Monday, 21 March 2016
LONDON
A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a black cab in central London.
Police were called to the junction of Hyde Park Street and Bayswater Road in Westminster shortly after midnight.
Paramedics fought to save the rider, a 25-year-old man, but he died at the scene, Scotland Yard said. His next of kin have been informed but he has not yet been formally identified.
A passenger in the taxi, a man in his 40s, was injured in the collision and taken to hospital with a leg injury.
The cab’s driver stopped at the scene and is helping police, who have not made any arrests.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
http://goo.gl/rvvT0C
------------------------------------------
PARIS
French soccer team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have announced a new partnership with French taxi firm G7.
The three-year sponsorship deal will see G7 become the official chauffeur firm of the Ligue 1 champions and a dedicated area for the cars will be cordoned off next to Parc des Princes, PSG’s home ground, for all home games. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Fabien Allegre, director of merchandising and diversification at PSG, said," We are very pleased to welcome G7 to the Paris Saint-Germain family. Our two brands share, besides very Parisian roots, the desire to offer the best possible service to Paris.”
PSG star drives away with Nissan
As part of this partnership G7 will offer fans discounted fares to PSG home games, the ability to pre-order taxis with a ticket purchase, and the implementation of the ‘G7 one click’ express order system in the club's official outlets.
http://goo.gl/Xf1cEI
WORCESTER
Taxi drivers are being threatened with council surveillance tactics unless they stop clogging up Worcester’s roads.
The deputy leader of Worcester City Council has criticised cabbies for breaking the rules by ‘over-ranking’, saying the public are sick of the congestion they cause.
Cllr Chris Mitchell wants to erect CCTV cameras at Foregate Street and The Cross to catch rule-breakers, with the city’s licensing chiefs able to dish out punishments.
Over-ranking, where taxis wait behind each other at the ranks until they are past bursting point, is a long bone of contention in the city.
But the idea to tackle it has led to a row over ‘spying’, with the council’s own advisors saying can’t be seen to snoop on innocent passers-by caught in the surveillance.
But that stance has been described as “stark raving mad” by the Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Roger Knight, who is backing the calls for a crackdown.
Cllr Mitchell said: “Whenever I walk down there I consistently see these taxis over-ranking, I keep on having to knock on windows and say ‘oi, move on’.
“What is the harm in putting cameras at the back of the ranks and taking pictures of those who abuse the system?
“Unless we have zero tolerance it will never go away, we constantly have taxis parked by the Whitehouse Hotel - the taxis will never police themselves. It’s a real bug-bear of people in this city.”
But his comments during a meeting of the licensing and environmental health committee were dismissed by officers.
Senior licensing officer Niall McMenamin said: “Enforcement action is taking place, I’m dealing with three cases right now which have been escalated to me due to the poor conduct of drivers.
“But I don’t think CCTV is the way forward, it’s classed as direct surveillance and there’s all sorts of legal issues around what it can be used for.”
Cllr Mitchell however criticised that view, saying private organisations like RingGo use cameras to monitor car parks.
Legal advisor Clare Flanagan, a solicitor, warned councillors about “a potential breach of privacy” if it went ahead.
“Private landlords can do what they want but Worcester City Council is a public authority and this is public land,” she said.
She told them the public would not expect the council to be watching them but Cllr Knight, the city’s mayor who also sits on the committee, called it “stark raving mad.”
“This ‘breach of privacy’ argument actually protects people who are breaking the law,” he said, calling it “nuts”.
Cllr Jo Hodges then said: “What about us taking pictures on a mobile phone of taxi drivers?”
Mrs Flanagan told councillors they would have to “be careful” again about catching innocent bystanders in any images.
Back in 2013 an independent report said vehicles are often “illegally parked” because the ranks are full - and in 2014 the council agreed a first ever ‘cap’ on taxi numbers of 230, although it has yet to come down and is currently stuck at 265.
WORCESTER Taxi Drivers Association has responded to the criticism by saying it needs more ranks.
Lesley Borthwick, from the association, said: "The Cross rank has been better since it was extended but Foregate Street has always been a problem.
"The problem there is, people are always dropping off at the cinema and parking there.
"We are in the process of trying to get more rank space but it has to go to Worcestershire County Council and it's so long winded.
"We haven't even had the Cathedral rank replaced yet - we do need more ranks and that's the problem.
"It's like a catch 22 situation though, the question is where do you put them?"
When taxi drivers get licences they are handed a series of rules and are slapped with penalty points for breaking any, ranging for two points for simple obstruction to eight points for more serious breaches.
Any driver to hit 15 penalty points within two years is liable to be struck off if the council deems it serious enough.
In a typical year more than 100 Worcester hackney carriage drivers amass penalty points for flouting the council's rules.
http://goo.gl/Ifv7dj
-----------------------------------------
NEW YORK
A suspect is under arrest in a deadly hit and run in Manhattan.
Police say 68-year-old John Bangura is the driver of the yellow cab that hit 44-year-old Kenya Flores of the Bronx in a bus lane on First Avenue near Stuyvesant Town shortly after 3:30 Saturday morning.
