LONDON MINICAB SEX ATTACKS
The number of rapes and sex assaults of taxi and private hire passengers in London reached a 14-year high in 2016, figures show.
Transport for London (TfL) and the Met Police revealed a 21% rise on the previous year.
In 2016, 164 offences were reported to police compared with 136 offences in 2015. Figures were only higher in 2002, when there were 189 sex attacks.
There were no attacks by licensed black cab taxi drivers in 2016, figures show.
The figures take into account incidents of rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault.
A total of 25 private hire drivers were charged with sexual assault in 2016, with 12 of them being convicted, figures show.
Of those charged, eight were found not guilty and five are awaiting trial.
The convictions related to pre-booked private hire journeys with five of them booked through the online hailing app Uber.
Two of the five convictions related to the same driver.
A further five Uber drivers were found not guilty and three more are awaiting a court hearing or outcome, the figures showed.
A substantial share of London's private hire drivers get work through Uber - with 40,000 drivers in the capital believed to be using it.
That is equivalent to about half of the city's active licensed private hire drivers.
An Uber spokesperson said: "We take any allegations of this nature very seriously, immediately preventing drivers from using our app and supporting the police with their investigations.
"All drivers who use our app in London are licensed by Transport for London and have gone through the same enhanced DBS checks as black cab drivers.
"Our GPS technology also means that every trip is electronically tracked and recorded."
TfL said the safety of its passengers using black taxis and private hire vehicles was its top priority.
"Passengers should expect to be safe - and feel safe - when travelling by taxi or private hire and no one should ever be subject to sexual behaviour by a driver", it said.
None of the drivers who were charged with an offence currently hold an active private hire driver's licence, TfL added.
What is the difference between a taxi and a private hire vehicle?
Taxi's can be hailed from the street, can operate from taxi ranks and must have a meter and a fare table displayed.
Private hire vehicles cannot be hailed in the street, cannot use taxi ranks and must be pre-booked through a licensed operator.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-42026888
Comment:
Dreadful News on Sex Attacks in London.
I do not wish to trivialise that, but Manchester leads the way in Sex attacks.
Hardly surprising when, if caught committing rape in Manchester you can expect a bloody good Caution from the "overworked" Police.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rEjV-vxWWaMRkCfkTL1P_03Yc6aAn1WR/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vEOpTDdzthQLIlXqzx9ACNnVjrzmezl_/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1be_hCBDiIeb4oSTJVETqJbeOwwnfMHAO/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Et7u_2wYp7Dx3ILiHdY61g_pfR2374y1/view?usp=sharing
Friday, 17 November 2017
Thursday, 16 November 2017
LONDON's MAYOR. UBER's 13000 Drivers without Authorised DBS checks..Should not be working.
Mayor’s Question Time 16th November 2017.
TfL are again walking all over the Taxi trade. Legislation is in place to protect the public. If the Mayor and TfL consider uber to be unsafe, not fit to be an operator, then that legislation can and should be invoked.
But again, the weak Mayor, fronting for a weak TfL, in the face of weak representation from the Taxi trade engagement orgs have given uber a blank cheque to carry on being unsafe and not fit and proper.
At MQT yesterday, question 4 came from assembly Member David Kurten asking the Mayor to clarify the situation in regards to Uber relicensing and the appeal process.
The Mayor gave a wishy-washy scripted reply, then added they are seeking leave to appeal, followed by the appeal process itself, which could take a couple of years.
According to Khan (under current legislation), Uber are legally allowed to continue to operate.
If that is the case, then how did TfL manage to shut down Taxify ???
Assembly member Kurten’s went on to question (3:28 into the video) the scandalous situation of 13,000 Uber drivers, who were given 28 days to re-present genuine DBS certificates by TfLTPH.
Sadiq Khan said "those drivers who haven’t now re-presented should not be working !!!"
There you have it HELEN CHAPMAN, from the mouth of the Mayor.....it’s now over to you at TfLTPH !!!
