Nottingham City Council’s Taxi Strategy will see plans to ‘green’ the fleet and make the service a customer-friendly part of the city’s world-class transport network begin.

The council has successfully bid for £702,000 of money from the Office of Low Emissions Vehicles which will see 32 connection points installed at eight locations around the city from early next year, which constitutes wider plans to make taxi drivers more willing to convert their vehicles to low-emission.

A new government Plug-In Taxi Grant will allow vehicle dealers to claim a grant of between £3,000 and £7,500 – making the vehicles cheaper for drivers.

‘Greening’ the taxi fleet is a key part of the council’s drive to improve air quality, along with measures like the first low-emission vehicle-only lane in the country, one of the largest electric and gas powered bus fleets in the country, investment in cycling facilities and the recent expansion of the tram network.

Toby Neal, Portfolio Holder for Community and Customer Services, said: “This is the beginning of a new dawn for taxi services in Nottingham. We have a world-class public transport network, with arguably the best bus and tram services in the country, and these improvements will bring local taxi services up to the same high standard. We are removing any barriers that might prevent taxis from becoming greener, by installing a network of charging points and making arrangements so that getting a new lower-emission vehicle is affordable.

“In the next few years, we will see the fleet of hackney cabs transformed to clean, modern re-branded vehicles and uniformed drivers fully trained in customer service. We also intend to bring out an Uber-style app for hackneys so that it is an appealing, customer-focused service for modern-day passengers.”

As well as environmental improvements, taxi vehicles will be re-branded, drivers will be trained in customer service and provided uniforms.

http://bit.ly/2yV42QW

 

Gett LONDON

After Uber was deemed not "fit and proper" to hold a London private hire licence, rendering it unable to operate in the capital if an appeal is unsuccessful, black cab ordering app company Gett aims to capitalise with a clever and cheeky campaign.

As well as post adverts in Tube stations and bus shelters, with taglines like "Über fast. Now that's fit & proper" and "Top drivers. Now that's fit & proper", the firm is giving away £15 credit for your first ride in London. What's the code? "PROPER".

"As more people question the credentials of London’s transport providers, we wanted to remind customers that Gett offers an unparalleled experience in the capital," said the CEO of Gett UK, Matteo de Renzi. "Our trained drivers pride themselves on quality and providing a quick and efficient journey, deemed fit and proper by all."

To use the £15 credit code, which orders authorised London black cabs, just download the free Gett app for iOS or Android, sign in with your mobile number, an email address you went receipts to be sent to and your name.

Then tap the menu button on the main screen at the top left, tap Coupon Code and simply enter PROPER at the prompt.

http://bit.ly/2xU0OOY
----------------------------------------

UBERK EUROPE
 
Uber has lost another top executive, this time spurred over the decision by Transport for London (TfL) to not renew the raid-hailing firm’s license to operate in the capital.

Jo Bertram, Uber’s regional general manager for Northern Europe, sent an email around to her employees, reported Reuters, which announced that she would be leaving the company in a few weeks time after overseeing a smooth transition to someone who will take over her duties.

Bertham, who is based in London, did not directly say that the decision to leave was based on Uber not having its London license renewed, but she appears to have hinted at it by noting the hurdles the company has to overcome.

“Given some of our current challenges, I’m also convinced that now is the right time to have a change of face, and to hand over to someone who will be here for the long haul and take us into the next phase,” she wrote in the email.

“While I would like to have announced my move in smoother circumstances, I’m proud of the team we’ve built here and am very confident in their abilities to lead the business into the next chapter.”

Uber’s current global chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi is set to meet the TfL to try and address the accusation that Uber is not “fit and proper” to operate a transport service due the the way it treats its employees and other practises deemed irresponsible by the TfL.

The decision by Bertham to leave Uber follows the recent stepping-down of former chief executive Travis Kalanick, who was pressured to resign his post by Uber’s shareholders after it surfaced that he’d been involved in berating a driver and ignoring sexual harassment allegations aimed at Uber.

While Kalanick is still on Uber’s board, despite moves to try and remove him, he has no longer holds the top position at Uber and the loss of Bertham as another top executive, shows Uber is going through a bit of a rocky patch at the moment.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/jo-bertram-leaves-uber-3300009#MOOQJ2OAJBcp57g7.99 
-------------------------------------------

UBERKS National Sex Attacks

Uber drivers have been accused of more than a dozen sex attacks, including at least two rapes, outside London.