Investigators believe Flores was lying in the street when she was hit. A cane found nearby may have belonged to her.
She was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
Police say Bangura was later arrested on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission says Bangura's TLC license has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
http://abc7ny.com/news/suspect-arrested-in-manhattan-taxi-hit-and-run-that-killed-woman/1253971/
Taxi drivers are being threatened with council surveillance tactics unless they stop clogging up Worcester’s roads.
The deputy leader of Worcester City Council has criticised cabbies for breaking the rules by ‘over-ranking’, saying the public are sick of the congestion they cause.
Cllr Chris Mitchell wants to erect CCTV cameras at Foregate Street and The Cross to catch rule-breakers, with the city’s licensing chiefs able to dish out punishments.
Over-ranking, where taxis wait behind each other at the ranks until they are past bursting point, is a long bone of contention in the city.
But the idea to tackle it has led to a row over ‘spying’, with the council’s own advisors saying can’t be seen to snoop on innocent passers-by caught in the surveillance.
But that stance has been described as “stark raving mad” by the Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Roger Knight, who is backing the calls for a crackdown.
Cllr Mitchell said: “Whenever I walk down there I consistently see these taxis over-ranking, I keep on having to knock on windows and say ‘oi, move on’.
“What is the harm in putting cameras at the back of the ranks and taking pictures of those who abuse the system?
“Unless we have zero tolerance it will never go away, we constantly have taxis parked by the Whitehouse Hotel - the taxis will never police themselves. It’s a real bug-bear of people in this city.”
But his comments during a meeting of the licensing and environmental health committee were dismissed by officers.
Senior licensing officer Niall McMenamin said: “Enforcement action is taking place, I’m dealing with three cases right now which have been escalated to me due to the poor conduct of drivers.
“But I don’t think CCTV is the way forward, it’s classed as direct surveillance and there’s all sorts of legal issues around what it can be used for.”
Cllr Mitchell however criticised that view, saying private organisations like RingGo use cameras to monitor car parks.
Legal advisor Clare Flanagan, a solicitor, warned councillors about “a potential breach of privacy” if it went ahead.
“Private landlords can do what they want but Worcester City Council is a public authority and this is public land,” she said.
She told them the public would not expect the council to be watching them but Cllr Knight, the city’s mayor who also sits on the committee, called it “stark raving mad.”
“This ‘breach of privacy’ argument actually protects people who are breaking the law,” he said, calling it “nuts”.
Cllr Jo Hodges then said: “What about us taking pictures on a mobile phone of taxi drivers?”
Mrs Flanagan told councillors they would have to “be careful” again about catching innocent bystanders in any images.
Back in 2013 an independent report said vehicles are often “illegally parked” because the ranks are full - and in 2014 the council agreed a first ever ‘cap’ on taxi numbers of 230, although it has yet to come down and is currently stuck at 265.
WORCESTER Taxi Drivers Association has responded to the criticism by saying it needs more ranks.
Lesley Borthwick, from the association, said: "The Cross rank has been better since it was extended but Foregate Street has always been a problem.
"The problem there is, people are always dropping off at the cinema and parking there.
"We are in the process of trying to get more rank space but it has to go to Worcestershire County Council and it's so long winded.
"We haven't even had the Cathedral rank replaced yet - we do need more ranks and that's the problem.
"It's like a catch 22 situation though, the question is where do you put them?"
When taxi drivers get licences they are handed a series of rules and are slapped with penalty points for breaking any, ranging for two points for simple obstruction to eight points for more serious breaches.
Any driver to hit 15 penalty points within two years is liable to be struck off if the council deems it serious enough.
In a typical year more than 100 Worcester hackney carriage drivers amass penalty points for flouting the council's rules.
http://goo.gl/Ifv7dj
-----------------------------------------
NEW YORK
A suspect is under arrest in a deadly hit and run in Manhattan.
Police say 68-year-old John Bangura is the driver of the yellow cab that hit 44-year-old Kenya Flores of the Bronx in a bus lane on First Avenue near Stuyvesant Town shortly after 3:30 Saturday morning.
Investigators believe Flores was lying in the street when she was hit. A cane found nearby may have belonged to her.
She was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
Police say Bangura was later arrested on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission says Bangura's TLC license has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
http://abc7ny.com/news/suspect-arrested-in-manhattan-taxi-hit-and-run-that-killed-woman/1253971/
Friday, 18 March 2016
Taxi drivers and operators in Middlesbrough will be reimbursed after four years of "overcharging"
NEARLY £700,000 looks set to be paid back by Middlesbrough Council to Teesside taxi owners and operators after several years of overcharging for licences.
The potential refunds on the cost of the licences follows a decision by the Local Government Ombudsman and covers the four years from 2012/13 to 2015/16.
The plan, which will be considered at a council meeting on Wednesday, March 30, follows a review of the administration of taxi licensing in the town.
The council apologised to Teesside's largest taxi company, Boro Taxis, after it was reprimanded by the ombudsman. Christine Bell, the taxi firm's company secretary had made a complaint about the way fees were calculated.
