Taxi fares in Nottingham could be slashed after a controversial new company was given the green light to launch in the city.
Private hire firm Uber – which uses a cashless system where customers order and track a cab on their smartphones – was yesterday given a licence by Nottingham City Council.
It has been welcomed by residents but taxi drivers already working in the city say they are "worried" it could put them out of business.
The company says it can offer cheaper prices than rival taxi firms because it is more efficient by providing the nearest drivers and using a centralised meter.
Max Lines, the Uber general manager in Manchester and Sheffield – who will oversee the Nottingham launch, could not give a launch date but said it would be "in the next few months".
"It's really great to have got the licence as we've proved that we're going to be good for the city," he said.
"Nottingham is a huge UK city and we've already seen a lot of demand in the app from people here, while a lot of drivers have written to us.
"There's already excitement from students and other people who have used it elsewhere."
The app, currently operational in 58 countries, works by customers registering a payment card, which is automatically debited after a taxi ride.
They input the time and address of their pick-up and can track the car journey on a map displayed on the screen of their phone.
They are also sent a photograph of the self-employed driver and car details.
After a ride, the driver and passenger can rate each other, while the customer can also use the app to make a complaint.
It has attracted controversy because drivers don't have to be trained and licensed, with recent protests held by cabbies in London and Paris against the firm.
The private hire operator's licence was awarded after three Uber representatives attended the council's regulatory and appeals committee meeting at Loxley House.
They spoke about the expansion of the company – which first launched in Britain three years ago and now operates in seven UK cities – and answered questions from councillors for two hours.
Issues addressed included how drivers' background are checked, car safety, how data is used and price surges.
Andrew Byrne, Uber head of public policy in the UK, said full checks, including criminal records, are made for all drivers and vehicles are regularly tested.
He said they can be held to account by unsatisfied customers by tracing live and past journey routes – which can be sent to others – and digital fare receipts.
Mr Byrne added: "We're able to match the demand and the efficiency of the Uber system allows us to be cheaper. In London it's 40 per cent cheaper than a black cab on average and 95 times out of 100 we will be the cheaper option."
Committee chairman Brian Grocock said: "We understand it's had a customer satisfaction throughout the country, although it's also had difficulties in various parts.
"We're open to new systems within the city because we're a progressive city with transport and look forward to working with Uber.
"I believe it will be good for younger people of the electronic age and it will safeguard people so they aren't handling money in taxis at night.
"But should Uber not work in a right and proper manner then we have the right to review the application."
The decision was welcomed by some residents, who said they would use the app.
Student Kylie Maddison, 23, of Gedling, said: "I've heard of it being used in America and it would depend on how prices compare with other companies.
"If it's cheaper, I would definitely use it. It could be the new way of getting taxis."
Customer services assistant Adam Nelan, 23, of Carlton, added: "Taxis can be really expensive so I'd be tempted if it's cheaper and more useful."
And Tim Shinfield, of Selston, believes it could prove to be popular.
The 52-year-old forklift trainer said: "If I was on a night out in Nottingham I'd use it because the buses aren't that good now.
"It's good that they do their own checks on drivers."
But existing taxi drivers are concerned about how it will affect their business.
Hackney carriage driver Paul Purwaha, 58, of Gedling, said: "People who have apps and are sitting on the train will just book their taxis on their phone rather than catching a black cab outside.
"A journey we do for £10 might be £6 with Uber so it's going to have a big effect on all the taxi trade in Nottingham.
"I'm coming towards retirement so it's not too bad for me but I'm worried for the younger drivers who it will effect a lot."
Kevin Clarke, owner of Clifton-based NG11 Cars, said: "It's not quite right because how are the cars and drivers going to be properly monitored?
"I'm a bit sceptical about the way it works but it was inevitable that it was going to come."
Councillor Nick McDonald, portfolio holder for transport, said: "Representatives from Uber presented to the Council's regulatory and appeals committee on Friday morning.
"Members asked detailed and specific questions around how the company operated, management of drivers and how they would comply with the terms and conditions of an operating licence.
"The decision was taken to grant the application subject to an additional condition that we have a contact available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if we need to get in touch with them outside office hours.
"The council has a statutory duty to grant an application for an operating licence unless it feels the applicant is not fit for purpose.
"After two hours of questioning, the committee was satisfied with the responses Uber gave and the licence was granted."
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Controversial-taxi-app-Uber-given-green-light/story-27522142-detail/story.html#ixzz3hXKdYFC2
------------------------------------------
WAKEFIELD
A TAXI driver who turned to drug dealing to provide for his family and pay off mounting debts has been jailed.
Police executed a search warrant at Amjid Hunter’s home in Normanton, near Wakefield, and found cocaine and cannabis worth £27,603 hidden in the loft.
Officers also found £31,000 in cash wrapped up in bundles inside the property on Talbot Court.
Hunter’s mobile phone was seized and was found to contain text messages linking him to supplying the class A and B drugs.
Hunter was jailed for three years, nine months, after pleading guilty to possessing class A and B drugs with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.
Leeds Crown Court heard he was arrested after the discovery on January 24 this year and initially claimed the drugs had belonged to a taxi customer who had fled the vehicle after seeing a police car.
Mr Wray said Hunter abandoned the account after the text messages linked him to drug supply.
Adrian Pollard, mitigating, said Hunter got involved with drugs to provide for his two children after he built up debts of £60,000.
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/taxi-driver-had-27-000-drug-stash-1-7385328
-------------------------------------
MONTREAL
In the hopes of presenting a better image to tourists visiting Montreal, taxi drivers who operate from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport will be subjected to a dress code come November.
That coincides with the issuing of 310 new taxi permits by Aéroports de Montréal. Taxi drivers will be required to wear shoes and dress pants, as well as either a shirt or polo with a collar.
Shorts, sweat pants, jeans, hats or shirts with large logos will be banned by ADM.
The airport authority will also require newer vehicles than ever before, with a requirement that they be no more than four years old. Under the previous guidelines, the lottery was open to vehicles up to five years old.
From Aug. 3 to 15, cabbies who want to win one of the airport’s 310 permits will be eligible to submit their names to ADM, which will hold a lottery on Sept. 2 and announce the winners the following day. The permits will be valid from Nov. 15, 2015 until Nov. 14, 2016.
ADM is also pushing for larger and greener vehicles among the permits it will issue, with 108 reserved for environmentally friendly vehicles like hybrids or electric cars. Another 77 permits are reserved for minivans.
These permits are separate from the 70 permits issued for limousines at the airport, which will be awarded at the same time. The ADM will also issue 15 permits for adapted taxi services, but those permits will be valid for four years.
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/airport-taxi-drivers-will-have-to-dress-better-come-the-fall
-------------------------------------
Uber Technologies Inc has closed a new round of funding that values the online taxi-hailing company at nearly $51 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Uber raised close to $1 billion in the round, bringing its total funding to more than $5 billion, WSJ reported on Friday, citing one of the people.
Investors in the latest round include Microsoft Corp and the Indian media conglomerate Bennett Coleman & Co's Times Internet, the report said.
However, Bloomberg, citing a person with knowledge of the matter, reported that Microsoft was considering the investment and hasn't made a final decision.
"We filed to authorize this new funding more than two months ago," Kristin Carvell, a spokeswoman for Uber said in an email.
"We aren't commenting on additional speculation," she said.
Uber said in March that Times Internet would invest "well under" one billion rupees ($16 million) as part of a "strategic partnership".
Times Internet is the digital arm of Bennett Coleman & Co, which also runs India's largest English language daily, "Times of India".
Uber said on Thursday it would invest $1 billion in India over the next nine months, as it looks to expand its services in its biggest market outside the United States.
Uber, which already has investors such as Google Inc and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, operates in 57 countries.
Times Internet couldn't be reached for comment outside regular business hours. Microsoft declined to comment.
http://www.independent.ie/business/world/uber-valued-at-about-51-bln-after-latest-funding-round-wall-street-journal-31419566.html
----------------------------------------------
DUDLEY
Would-be taxi driver faked NYPD letter « Express & Star
He claimed to have the official backing of the New York Police Department – but a wannabe taxi driver’s scam has been rumbled.