What are TfL planning to do, to ensure the 10,000+ who haven’t bothered to re-present aren’t working for Uber or any other operator ?
David Kurten then asked how many drivers, Uber actually had registered on their books.
It was clear that the Mayor didn’t know the answer to this question and could only point to the total given by Uber in recent press releases, so we are none the wiser.
Another issue that's been swept under TFL's carpet:
Why has there been a complete news blackout about the Exhibition Road Alleged Uber Driver. It's been leaked that the driver -arrested at the scene- was not the driver registered on the App. The driver had picked up two female passengers who have suddenly disappeared.
First reports from on the scene witnesses said the driver appeared to deliberately attack them....all information dried up within hours.....
SOURCE ; TAXILEAKS
Mayor’s Question Time 16th November 2017.
TfL are again walking all over the Taxi trade. Legislation is in place to protect the public. If the Mayor and TfL consider uber to be unsafe, not fit to be an operator, then that legislation can and should be invoked.
But again, the weak Mayor, fronting for a weak TfL, in the face of weak representation from the Taxi trade engagement orgs have given uber a blank cheque to carry on being unsafe and not fit and proper.
At MQT yesterday, question 4 came from assembly Member David Kurten asking the Mayor to clarify the situation in regards to Uber relicensing and the appeal process.
The Mayor gave a wishy-washy scripted reply, then added they are seeking leave to appeal, followed by the appeal process itself, which could take a couple of years.
According to Khan (under current legislation), Uber are legally allowed to continue to operate.
If that is the case, then how did TfL manage to shut down Taxify ???
Assembly member Kurten’s went on to question (3:28 into the video) the scandalous situation of 13,000 Uber drivers, who were given 28 days to re-present genuine DBS certificates by TfLTPH.
Sadiq Khan said "those drivers who haven’t now re-presented should not be working !!!"
There you have it HELEN CHAPMAN, from the mouth of the Mayor.....it’s now over to you at TfLTPH !!!
What are TfL planning to do, to ensure the 10,000+ who haven’t bothered to re-present aren’t working for Uber or any other operator ?
David Kurten then asked how many drivers, Uber actually had registered on their books.
It was clear that the Mayor didn’t know the answer to this question and could only point to the total given by Uber in recent press releases, so we are none the wiser.
Another issue that's been swept under TFL's carpet:
Why has there been a complete news blackout about the Exhibition Road Alleged Uber Driver. It's been leaked that the driver -arrested at the scene- was not the driver registered on the App. The driver had picked up two female passengers who have suddenly disappeared.
First reports from on the scene witnesses said the driver appeared to deliberately attack them....all information dried up within hours.....
SOURCE ; TAXILEAKS
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Liam Byrne Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) (Digital Economy)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to approve hydrogen cell technology to power taxis in England.
Jesse Norman Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We recognise that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are a potentially important technology, alongside battery electric vehicles, for decarbonising road transport. The Government supports ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) taxis through its Plug in Taxi Grant with support of up to £7,500 for a new purpose built ULEV taxi and through the Plug in Car Grant with up to £4,500 per vehicle. Both grants are technology neutral, and as long as the vehicle meets the eligibility criteria for the grant it is eligible for support.
(Citation: HC Deb, 15 November 2017, cW)
----------------------------------------
Derby councillor finally agrees to leave committee after taxi driver controversy.
The councillor at the centre of a row after being found in breach of Derby City Council’s code of conduct four months ago has finally agreed to step down from one of three committees of which he is a member.
Sanctions were imposed by the council’s standards committee on Labour councillor Gulfraz Nawaz in July after he gave a reference to a taxi driver who had previous criminal convictions.
These included recommending to Mr Nawaz’s Labour group leader – Councillor Ranjit Banwait – that he “be removed from any or all council committees or sub-committees” and also the council’s monitoring officer was recommended “to arrange code of conduct training” for him.
