found a match from a new domestic encounter, with DNA collected at the time of the rapes in 2007.
DNA at the scene of both rapes linked the suspect together, but police were unable to identify a suspect until a more recent domestic encounter.
Cameras followed the twists and turns of the arrest, as the case was reopened thanks to the new evidence.
Behind every unsolved rape case there will be a victim who has not received justice,' said detective Ginnette Amico. 'It's my job to not leave any stone unturned.'
Viewers saw police track down Ahmed Shipu to his house, and then question him over the incidents.
Detective Amico watched footage of the victim's interviews from 2007, as both described being picked up by a taxi driver and offered a lift.
The first, a 15-year-old girl, was picked up and driven on a route she didn't know, before the man stopped in a car park, pushed her to the ground and committed the rape.
The second, a 22-year-old, was offered a lift with another man, however when the male got out of the car to pick up something from his house, the suspect drove off and raped her.
'I see myself as a protector of victims, and the two victims have had to carry on their lives with the scars he has created for them,' explained detective Amico.
Reopening a cold case has it's challenges, and the detectives must look through the evidence collected. Though they knock on doors and ask questions, Detective Amico is left frustrated.
'What they've got to realise is that if it was their mum or their sister then they'd want people to say something,' she explained.
During the hour-and-a-half episode, police are able to track down the older of the two victims, who is now in her thirties, and listens on as she tries to provide as much evidence as she can.
https://dailym.ai/2Tuk3es
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OXFORD
POLICE are yet to charge anyone five months after a woman was subjected to a terrifying sex attack in the back of a taxi.
However, a 34-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in October remains a suspect, police have confirmed.
The victim, aged in her 20s, had fallen asleep while being driven from Oxford to Abingdon and awoke to find the driver of the car undoing her trousers.
She was then sexually assaulted.
Officers confirmed that the 34-year-old from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault the day after the incident.
He was subsequently released under investigation.
The woman had taken a taxi from Park End Street in Oxford city centre at around 1.30am on October 14, and was driven to Abingdon.
After she was assaulted the woman escaped from the taxi near West St Helen Street in Abingdon but was followed by the driver.
She approached a member of the public for help before the driver left the scene.
The driver is described as an Asian male with short black hair and stubble.
https://bit.ly/2UuXcvO
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YESTERDAY 11/3 IN PARLIMENT
Lord Hylton Crossbench
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 21 February (HL13733), what assurances they can provide that access to Parliament, Government departments and St Thomas’s Hospital will not be obstructed by taxis blocking Parliament Square;
and whether prosecutions are in process or pending as a result of earlier blockades.
(Citation: HL Deb, 11 March 2019, cW)
Baroness Williams of Trafford The Minister of State, Home Department, Minister for Equalities (Department for International Development)
The management of demonstrations is an operational matter for the police
The police are also responsible for any decisions on arrests.
Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, the police will decide whether or not an offence reaches the threshold required for prosecution under the relevant legislation.
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Bridget Phillipson Labour, Houghton and Sunderland South
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to prevent taxi or private hire vehicle drivers from operating exclusively outside of the locality in which they are licensed.
(Citation: HC Deb, 11 March 2019, cW)
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
The Government’s response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing agreed with the principle that all taxi and private hire vehicle journeys should start and/or end within the area that issued the licences, and set out that further consideration will be given to how this might best work in practice, with a view to legislation.
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Clive Betts Chair, Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing: protecting users, published on 12 February 2019, whether he has plans for statutory guidance to prohibit vehicles from undertaking journeys which do not take place or end in the area which they are licensed.
(Citation: HC Deb, 11 March 2019, cW)
Nusrat Ghani Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
The draft statutory guidance on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing which the Department is consulting on is made using powers in the Policing and Crime Act 2017.
Section 177 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 enables the Secretary of State to 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.
The Department does not believe that prohibiting vehicles from undertaking journeys which do not take place or end in the area in which they are licensed falls within scope of the section 177 powers.
In the response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Government agreed with the principle that all taxi and private hire vehicle journeys should start and/or end within the area that issued the licences, and set out that further consideration will be given to how this might best work in practice, with a view to legislation.
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BIRMINGHAM
A total of 20 taxis have reportedly brought the whole of Birmingham city centre to a standstill - by parking under Smallbrook Queensway.