The cabbie hopeful from Sandwell presented a fake letter from American cops as evidence of good conduct in a bid to get a licence in the borough. The letter was needed by Sandwell Council as the applicant had lived in the UK for less than five years. He asked a friend based in New York to obtain the certificate of good conduct on his behalf.
But he was told the applicant would have to attend in person to have his fingerprints taken or he could download the form, attend the US Embassy in London and pay for the service.
But he decided to find a way around the inconvenience so the friend created the bogus certificate on his computer and the applicant presented it to the licensing office.
But the taxi licensing office at Sandwell Council became suspicious of the certificate’s authenticity and began investigating.
After contacting the NYPD, the letter was confirmed as a forgery.
It was reported to West Midlands Police and the driver was interviewed. Police confirmed the man, being of previous good character, has now been cautioned.
The forged certificate confirmed the applicant ‘had been cleared of any record of misconduct’ and had ‘no criminal history’.
It also stated the applicant had not been ‘not been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony charges’.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “It was a great example of multi-agency co-operation, not just locally, but across the Atlantic.”
Black Country taxi driver Shaz Saleem, who is chairman of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association, said he was shocked by the driver’s actions.
“This is incredible. If he is willing to deceive the council to get a licence then what else will he deceive people about. He doesn’t deserve a licence,” he said.
“I’m pleased that Sandwell Council realised what he was up to and managed to stop him from going any further.”
Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said: “It’s clear the public need to have confidence in the people who are picking them up so I’m pleased that our robust procedures were able to detect this forgery.
“Our strong relationship with the police is very important when investigating these types of matters. This should be a warning to anyone thinking of fraudulently trying to obtain a licence – don’t do it in Sandwell.”
Councillor Maria Crompton, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “It is a good example of the extensive checks we make on licence applicants in order to protect the public and an excellent example of multi-agency working with our partners.”
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/07/31/would-be-taxi-driver-faked-nypd-letter/
Friday 31 July 2015
Thursday 30 July 2015
INVERNESS
Cabbies in the Highland capital fear they are being driven out of business amid a row over fares rises and a “free-for-all” they claim is costing them trade.
They say a tariffs increase offered by the local authority is “insulting” and have called for urgent action to protect their livelihoods.
Highland Council’s licensing committee is due to debate proposals for a new fares structure next month.
But members of the Inverness Taxi Alliance fear the worst after their plea to be allowed to make their case to elected members before the August 11 meeting was rejected.
They want tariffs increased – or a cap imposed on the ever-increasing number of operators from outwith the Highland capital being allowed to work in the city.
The local authority no longer has separate district taxi zones, meaning it is a free-for-all across the north, with some drivers coming from as far away as Caithness to ply for trade in Inverness on lucrative weekends.
Earlier this year the licensing committee agreed to offer the drivers a 20p increase, giving a minimum tariff of £2.70, but drivers had requested a starting rate of £3.
The £2.70 fare on offer is also 10p lower than what was tabled last year, when an effort to fix new rates ended in debacle
A rise of 30p was approved in April 2014, but was appealed by driver Andrew MacDonald, chairman of Inverness Taxi Alliance, who was supported by 160 other taxi operators who wanted an increase of 50p.
Scotland’s traffic commissioner Richard McFarlane discovered the local authority had not carried out a full consultation with all drivers in the Highlands and the entire process had to start again.
Mr MacDonald said yesterday the council offer was “insulting and patronising” and he was concerned that the drivers’ request for a meeting before August 11 had been turned down.
He also wanted to raise with councillors the “wildly oversubscribed” private hire car sector, in which drivers are not required to go through the thorough “knowledge” tests which full taxi drivers operate.
Mr MacDonald said: “It’s a ridiculous situation we are in where the largest authority in the country does not do zoning.
“There are the other issues with the private hire cars who don’t do the same training and who often rely on sat nav or their own passengers to get them where they are going.
“It’s damaging to the whole trade and nobody is winning out of this.”
Council officials had initially suggested a higher basic tariff, but this was overruled by councillors on the committee.
Now the taxi alliance plans to write to all members of Highland Council about tariff structures in the run-up to next month’s meeting.
Councillor Maxine Smith, who was chairwoman of the licensing committee when the revised tariffs were put out to consultation this year, said last night she “broadly agreed” with the taxi alliance’s position, but she said she could understand why demands for a meeting prior to August 11 had been turned down.
Ms Smith, who still sits on the committee, said: “There was a sub-committee meeting a few months ago so there is no need for one to be brought forward now.
“In the interest of fairness if we offered the Inverness drivers that opportunity we’d have to go to everybody interested in the consultation and that would be extremely time consuming.”
She agreed that the number of private hire car operators would have to be brought under control.
She said: “We’ve explained to them before that we can’t introduce zoning and we can’t cap numbers without taking considerable time and expense.
“I do think we need to look at private hire cars and that could be a way of controlling numbers. I plan to raise that at the meeting.”
New licensing chairman, Councillor Ian Cockburn, said that he had not directly received any requests from the Inverness alliance for a meeting.
However, he added: “I would be happy to discuss any concerns with them.”
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/inverness/651555/taxi-trade-hit-out-at-council/
-----------------------------------
RUSSIA
One of two electric cars recently purchased by Russian Internet company Yandex and available for hire to users of their Yandex.Taxi service was severely damaged in a car accident, news site RBC reported, linking to an image of the car after the accident uploaded on Instagram by user alexgregor on Wednesday.
As previously reported by RBC, two models of electric cars produced by carmaker Tesla Motors — a Tesla S and a Tesla S Performance — were made available to clients of taxi booking service Yandex.Taxi on July 9. The cars can be ordered through the Yandex.Taxi mobile app by accessing a section called “Secret” and submitting the code “yandextesla,” Yandex explains on the service’s official site. According to RBC, the cost of a ride is the same as for a regular car, starting at 199 rubles ($3.30) for the first 10 minutes.
Yandex.Taxi is one of Yandex’s most popular projects in Russia, according to RBC. In recent years the country has witnessed an increase in online taxi booking services, with companies such as Uber and Gett also competing for a share of the market.
According to data provided by the Main Directorate for Road Traffic Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, more than 79,000 car accidents, causing a total of 9,712 deaths and injuring 99,740, have been registered in Russia since the beginning of the year.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/moscow-drivers-defeat-tesla-taxi/526487.html
------------------------------------
INVERCLYDE'S annual taxi fares review looks set to freeze prices at current levels.
Councillors are due to meet next month to consider what should happen but, unusually, officials and the taxi trade are both in favour of no increase.
A report to Inverclyde's general purposes board states: "The taxi trade wish to maintain the current fare structure as approved in November 2014."
The council's environmental and commercial services department support the trade’s proposal of fares being maintained at the existing level.
The response from the taxi trade states that operators "remain extremely conscious...of the current challenging times being experienced by all sectors of the community, including the taxi trade"; they confirmed the "overwhelming consensus" is to have no fares rise.
http://www.inverclydenow.com/photostream/15020-brakes-could-be-put-on-taxi-fares-this-year-
-------------------------------------
MIDDLESBROUGH
Jail ride for taxi hire directors over accounting failures
Arfan Khan and Gerard Burns, both from Middlesbrough were directors of Thornaby Cars Ltd trading as Royal Cars. The company was wound-up on 28 July 2010 following a petition by HMRC.
The investigation found Khan and Burns unlawfully transferred £150,0000 from the company before it was wound up to another company which they controlled, when they knew that such an amount was owed to HMRC for unpaid VAT. In doing so, they prevented HMRC from being paid the debt that it was owed.
Both Khan and Mr Burns failed to keep adequate accounting records to show the financial position of Thornaby Cars Ltd.
Khan further continued to use the business name Royal Cars previously used by Thornaby Cars, when its use had been prohibited for a period of five years from 28 July 2010.
At Newcastle-upon-Tyne Crown Court Khan was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment and disqualified from being a company director for a period of 10 years.
Burns was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment (to be suspended for two years) and disqualified from acting as a company director for a period of five years.
Simon Button, deputy chief investigative officer, from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) said: ‘The Insolvency Service and BIS will take firm action when we find that company directors have abused the trust that the public expect from them when they hold such a responsible position.