Additionally, it was agreed by the committee that a letter be sent to Mr Banwait, “outlining the seriousness of this interference with taxi licensing”.
http://bit.ly/2z6xEP7
----------------------------------------
SOUTH WALES
A father-of-two who died on the M4 after being hit by several vehicles fell from a taxi.
Tony Pemberton, 29, from Pyle, Bridgend, died after the incident between Pencoed and Sarn at about 21:00 GMT on Saturday.
South Wales Police said how and why Mr Pemberton "left the vehicle is under investigation".
A file of evidence is being prepared for the coroner but an inquest opening date is yet to be fixed.
After Mr Pemberton's death, the M4 was closed in both directions for more than 10 hours as police investigated.
In a tribute, his family said: "Tony was well loved by all of his family and friends. He was the father to two young girls whom he loved dearly.
"He was always the joker, high on life and there was never a dull moment when you were in his company. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends."
http://bbc.in/2yJscxp
----------------------------------------------
TWO Bournemouth taxi drivers have had their licences revoked over issues including overcharging and rude behaviour.
One of the drivers also held a passenger in their vehicle unlawfully.
The licences were revoked at a meeting of Bournemouth Council's licensing sub committee on Tuesday morning.
It comes after evidence was given to the council following a number of serious incidents.
The board was presented with evidence about one taxi driver which included overcharging, detaining a passenger in the vehicle unlawfully as well as a pattern of rude and aggressive behaviour.
The second case showed evidence of overcharging, retaining and damaging a customer's mobile phone and use of bad language.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of the licensing board, said: “Today’s decision to revoke both licences sends out a clear message that this sort of behaviour is simply not acceptable and we will take appropriate action.
"The safety of passengers using Bournemouth’s taxis is of paramount importance and it is the drivers’ responsibility to ensure, while they are working, that they behave appropriately, treat passengers with courtesy and uphold the standards and honesty expected by the council.
http://bit.ly/2mx8inG
------------------------------------------
DUNDEE
A man who fired a ball-bearing gun at a taxi belonging to his girlfriend’s ex-partner has been jailed.
Darren Anderson, 28, of Lily Walker Centre, Ann Street, ran at the taxi near the home of the driver’s mother in Morgan Street, firing “what sounded like” a total of six shots at the car, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
When he was arrested, Anderson denied the offences, claiming the complainer Roddy Balfour had invented the incidents as there was bad blood between Balfour and his ex-partner, who now lived with Anderson.
However Anderson’s DNA was found on the BB gun and on a container containing ball bearings compatible with the weapon, which is not a prohibitive firearm.
Anderson admitted that on November 19 2016, in Morgan Street, he possessed a firearm with the intention of having Mr Balfour believe that unlawful violence would be used against him.
He further admitted that, on the same date and at the same place and elsewhere, knowing he had been given a prison sentence on June 2 2015, before the expiration of five years from the date of his release, he possessed a pistol.
He was jailed for 14 months
http://bit.ly/2ikDCBu
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to approve hydrogen cell technology to power taxis in England.
Jesse Norman Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We recognise that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are a potentially important technology, alongside battery electric vehicles, for decarbonising road transport. The Government supports ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) taxis through its Plug in Taxi Grant with support of up to £7,500 for a new purpose built ULEV taxi and through the Plug in Car Grant with up to £4,500 per vehicle. Both grants are technology neutral, and as long as the vehicle meets the eligibility criteria for the grant it is eligible for support.
(Citation: HC Deb, 15 November 2017, cW)
----------------------------------------
Derby councillor finally agrees to leave committee after taxi driver controversy.
The councillor at the centre of a row after being found in breach of Derby City Council’s code of conduct four months ago has finally agreed to step down from one of three committees of which he is a member.
Sanctions were imposed by the council’s standards committee on Labour councillor Gulfraz Nawaz in July after he gave a reference to a taxi driver who had previous criminal convictions.