Alleged sexual assaults were reported to six police forces outside the capital, according to data released under freedom of information laws, revealing the scale of the ride-sharing group’s security problems.

Forces in Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Avon and Somerset have recorded 13 alleged sex attacks by Uber drivers since 2015.

Greater Manchester police recorded three alleged sexual assaults and one alleged rape by Uber drivers, while South Yorkshire police investigated one alleged sexual assault and an alleged rape.

West Yorkshire police recorded three alleged sexual offences involving Uber drivers, while Avon and Somerset investigated two and Warwickshire and Leicestershire each recorded one.

The true number of cases nationwide could be much higher, as 20 of the 45 forces across Britain asked by The Sunday Times for information on Uber’s public safety record either refused to provide figures on the grounds of cost or did not respond.

The 19 forces that did respond either had no cases reported against Uber drivers or recorded offences that were not of a sexual nature. Eleven forces in total revealed that they had recorded reported crimes by Uber drivers, including violence against the person, theft, handling stolen goods and drug offences.

The figures were released as Uber fights to keep operating in the capital after Transport for London (TfL) decided not to renew its licence. The announcement led to speculation that councils across the UK would follow London’s example.

TfL bosses accused the company of failing to ensure passenger safety after the number of alleged sex attacks involving Uber drivers in London rose 50%, to 48, in the 12 months to February 2017.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive, will be in London on Tuesday to meet regulators. He hopes to stop the revoking of his company’s licence, which was due to expire last night. Uber will be allowed to continue operating while it appeals against TfL’s decision.

The meeting, which TfL said was instigated by an approach from Uber, comes days after Khosrowshahi wrote an open apology to Londoners, saying “we have got things wrong”.

Uber said: “Drivers who use our app are licensed by a local council and have gone through the same enhanced DBS checks as black cab drivers and others. We take any allegations of this nature seriously, working with the police and preventing drivers using the app while any investigations take place. Our GPS technology means that every trip is electronically tracked and recorded.”

http://bit.ly/2xTgmDo

BOGUS APPS

Security researchers have warned of a rise in malicious apps masquerading as legitimate taxi-hailing services, as cyber-criminals look to capitalize on Transport for London (TfL)’s recent decision to ban Uber.

TfL issued its controversial decree last Friday, immediately leading to strong calls from all sides to have the private hire company reinstated. A petition has so-far accrued over 820,000 signatures from irate users of the service.

As with most things, it appears as if the black hats are already trying to coat-tail on the news, in a bid to lure Uber users looking for an alternative way to get around London.

Official apps for Addison Lee, Gett and MyTaxi saw downloads collectively soar by 159% over the week, according to App Annie figures seen by the BBC.

However, RiskID said it looked at five taxi hailing apps and found 56 instances of each app with the company’s brand in the title.

“These apps were on average found in 20 different app stores, with an average of two apps per brand that are flagged as serving adware or directing to known bad sites,” warned EMEA VP, Fabian Libeau. “Users need to be aware of their existence and potential growth in number.”

He urged users to visit only official app stores when downloading apps, and to check the developer to make sure they’re legitimate.

“Checking out the number of downloads and reviews it has received will also help. Finally, inspect the permissions the app is asking for,” he concluded. “While a taxi app will require more than others, beware of requested permissions that don’t seem necessary. For example, during our initial insight, we saw camera or Bluetooth access, as well as admin privileges and download without a notification.”

In reality, there’s no rush to find a new app. Uber is still allowed to operate in the capital while it prepares its appeal and won’t be officially banned until the current license expires on September 30 2018.

The ban was levied due to concerns over Uber’s approach to reporting serious driver offences, driver safety and medical checks, and its use of controversial Greyball software to evade TfL officials.

However, many have leaped to the defense of the service, which is used by an estimated 40,000 drivers and 3.5 million customers in London. Many punters complain London’s black cabs are expensive, slow, dirty and unsafe.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/uber-london-ban-sees-rise/
----------------------------------

NEW INVESTMENT IN TX eCity

(ShareCast News) - Tube manipulation specialist Tricorn Group announced on Friday that its UK operation, Maxpower Automotive, has secured a long-term supply agreement with the London Electric Vehicle Company - formerly the London Taxi Company.