‘Both Mr Khan and Mr Burns were clearly aware that the money belonged to the company and its creditors, and was not theirs to do with as they wished.’
-----------------------------
DUNDEE
A taxi driver was taken to hospital after she was run over by her own car outside a supermarket.
The woman was hurt in the bizarre incident, which happened outside the Tesco store on Dundee’s South Road.
It is understood the driver got out of her taxi before it began rolling — without her noticing.
The vehicle knocked her down and she suffered injuries to her chest.
Witnesses told of how shoppers and staff members ran to the woman’s aid.
They crowded around her and calmed her down before emergency services arrived.
One bystander said the driver appeared to be in a lot of pain and was very grateful for the comfort and reassurance from the public.
The injured woman was also described as looking “frightened to death” during the incident, in which she was cared for by medics. Officers from Police Scotland and an ambulance crew attended.
The woman was treated at the scene before she was taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division confirmed they had been called to the incident.
The spokeswoman said: “We attended an incident involving a woman and a car at Tesco in South Road at around 9.40am on Friday.
“She received injuries to her chest and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to A&E at Ninewells Hospital.”
A spokesman for Tesco said that staff at the store had sent flowers to the woman.
He added: “We are grateful to the emergency services and everyone who helped following a traffic accident on Friday morning.”
The taxi driver is understood to have avoided serious injury.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said one vehicle attended the incident and took the injured woman to Ninewells.
She added: “I can confirm we attended at South Road in Dundee at 9.40am on Friday. A female was transported to hospital.”
The Tele understands that the woman works for city taxi firm 505050.
The Tele approached 505050 for comment, however no one at the company was available to comment.
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2015/07/30/taxi-driver-run-over-by-her-own-car-outside-dundee-supermarket/
---------------------------------
Cabbies in the Highland capital fear they are being driven out of business amid a row over fares rises and a “free-for-all” they claim is costing them trade.
They say a tariffs increase offered by the local authority is “insulting” and have called for urgent action to protect their livelihoods.
Highland Council’s licensing committee is due to debate proposals for a new fares structure next month.
But members of the Inverness Taxi Alliance fear the worst after their plea to be allowed to make their case to elected members before the August 11 meeting was rejected.
They want tariffs increased – or a cap imposed on the ever-increasing number of operators from outwith the Highland capital being allowed to work in the city.
The local authority no longer has separate district taxi zones, meaning it is a free-for-all across the north, with some drivers coming from as far away as Caithness to ply for trade in Inverness on lucrative weekends.
Earlier this year the licensing committee agreed to offer the drivers a 20p increase, giving a minimum tariff of £2.70, but drivers had requested a starting rate of £3.
The £2.70 fare on offer is also 10p lower than what was tabled last year, when an effort to fix new rates ended in debacle
A rise of 30p was approved in April 2014, but was appealed by driver Andrew MacDonald, chairman of Inverness Taxi Alliance, who was supported by 160 other taxi operators who wanted an increase of 50p.
Scotland’s traffic commissioner Richard McFarlane discovered the local authority had not carried out a full consultation with all drivers in the Highlands and the entire process had to start again.
Mr MacDonald said yesterday the council offer was “insulting and patronising” and he was concerned that the drivers’ request for a meeting before August 11 had been turned down.
He also wanted to raise with councillors the “wildly oversubscribed” private hire car sector, in which drivers are not required to go through the thorough “knowledge” tests which full taxi drivers operate.
Mr MacDonald said: “It’s a ridiculous situation we are in where the largest authority in the country does not do zoning.
“There are the other issues with the private hire cars who don’t do the same training and who often rely on sat nav or their own passengers to get them where they are going.
“It’s damaging to the whole trade and nobody is winning out of this.”
Council officials had initially suggested a higher basic tariff, but this was overruled by councillors on the committee.
Now the taxi alliance plans to write to all members of Highland Council about tariff structures in the run-up to next month’s meeting.
Councillor Maxine Smith, who was chairwoman of the licensing committee when the revised tariffs were put out to consultation this year, said last night she “broadly agreed” with the taxi alliance’s position, but she said she could understand why demands for a meeting prior to August 11 had been turned down.
Ms Smith, who still sits on the committee, said: “There was a sub-committee meeting a few months ago so there is no need for one to be brought forward now.
“In the interest of fairness if we offered the Inverness drivers that opportunity we’d have to go to everybody interested in the consultation and that would be extremely time consuming.”
She agreed that the number of private hire car operators would have to be brought under control.
She said: “We’ve explained to them before that we can’t introduce zoning and we can’t cap numbers without taking considerable time and expense.
“I do think we need to look at private hire cars and that could be a way of controlling numbers. I plan to raise that at the meeting.”
New licensing chairman, Councillor Ian Cockburn, said that he had not directly received any requests from the Inverness alliance for a meeting.
However, he added: “I would be happy to discuss any concerns with them.”
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/inverness/651555/taxi-trade-hit-out-at-council/
-----------------------------------
RUSSIA
One of two electric cars recently purchased by Russian Internet company Yandex and available for hire to users of their Yandex.Taxi service was severely damaged in a car accident, news site RBC reported, linking to an image of the car after the accident uploaded on Instagram by user alexgregor on Wednesday.
As previously reported by RBC, two models of electric cars produced by carmaker Tesla Motors — a Tesla S and a Tesla S Performance — were made available to clients of taxi booking service Yandex.Taxi on July 9. The cars can be ordered through the Yandex.Taxi mobile app by accessing a section called “Secret” and submitting the code “yandextesla,” Yandex explains on the service’s official site. According to RBC, the cost of a ride is the same as for a regular car, starting at 199 rubles ($3.30) for the first 10 minutes.
Yandex.Taxi is one of Yandex’s most popular projects in Russia, according to RBC. In recent years the country has witnessed an increase in online taxi booking services, with companies such as Uber and Gett also competing for a share of the market.
According to data provided by the Main Directorate for Road Traffic Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, more than 79,000 car accidents, causing a total of 9,712 deaths and injuring 99,740, have been registered in Russia since the beginning of the year.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/moscow-drivers-defeat-tesla-taxi/526487.html
------------------------------------
INVERCLYDE'S annual taxi fares review looks set to freeze prices at current levels.
Councillors are due to meet next month to consider what should happen but, unusually, officials and the taxi trade are both in favour of no increase.
A report to Inverclyde's general purposes board states: "The taxi trade wish to maintain the current fare structure as approved in November 2014."
The council's environmental and commercial services department support the trade’s proposal of fares being maintained at the existing level.
The response from the taxi trade states that operators "remain extremely conscious...of the current challenging times being experienced by all sectors of the community, including the taxi trade"; they confirmed the "overwhelming consensus" is to have no fares rise.
http://www.inverclydenow.com/photostream/15020-brakes-could-be-put-on-taxi-fares-this-year-
-------------------------------------
MIDDLESBROUGH
Jail ride for taxi hire directors over accounting failures
Arfan Khan and Gerard Burns, both from Middlesbrough were directors of Thornaby Cars Ltd trading as Royal Cars. The company was wound-up on 28 July 2010 following a petition by HMRC.
The investigation found Khan and Burns unlawfully transferred £150,0000 from the company before it was wound up to another company which they controlled, when they knew that such an amount was owed to HMRC for unpaid VAT. In doing so, they prevented HMRC from being paid the debt that it was owed.
Both Khan and Mr Burns failed to keep adequate accounting records to show the financial position of Thornaby Cars Ltd.
Khan further continued to use the business name Royal Cars previously used by Thornaby Cars, when its use had been prohibited for a period of five years from 28 July 2010.
At Newcastle-upon-Tyne Crown Court Khan was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment and disqualified from being a company director for a period of 10 years.
Burns was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment (to be suspended for two years) and disqualified from acting as a company director for a period of five years.
Simon Button, deputy chief investigative officer, from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) said: ‘The Insolvency Service and BIS will take firm action when we find that company directors have abused the trust that the public expect from them when they hold such a responsible position.
‘Both Mr Khan and Mr Burns were clearly aware that the money belonged to the company and its creditors, and was not theirs to do with as they wished.’
-----------------------------
DUNDEE
A taxi driver was taken to hospital after she was run over by her own car outside a supermarket.