West Midlands Police has been made aware of the protest, but has not been called out as it is not a police matter.
A spokeswoman for the force said:
We are aware of the protests - we have just been made aware of the fact that it’s happening.
Around 20 have parked under Smallbrook Queensway tunnel.
A taxi protest in the heart of Birmingham has sparked huge delays, according to bus service National Express.
Bus services were held back by 60 minutes due to the congestion caused by the protests.
Witnesses have alleged that Smallbrook Queensway exits have been blocked as part of the protest over the proposed congestion charge.
National Express said: "Due to the taxi protest currently taking place, there is heavy congestion in Birmingham City Centre.
"Services are being delayed up to 60 minutes unfortunately."
This is a breaking news story.
Each day BirminghamLive journalists bring you the latest news on the roads and railways across Birmingham and the West Midlands and further afield to help keep you on the move.
https://bit.ly/2CcDnT4
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Newcastle Borough Council
Taxi drivers are planning a mass protest against licensing changes they say will drive cabbies out of town and leave customers forking out more per ride.
Newcastle Borough Council has been consulting on a new licensing policy for two years - but drivers say they weren't invited into the process for 13 months.
And even when they were invited, they were offered just a single two-hour meeting. They were told to put their issues with the 91-page document in writing to council bosses within six weeks.
After drivers then asked Newcastle MP Paul Farrelly to join the debate, they were offered two more meetings, lasting two hours each.
Now taxi drivers say they'll stage a mass protest outside the council's offices after March 14 if they are not listened to.
Newcastle-under-Lyme taxi drivers Murtaza Alam, Tariq Mahmood, Shahraz Yaqub, Mark Beardmore, Sam Hashmi, Paul Wilkes, Abid Hussain and Glyn Cross. (Image: Joe Burn)
Drivers also claim the changes will reduce levels of service and safety for passengers.
The new proposals include asking drivers to switch to electric cars, a move they say is too expensive and will see their hard-earned cash lost to charging times.
They've taken issue with the age vehicles are allowed to be licensed from too.
Newcastle taxi drivers' issues with the new policy
Taxi drivers claim to have the following issues with Newcastle Borough Council's new taxi licensing policy for 2019/20:
Operators claim they will have to keep logbooks of service history for self-employed drivers - at a great cost of time and effort to their businesses;
Vehicles can't be licensed past four years old for their first time and beyond seven years in total;
Switching to electric vehicles is too expensive and they'll lose money when charging;
A new type of testing system won't be as efficient as the Stoke-on-Trent College BTEC qualification they already have;
They don't like the penalty points scheme;
They say they'll have to wait between five and eight weeks for an appointment to renew their licences;
It'll cost customers more;
It will reduce service and safety standards;
It will send drivers out of the borough for licences.
Previously, an eight-year-old vehicle could be licensed. Now, the council have 'moved the goalposts' to seven years - but will allow electric vehicles to be licensed that are up to 10 years old.
A vehicle cannot be older than four years before its first licensed either - it used to be five.
They also claim the council want operators to start keeping service history details for self-employed drivers - a task they say would be a mammoth effort and extra cost to their business.
Trevor Colclough, of Sid's Private Hire taxi firm, said: "This is ridiculous as cars are getting better, not worse. Even the Government want to bring the MOT down from every four to every three years.
From left, Trevor Colclough of Sid's Private Hire and Odgy Hammond, owner of Sid's Private Hire (Image: Joe Burn)
"It's not been a true discussion and we've not had enough time."
Mr Colclough added the new policy says drivers must complete a new kind of test - but there isn't any detail as to what kind of test - and drivers already have to complete a BTEC qualification with Stoke-on-Trent College.
He said: "This is the ancient borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme - it's not 1984. It's not some Orwellian borough, it's the ancient borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme and it'll never be 'Victory Cars' - it'll always be Sid's."
Drivers have also taken issue with a new penalty points scheme and the way appointments are made.
They say they'll have to wait for between five and eight weeks - which potentially leaves drivers off the road for months waiting to get their licences renewed - although the council say they'll be notified three months in advance.