These included recommending to Mr Nawaz’s Labour group leader – Councillor Ranjit Banwait – that he “be removed from any or all council committees or sub-committees” and also the council’s monitoring officer was recommended “to arrange code of conduct training” for him.
Additionally, it was agreed by the committee that a letter be sent to Mr Banwait, “outlining the seriousness of this interference with taxi licensing”.
http://bit.ly/2z6xEP7
----------------------------------------
SOUTH WALES
A father-of-two who died on the M4 after being hit by several vehicles fell from a taxi.
Tony Pemberton, 29, from Pyle, Bridgend, died after the incident between Pencoed and Sarn at about 21:00 GMT on Saturday.
South Wales Police said how and why Mr Pemberton "left the vehicle is under investigation".
A file of evidence is being prepared for the coroner but an inquest opening date is yet to be fixed.
After Mr Pemberton's death, the M4 was closed in both directions for more than 10 hours as police investigated.
In a tribute, his family said: "Tony was well loved by all of his family and friends. He was the father to two young girls whom he loved dearly.
"He was always the joker, high on life and there was never a dull moment when you were in his company. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends."
http://bbc.in/2yJscxp
----------------------------------------------
TWO Bournemouth taxi drivers have had their licences revoked over issues including overcharging and rude behaviour.
One of the drivers also held a passenger in their vehicle unlawfully.
The licences were revoked at a meeting of Bournemouth Council's licensing sub committee on Tuesday morning.
It comes after evidence was given to the council following a number of serious incidents.
The board was presented with evidence about one taxi driver which included overcharging, detaining a passenger in the vehicle unlawfully as well as a pattern of rude and aggressive behaviour.
The second case showed evidence of overcharging, retaining and damaging a customer's mobile phone and use of bad language.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of the licensing board, said: “Today’s decision to revoke both licences sends out a clear message that this sort of behaviour is simply not acceptable and we will take appropriate action.
"The safety of passengers using Bournemouth’s taxis is of paramount importance and it is the drivers’ responsibility to ensure, while they are working, that they behave appropriately, treat passengers with courtesy and uphold the standards and honesty expected by the council.
http://bit.ly/2mx8inG
------------------------------------------
DUNDEE
A man who fired a ball-bearing gun at a taxi belonging to his girlfriend’s ex-partner has been jailed.
Darren Anderson, 28, of Lily Walker Centre, Ann Street, ran at the taxi near the home of the driver’s mother in Morgan Street, firing “what sounded like” a total of six shots at the car, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
When he was arrested, Anderson denied the offences, claiming the complainer Roddy Balfour had invented the incidents as there was bad blood between Balfour and his ex-partner, who now lived with Anderson.
However Anderson’s DNA was found on the BB gun and on a container containing ball bearings compatible with the weapon, which is not a prohibitive firearm.
Anderson admitted that on November 19 2016, in Morgan Street, he possessed a firearm with the intention of having Mr Balfour believe that unlawful violence would be used against him.
He further admitted that, on the same date and at the same place and elsewhere, knowing he had been given a prison sentence on June 2 2015, before the expiration of five years from the date of his release, he possessed a pistol.
He was jailed for 14 months
http://bit.ly/2ikDCBu
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
LONDONS 1200% INCREASE IN OPERATORS FEE'S GOES TO THE HIGH COURT
Taxi companies have launched a legal battle against a 12,000% increase in their licence fee.
The Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA) wants to overturn a licensing fee hike that would see some cab operators pay a whopping £700,000.
Transport for London (TfL) approved the price increases for five-year licences last month – but the move was met with anger.
Defending the hike, TfL told the Evening Standard it reflects licensing costs and enforcement and that the fees are proportionate.
The fees, which last rose in 2013, would mean operators running 101 to 500 cars, who currently pay £2,826, will see a 5,200% increase over five years – meaning they will have to fork out £150,000.