The woman was hurt in the bizarre incident, which happened outside the Tesco store on Dundee’s South Road.
It is understood the driver got out of her taxi before it began rolling — without her noticing.
The vehicle knocked her down and she suffered injuries to her chest.
Witnesses told of how shoppers and staff members ran to the woman’s aid.
They crowded around her and calmed her down before emergency services arrived.
One bystander said the driver appeared to be in a lot of pain and was very grateful for the comfort and reassurance from the public.
The injured woman was also described as looking “frightened to death” during the incident, in which she was cared for by medics. Officers from Police Scotland and an ambulance crew attended.
The woman was treated at the scene before she was taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division confirmed they had been called to the incident.
The spokeswoman said: “We attended an incident involving a woman and a car at Tesco in South Road at around 9.40am on Friday.
“She received injuries to her chest and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to A&E at Ninewells Hospital.”
A spokesman for Tesco said that staff at the store had sent flowers to the woman.
He added: “We are grateful to the emergency services and everyone who helped following a traffic accident on Friday morning.”
The taxi driver is understood to have avoided serious injury.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said one vehicle attended the incident and took the injured woman to Ninewells.
She added: “I can confirm we attended at South Road in Dundee at 9.40am on Friday. A female was transported to hospital.”
The Tele understands that the woman works for city taxi firm 505050.
The Tele approached 505050 for comment, however no one at the company was available to comment.
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2015/07/30/taxi-driver-run-over-by-her-own-car-outside-dundee-supermarket/
---------------------------------
Wednesday 29 July 2015
CabGo
Another New App comes to Manchester and Salford.
Can another App succeeed where the others have failed ?
I think its worth a try.
Whats different about this one ?
This App charges a fixed fee of fifty pence for each job you cover. Ten pence of that goes to local charities. The personal bonus is that you can choose the recipient Charities.
Myself being a South Manchester Catholic, I naturally nominated, Francis House Childrens Hospice, St Ann's Hospice group and the Christie Hospital. You may choose another, if you are of a different faith, you may nominate your Local Mosque etc.
All charities are welcome, the Charities which apply are given a promotion code and when the Passenger orders a Cab, they enter the promo code of their Charity choice and the money is directed to that Charity.
The simplicity and beauty of this system is that the named Charities push the App, its service, and YOU to their Database of Customers.That gives a potential of many thousands of user's immediately, enabling you to hit the ground running.
The attendant publicity attached to this App will also highlight the advantage of using Black Cabs and their Historical commitment to Local people and Charities.
A win/win situation, in my opinion.
Give it a Go, what have you got to loose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
RMT fights plans to jack up Birmingham taxi access charges
Taxi union RMT said today that it will be launching a major campaign to fight the hike in access charges for drivers serving the public at Birmingham New Street station – charges that would lump members with charges as high as £1000 a year.
As part of the campaign RMT will be taking the message to passengers, politicians and Network Rail that Birmingham taxis provide an important public service – with both drivers and vehicles being fully vetted as fit and safe to carry passengers.
Maintaining the service to the specified standards is expensive - for example, all taxis are wheelchair accessible. It is also time-consuming as background and vehicle checks are onerous. Now, with increasing competition from operators such as Uber, taxi drivers’ incomes are being unfairly undercut – meaning that their margins are now thinner than ever making it increasingly difficult to make a living.
Due to construction, access to Birmingham New Street station has been problematic for the past five years. Although this has had a negative impact on drivers’ income, throughout this time, taxi drivers have patiently endured the disruption and been accommodating of the works.
Taxi drivers did so in the knowledge that they have become stakeholders in the efficient operation of the station. And accordingly, they looked forward to the grand opening of the refurbished New Street , which is scheduled to take place on 20 September. However, the event has been soured as drivers have been told that they are to be hit with massive additional fees that will impact seriously on their livelihoods.
Birmingham taxi drivers already pay a fee to the station operators Network Rail each time they pick up passengers. In addition to this usage-based fee, Network Rail consultants have now devised an additional way of extracting revenue, proposing an annual licence to be able to pick up passengers. The fee would be as much as £1,000 per year.
Not only does Network Rail wish to sweep away established arrangements without even attempting to consult the union, it is also unreasonably trying to skim more money off hard-pressed drivers.
Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary will be meeting with Network Rail to explain that the fees will not be acceptable to drivers. He said today:
“None of our taxi driver members will accept Network Rail’s terms. They are all united and determined that no-one will pay this extortionate fee.”
“Instead, drivers will be forced to ply for hire near the station, meaning that Network Rail’s actions will simply inconvenience passengers by making them walk further to pick up a taxi. This will have serious consequences and create severe congestion throughout the surrounding area.
“Bearing in mind that £75 million has been spent refurbishing New Street station to benefit passengers, it is appalling that one of the results will be to disrupt and inconvenience passengers with onward travel needs as taxi drivers are unfairly penalised.”
http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-fights-plans-to-jack-up-birmingham-taxi-access-charges/
Taxi union RMT said today that it will be launching a major campaign to fight the hike in access charges for drivers serving the public at Birmingham New Street station – charges that would lump members with charges as high as £1000 a year.
As part of the campaign RMT will be taking the message to passengers, politicians and Network Rail that Birmingham taxis provide an important public service – with both drivers and vehicles being fully vetted as fit and safe to carry passengers.
Maintaining the service to the specified standards is expensive - for example, all taxis are wheelchair accessible. It is also time-consuming as background and vehicle checks are onerous. Now, with increasing competition from operators such as Uber, taxi drivers’ incomes are being unfairly undercut – meaning that their margins are now thinner than ever making it increasingly difficult to make a living.
Due to construction, access to Birmingham New Street station has been problematic for the past five years. Although this has had a negative impact on drivers’ income, throughout this time, taxi drivers have patiently endured the disruption and been accommodating of the works.
Taxi drivers did so in the knowledge that they have become stakeholders in the efficient operation of the station. And accordingly, they looked forward to the grand opening of the refurbished New Street , which is scheduled to take place on 20 September. However, the event has been soured as drivers have been told that they are to be hit with massive additional fees that will impact seriously on their livelihoods.
Birmingham taxi drivers already pay a fee to the station operators Network Rail each time they pick up passengers. In addition to this usage-based fee, Network Rail consultants have now devised an additional way of extracting revenue, proposing an annual licence to be able to pick up passengers. The fee would be as much as £1,000 per year.
Not only does Network Rail wish to sweep away established arrangements without even attempting to consult the union, it is also unreasonably trying to skim more money off hard-pressed drivers.
Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary will be meeting with Network Rail to explain that the fees will not be acceptable to drivers. He said today:
“None of our taxi driver members will accept Network Rail’s terms. They are all united and determined that no-one will pay this extortionate fee.”
“Instead, drivers will be forced to ply for hire near the station, meaning that Network Rail’s actions will simply inconvenience passengers by making them walk further to pick up a taxi. This will have serious consequences and create severe congestion throughout the surrounding area.
“Bearing in mind that £75 million has been spent refurbishing New Street station to benefit passengers, it is appalling that one of the results will be to disrupt and inconvenience passengers with onward travel needs as taxi drivers are unfairly penalised.”
http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-fights-plans-to-jack-up-birmingham-taxi-access-charges/
Tuesday 28 July 2015
The taxi-sharing app Uber is going to create 150 jobs in Limerick by the end of the year.
The company has announced it is setting up a centre of excellence in the city – its first premises of this kind outside the US.
The centre will create 150 jobs by the end of 2015 and around 300 when it’s fully up and running. Uber said it is investing €4 million in the city this year as it aims to make Limerick one of its “growing network of customer service hubs”.
Uber is already advertising for an initial 50 jobs and it plans to start operations in the city by the end of August, having signed a ten-year lease on a site on Thomas Street.
The app uses a phone’s GPS to detect a person’s location and connect them with the nearest available driver.
Uber has expanded rapidly throughout the world and is currently in 329 cities in 59 countries. However, it’s not all been smooth sailing.
Taxi drivers on both sides of the Atlantic have protested the app, claiming it’s unfair competition. The European Parliament is currently looking into how to regulate it and similar services.