Shahraz Yaqub, who represents the Stoke-on-Trent Private Hire Drivers' Association, said:
"This is not London, this is not Birmingham, this is not Manchester. They really need to think about what they're doing.
https://bit.ly/2TDtFCZ
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PARIS
A Manchester United fan has been left fighting for life after allegedly being stabbed in the chest by a furious taxi driver in Paris.
The 44-year-old man, who has not been identified, underwent emergency surgery at the Georges Pompidou hospital on Thursday, following his side’s dramatic European Champions League win.
The United fan had been with a group of friends travelling away from the Parc de Princes on Wednesday night after their side beat Paris St Germain 3-1 to knock the home side out of the league.
According to Sky Sports News ‘the driver took offence to them singing in celebration of United’s dramatic late winner.’
The outlet added that ‘the driver pulled over to get them out of his taxi, before pulling out a knife and threatening the female passenger in the group.
A source said: ‘The victim tried to intervene to protect her, but the driver then turned the knife on him, stabbing him in the chest with what’s been described as a large blade.
‘He was left lying on the pavement fighting for his life, when one of the group was able to flag down a passing car and rush him to hospital.’
It is understood that that a suspect has since been arrested, and that the fan has had lung surgery.
https://bit.ly/2tZPJcp
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THE Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford could have his licence to drive taxis in the city revoked after he was given an order for domestic violence.
Taxi driver Sajjad Malik, 50, will be referred to a council committee that will decide whether he remains a ‘fit and proper person’.
Malik was given a 28-day domestic violence protection order (DVPO) at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Councillors urged him to resign as Deputy Lord Mayor and as a councillor.
The DVPO means he must not ‘threaten’ two people with violence, ‘behave in a way that would cause any other person to fear that violence would be used’ towards those two people or go within 50 metres of Emperor Gardens, Greater Leys, where he lives.
A city council spokesman said: “The city council, following liaison with Thames Valley Police, has considered the facts of the case and a referral will be made to the general purposes licensing sub-committee to determine Councillor Malik’s ‘fit and proper’ status.”
Andrew Gant, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "It is not appropriate for him to continue representing our city or his ward residents."
He has asked the city council's leader, Susan Brown, to expel Malik and to strip him of the title of Deputy Lord Mayor before the council's next meeting on April 29.
He added: "I ask councillors of all parties and groups to join me in these calls, for the sake of the reputation and good governance of the city and community we share."
While he attacked Labour's handling, saying its decision to suspend him indefinitely rather than expelling him as 'weak and insufficient'.
Malik is currently an independent councillor following his suspension from Labour.
Independent councillor Mick Haines said Malik remaining a councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor was 'absolutely scandalous'.
https://bit.ly/2EV4wve
NORTH STAFFORD
City cabbies urged to buy 'electric taxis' with 30 charging points planned
Dozens of charging points for electric taxis look set to be installed across North Staffordshire in an effort to encourage cabbies to use more eco-friendly vehicles.
Local authorities have been awarded more than £78,000 to create 10 points in their three respective areas with 30 being rolled out in total.
The cash has come from Taxi Infrastructure Investment Fund and is designed to help greener cars travel across council borders along with conducting journeys between urban and rural areas.
There are currently 2,071 licensed private hire vehicles and 466 Hackney carriages operating in the three areas - Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle and Stafford borough - but only four per cent use hybrid or alternative fuels.
Shahraz Yaqub, chairman of Stoke-on-Trent Private Hire Drivers Association, believes drivers will struggle to meet the costs of upgrading from their current vehicles.
He said: "There aren't enough points out there and the electric vehicles are not equipped enough at the moment.
"On a full charge you will be able to do around 100 to 120 miles and we have to wonder what we would do when they need charging in the middle of nowhere, or on a journey - the cost will outweigh the benefit.
"The vehicles are expensive and it is not good value for money for the drivers, we cannot afford that. At the end of the day it will be the customers who have to pick up the tab."
But John Scarlett, from JMS TopGear Travel in Sneyd Green, says he would consider investing in an electric car when he swaps his current taxi.
He said: "I do think people would take it up. There aren't many points about and I don't think I've actually seen an electric cab in Stoke-on-Trent. You see a lot of them in London but not up here.
"It is a shame there isn't a benefit scheme because that would encourage a few people."
The Government hopes that all new taxis and vans will be effectively zero emission by 2040.