Companies with 501 to 1,000 cars will see an increase from £2,826 to £350,000 over the next five years.
And those operators who run 1,001 to 10,000 cars will be hit with a huge 12,000% increase, from £2,826 to £700,000.
And now the LPHCA has applied for a judicial review to prevent the increase. A fund has also been launched to finance the legal action.
The LPHCA says TfL has appointed too many enforcement officers.
Chairman Steve Wright told the paper: ‘We are in the middle of a war.’
The GMB Union said the hike – which would be passed on to customers – would put 30,000 drivers out of business.
TfL, the GMB Union and the LPHCA have been contacted for comment.
http://bit.ly/2z3emdv
----------------------------------------------
Taxi fares in Liverpool are set to rise for the first time in two years.
The planned rise could see weekend customers hit the hardest - with nearly £1 added on to cab journeys in the early hours of Sunday mornings.
Under the proposals, people getting a hackney carriage home anytime between 2am and 6am on a Sunday morning will now pay £3.90 for the first 330 yards of a journey - a rise of 90 pence.
This will be followed by 30 pence for every 232 to 19360 yards and another 30 pence for every 300 yards after that.
Thirty pence will also be added for every 60 seconds the cab is waiting.
This pricing will also now be used for journeys between 6pm on Christmas Eve and 6am on December 27 and between 6pm on New Year’s Eve and 6am on January 2.
This means that - if the plans are signed off - journeys home from town in the early hours of a Sunday morning will be priced the same as on notable days such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
This tariff can also be charged for journeys over four miles beyond the nearest city boundary if agreed before the start of the journey with the passenger.
There is an increase proposed in the standard day-rate being charged by black cabs as well.
For journeys starting after 6am and ending before 11pm, the first 330 yards will be charged at £2.60 - which is a rise of 20 pence.
Then a charge of 20 pence for every 232-19360 yards and a further 20 pence for every 300 yards after that.
There will also be a 20 pence charge for every 60 seconds that a cab is waiting.
The council says this day rate will still be lower than the national average of £2.76 and locally, below the fares charged in Wirral.
Night rate
The night rate - which covers journeys starting after 11pm and ending before 6am - will go up from £3 to £3.25 for the first 330 yards, with an extra 25 pence added on for the next 232 to 19360 yards and another 25 pence for every 300 yards after that.
A waiting charge of 25 pence will be added on for each sixty seconds as well.
Why is this happening?
The planned fare increase comes after a request made on behalf of Liverpool Hackney Branch made by UNITE the union.
They believe a rise will encourage more cabs on to the road in the early hours, discourage the urge for cabbies to cherry pick fares and also enable drivers to invest in the new electric London EV taxi.
Councillor Frank Hont, Cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “Nobody likes price increases but Liverpool’s fares will still be cheaper than the national average and it would be only the second rise in six years.
“Our licensing team are doing a lot of positive work with the trade to drive up standards and address issues such as cherry picking, plying for hire and encouraging drivers to consider more environmentally friendly vehicles. This rise will help make the hackney trade in the city more financially viable.”
Will it definitely happen?
The increase is currently being consulted on, but If no objections are received by the closing date of November 19, then the rise will be implemented straight away.
http://bit.ly/2yCKErn
----------------------------------------------
YORK
Another series of checks on taxis and private hire vehicles in York has been carried out in a multi-agency operation involving council and police officers, to ensure the vehicles are providing a safe service to passengers.
Officers from partners including City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) supported the operations. Bradford and Calderdale councils were also involved as they represent some of the neighbouring authorities which licence taxis and which can legally operate in the region.
The operations ran throughout the evenings and into the mornings of Friday 13 October and Friday 3 November. Over the two operations, a total of 44 private hire vehicles and hackney carriages which were operating in the city that evening were stopped and checked.