Just over half of the reimbursement will be covered by council reserves, while the rest will be paid out from a surplus within the existing taxi licensing budget.
At the root of the over-charging was the Council’s ‘cross-subsidy’ approach to drivers’ fees, in which increases in fees to vehicle proprietors and private hire operators were used to off-set the fees payable by drivers.
But earlier this year, after the ombudsman decision, the council changed its fee structure and work was undertaken to establish how much money needed to be paid back to operators.
Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Adult Health and Social Care, said: “Our approach to taxi licensing for many years has been similar those of authorities up and down the country.
“Our aim has always been to be fair and even-handed, while offering an effective and responsive service.
“We have always endeavoured to support drivers as many are of limited means, but now accept that this approach could not be legally justified.
“However we will not seek to claw back any of the driver under-payments, particularly as the recent review has resulted in a significant increase in their licence fees.”
http://goo.gl/eh64IT
---------------------------------------
LONDONDERRY
Eamonn McCann says the authorities should leave cross-border taxi-drivers alone and concentrate on illegal dumpers he believes are trucking waste from Londonderry to Donegal under their noses.
He made the comment after the Sentinel reported how taxi-drivers, wedding car and limousine operators and bus firms in Londonderry are being asked to choose between making a living and breaking the law thanks to the border.
Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan recently acknowledged honest hard-working taxi-drivers are already being forced into de facto banditry just because they are based in a border town.
“I believe, a blind eye has been turned by the authorities on both sides of the border to cross-border taxi journeys,” he said.
Mr McCann responded: “And so they should be turning a blind eye. They should have better things to do than harassing Derry taxi drivers - harassing illegal dumpers trucking waste from Derry over the border and dumping it in Donegal, for example.
“The cross-border dumping has been carried out in broad daylight. The authorities on both sides of the border know all about it. Mark H’s Department is one of these authorities. But we can get no answer from any of them as to how or why this prolonged illegality has been allowed to happen.
“Taxi drivers are threatened with legal repercussions - while the illegal dumpers continue on their merry way.
“This is the cross-border dimension of the scandal of the Maydown/Campsie/Strathfoyle area having become the site of the biggest illegal dump in Europe - with serious implications for the health of local residents.
“People Before Profit will be maintaining a focus on this scandal through the election campaign. If the voters decide to put me into the Assembly, I’ll get the answers which the people should have had long ago.”
http://goo.gl/8AIBe8
---------------------------------------------
LEEDS
Amber Cars, the Leeds-based private hire and taxi company, has acquired A1 Taxis in a five-figure deal.
Following the acquisition, Amber Cars now has a total pool of 860 drivers.
The purchase has been backed by Amber Cars’ parent company, Veezu, and is anticipated 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.
Now, customers of A1 Taxis will benefit from Veezu’s investment into the infrastructure of Amber Cars, which sees the business offer electronic booking methods in the form of a ‘three tap app’, interactive voice response system and through the internet.
Amber Cars also offers customers the option of booking through traditional methods such as over the phone, walk-ins or on account.
Emma Irvine, general manager of Amber Cars, said: “By acquiring A1 Taxis, we have added another 15 experienced drivers to our fleet, who bring with them a wealth of knowledge of areas that Amber Cars hasn’t traditionally worked in day-to-day.
“This means that our new drivers have the opportunity to work across the city, which in turn presents a higher earning potential for them, and will positively impact Amber Cars’ customers as more drivers on the roads enables us to service bookings at quicker speeds.”
Veezu owns five taxi firms across the UK and has a combined fleet of almost 2,500 cars.
Paul Ragan, chief executive officer of Veezu, added: “A1 Taxis has been operating in Leeds for decades, with a loyal client base and experienced drivers operating in the south of the city centre. So by bringing A1 Taxis into the Veezu group, we have further strengthened our business in Leeds by increasing our driver pool and the areas in which we operate.
“Customers of A1 Taxis will now be able to benefit from Veezu’s range of electronic booking methods, which are used by more than 50% of our Leeds customer base - the most popular being our mobile app. In less than a year since launching our app, it is now used by 44% of our customers and we anticipate this figure to increase on the back of us inheriting new customers through A1 Taxis.
“There has been such change in the taxi and private hire sector in the last 12 months, which is forcing firms across the UK to review its operations, from booking methods to pricing structures, in order to compete with new international providers entering the market.
“Through consolidation, our vision is to create regional hubs of taxi firms, and the acquisition of A1 Taxis is another key milestone for Veezu and Amber in our Leeds hub.”
https://goo.gl/DGPqbo
------------------------------------------
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
A woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) has revealed how she had her wheelchair confiscated by a taxi driver in a row over the fare.
Jayne Oates, 41, was travelling home from an awards dinner with her partner Lee Hill, 47, when they got into a dispute with the cabbie.
The couple requested that the driver help them to get Jayne's wheelchair out of the car boot, which they say he refused to do.
However, the driver claims the pair were acting like they were planning not to pay their fare, with Lee 'flashing £55' but not handing it over.
The 'uncomfortable' incident meant Jayne, who was diagnosed with MS in 2011, had to be carried to her front door in Hauxton, Cambridgeshire, by her partner.