Community leaders have welcomed the windfall and hope it will encourage more drivers to ditch their diesel-guzzling cars for greener motors.
Newcastle Borough Council leader Simon Tagg, said: “Taxis provide a valuable service to the public and are on the roads day and night so this has the potential to make a massive difference to air quality and residents’ health.
Source: Stokesentinel
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North West Leicestershire
Watch moment reckless taxi driver runs down cyclist and flees the scene
Video footage has emerged of the moment a reckless taxi driver hit a cyclist before fleeing the scene.
The shocking video, filmed from the cyclist’s helmet camera, shows the taxi turning a corner on the wrong side of the road.
Rider Dylan May sent the footage of the incident, which happened in North West Leicestershire, to the local council and the unnamed driver had his taxi licence revoked.
The driver initially tried to blame Mr May, saying the incident happened in a different location and that the victim had been in the middle of the road.
Mr May said: “I still now can’t believe somebody would collide with a cyclist and just drive off, especially a so-called professional taxi driver.
“The licensing team at the district council has been very helpful and understanding, and the matter was sorted quickly.”
The crashed happened in Gutteridge Street, Coalville on January 11.
Footage shows Mr May approaching a junction, when the taxi turns into the street on the wrong side of the road and hits the victim head on.
The driver then flees the scene.
Fortunately, the incident was filmed by Mr May who reported the incident to the council.
The driver admitted being at fault after being shown the video.
North West Leicestershire District Council’s head of community services, Councillor Alison Smith, said: “This was an appalling incident.
“The quality of the driving which led to the collision was poor but the reaction of driving away and then lying about the incident afterwards was particularly unacceptable.
“Taxi driving is a profession and we’re delighted that the majority of drivers in North West Leicestershire have very high standards and integrity.
“This driver though clearly lacked both and is no longer licensed to work in our district.
“We want people to feel confident and safe when they use taxis, and our efforts to revoke this driver’s licence shows our commitment to ensuring this.”
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/watch-moment-reckless-taxi-driver-runs-cyclist-flees-scene-409701
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EIRE
Gardaà target foreign taxi drivers on licence, immigration breaches
6-8 minutes
Some 55 foreign taxi drivers have had their immigration status in the Republic cancelled because they had taken part in sham marriages and committed other immigration crimes.
The Garda operation targeting foreign taxi drivers for investigation over sham marriages in Ireland and fraudulently obtaining PSV licences first emerged in The Irish Times last year.
And as part of the long-running inquiry the Garda staged a day of action in Dublin on Tuesday.
It saw 90 garda members carrying out coordinated searches at ten addresses in Dublin’s north inner city and in Lucan, Co Dublin.
Following Tuesday’s operation, the Garda has provided an update on the long-running inquiry into men who had entered into sham marriages and then applied for a taxi licence.
Gardaà believe these men had paid international criminal gang leaders large fees, of between €15,000 and €20,000, to be married in Ireland to women they had never met.
It also appears they were guided through the process of applying for a PSV licence, with forged documents supplied to some.
A total of 134 foreign taxi drivers have now been investigated for sham marriages and other immigration offences.
Yesterday the addresses searched were all raided under search warrant at 8am, with intelligence gathered and documentation seized.
Revoked
The Garda has said of the 134 PSV, or taxi driver, licence holders and licence applicants investigated, some 64 cases had been concluded to date.
This has resulted in 55 men having had their immigration status revoked, with 25 of those men having been told they will be deported unless they leave the State voluntarily.
Four men have been arrested for deportation and two have already been removed from the State.
However, that activity follows two years of investigation under the Garda’s Operation Vantage rather than yesterday’s searches.
During the raids yesterday a further 15 people were identified for investigation on suspicion they had engaged in a sham marriage.
Seven people who gardaà discovered on the premises raided yesterday were found to be in the State illegally and one arrest was made on an immigration-related matter.
The operation was led by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), supported by members of the Special Crime Operations unit; Roads Policing; DMR West Traffic Corps; the Carriage Office; the Garda Analyst Service; the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service; the Department of Social Protection; and the National Transport Authority.
Last August The Irish Times reported it emerged that the full scale of fraud in applying for taxi licences first became clear during an Ed Sheeran concert in Dublin.