The AIM-traded firm said the agreement, which is for seven years, was for the supply of brake pipe assemblies for the new TX eCity electric taxi and was expected to generate around £5m of revenue.

"This is the latest in a number of long term agreements we have secured with major customers and reflects our growing reputation for outstanding operational performance and responsiveness," said Tricorn's sales director David Leakey.

"We are delighted to be working with LEVC, for the first time, on this prestigious project."

http://www.hl.co.uk/shares/stock-market-news/aim-and-small-cap-news/aim-bulletin/tricorn-group-wins-seven-year-deal-for-new-electric-london-taxi
---------------------------------------

A former Winsford taxi driver who sexually molested a young autistic boy has been jailed for four years.

Peter Icely disputed the allegations against him but was convicted after a trial by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court.

He had abused the boy, who was aged four or five, when they were alone in his vehicle after the chaperone had briefly left to escort other vulnerable children to their destination.

Jailing him Judge Thomas Teague, QC, said that he had been convicted of two specimen offences of sexual assault on the victim involving him getting out of the driver’s seat into the back of his car and forcibly grabbing the boy’s genitals over his clothing causing pain and distress.

 “There is an element of targeting of a particularly vulnerable child,” he said.

The boy had communication difficulties but later revealed what had happened and Icely was arrested.

The court heard that 57-year-old Icely, of Spinney Close, Winsford, who has since been working as an auditor, has no relevant previous convictions.
Patrick Williamson, defending, said that Icely, who still denies the offences, is the carer for his sick wife and although his family will help in his inevitable absence it will cause difficulties.

His incarceration will also mean that they will lose the matrimonial home, he added.

http://bit.ly/2kat7UL
---------------------------------------

UBER APPEAL TO RESUME NOW 2:10 pm.

Uber can't classify itself as an "agent" in the UK because there is no document between Uber drivers and the taxi company to support this, a lawyer representing Uber drivers told an employment tribunal appeal on Thursday.

Uber is currently appealing a court ruling passed last October that found British Uber drivers are entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay.
The San Francisco company's key argument is that it acts as a driver's agent (like many traditional taxi companies) and not their employer.

But Jason Galbraith-Marten QC, a former labour and employment lawyer of the year winner, told Judge Eady QC in court on Thursday that "there is no document in which drivers appoint Uber as their agent," before going on to state a number of other reasons which illustrate Uber is not an agent.

In a bid to further dismiss Uber's claim that its drivers are not workers, Galbraith-Marten QC pointed to the fact that drivers can "breach" their contract with Uber by cancelling trips.

He continued to pick apart Uber's appeal point-by-point and was on his feet for around two and a half hours before the courtroom broke for lunch.

http://read.bi/2hxuuMj

The Scotsman (quite a good read)

For many outside London, Glasgow or Edinburgh the Uber taxis debate will seem irrelevant. After all, in most other areas there are just the local taxi companies, and the issue is accessing them.

Choice is limited and cost the set tariff. Even the licensed cab or private hire divide is of no consequence, where hailing a cab isn’t an option and where every pick-up has to be booked.

However, there are plans by Uber to expand into Aberdeen and other areas may thereafter follow. So the decision by Transport for London to refuse to renew their licence is of interest nationwide. It’s also being appealed and could well be 
overturned with changes or assurances given. So, the roll-out could continue.

The model came from America but hasn’t been without its issues there. Uber has threatened to withdraw from Montreal and Quebec after the Provincial Government indicated it was increasing the training hours required before becoming a cabbie and having the police conduct security vetting.

It has caused a deep divide in London between those who support and oppose Uber. Some complain about being deprived of the opportunity for cheaper fares. On the other side there’s the evident delight of many cabbies who feel threatened by competition.

In many ways, though, it’s not just a London or taxi issue but a microcosm of changes ongoing in our society. The Uber format is part of a wider debate on the direction of our economy. It could be called the Uberisation effect, or after any number of other new economy operators who have moved into spheres of life and transformed them through their apps or their format.

Many products and services have been made more widely available in some ways and often at a cheaper price. However, it’s also affected regulation of trades or markets. It’s undermined trades unions, closed down local shops or traders and atomised a workforce whether employed on a large site or operating individually in their cars or vans.