All vehicles underwent full mechanical examinations for defects by the DVSA at the council’s MOT test centre at Hazel Court or at the roadside. Checks were also made to ensure that the drivers were properly licensed, insured and that the vehicles they were driving were safe to carry customers on the roads.
As a result, seven vehicles were ordered off the road by the DVSA due to the faults found including:
• a defective tyre (sidewall bulging/casing separated)
• defective or inoperative headlights or brake lights
• a serious fuel leak.
Another seven vehicles were found to have faults and the drivers were given three days to fix them and get MOT approval. The variety of mechanical defects included:
• defective airbag
• engine oil leak
• split drive shaft cover
• defective seat belt
• anti roll bars inoperative
A further eight drivers were advised to repair minor vehicle defects and several others were also warned by taxi enforcement officers about breaches of taxi licensing rules.
In addition, eight private hire vehicles were suspended from working due to mechanical defects and other breaches of taxi and private hire licensing rules.
A pizza delivery vehicle was also seized by police for having no insurance.
http://bit.ly/2iYYKwq
Taxi companies have launched a legal battle against a 12,000% increase in their licence fee.
The Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA) wants to overturn a licensing fee hike that would see some cab operators pay a whopping £700,000.
Transport for London (TfL) approved the price increases for five-year licences last month – but the move was met with anger.
Defending the hike, TfL told the Evening Standard it reflects licensing costs and enforcement and that the fees are proportionate.
The fees, which last rose in 2013, would mean operators running 101 to 500 cars, who currently pay £2,826, will see a 5,200% increase over five years – meaning they will have to fork out £150,000.
Companies with 501 to 1,000 cars will see an increase from £2,826 to £350,000 over the next five years.
And those operators who run 1,001 to 10,000 cars will be hit with a huge 12,000% increase, from £2,826 to £700,000.
And now the LPHCA has applied for a judicial review to prevent the increase. A fund has also been launched to finance the legal action.
The LPHCA says TfL has appointed too many enforcement officers.
Chairman Steve Wright told the paper: ‘We are in the middle of a war.’
The GMB Union said the hike – which would be passed on to customers – would put 30,000 drivers out of business.
TfL, the GMB Union and the LPHCA have been contacted for comment.
http://bit.ly/2z3emdv
----------------------------------------------
Taxi fares in Liverpool are set to rise for the first time in two years.
The planned rise could see weekend customers hit the hardest - with nearly £1 added on to cab journeys in the early hours of Sunday mornings.
Under the proposals, people getting a hackney carriage home anytime between 2am and 6am on a Sunday morning will now pay £3.90 for the first 330 yards of a journey - a rise of 90 pence.
This will be followed by 30 pence for every 232 to 19360 yards and another 30 pence for every 300 yards after that.
Thirty pence will also be added for every 60 seconds the cab is waiting.
This pricing will also now be used for journeys between 6pm on Christmas Eve and 6am on December 27 and between 6pm on New Year’s Eve and 6am on January 2.
This means that - if the plans are signed off - journeys home from town in the early hours of a Sunday morning will be priced the same as on notable days such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
This tariff can also be charged for journeys over four miles beyond the nearest city boundary if agreed before the start of the journey with the passenger.
There is an increase proposed in the standard day-rate being charged by black cabs as well.
For journeys starting after 6am and ending before 11pm, the first 330 yards will be charged at £2.60 - which is a rise of 20 pence.
Then a charge of 20 pence for every 232-19360 yards and a further 20 pence for every 300 yards after that.
There will also be a 20 pence charge for every 60 seconds that a cab is waiting.
The council says this day rate will still be lower than the national average of £2.76 and locally, below the fares charged in Wirral.
Night rate
The night rate - which covers journeys starting after 11pm and ending before 6am - will go up from £3 to £3.25 for the first 330 yards, with an extra 25 pence added on for the next 232 to 19360 yards and another 25 pence for every 300 yards after that.
A waiting charge of 25 pence will be added on for each sixty seconds as well.
Why is this happening?