During an operation last May, established to coincide with the concert in the Phoenix Park, some 110 taxi drivers were stopped at checkpoints.
Of those, 26 were suspected of having paid to marry a woman from Europe that they had never met so they could secure the right to reside and work in the Republic, according to gardaÃ.
All of the men were from outside the EU and gardaà had already revoked the immigration status they had secured when they married European women in the Republic.
One man, from India, was about to attend a special citizenship ceremony but that was deferred on suspicion his marriage was a sham.
At the time of last year’s operation, Garda sources said 58 new applications for PSV licences were lodged with the carriage office in January, 2018.
Of those, 40 came from men outside the EU. They described this as “way outside the norm”.
A garda officer said the increases had been a feature for around 18 months. And when some of the applicants’ immigration histories were checked it emerged they had previously tried to secure status in Europe.
The investigation into the immigration-based frauds within the taxi sector has continued since 2015.
It is part of the wider Operation Vantage which has focussed on sham marriages.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda%C3%AD-target-foreign-taxi-drivers-on-licence-immigration-breaches-1.3816507
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DERBY
Police have issued a warning after a "fake taxi driver" attempted to pick up young women in Derby city centre.
Officers have asked revellers to remain vigilant after reports a man pretending to be a taxi driver tried to lure a student into his car outside The Standing Order, in Irongate.
Rosie Baker, 22, was heading home after enjoying a night out with a friend when the driver asked her if she had ordered a taxi.
When challenged on where he worked, the taxi driver claimed he was employed by PJ Cars.
A spokesperson for PJ Cars said the incident was "nothing to do with our company".
But before Rosie had time to look at his licence plate, he allegedly sped off.
Rosie, who studies at the University of Derby, claims her friend spotted the same vehicle operating outside the Wetherspoon pub the following night on February 23.
She said the driver was asking other young women if they had ordered a taxi - despite not having any company signs indicating it was legitimate.
Rosie, who is studying to become a primary school teacher, said: "He asked us if we had ordered a taxi and we said who do you work for.
"He said I'm your taxi from PJ Cars and when we said we hadn't ordered from PJ he asked the women next to us who said they hadn't even ordered a taxi.
"He said 'oh well I'm a taxi,' then turned round when I went to look at his licence plate and sped off so I couldn't get any information.
"I think it's a danger as parents trust that taxis can get their children home, and if anything was to happen to them it would be truly heartbreaking."
Rosie was unable to take a picture of the car but another woman who was concerned later did and posted it.
Rosie posted a social media warning about her experience.
"If anyone is intoxicated and didn't know the dangers it could end so badly, I only made the post to warn family and friends I have made in Derby or already have here since moving four years ago."
Rosie said the incident left her and her friend so concerned they reported the incident to police.
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/derby-city-centre-fake-taxi-2616298
FURNESS
A LEADING taxi driver has warned people could be sexually assaulted or end up in a “tragic road accident” if they get in cars with “boy racers” outside clubs.
Bob Mullen, secretary of the Furness Taxi Trade Association, said drivers had told him “quite often” motorists, who were not in registered or private hire vehicles or taxis, were offering lifts to revellers late at night on Cavendish Street.
Mr Mullen raised the issue at a recent Barrow Council meeting and called for private hire vehicles to be banned from displaying lighted roof signs, which he said suggested to passengers they could be used without pre-booking.
An earlier draft of council taxi policy had proposed roof signs needed to be removed from private hire vehicles but after consultation, this idea was scrapped.
Mr Mullen told councillors: “In the interests of public safety, I would like councillors to seriously consider reversing the decision made by the Licensing Committee regarding roof signs on private hire vehicles.
“The public safety issue is that the trade and no doubt the police are aware of a number of so-called “boy racers” hanging around local nightclubs in the early hours.
“Some have been observed offering lifts to people whose judgement may be impaired due to intoxication.
“Not all of these drivers have the best interests in mind of the vulnerable young people they are picking up.
“We strongly suggest that it should be publicised that for their own safety people coming out from late night venues should only get into cars with a lit roof light unless they have pre-booked.
“This is obviously not possible if private hire cars which cannot legally pick up without pre-booking also have roof lights.
“None of us wants to say we told you so after a tragic road accident or a case of sexual assault.”