She was then forced to use her cumbersome outdoor wheelchair around the house until Lee retrieved her indoor one the following day.
It is unclear whether the couple eventually paid the driver, who works for New Tax Taxis in Newmarket.
Now, the matter is now being investigated by the Forest Heath District Council, which is responsible for taxi licensing.
Today, Jayne said of the incident: "It was a bit rubbish because we had a really nice night out.
"It was a real treat for myself and my partner to go out together because it's tricky for me to go out and attend events.
"I think the driver thought because Lee had questioned the rate on the meter that he didn't have enough money, or wouldn't pay, but that was never Lee's intention."
She added: "It was rubbish because it makes you realise you might not be able to do things and you really don't need to be reminded of that.
"It makes you reluctant to go on taxi journeys again because you don't want the same thing to happen.
"An apology would be nice but I'm not expecting anything - I just hope people will be more considerate."
The driver, who asked not to be named, denied that he had refused to help unpack the chair and said he had offered to do so upon receipt of his fare.
He said: "He [Lee] insisted he needs his wheelchair first and then he would pay.
"I said since you are home now you pay in the car with me and I'll come out and take the wheelchair out.
"He was flashing £55 [but] wasn't willing to pay. We get customers who try not to pay every week - I know when someone is trying to do something like that.
"I said I'm going to hold your goods until you pay [and] he said 'fine'. He wasn't very concerned about this wheelchair."
New Tax Taxis said it was aware of the incident.
A spokesman for Forest Heath District Council, added: "We are aware of the incident and we are investigating it."
http://goo.gl/LUolUh
-------------------------------------
NEARLY £700,000 looks set to be paid back by Middlesbrough Council to Teesside taxi owners and operators after several years of overcharging for licences.
The potential refunds on the cost of the licences follows a decision by the Local Government Ombudsman and covers the four years from 2012/13 to 2015/16.
The plan, which will be considered at a council meeting on Wednesday, March 30, follows a review of the administration of taxi licensing in the town.
The council apologised to Teesside's largest taxi company, Boro Taxis, after it was reprimanded by the ombudsman. Christine Bell, the taxi firm's company secretary had made a complaint about the way fees were calculated.
Just over half of the reimbursement will be covered by council reserves, while the rest will be paid out from a surplus within the existing taxi licensing budget.
At the root of the over-charging was the Council’s ‘cross-subsidy’ approach to drivers’ fees, in which increases in fees to vehicle proprietors and private hire operators were used to off-set the fees payable by drivers.
But earlier this year, after the ombudsman decision, the council changed its fee structure and work was undertaken to establish how much money needed to be paid back to operators.
Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Adult Health and Social Care, said: “Our approach to taxi licensing for many years has been similar those of authorities up and down the country.
“Our aim has always been to be fair and even-handed, while offering an effective and responsive service.
“We have always endeavoured to support drivers as many are of limited means, but now accept that this approach could not be legally justified.
“However we will not seek to claw back any of the driver under-payments, particularly as the recent review has resulted in a significant increase in their licence fees.”
http://goo.gl/eh64IT
---------------------------------------
LONDONDERRY
Eamonn McCann says the authorities should leave cross-border taxi-drivers alone and concentrate on illegal dumpers he believes are trucking waste from Londonderry to Donegal under their noses.
He made the comment after the Sentinel reported how taxi-drivers, wedding car and limousine operators and bus firms in Londonderry are being asked to choose between making a living and breaking the law thanks to the border.
Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan recently acknowledged honest hard-working taxi-drivers are already being forced into de facto banditry just because they are based in a border town.
“I believe, a blind eye has been turned by the authorities on both sides of the border to cross-border taxi journeys,” he said.
Mr McCann responded: “And so they should be turning a blind eye. They should have better things to do than harassing Derry taxi drivers - harassing illegal dumpers trucking waste from Derry over the border and dumping it in Donegal, for example.
“The cross-border dumping has been carried out in broad daylight. The authorities on both sides of the border know all about it. Mark H’s Department is one of these authorities. But we can get no answer from any of them as to how or why this prolonged illegality has been allowed to happen.
“Taxi drivers are threatened with legal repercussions - while the illegal dumpers continue on their merry way.
“This is the cross-border dimension of the scandal of the Maydown/Campsie/Strathfoyle area having become the site of the biggest illegal dump in Europe - with serious implications for the health of local residents.
“People Before Profit will be maintaining a focus on this scandal through the election campaign. If the voters decide to put me into the Assembly, I’ll get the answers which the people should have had long ago.”
http://goo.gl/8AIBe8
---------------------------------------------
LEEDS
Amber Cars, the Leeds-based private hire and taxi company, has acquired A1 Taxis in a five-figure deal.
Following the acquisition, Amber Cars now has a total pool of 860 drivers.
The purchase has been backed by Amber Cars’ parent company, Veezu, and is anticipated 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.
Now, customers of A1 Taxis will benefit from Veezu’s investment into the infrastructure of Amber Cars, which sees the business offer electronic booking methods in the form of a ‘three tap app’, interactive voice response system and through the internet.