Under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, drivers who use apps such as Uber in Ireland must be licenced in the same way all taxi drivers are.
‘What better place?’
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the company’s investment “highlights the talent of the Irish workforce”.
“The unemployment rate recently hit a new six-year low and the jobs on offer will help to reduce this even further. Ireland is proving to be a hugely attractive country for foreign investment and we looking forward to working with Uber,” Bruton stated.
Kieran Harte, General Manager for Uber Ireland, said the company is “thrilled” to be setting up shop here.
What better place to launch our first Centre of Excellence outside the US than in Ireland? We are so thrilled to be here and setting up our operations in this city which has a tradition of welcoming innovative technology companies.
Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive of IDA Ireland, noted Uber is “fast becoming one of the world’s most recognised brands and the company’s presence will provide a huge boost to Limerick”.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/controversial-app-uber-create-150-jobs-limerick-171301031.html#saJI5bI
---------------------------------------
GLASGOW
A PRIVATE hire driver who locked female passengers in his car and made sexual remarks to them during late-night cab rides has been jailed.
Michael Boyd was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for his antics, which included telling one terrified woman she had “nice boobs” and saying he wanted to have sex with her after locking her in the back of his private hire vehicle.
The former Hampden Cabs driver made the comments to the woman while driving down a back road after pretending they were old friends.
The 34-year-old, who also worked for Compass Cars in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, was responsible for a series of creepy cab rides last summer, during which he locked several women in his vehicle and asked them why he didn’t have a girlfriend.
He also ogled female passengers and sat outside their homes for as long as half an hour after dropping them off.
Boyd admitted placing four women in a state of fear and alarm and lying to council bosses to get a taxi license when he appeared in court earlier this year.
And, when he returned to the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff David Pender jailed him for six months and placed him on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.
In March last year he locked another victim in the back of his cab after picking her up in Glasgow city centre, ranting at her and quizzing her on why he was still single.
Boyd had been working as a taxi driver in his home town of Kilmarnock in 2013 but several women made complaints about his behaviour.
He surrendered his license then applied to East Renfrewshire council for a license to drive taxis in and around the Glasgow area.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/13504607.Taxi_driver_who_locked_females_in_his_car_is_jailed/
The company has announced it is setting up a centre of excellence in the city – its first premises of this kind outside the US.
The centre will create 150 jobs by the end of 2015 and around 300 when it’s fully up and running. Uber said it is investing €4 million in the city this year as it aims to make Limerick one of its “growing network of customer service hubs”.
Uber is already advertising for an initial 50 jobs and it plans to start operations in the city by the end of August, having signed a ten-year lease on a site on Thomas Street.
The app uses a phone’s GPS to detect a person’s location and connect them with the nearest available driver.
Uber has expanded rapidly throughout the world and is currently in 329 cities in 59 countries. However, it’s not all been smooth sailing.
Taxi drivers on both sides of the Atlantic have protested the app, claiming it’s unfair competition. The European Parliament is currently looking into how to regulate it and similar services.
Under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, drivers who use apps such as Uber in Ireland must be licenced in the same way all taxi drivers are.
‘What better place?’
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the company’s investment “highlights the talent of the Irish workforce”.
“The unemployment rate recently hit a new six-year low and the jobs on offer will help to reduce this even further. Ireland is proving to be a hugely attractive country for foreign investment and we looking forward to working with Uber,” Bruton stated.
Kieran Harte, General Manager for Uber Ireland, said the company is “thrilled” to be setting up shop here.
What better place to launch our first Centre of Excellence outside the US than in Ireland? We are so thrilled to be here and setting up our operations in this city which has a tradition of welcoming innovative technology companies.
Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive of IDA Ireland, noted Uber is “fast becoming one of the world’s most recognised brands and the company’s presence will provide a huge boost to Limerick”.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/controversial-app-uber-create-150-jobs-limerick-171301031.html#saJI5bI
---------------------------------------
GLASGOW
A PRIVATE hire driver who locked female passengers in his car and made sexual remarks to them during late-night cab rides has been jailed.
Michael Boyd was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for his antics, which included telling one terrified woman she had “nice boobs” and saying he wanted to have sex with her after locking her in the back of his private hire vehicle.
The former Hampden Cabs driver made the comments to the woman while driving down a back road after pretending they were old friends.
The 34-year-old, who also worked for Compass Cars in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, was responsible for a series of creepy cab rides last summer, during which he locked several women in his vehicle and asked them why he didn’t have a girlfriend.
He also ogled female passengers and sat outside their homes for as long as half an hour after dropping them off.
Boyd admitted placing four women in a state of fear and alarm and lying to council bosses to get a taxi license when he appeared in court earlier this year.
And, when he returned to the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff David Pender jailed him for six months and placed him on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.
In March last year he locked another victim in the back of his cab after picking her up in Glasgow city centre, ranting at her and quizzing her on why he was still single.
Boyd had been working as a taxi driver in his home town of Kilmarnock in 2013 but several women made complaints about his behaviour.
He surrendered his license then applied to East Renfrewshire council for a license to drive taxis in and around the Glasgow area.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/13504607.Taxi_driver_who_locked_females_in_his_car_is_jailed/
Sunday 26 July 2015
Uber’s troubles continue to accelerate. Put simply, Uber, the taxi industry and regulators can’t mix.
In Australia, Uber is locked in a battle with the Australian Taxation Office which has issued a directive giving Uber drivers until August 1 to get an ABN, register and begin charging passengers GST.
Drivers who fail to comply will be hit with a $3600 fine. They’ll also be audited.
Uber’s head of public policy, Brad Kitschke has written to the Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan basically suggesting that the ATO is doing the bidding of the taxi industry.
“The ATO does not consult with Uber about the general tax affairs of the taxi industry. It is surprising that the ATO would consult with the taxi industry in such a detailed way about matters specific to Uber and its partners,” says Mr Kitschke.
In Canada, Toronto cab drivers have launched a class action against Uber and are suing it for $C400 million ($A420.96 million) in damages.
They are also seeking an injunction to stop Uber from operating in the province of Ontario.
Earlier this month, California regulators slapped a $US7.3 million fine on Uber for failing to provide regulators with enough information about how many times customers requested accessible vehicles and how often the company provided one, the number of requested and accepted rides broken down by zip code, and the number and cause of driver-related incidents.
http://www.businessfirstmagazine.com.au/uber-tax/9375/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork
-----------------------------------
EIRE
Almost 900 taxi drivers have quit the profession in the first six months of 2015, according to new figures from the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Competition from online taxi service providers like Uber and Hailo is seen as the main reason for the continuing decrease in the number of taxi drivers registered with the NTA.
Although taxi fares have risen by 4% on average since an increase was sanctioned on April 30, many drivers complain that they are still unable to make a decent living from driving a cab due to the large number of people operating in the profession.
The entry into the market in recent years of operators of smartphone apps for taxis — such as Uber and Hailo — with lower standard fares has placed increasing pressure on the income levels of traditional taxi drivers in a sector which is regarded as having an oversupply of taxis, particularly in Dublin.
New figures from the NTA show that there were 28,578 active taxi drivers licensed at the end of June, a reduction of 879 compared to the start of 2015.
It follows a continuing trend in which the number of taxi drivers has been in decline since 2009 when the number of licence holders peaked at over 47,200, following controversial deregulation of the industry in 2000.
More than 18,600 fewer taxi drivers are now officially registered than in 2009.
However, some of the reduction is also viewed as people exiting the taxi profession to take up better-paid employment, as growth returns to the Irish economy.
According to the NTA, there are also almost 340 fewer vehicles registered with a taxi or hackney licence since January, with 122 fewer in Dublin.
The number of taxis registered in Cork has fallen from 1,334 to 1,305 in the first half of the year. Other counties where there were double-digit decreases in the number of taxis were Meath, Galway, Kildare, Limerick and Sligo.
All counties have seen a reduction in the size of their taxi fleet so far in 2015, with the exception of Louth, Waterford and Wexford, where there was a slight increase in the number of licensed taxis, and Longford and Monaghan, where the numbers remained unchanged.
However, one growth area in the sector has been for limousines licensed for use as a taxi service. The number of limousines licensed with the NTA nationwide jumped from 1,437 in January to 1,511 by June.