Cllr Tony Callister, Barrow Council’s licensing boss said discussions were ongoing. He said: “We have formed a working group with taxi drivers and talks to find a way to properly distinguish private hire cars and taxis are currently ongoing.”
https://bit.ly/2C21J1t
Comment:
There is a clear Legal remedy for this Problem. Somebody in the Furness Trade, get your finger out and make the L.A. aware of this.
Edinburgh taxi drivers left baffled over Old Town road closures plan
City chiefs backed the scheme to create more a “relaxed and welcoming” atmosphere but cabbies were left wondering how they get tourists to hotels.
Driver Ronnie Wood said: “Questions: I’m a taxi driver, I pick up passengers at Edinburgh airport ,they wish to go to the Holyrood Hotel, where am I to drop them off. “St Mary’s Street tell them they have to walk half a mile to their hotel – that will go down well. Clowncil making ridiculous decisions as per usual, roll on the local elections.”
And Ali McPherson, of the Edinburgh Taxi Association, asked: “Surely they must keep roads open to cabs, buses, emergency vehicles and residents? Another ill-thought out council plan.” Councillors agreed to press ahead with the monthly Open Streets project – while the authority’s preferred strategy for the city centre transformation project will be tabled in May. The council’s transport and environment committee approved plans for streets to be shut to traffic on the first Sunday of the month from May – with an “aspirational loop” of the Old Town, including the Royal Mile, Cowgate and the Grassmarket, to be pushed forward during the 18 month trial. Details on the first Open Streets events will be provided at the additional transport and environment committee tomorrow after concerns were raised over “retrospective scrutiny” of the plans by councillors.
A public consultation showed that 88 per cent of people want to see a change in how people move around the city – while 51 per cent backed “radical change” through the city centre transformation. Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, welcomed the intiative. She said: “Open Streets will initially focus on a small number of streets within the Old Town loop, though we do intend to expand this over the period of the programme, in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the taxi trade, to assess operational and access needs.” Cllr Macinnes said similar schemes have proven successful when trialled in other areas of the city centre. “Ultimately these events, which will last a matter of hours one Sunday a month, are about creating a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors, enabling enjoyment of the historic surroundings and the opportunity for everyone to interact and play,” she added.
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-taxi-drivers-left-baffled-over-old-town-road-closures-plan-1-4882850
Taxi firm Ola has been given permission to expand its service, based on mobile phone technology, into Luton.
The company, a rival to Uber, was granted a private hire operator’s licence by the borough council’s licensing sub-committee.
Ola UK Private Limited intends to operate an App-based booking platform for taxi services with local private hire vehicles and hackney carriage vehicles.
The firm will have an office at Capability Green, having started its UK operations in South Wales, Bristol and Exeter.
One of the taxi company’s representatives Darryl Supersad told the sub-committee the firm is planning to extend its operation to every city in the UK.
It will use local private hire drivers and vehicles, similar to Uber, and also include black cabs across the whole market, he said.
Ola would be using standard taxis for the moment, but plans to use electric vehicles in the future to provide taxi services.
The company plans to provide executive services in six to eight months to and from London Luton Airport, the licensing sub-committee heard.
Drivers and vehicles used would all be licensed by the council, with the cabbies self-employed.
Bookings would be web-based only, and the website would provide phone numbers to deal with support and complaints.
Ola is looking at employing 100 to 500 drivers and vehicles initially, but hopes to increase to 2,000 in the long-term.
The firm has a complaint management system and would take any driver issues raised seriously, the sub-committee was told.
Passengers and taxi drivers have to register via the app, so payments are made digitally at the end of a trip, rather than direct to the driver.
All payments will be made by credit or debit cards only, with no cash changing hands.
Drivers would not be required to work exclusively for Ola, but records would be kept of all their activities for the company.
Bookings within the Luton would be given to local drivers, but cross border journeys, such as from Luton to Manchester Airport, may be offered to an Ola driver from outside the town where appropriate.
The sub-committee decided to grant the application for the operator’s licence, with exemptions to the current council policy over keeping records electronically instead of in a handwritten bound book.
It also requested that the application for licence renewal should be reviewed in full by a panel, instead of by the licensing service under delegated authority.
The borough council licences 35 taxi operators, 170 hackney carriages and 945 private hire vehicles.