Amber Cars also offers customers the option of booking through traditional methods such as over the phone, walk-ins or on account.
Emma Irvine, general manager of Amber Cars, said: “By acquiring A1 Taxis, we have added another 15 experienced drivers to our fleet, who bring with them a wealth of knowledge of areas that Amber Cars hasn’t traditionally worked in day-to-day.
“This means that our new drivers have the opportunity to work across the city, which in turn presents a higher earning potential for them, and will positively impact Amber Cars’ customers as more drivers on the roads enables us to service bookings at quicker speeds.”
Veezu owns five taxi firms across the UK and has a combined fleet of almost 2,500 cars.
Paul Ragan, chief executive officer of Veezu, added: “A1 Taxis has been operating in Leeds for decades, with a loyal client base and experienced drivers operating in the south of the city centre. So by bringing A1 Taxis into the Veezu group, we have further strengthened our business in Leeds by increasing our driver pool and the areas in which we operate.
“Customers of A1 Taxis will now be able to benefit from Veezu’s range of electronic booking methods, which are used by more than 50% of our Leeds customer base - the most popular being our mobile app. In less than a year since launching our app, it is now used by 44% of our customers and we anticipate this figure to increase on the back of us inheriting new customers through A1 Taxis.
“There has been such change in the taxi and private hire sector in the last 12 months, which is forcing firms across the UK to review its operations, from booking methods to pricing structures, in order to compete with new international providers entering the market.
“Through consolidation, our vision is to create regional hubs of taxi firms, and the acquisition of A1 Taxis is another key milestone for Veezu and Amber in our Leeds hub.”
https://goo.gl/DGPqbo
------------------------------------------
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
A woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) has revealed how she had her wheelchair confiscated by a taxi driver in a row over the fare.
Jayne Oates, 41, was travelling home from an awards dinner with her partner Lee Hill, 47, when they got into a dispute with the cabbie.
The couple requested that the driver help them to get Jayne's wheelchair out of the car boot, which they say he refused to do.
However, the driver claims the pair were acting like they were planning not to pay their fare, with Lee 'flashing £55' but not handing it over.
The 'uncomfortable' incident meant Jayne, who was diagnosed with MS in 2011, had to be carried to her front door in Hauxton, Cambridgeshire, by her partner.
She was then forced to use her cumbersome outdoor wheelchair around the house until Lee retrieved her indoor one the following day.
It is unclear whether the couple eventually paid the driver, who works for New Tax Taxis in Newmarket.
Now, the matter is now being investigated by the Forest Heath District Council, which is responsible for taxi licensing.
Today, Jayne said of the incident: "It was a bit rubbish because we had a really nice night out.
"It was a real treat for myself and my partner to go out together because it's tricky for me to go out and attend events.
"I think the driver thought because Lee had questioned the rate on the meter that he didn't have enough money, or wouldn't pay, but that was never Lee's intention."
She added: "It was rubbish because it makes you realise you might not be able to do things and you really don't need to be reminded of that.
"It makes you reluctant to go on taxi journeys again because you don't want the same thing to happen.
"An apology would be nice but I'm not expecting anything - I just hope people will be more considerate."
The driver, who asked not to be named, denied that he had refused to help unpack the chair and said he had offered to do so upon receipt of his fare.
He said: "He [Lee] insisted he needs his wheelchair first and then he would pay.
"I said since you are home now you pay in the car with me and I'll come out and take the wheelchair out.
"He was flashing £55 [but] wasn't willing to pay. We get customers who try not to pay every week - I know when someone is trying to do something like that.
"I said I'm going to hold your goods until you pay [and] he said 'fine'. He wasn't very concerned about this wheelchair."
New Tax Taxis said it was aware of the incident.
A spokesman for Forest Heath District Council, added: "We are aware of the incident and we are investigating it."
http://goo.gl/LUolUh
-------------------------------------
LONDON.
Transport for London has today approved plans to curb the soaring number of Uber cars and minicabs by using English and geography tests alongside beefed up insurance requirements.
Drivers will now have to take basic English language and “Knowledge-lite” style geography tests before driving in the capital.
Minicab drivers also face a crackdown on insurance requirements to ensure passengers are covered for accidents.
The TfL board approved all but one of Boris Johnson’s proposals to crackdown on minicabs at their meeting this afternoon.
Plans to scrap “men with clipboards” outside nightclubs who were licensed to provide minicabs have been put on hold and will be reconsidered at a later date.
The Mayor has come under growing pressure to do more to curb London’s 25,000-vehicle strong Uber, which the black cab trade claims is driving it out of business.
But in a statement, Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the London Taxi Drivers' Association (LDTA), said the changes did not go far enough.
He said: "TfL has wasted a huge opportunity to improve standards within the private hire industry for the benefit of drivers, passengers and other road users.
"The review of private hire regulations was aimed at improving passenger safety, and most of the proposals were sensible and endorsed by the LTDA.
http://goo.gl/6SDYwR
Transport for London has today approved plans to curb the soaring number of Uber cars and minicabs by using English and geography tests alongside beefed up insurance requirements.