The effect on them hasn’t been so pleasant and far from benign. It’s not just left-wing trade unions but trade and small business federations who are now fearful for their future. It’s part of a change in society from being citizens in a community where services are local and regulated, even if slightly more expensive, to becoming individual consumers where all that matters is the bottom price.

Of course, much change is both inevitable and beneficial. There can be no 21st century Luddism and, mixing my metaphors, the genie is out of the bottle. These apps and formats are here and can’t be uninvented. But that doesn’t mean that they still shouldn’t be regulated and that the lowest price must always be best.

Uber will argue whether in London, Montreal or anywhere that they are regulated, but in many ways, they’ve driven a coach and horses through the rules. Regulation of taxis is complex, as I recall from being Justice Secretary, and requires trying to protect the rights of the trade, consumers and wider society. In many ways the trade is the master of some of its own misfortune.

Initially there were just taxi licenses and drivers were vetted and in many areas required to undergo examinations such as “the knowledge” as it’s termed in London, to ensure they knew the city and its sights. Plates were also issued for vehicles and were limited to protect from over-provision, though regular sampling was undertaken to ensure a sufficiency for public need.

However, for whatever reason private hire was invoked running a parallel service with fewer requirements for drivers and lower supervision of vehicles. That was initially meant to be limited and for hotel and airport transfers, but subsequently has become a duplicate trade simply by phone bookings and available apps.

Technology has blurred the lines between the two, as anyone seeking a cab at an airport will know, where the difference is hard to spot. Private hire and mini cabs boomed not just in London but in some Scottish cities, undermining the licensed black cab trade and also being targeted by organised crime looking to launder cash.

To be fair, the private hire trade has largely been cleaned up but regulation of both cabs and vehicles is still less rigid for private hire than for the black cab trade, yet they compete for the same custom and drive on the same roads. Then came Uber, who could be described as private hire on speed.

Some will say ‘so what, I simply want a cab and the cheapest’. But there are dangers from an unregulated market and not just the issues in security and quality highlighted in London and Montreal. Even in Scotland the major issues tend to have predominated within the private hire rather than black cab trade.

An entirely free market can be counterproductive. Many years ago Dublin decided to deregulate. It resulted in many seeking to make an extra euro or two on a Friday or Saturday night doing taxi work. There were more cabs perhaps, and maybe even an effect on fares. But it undermined the professional trade as they were driven off the road through being unable to make a living. The service became worse as there were then fewer cabs at non-peak times such as a rainy Tuesday morning when the weekend extra shifters were doing their other jobs.

Regulation isn’t simply about protecting society from nefarious individuals. The limitation on numbers is about adequate public provision, not trade protectionism. Of course, not just apps but sat nav has changed some aspects. But having properly accredited drivers with appropriate skills and in vehicles independently scrutinised is a good thing.

Uber sees itself as opening up the market for the benefit of individuals, whether new drivers or customers seeking cheaper fares. But it undermines a regulated trade that’s served us well.

As my mother was fond of saying: “You can know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

http://bit.ly/2xCMsks

Kenny MacAskill (former)
Cabinet Secretary for Justice.

 

THE HEAD of a London taxi union has shared his concerns about the rise in "fake" taxi drivers - which he claims are an increasingly worrying problem.

Steve McNamara, head of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, revealed that previously owned private hire cars are popular with London families and commuters as they are Congestion Charge exempt - but they also attract the attention of less wholesome drivers.

Speaking to The Sun Online, he said: "We at the LTDA are worried about TfL licensed Private Hire Vehicles being sold with the licence roundel [identifying logo], it's a major concern of ours.
"The reason the seller leaves the roundels in - even though they're not meant to, is because whilst it has the roundel it is congestion charge exempt.

"If you as an individual - forget you being a potential rapist or attacker - are doing the school run every morning, and could buy one of these cars and not pay the Congestion Charge for a year, it would save you thousands.

"That's why they do it, to add more value to the vehicle."

London's Congestion Charge is an £11.50 daily fee for driving a vehicle within the city's designated charging zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. There is a £1 discount if you set up a credit card payment that triggers every time you enter the zone.

By the end of 2017, there will have been 260 working days.