In contrast, the number of licensed taxis has declined from 16,899 to 16,607 over the same period, a decrease of 292 vehicles.
A total of 330 fixed-charge notices were issued against taxi drivers in the first half of 2015, with almost half of the fines being for a failure to notify the NTA of a small public-service vehicle being operated.
A quarter of the total fixed-charge notices were issued for standing for hire at a place other than an appointed stand.
The NTA has received a total of 404 complaints against taxi drivers in the year to date, with 224 cases related to the behaviour of the driver.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/almost-900-taxi-drivers-quit-in-first-half-of-2015-344707.html
In Australia, Uber is locked in a battle with the Australian Taxation Office which has issued a directive giving Uber drivers until August 1 to get an ABN, register and begin charging passengers GST.
Drivers who fail to comply will be hit with a $3600 fine. They’ll also be audited.
Uber’s head of public policy, Brad Kitschke has written to the Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan basically suggesting that the ATO is doing the bidding of the taxi industry.
“The ATO does not consult with Uber about the general tax affairs of the taxi industry. It is surprising that the ATO would consult with the taxi industry in such a detailed way about matters specific to Uber and its partners,” says Mr Kitschke.
In Canada, Toronto cab drivers have launched a class action against Uber and are suing it for $C400 million ($A420.96 million) in damages.
They are also seeking an injunction to stop Uber from operating in the province of Ontario.
Earlier this month, California regulators slapped a $US7.3 million fine on Uber for failing to provide regulators with enough information about how many times customers requested accessible vehicles and how often the company provided one, the number of requested and accepted rides broken down by zip code, and the number and cause of driver-related incidents.
http://www.businessfirstmagazine.com.au/uber-tax/9375/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork
-----------------------------------
EIRE
Almost 900 taxi drivers have quit the profession in the first six months of 2015, according to new figures from the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Competition from online taxi service providers like Uber and Hailo is seen as the main reason for the continuing decrease in the number of taxi drivers registered with the NTA.
Although taxi fares have risen by 4% on average since an increase was sanctioned on April 30, many drivers complain that they are still unable to make a decent living from driving a cab due to the large number of people operating in the profession.
The entry into the market in recent years of operators of smartphone apps for taxis — such as Uber and Hailo — with lower standard fares has placed increasing pressure on the income levels of traditional taxi drivers in a sector which is regarded as having an oversupply of taxis, particularly in Dublin.
New figures from the NTA show that there were 28,578 active taxi drivers licensed at the end of June, a reduction of 879 compared to the start of 2015.
It follows a continuing trend in which the number of taxi drivers has been in decline since 2009 when the number of licence holders peaked at over 47,200, following controversial deregulation of the industry in 2000.
More than 18,600 fewer taxi drivers are now officially registered than in 2009.
However, some of the reduction is also viewed as people exiting the taxi profession to take up better-paid employment, as growth returns to the Irish economy.
According to the NTA, there are also almost 340 fewer vehicles registered with a taxi or hackney licence since January, with 122 fewer in Dublin.
The number of taxis registered in Cork has fallen from 1,334 to 1,305 in the first half of the year. Other counties where there were double-digit decreases in the number of taxis were Meath, Galway, Kildare, Limerick and Sligo.
All counties have seen a reduction in the size of their taxi fleet so far in 2015, with the exception of Louth, Waterford and Wexford, where there was a slight increase in the number of licensed taxis, and Longford and Monaghan, where the numbers remained unchanged.
However, one growth area in the sector has been for limousines licensed for use as a taxi service. The number of limousines licensed with the NTA nationwide jumped from 1,437 in January to 1,511 by June.
In contrast, the number of licensed taxis has declined from 16,899 to 16,607 over the same period, a decrease of 292 vehicles.
A total of 330 fixed-charge notices were issued against taxi drivers in the first half of 2015, with almost half of the fines being for a failure to notify the NTA of a small public-service vehicle being operated.
A quarter of the total fixed-charge notices were issued for standing for hire at a place other than an appointed stand.
The NTA has received a total of 404 complaints against taxi drivers in the year to date, with 224 cases related to the behaviour of the driver.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/almost-900-taxi-drivers-quit-in-first-half-of-2015-344707.html
A minicab driver died in hospital after his heart stopped at the wheel and he crashed into a metal barrier outside King’s Cross, it has emerged.
The man, believed to be in his 50s, died about an hour after the collision in Pancras Road on Saturday evening last week.
Police confirmed no other vehicles were involved in the crash, with witnesses speaking of the man appearing to swerve around a cyclist moments before colliding with the barrier.
Others said the man had had passengers, though police were unable to confirm this.
Plumber Oscar Buzzard drove past in the moments following the smash.
“There was a female cyclist sitting on the floor looking visibly shaken,” he told the Standard. “Her bike was lying on the pavement about 20 feet from where she was sitting.
“The driver was motionless and very pale. The bonnet of the car was completely crumpled and there was smoke from it.
“There were passers-by already tending to both of them so I just carried on driving.”
It is not known which firm the driver had worked for, although Uber said he had not been working for them.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 6.09pm to reports of a road traffic collision at Pancras Road and Goods Way in NW1.
“We sent a single responder by car, an ambulance crew, a duty officer and a doctor to the scene.
“We treated a man reported to be in his 50s in cardiac arrest. He was taken as a priority to hospital.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said the man’s next of kin had been informed.
---------------------------------------------------
The boss of Sheffield’s new Uber taxi service – which has proved controversial in other cities – says ‘competition is a good thing’ as it launches today.
The service allows people to order and pay for a taxi from an app on their mobile phone which sends the closest licensed private hire driver signed up to the scheme to each customer.
It has expanded rapidly since launching in 2010 – and in London triggered massive protests from black cab drivers who felt there was a lack of regulation.
Earlier this month, Sheffield taxi firms Mercury and City revealed they were merging due to ‘increasing competition’.
And Gett, the global taxi app which works exclusively with hackney carriages and black cabs, also launched in Sheffield yesterday.
Max Lines, general manager for Uber Sheffield, which is based at Bramall Lane and will go live from 5pm today, said: “I think all this competition is a good thing.
“Maybe I would say that, but in other UK cities I have never seen one where there is only one major taxi operator, which I don’t think would be a good thing for riders and drivers.
“I think Uber will be great for both riders and drivers in Sheffield, anything that increases the choice available.”
The Uber business model allows drivers – including hackney carriage drivers – to work when they want and works by taking 20 per cent commission from drivers’ fares.
It says its fares are more ‘affordable’, with a journey from Sheffield train station to Hunters Bar listed at £4.60.
Mr Lines said it was expanding to Sheffield because hundreds of residents had downloaded the app,
“The fact that we send the job to the closest driver means they have a shorter distance to go so they are not using as much fuel.
“We make it as efficient as possible so even though the fares are lower the drivers are kept busy and are doing more work.”
Gett has launched a recruitment drive to find hackney carriage drivers in Sheffield to sign up to its scheme.
It too works through an app which is cashless and has come to Sheffield after operating in other cities.
Unlike Uber, it allows passengers to book in advance.
Chief executive Remo Gerber said the expansion followed an ‘amazing response’ from across the country.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/competition-is-a-good-thing-says-taxi-boss-as-sheffield-uber-launches-tonight-1-7294275
------------------------------------------------
Taxi driver representatives have criticised Caerphilly Council’s licensing department for “inconsistencies” in vehicle checks.
Members of Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association described checks on ‘tinted’ windows and rear seats when applying for a vehicle licence as “pot luck”.
Under licensing laws all vehicles used to carry passengers commercially must be checked by the council, but drivers say inconsistent tests are ruining their livelihoods.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is one of three local authorities in Wales that do not allow heavily tinted rear windows, according to Freedom of Information responses.
But, while Neath Port Talbot and Blaenau Gwent councils use special equipment to measure the light coming through a window, it is understood Caerphilly officers use the naked eye.
Chris Bumby, Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association, said one driver lost £500 replacing windows deemed tinted on a brand new car.
He said: “If you go on a sunny day you might be lucky but if you go on a dark day you’re stuffed.
“They just come out and look at the car. There’s no measurement at all it depends how good their eyes are.”