Drivers will now have to take basic English language and “Knowledge-lite” style geography tests before driving in the capital.
Minicab drivers also face a crackdown on insurance requirements to ensure passengers are covered for accidents.
The TfL board approved all but one of Boris Johnson’s proposals to crackdown on minicabs at their meeting this afternoon.
Plans to scrap “men with clipboards” outside nightclubs who were licensed to provide minicabs have been put on hold and will be reconsidered at a later date.
The Mayor has come under growing pressure to do more to curb London’s 25,000-vehicle strong Uber, which the black cab trade claims is driving it out of business.
But in a statement, Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the London Taxi Drivers' Association (LDTA), said the changes did not go far enough.
He said: "TfL has wasted a huge opportunity to improve standards within the private hire industry for the benefit of drivers, passengers and other road users.
"The review of private hire regulations was aimed at improving passenger safety, and most of the proposals were sensible and endorsed by the LTDA.
http://goo.gl/6SDYwR
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
TORONTO
When it comes to Uber, Toronto-area residents are less concerned with what the ride-sharing company is doing to the taxi industry than they are with their personal safety in the absence of municipal regulations.
An independent Environics Research Group survey found 56 per cent of residents support Uber with the support being stronger among those who use the service. Only 49 per cent of non-users support it.
But 60 per cent of respondents overall were concerned about the lack of municipal licensing and the implications for their safety with unlicensed Uber drivers.
The results were released Wednesday in conjunction with an online discussion platform designed to gather residents’ thoughts on regulating the app-based service.
“We know how the taxis feel, we know that the city is spending a lot of time right now researching and developing policy, we know how Uber feels and what they are experiencing. The voice we felt we weren’t hearing was that of residents and users and people living in the municipalities where the service is either being accessed or being considered within the larger transportation system,” said Environics vice-president Jodi Shanoff.
It’s a chance for people to say how they would expect the city to regulate a service like Uber, she said.
The Environics survey showed that most people don’t believe Uber drivers are safer than cabs. Only 15 per cent of Uber clients strongly agreed Uber cars are safer and only 4 per cent of non-users strongly agreed.
Although people will rely on Uber itself to provide some safety assurances, Shanoff said, “Ultimately people are going to rely on the city to establish the regulatory framework that’s going to give the sense of security that there’s accountability and recourse in the event that there are safety issues with the service.”
Concern about Uber infringing on the taxi industry was minor among survey respondents, she said.
“People are looking to find efficient service at cost savings so if there is a safe alternative that provides it, it doesn’t appear to be a big concern that the taxi industry may be losing money at the hands of that,” said Shanoff.
Eighty-four per cent of Uber users like the idea that there’s competition to the taxi industry and 73 per cent of people overall agree.
Uber usage increases significantly with income level and drops with age. Only 13 per cent of users were in the $40,000-income category versus 22 per cent of those earning $100,000 annually or more, although use drops off at the $150,000 mark.
Not surprisingly, Uber use also drops according to age with 39 per cent of users between 18 and 29, and only 4 per cent over age 55, said Shanoff.
The online Environics survey of 1,005 Toronto-area residents was conducted between Nov. 12 and Nov. 26. The findings are considered accurate within 3.1 per cent 19 times out of 20.
http://goo.gl/TwGj45
-----------------------------------------
MARGATE
A woman has described the harrowing moment she heard screeching brakes as a man on a mobility scooter collided with a car in Margate.
The crash happened on Marine Gardens at around 12.30pm today, and witnesses say the taxi left the scene.
Kerry Keating, 32, said: “I heard the screeching of tyres and brakes and this huge thud, and a cry of pain.
“I ran outside to see an elderly gentleman in his mobility scooter in the middle of the road and luckily he was still upright.
“There was a black taxi at an angle behind the scooter and its bumper was hanging off.
“As I was making the call to the emergency services, the taxi driver fixed his bumper back to his car, looked at me said ‘thank you’ and drove away.
“I was absolutely shocked, he was in a company labelled car and the bumpers come off so it’s not exactly going to be easy to get away with.
“I don’t know what he thinks he’s going to be able to.”
Police spokesman Scarlet Jones said: “Kent Police received a report of a collision at 12.50pm on Wednesday, March 16, involving a pedestrian in a wheelchair and a car.
“Officers attended the scene in Marine Gardens, Margate. Injuries are believed to be minor.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the details of the car involved, which reportedly left the scene.”
“I was standing in front of the man on my walking sticks to protect him from the traffic until the police and ambulance arrived..." Kerry Keating
Mrs Keating, who suffers with multiple sclerosis, says she had to stand in front of traffic for nearly 10 minutes.
She said: “I was standing in front of the man on my walking sticks to protect him from the traffic until the police and ambulance arrived.
“I asked another man to try and push the mobility scooter onto the pavement but it was difficult because all the wheels were buckled and bent.
“A bus and other cars were trying to get past.”
Police and ambulance crews attended the scene before treating the man for his injuries.
Mrs Keating said: “Fortunately it looked like the scooter had taken the worst of the impact but the man was complaining of leg and back pain.