Assuming you enter the Congestion Charge zone on each of those days, you could be paying £2990 a year - more if you forget a day and pay the next day charge of £14, or forget altogether and get slapped with a £120 fine - reduced to £60 if you pay it within 14 days.

A quick search online shows hundreds of London cabs for sale priced anywhere between £400, and £30,000, but Steve doesn't think that they are as attractive to criminals as cars that were once used for minicabbing.

He admits that it's easy to buy a second hand black cab, but adds that it's not uncommon for some folks to use them as a daily runaround.

"Plenty of people have got them as normal cars. Stephen Fry, Bez from the Happy Mondays and even Prince Phillip.

"You might get away with driving it down the bus lane if the cameras don't pick you up, but you'd stand out like a sore thumb to our members.

"There is a much lesser problem of second hand black cabs being sold after they have finished service.

"This is primarily because our members instantly spot an unlicensed taxi and watch and instantly report any suspicious behaviour to the police."

http://bit.ly/2y8DaQs
---------------------------------------

MORE PAIN FOR UBERK

London Uber: A female driver has issued sex discrimination proceedings against the taxi company

The 44-year-old Uber driver issued proceedings at the Employment Tribunal, claiming the company’s practices unfairly disadvantage women.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said the way the San Francisco-based firm operate is putting her and other female drivers at risk.
She claimed Uber drivers do not know their passenger’s destination until the the traveller is already in the car, and do not have the option to cancel the journey if the final point is to a remote or unsafe area.

The female driver added if a customer becomes aggressive in the car, the driver cannot cancel the journey - and if she asks the passenger to leave the vehicle, she faces customer complaints and low ratings which could affect future work.

The claim is being brought by the GMB union and represented by law firm Leigh Day.
Nigel Mackay, a lawyer at Leigh Day, said: “We believe that Uber’s policies do not do enough to protect female drivers.

“Our client no longer feels able to drive in the evening or at night time, suffering a loss of income as a result.

“We believe that Uber should not only ensure the safety of its passengers but also all of its drivers, and provide as much protection as possible to women to ensure that they are not vulnerable to assaults from passengers.”

http://bit.ly/2yrPQxN
-------------------------------------------

Veezu establishes fourth UK taxi hub

Veezu has acquired V Cars, which has operations in Bristol, Bath, Chippenham and Swindon, from founder Dave Scaramanga who remains in the business in a senior management role.

The Wales-based taxi group has three existing taxi hubs throughout the UK operating under their local brand names – Dragon Taxis in south Wales, A2B in Solihull and Birmingham and Amber Cars in Leeds.

The establishment of the fourth taxi hub not only gives Veezu a presence in the South West of England for the first time, but also increases the number of drivers it provides dispatch services to across the group by 40%, up to approximately 3,500.   

Joel Hope-Bell, chief executive officer at Veezu, said: “A core element of our growth strategy is to increase the number of regional taxi hubs in the Veezu group and the acquisition of V Cars sees us continuing to deliver on this.

“The South West is of strategic importance to Veezu as it further bolsters our presence along the M4 corridor and enables us to operate in additional major cities and towns, which offer substantial growth potential.”

V Cars also operates as Abbey Taxis in Bath and Streamline in Bristol. It has been in business for more than 25 years and handles approximately 50,000 journeys every week.

Joel added: “V Cars, Abbey Taxis and Streamline are all well-established businesses in their wn right. We are delighted that they are now part of the Veezu group and we are looking forward to working closely with Dave to continue to develop and grow the businesses and deliver a ‘best-in-class’ service to all passengers and customers.”  
Veezu, established in late 2013, is a unique business model with a strategy to lead the UK taxi market through an expected period of change and consolidation.

Since then, Veezu has invested heavily in new technology and strengthened its management team, mobile application and dispatch technologies.

http://bit.ly/2fxPiCQ 
----------------------------------------

STRETFORD GTR MANCHESTER

A taxi driver was stabbed repeatedly during an attempted robbery in Stretford.

Police say the victim suffered injuries to his arms, hands and legs, and although they’re not believed to be serious wounds, he remained in hospital overnight.

He was attacked on Monday night on Victoria Road, near Victoria Park.

It’s understood the 53-year-old was approached by a group of people, who tried to steal his takings before attacking him.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the victim was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary by ambulance.

http://bit.ly/2yGHcfN
------------------------------------