The planned fare increase comes after a request made on behalf of Liverpool Hackney Branch made by UNITE the union.
They believe a rise will encourage more cabs on to the road in the early hours, discourage the urge for cabbies to cherry pick fares and also enable drivers to invest in the new electric London EV taxi.
Councillor Frank Hont, Cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “Nobody likes price increases but Liverpool’s fares will still be cheaper than the national average and it would be only the second rise in six years.
“Our licensing team are doing a lot of positive work with the trade to drive up standards and address issues such as cherry picking, plying for hire and encouraging drivers to consider more environmentally friendly vehicles. This rise will help make the hackney trade in the city more financially viable.”
Will it definitely happen?
The increase is currently being consulted on, but If no objections are received by the closing date of November 19, then the rise will be implemented straight away.
http://bit.ly/2yCKErn
----------------------------------------------
YORK
Another series of checks on taxis and private hire vehicles in York has been carried out in a multi-agency operation involving council and police officers, to ensure the vehicles are providing a safe service to passengers.
Officers from partners including City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) supported the operations. Bradford and Calderdale councils were also involved as they represent some of the neighbouring authorities which licence taxis and which can legally operate in the region.
The operations ran throughout the evenings and into the mornings of Friday 13 October and Friday 3 November. Over the two operations, a total of 44 private hire vehicles and hackney carriages which were operating in the city that evening were stopped and checked.
All vehicles underwent full mechanical examinations for defects by the DVSA at the council’s MOT test centre at Hazel Court or at the roadside. Checks were also made to ensure that the drivers were properly licensed, insured and that the vehicles they were driving were safe to carry customers on the roads.
As a result, seven vehicles were ordered off the road by the DVSA due to the faults found including:
• a defective tyre (sidewall bulging/casing separated)
• a tyre with less than the minimum tread requirement
• defective or inoperative headlights or brake lights
• a serious fuel leak.
• defective airbag
• engine oil leak
• split drive shaft cover
• defective seat belt
• anti roll bars inoperative
A further eight drivers were advised to repair minor vehicle defects and several others were also warned by taxi enforcement officers about breaches of taxi licensing rules.
In addition, eight private hire vehicles were suspended from working due to mechanical defects and other breaches of taxi and private hire licensing rules.
A pizza delivery vehicle was also seized by police for having no insurance.
http://bit.ly/2iYYKwq
Sunday, 12 November 2017
GETT's UNLAWFUL CHARGING PASSES THE BUCK TO THE DRIVERS
All of the drivers registered on the Gett platform received revised Conditions of acceptance this week.
Condition 9 caught my eye. It claims that in continuing to use that platform you indemnify Gett from any Laws you may break in using the said App.
Many of you know that the routes chosen by Gett, route the customer the long way to a job, causing a considerable overcharge.
I also believe these routes are to avoid "Taxi Gates" where hackneys are allowed through but ,Importantly, PH vehicles are not. This is I believe to facilitate the day when PH vehicles are added to the Platfor, as they already are in London
There is no doubt this extra charge is welcome in these difficult times. However it is a Criminal offence on the part of the driver. Your acceptance of Getts conditions means you cannot even use that as a defence.
Sec 69 LGMPA
On the matter of the £2 extra charged for peak time journeys, that is also a criminal offence on the part of the driver. Gett are again indemnified by your acceptance of condition 9.
If a customer complains to a Licensing unit of any Town or City cover by the LGMPA 1976, the driver risk's his livelihood, all for £1.75 net.
IS IT WORTH THE RISK ?
Saturday, 11 November 2017
MILTON KEYNES V SKYLINE
First High Court Case for Cross Border Hiring by Cloud base is dismissed.
The subsequent appeal against that dismissal is also lost.