There are also concerns over “inconsistencies” with the licencing of vehicles able to carry six passengers.
The association provided evidence showing that of three Vauxhall Zafiras, one was licensed to carry six passengers while the two others can only carry six people “where the two rear seats are used solely for the carriage of children under 16 years of age and/or when fulfilling Caerphilly County Borough Council school contracts”.
David Miller, Secretary of Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association, sold his brand new car, losing £4,000 when he was told he may have conditions put on his vehicle.
He said the council would not provide a list of vehicles that they will licence.
Mr Miller said: “As an association we’ve always worked hand in hand with the authority, but the relationship between the taxi drivers’ association and the council is starting to breakdown.
“The relationship we’ve built up over ten years is being smashed to bits.”
A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “The safety, welfare and comfort of passengers and drivers of licensed vehicles is always a key consideration for the council.
“The taxi trade were consulted on the introduction of CCBC Vehicle Inspection Standards (based on a National Standard developed in conjunction with VOSA) prior to their approval and adoption by the Licensing Committee in December 2014.
“We will continue to work with applicants and support them through the assessment process. Any disputes will continue to be determined independently by the authority’s Licensing Sub-Committee.”
The man, believed to be in his 50s, died about an hour after the collision in Pancras Road on Saturday evening last week.
Police confirmed no other vehicles were involved in the crash, with witnesses speaking of the man appearing to swerve around a cyclist moments before colliding with the barrier.
Others said the man had had passengers, though police were unable to confirm this.
Plumber Oscar Buzzard drove past in the moments following the smash.
“There was a female cyclist sitting on the floor looking visibly shaken,” he told the Standard. “Her bike was lying on the pavement about 20 feet from where she was sitting.
“The driver was motionless and very pale. The bonnet of the car was completely crumpled and there was smoke from it.
“There were passers-by already tending to both of them so I just carried on driving.”
It is not known which firm the driver had worked for, although Uber said he had not been working for them.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 6.09pm to reports of a road traffic collision at Pancras Road and Goods Way in NW1.
“We sent a single responder by car, an ambulance crew, a duty officer and a doctor to the scene.
“We treated a man reported to be in his 50s in cardiac arrest. He was taken as a priority to hospital.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said the man’s next of kin had been informed.
---------------------------------------------------
The boss of Sheffield’s new Uber taxi service – which has proved controversial in other cities – says ‘competition is a good thing’ as it launches today.
The service allows people to order and pay for a taxi from an app on their mobile phone which sends the closest licensed private hire driver signed up to the scheme to each customer.
It has expanded rapidly since launching in 2010 – and in London triggered massive protests from black cab drivers who felt there was a lack of regulation.
Earlier this month, Sheffield taxi firms Mercury and City revealed they were merging due to ‘increasing competition’.
And Gett, the global taxi app which works exclusively with hackney carriages and black cabs, also launched in Sheffield yesterday.
Max Lines, general manager for Uber Sheffield, which is based at Bramall Lane and will go live from 5pm today, said: “I think all this competition is a good thing.
“Maybe I would say that, but in other UK cities I have never seen one where there is only one major taxi operator, which I don’t think would be a good thing for riders and drivers.
“I think Uber will be great for both riders and drivers in Sheffield, anything that increases the choice available.”
The Uber business model allows drivers – including hackney carriage drivers – to work when they want and works by taking 20 per cent commission from drivers’ fares.
It says its fares are more ‘affordable’, with a journey from Sheffield train station to Hunters Bar listed at £4.60.
Mr Lines said it was expanding to Sheffield because hundreds of residents had downloaded the app,
“The fact that we send the job to the closest driver means they have a shorter distance to go so they are not using as much fuel.
“We make it as efficient as possible so even though the fares are lower the drivers are kept busy and are doing more work.”
Gett has launched a recruitment drive to find hackney carriage drivers in Sheffield to sign up to its scheme.
It too works through an app which is cashless and has come to Sheffield after operating in other cities.
Unlike Uber, it allows passengers to book in advance.
Chief executive Remo Gerber said the expansion followed an ‘amazing response’ from across the country.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/competition-is-a-good-thing-says-taxi-boss-as-sheffield-uber-launches-tonight-1-7294275
------------------------------------------------
Taxi driver representatives have criticised Caerphilly Council’s licensing department for “inconsistencies” in vehicle checks.
Members of Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association described checks on ‘tinted’ windows and rear seats when applying for a vehicle licence as “pot luck”.
Under licensing laws all vehicles used to carry passengers commercially must be checked by the council, but drivers say inconsistent tests are ruining their livelihoods.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is one of three local authorities in Wales that do not allow heavily tinted rear windows, according to Freedom of Information responses.
But, while Neath Port Talbot and Blaenau Gwent councils use special equipment to measure the light coming through a window, it is understood Caerphilly officers use the naked eye.
Chris Bumby, Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association, said one driver lost £500 replacing windows deemed tinted on a brand new car.
He said: “If you go on a sunny day you might be lucky but if you go on a dark day you’re stuffed.
“They just come out and look at the car. There’s no measurement at all it depends how good their eyes are.”
There are also concerns over “inconsistencies” with the licencing of vehicles able to carry six passengers.
The association provided evidence showing that of three Vauxhall Zafiras, one was licensed to carry six passengers while the two others can only carry six people “where the two rear seats are used solely for the carriage of children under 16 years of age and/or when fulfilling Caerphilly County Borough Council school contracts”.
David Miller, Secretary of Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association, sold his brand new car, losing £4,000 when he was told he may have conditions put on his vehicle.
He said the council would not provide a list of vehicles that they will licence.
Mr Miller said: “As an association we’ve always worked hand in hand with the authority, but the relationship between the taxi drivers’ association and the council is starting to breakdown.
“The relationship we’ve built up over ten years is being smashed to bits.”
A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “The safety, welfare and comfort of passengers and drivers of licensed vehicles is always a key consideration for the council.
“The taxi trade were consulted on the introduction of CCBC Vehicle Inspection Standards (based on a National Standard developed in conjunction with VOSA) prior to their approval and adoption by the Licensing Committee in December 2014.
“We will continue to work with applicants and support them through the assessment process. Any disputes will continue to be determined independently by the authority’s Licensing Sub-Committee.”
Friday 24 July 2015
Southport taxi driver found not guilty of sexual assault
A Southport taxi driver was found not guilty of sexual assault today (Friday) leading to tears of joy from his family in the courtroom.
Ian Charles Grassick, 59, of Stavely Road was found unanimously not guilty by a jury in less that half an hour of deliberations.
Over the three days of his trial Grassick repeatedly denied claims that he touched the woman inappropriately, after he picked her up following her birthday night out at the Fox and Goose.
The complainant stated that Grassick climbed over into the back of the cab and touched her on February 4 of this year, but he resolutely denied this, saying that it was she who instigated a kiss and physical contact.
Grassick has no previous criminal convictions and the court heard about his many medical issues, including diabetes, gall bladder removal and mobility issues.
Forensic tests also revealed that Grassick’s DNA was not present on the complainants trousers or knickers.
The court heard from Claire Wilson, an occupational therapist, who conducted an assessment of Mr Grassick's mobility on June 30.
She said: "I didn't get the impression he was exaggerating his lack of mobility. He was keen to show me what he could do and he tried to carry out every movement I asked him to perform, even if it caused him pain.
"He could have moved into the back of the cab but his movements would have been slow and considered, he would have found it extremely difficult. It would be very hard for him to get out of that position."
Peter Killen defending said: "The complainant's evidence has changed every time she has spoken to police, during the 999 call, her interview and when officers attended her house she has added another detail, it is not consistent.
"She maintains that Mr Grassick pounced on her, but then in the 999 call she states that they had a cigarette together and there was some conversation, these two statements can not live in the same world as each other.
"Mr Grassick is telling the truth, at every opportunity his evidence has remained consistent, he fully co-operated with police and he knew things about the defendant such as her job, her husband and the fact she had been out celebrating her birthday. He could only have known these things if they had had a conversation."
Geoffrey Lowe, prosecuting, said: "Mr Grassick knew the complainant was the worse for drink when she got in that car and he took advantage of her in her vulnerable state.