“He was in shock and I think he must have been badly winded as he was unable to talk."
http://goo.gl/zZTau7
---------------------------------------------
SOUTH SHIELDS
A Taxi driver may have crucial information for police investigating an allegation of rape.
The incident happened inside an address in Hyde Street, South Shields on Sunday, February 28.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of rape and have been released on police bail.
Detectives are carrying out enquiries and are keen to speak to a taxi driver who may have taken the victim and two men from a taxi rank in Anderson Street to Hyde Street, both in South Shields, between 2.55am and 3.05am.
Officers are keen for the taxi driver to get in contact as a witness as it's thought they may have key information that can help police with the investigation.
Detective Constable Alison Brown said: "We'd like to speak to the taxi driver who took the victim and two men to Hyde Street in the early hours of Sunday February 28, possibly around 3am in the morning or maybe slightly earlier.
"The taxi driver may have information that can help in our enquiries and we're keen to speak to them as a witness."
http://goo.gl/Ruk4l2
------------------------------------------
MANCHESTER
A taxi driver who spent four hours caring for a vulnerable pensioner after discovering him cold and disorientated in a bus stop has been honoured by GMP’s Chief Constable.
Kamaran Rasheed came to the aid of William Place, 87, after he ended up locked out of his home.
Mr Place had been visiting his wife Moreen at the Manchester Royal Infirmary earlier that evening but lost track of time and left later than normal.
When he arrived home, he found the entrance to his shared sheltered housing in Manchester had been padlocked shut, and he didn’t have a key.
Confused, the pensioner wandered onto Stockport Road to the bus shelter where he was seen by Mr Rasheed, 44, at around 2am.
Knowing that the bus service had stopped for the evening, Mr Rasheed dropped off his fare and went back to the bus stop to offer Mr Place a lift home free of charge.
He decided to stop off at McDonalds to get the retired police officer a hot drink to warm him up before taking him to Longsight Police Station.
It was at this point that PC Peter Crowe drove past and approached the pair thinking it was a dispute.
He was soon heartened to learn that Mr Rasheed in fact intended to take Mr Place home for food and a warm bed, or to pay for a hotel room for him.
They took him home but Moss Care didn’t have an out of hours service and the lock needed to be removed by the officer.
In total, Mr Rasheed stayed with Mr Place for four hours.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins branded his actions a “glowing example of community spirit”.
“Mr Rasheed’s dedication ensured that this vulnerable man was looked after and rescued him from a potentially serious situation and I’m delighted that William is now safe and well.
“His actions that night deserve to be recognised. I am proud to be able to award him with a Chief Constable’s Commendation.”
Mr Rasheed, who is also a foster carer, said: “At first I only stopped to tell him that the buses had stopped, but he told me he wasn’t waiting for a bus. I offered him a lift and took him to get a warm drink before I took him to the station. I just did it because it was the right thing to do
“It’s wonderful to receive this commendation. It was new experience and I never thought I would be recognised with anything like this so I’m really proud.”
http://goo.gl/Tn2iH5
When it comes to Uber, Toronto-area residents are less concerned with what the ride-sharing company is doing to the taxi industry than they are with their personal safety in the absence of municipal regulations.
An independent Environics Research Group survey found 56 per cent of residents support Uber with the support being stronger among those who use the service. Only 49 per cent of non-users support it.
But 60 per cent of respondents overall were concerned about the lack of municipal licensing and the implications for their safety with unlicensed Uber drivers.
The results were released Wednesday in conjunction with an online discussion platform designed to gather residents’ thoughts on regulating the app-based service.
“We know how the taxis feel, we know that the city is spending a lot of time right now researching and developing policy, we know how Uber feels and what they are experiencing. The voice we felt we weren’t hearing was that of residents and users and people living in the municipalities where the service is either being accessed or being considered within the larger transportation system,” said Environics vice-president Jodi Shanoff.
It’s a chance for people to say how they would expect the city to regulate a service like Uber, she said.
The Environics survey showed that most people don’t believe Uber drivers are safer than cabs. Only 15 per cent of Uber clients strongly agreed Uber cars are safer and only 4 per cent of non-users strongly agreed.
Although people will rely on Uber itself to provide some safety assurances, Shanoff said, “Ultimately people are going to rely on the city to establish the regulatory framework that’s going to give the sense of security that there’s accountability and recourse in the event that there are safety issues with the service.”
Concern about Uber infringing on the taxi industry was minor among survey respondents, she said.
“People are looking to find efficient service at cost savings so if there is a safe alternative that provides it, it doesn’t appear to be a big concern that the taxi industry may be losing money at the hands of that,” said Shanoff.
Eighty-four per cent of Uber users like the idea that there’s competition to the taxi industry and 73 per cent of people overall agree.
Uber usage increases significantly with income level and drops with age. Only 13 per cent of users were in the $40,000-income category versus 22 per cent of those earning $100,000 annually or more, although use drops off at the $150,000 mark.
Not surprisingly, Uber use also drops according to age with 39 per cent of users between 18 and 29, and only 4 per cent over age 55, said Shanoff.