Quote from the Judge :
" I have more than reasonable doubts that the cloud system breaches any laws. There was no evidence in my judgment that the transfer did not lawfully happen and sufficient evidence that it did. I was particularly reassured by the format of [the Full Report] which if not available at the time these offences were investigated in my judgment now clearly showed that the cloud based system complied with the law."
http://bit.ly/2i4EsCn
The original Magistrates case was in May 17.
That case can be read and downloaded here.
http://bit.ly/2zvFn8J
First High Court Case for Cross Border Hiring by Cloud base is dismissed.
The subsequent appeal against that dismissal is also lost.
Quote from the Judge :
" I have more than reasonable doubts that the cloud system breaches any laws. There was no evidence in my judgment that the transfer did not lawfully happen and sufficient evidence that it did. I was particularly reassured by the format of [the Full Report] which if not available at the time these offences were investigated in my judgment now clearly showed that the cloud based system complied with the law."
http://bit.ly/2i4EsCn
The original Magistrates case was in May 17.
That case can be read and downloaded here.
http://bit.ly/2zvFn8J
LEEDS UBER PERVERT
"Its not me its my Bruvver"
An Uber taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting two of his passengers in Leeds has lost an appeal to keep his private hire licence.
Leeds City Council claims Naveed Iqbal used his brother's Uber driver login while he was away and assaulted two women on separate occasions.
The city's crown court heard no charges had been brought, but a judge said it was him who carried out the attacks "on the balance of probabilities".
He was told to pay £1,500 in fees.
Mr Iqbal, 39, shared a Volkswagen Sharan people carrier with his brother, also an Uber driver, and picked up fares at night while his sibling worked in the day.
The court heard two women were picked up in Leeds city centre after nights out in December 2015, with the women sitting in the front passenger seat on both occasions.
Providing evidence via video-link, one woman said she fell asleep in the cab and woke up to find the driver of the vehicle fondling one of her breasts.
'Technical fault' defence'
Another told the court she was taken to a dark road near her home and the Volkswagen's driver "put his hands on my chest and under my clothes".
Leeds City Council found the Uber driver account logged in at the time of the assaults belonged to Mr Iqbal's brother, but he was in Pakistan at the time.
Mr Iqbal denied using his brother's Uber login and sexually assaulting the two women, blaming a "technical fault" on the phone or the Uber app
Judge Simon Batiste told him the vehicle which picked the women up was "only ever used by two people" and one was out of the country.
Dismissing his appeal to retain his licence, he said: "We are satisfied that he is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
"He's extremely fortunate that criminal charges have not been brought against him."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-41949444
"Its not me its my Bruvver"
An Uber taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting two of his passengers in Leeds has lost an appeal to keep his private hire licence.
Leeds City Council claims Naveed Iqbal used his brother's Uber driver login while he was away and assaulted two women on separate occasions.
The city's crown court heard no charges had been brought, but a judge said it was him who carried out the attacks "on the balance of probabilities".
He was told to pay £1,500 in fees.
Mr Iqbal, 39, shared a Volkswagen Sharan people carrier with his brother, also an Uber driver, and picked up fares at night while his sibling worked in the day.
The court heard two women were picked up in Leeds city centre after nights out in December 2015, with the women sitting in the front passenger seat on both occasions.
Providing evidence via video-link, one woman said she fell asleep in the cab and woke up to find the driver of the vehicle fondling one of her breasts.
'Technical fault' defence'
Another told the court she was taken to a dark road near her home and the Volkswagen's driver "put his hands on my chest and under my clothes".
Leeds City Council found the Uber driver account logged in at the time of the assaults belonged to Mr Iqbal's brother, but he was in Pakistan at the time.
Mr Iqbal denied using his brother's Uber login and sexually assaulting the two women, blaming a "technical fault" on the phone or the Uber app
Judge Simon Batiste told him the vehicle which picked the women up was "only ever used by two people" and one was out of the country.
Dismissing his appeal to retain his licence, he said: "We are satisfied that he is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
"He's extremely fortunate that criminal charges have not been brought against him."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-41949444
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