The online Environics survey of 1,005 Toronto-area residents was conducted between Nov. 12 and Nov. 26. The findings are considered accurate within 3.1 per cent 19 times out of 20.
http://goo.gl/TwGj45
-----------------------------------------
MARGATE
A woman has described the harrowing moment she heard screeching brakes as a man on a mobility scooter collided with a car in Margate.
The crash happened on Marine Gardens at around 12.30pm today, and witnesses say the taxi left the scene.
Kerry Keating, 32, said: “I heard the screeching of tyres and brakes and this huge thud, and a cry of pain.
“I ran outside to see an elderly gentleman in his mobility scooter in the middle of the road and luckily he was still upright.
“There was a black taxi at an angle behind the scooter and its bumper was hanging off.
“As I was making the call to the emergency services, the taxi driver fixed his bumper back to his car, looked at me said ‘thank you’ and drove away.
“I was absolutely shocked, he was in a company labelled car and the bumpers come off so it’s not exactly going to be easy to get away with.
“I don’t know what he thinks he’s going to be able to.”
Police spokesman Scarlet Jones said: “Kent Police received a report of a collision at 12.50pm on Wednesday, March 16, involving a pedestrian in a wheelchair and a car.
“Officers attended the scene in Marine Gardens, Margate. Injuries are believed to be minor.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the details of the car involved, which reportedly left the scene.”
“I was standing in front of the man on my walking sticks to protect him from the traffic until the police and ambulance arrived..." Kerry Keating
Mrs Keating, who suffers with multiple sclerosis, says she had to stand in front of traffic for nearly 10 minutes.
She said: “I was standing in front of the man on my walking sticks to protect him from the traffic until the police and ambulance arrived.
“I asked another man to try and push the mobility scooter onto the pavement but it was difficult because all the wheels were buckled and bent.
“A bus and other cars were trying to get past.”
Police and ambulance crews attended the scene before treating the man for his injuries.
Mrs Keating said: “Fortunately it looked like the scooter had taken the worst of the impact but the man was complaining of leg and back pain.
“He was in shock and I think he must have been badly winded as he was unable to talk."
http://goo.gl/zZTau7
---------------------------------------------
SOUTH SHIELDS
A Taxi driver may have crucial information for police investigating an allegation of rape.
The incident happened inside an address in Hyde Street, South Shields on Sunday, February 28.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of rape and have been released on police bail.
Detectives are carrying out enquiries and are keen to speak to a taxi driver who may have taken the victim and two men from a taxi rank in Anderson Street to Hyde Street, both in South Shields, between 2.55am and 3.05am.
Officers are keen for the taxi driver to get in contact as a witness as it's thought they may have key information that can help police with the investigation.
Detective Constable Alison Brown said: "We'd like to speak to the taxi driver who took the victim and two men to Hyde Street in the early hours of Sunday February 28, possibly around 3am in the morning or maybe slightly earlier.
"The taxi driver may have information that can help in our enquiries and we're keen to speak to them as a witness."
http://goo.gl/Ruk4l2
------------------------------------------
MANCHESTER
A taxi driver who spent four hours caring for a vulnerable pensioner after discovering him cold and disorientated in a bus stop has been honoured by GMP’s Chief Constable.
Kamaran Rasheed came to the aid of William Place, 87, after he ended up locked out of his home.
Mr Place had been visiting his wife Moreen at the Manchester Royal Infirmary earlier that evening but lost track of time and left later than normal.
When he arrived home, he found the entrance to his shared sheltered housing in Manchester had been padlocked shut, and he didn’t have a key.
Confused, the pensioner wandered onto Stockport Road to the bus shelter where he was seen by Mr Rasheed, 44, at around 2am.
Knowing that the bus service had stopped for the evening, Mr Rasheed dropped off his fare and went back to the bus stop to offer Mr Place a lift home free of charge.
He decided to stop off at McDonalds to get the retired police officer a hot drink to warm him up before taking him to Longsight Police Station.
It was at this point that PC Peter Crowe drove past and approached the pair thinking it was a dispute.
He was soon heartened to learn that Mr Rasheed in fact intended to take Mr Place home for food and a warm bed, or to pay for a hotel room for him.
They took him home but Moss Care didn’t have an out of hours service and the lock needed to be removed by the officer.
In total, Mr Rasheed stayed with Mr Place for four hours.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins branded his actions a “glowing example of community spirit”.
“Mr Rasheed’s dedication ensured that this vulnerable man was looked after and rescued him from a potentially serious situation and I’m delighted that William is now safe and well.
“His actions that night deserve to be recognised. I am proud to be able to award him with a Chief Constable’s Commendation.”
Mr Rasheed, who is also a foster carer, said: “At first I only stopped to tell him that the buses had stopped, but he told me he wasn’t waiting for a bus. I offered him a lift and took him to get a warm drink before I took him to the station. I just did it because it was the right thing to do
“It’s wonderful to receive this commendation. It was new experience and I never thought I would be recognised with anything like this so I’m really proud.”
http://goo.gl/Tn2iH5
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