"When the complainant spoke to the police to report the assault she was telling the truth. The details may escape her memory at this time but when she made that 999 call she was clear that she had been assaulted."
http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/southport-west-lancs/southport-taxi-driver-found-not-9724523
----------------------------------------
Over a thousand Rio taxi drivers block main city route to protest Uber
More than a thousand taxi drivers have joined a protest in Rio de Janeiro against ride-sharing company Uber, blocking roads and stalling traffic during morning rush hour as tensions rise in the city over the mobile app ride service.
Uber Technologies Inc responded to Friday’s protest by offering free rides to customers to help alleviate transport issues on what it called a “difficult day for getting around”.
The company has come under fire in countries around the world, with local taxi drivers complaining that Uber drivers are not properly regulated and have fewer overhead costs, which makes them unfairly competitive.
Lawmakers in São Paulo, Brazil’s biggest city, and the capital city Brasilia have already voted to ban Uber after protests by local taxi drivers. The bills still require executive approval before taking force.
In Rio, cabbies parked their yellow taxis in a chain stretching for three miles along one of the city’s main thoroughfares that connects the affluent south zone with the central business district. Taxi drivers honked their horns and chanted.
“We want to combat the illegal (drivers). We are the official ones, we have a responsibility, we are professionals who have families,” said Alexander Campos, a taxi driver from Belo Horizonte who drove the 400 kilometers (248 miles) to Rio for the protest.
In a statement, Uber said it defends customer choice and that “innovation is crucial” in a city like Rio, “which has a population in need of more options and receives millions of tourists a year”.
The company also offered people in Rio two free rides up to the value of 50 reais ($15) each from 7am to 7pm local time, with an accompanying Twitter hashtag žRIONAOPARA or “Rio doesn’t stop.”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/rio-de-janeiro-uber-protest-taxis
A Southport taxi driver was found not guilty of sexual assault today (Friday) leading to tears of joy from his family in the courtroom.
Ian Charles Grassick, 59, of Stavely Road was found unanimously not guilty by a jury in less that half an hour of deliberations.
Over the three days of his trial Grassick repeatedly denied claims that he touched the woman inappropriately, after he picked her up following her birthday night out at the Fox and Goose.
The complainant stated that Grassick climbed over into the back of the cab and touched her on February 4 of this year, but he resolutely denied this, saying that it was she who instigated a kiss and physical contact.
Grassick has no previous criminal convictions and the court heard about his many medical issues, including diabetes, gall bladder removal and mobility issues.
Forensic tests also revealed that Grassick’s DNA was not present on the complainants trousers or knickers.
The court heard from Claire Wilson, an occupational therapist, who conducted an assessment of Mr Grassick's mobility on June 30.
She said: "I didn't get the impression he was exaggerating his lack of mobility. He was keen to show me what he could do and he tried to carry out every movement I asked him to perform, even if it caused him pain.
"He could have moved into the back of the cab but his movements would have been slow and considered, he would have found it extremely difficult. It would be very hard for him to get out of that position."
Peter Killen defending said: "The complainant's evidence has changed every time she has spoken to police, during the 999 call, her interview and when officers attended her house she has added another detail, it is not consistent.
"She maintains that Mr Grassick pounced on her, but then in the 999 call she states that they had a cigarette together and there was some conversation, these two statements can not live in the same world as each other.
"Mr Grassick is telling the truth, at every opportunity his evidence has remained consistent, he fully co-operated with police and he knew things about the defendant such as her job, her husband and the fact she had been out celebrating her birthday. He could only have known these things if they had had a conversation."
Geoffrey Lowe, prosecuting, said: "Mr Grassick knew the complainant was the worse for drink when she got in that car and he took advantage of her in her vulnerable state.
"When the complainant spoke to the police to report the assault she was telling the truth. The details may escape her memory at this time but when she made that 999 call she was clear that she had been assaulted."
http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/southport-west-lancs/southport-taxi-driver-found-not-9724523
----------------------------------------
Over a thousand Rio taxi drivers block main city route to protest Uber
More than a thousand taxi drivers have joined a protest in Rio de Janeiro against ride-sharing company Uber, blocking roads and stalling traffic during morning rush hour as tensions rise in the city over the mobile app ride service.
Uber Technologies Inc responded to Friday’s protest by offering free rides to customers to help alleviate transport issues on what it called a “difficult day for getting around”.
The company has come under fire in countries around the world, with local taxi drivers complaining that Uber drivers are not properly regulated and have fewer overhead costs, which makes them unfairly competitive.
Lawmakers in São Paulo, Brazil’s biggest city, and the capital city Brasilia have already voted to ban Uber after protests by local taxi drivers. The bills still require executive approval before taking force.
In Rio, cabbies parked their yellow taxis in a chain stretching for three miles along one of the city’s main thoroughfares that connects the affluent south zone with the central business district. Taxi drivers honked their horns and chanted.
“We want to combat the illegal (drivers). We are the official ones, we have a responsibility, we are professionals who have families,” said Alexander Campos, a taxi driver from Belo Horizonte who drove the 400 kilometers (248 miles) to Rio for the protest.
In a statement, Uber said it defends customer choice and that “innovation is crucial” in a city like Rio, “which has a population in need of more options and receives millions of tourists a year”.
The company also offered people in Rio two free rides up to the value of 50 reais ($15) each from 7am to 7pm local time, with an accompanying Twitter hashtag žRIONAOPARA or “Rio doesn’t stop.”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/rio-de-janeiro-uber-protest-taxis
Thursday 23 July 2015
Ashton Kutcher | Stars Defend Taxi Firm Amid New York Row
Officials in the Big Apple vowed to impose limits on the number of cars Uber bosses could utilise in the city amid a dispute over fears the introduction of more taxis would lead to increased pollution and congestion.
The plan has since been dropped in return for a cap on the firm's annual growth, and a number of stars have spoken out to back Uber and demand politicians stop meddling.
In a lengthy post on his Facebook.com page, Kutcher writes, "I am beside myself with the regulation that Mayor (Bill) De Blasio is trying to force upon Uber and the citizens of NYC. He clearly has his pockets lined by the cab co's (sic).
He talks about discrimination, but has no idea how hard it is for ethnic people to get a cab. He talks about protecting drivers but has no idea about the people who drive for Uber to subsidise their income. He talks about congestion but doesn't even recognise that Uber is a fraction of a fraction of the traffic in the city... This is the kind of corrupt shortsighted politics that is destroying innovation."
Harris sent a tweet aimed at Mayor de Blasio, writing, "25K new residents use Uber NYC each week. How is a fixed # (number) of cars supposed to serve this demand for rides? #UberMovesNYC (sic)."
Upton also tweeted the mayor, adding, "Why do you want to return to days when only those in Midtown & Lower Manhattan could get a ride? #UberMovesNYC."
Dance star Moby adds, "I'm still confused as to why people like @BilldeBlasio dislike Uber? I use Uber all the time, it's convenient and great... I have no affiliation at all with Uber I just think it's great... And of course taxi companies hate Uber the same way record companies hate itunes and Spotify the past rarely embraces the future."
After hearing the plan to limit Uber's cars had been dropped, Kutcher added, "Democracy wins."
http://www.contactmusic.com/ashton-kutcher/news/stars-defend-taxi-firm-amid-new-york-row_4839145
Comment: Could Kutcher's support anything to do with his previous family (messy divorce) taking Legal action against UBER.
http://taxileaks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/bruce-willis-daughter-injured-in-uber.htmlhttp:
www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2514558/Demi-Moore-Ashton-Kutchers-divorce-finalised-years-split.html
Officials in the Big Apple vowed to impose limits on the number of cars Uber bosses could utilise in the city amid a dispute over fears the introduction of more taxis would lead to increased pollution and congestion.
The plan has since been dropped in return for a cap on the firm's annual growth, and a number of stars have spoken out to back Uber and demand politicians stop meddling.
In a lengthy post on his Facebook.com page, Kutcher writes, "I am beside myself with the regulation that Mayor (Bill) De Blasio is trying to force upon Uber and the citizens of NYC. He clearly has his pockets lined by the cab co's (sic).
He talks about discrimination, but has no idea how hard it is for ethnic people to get a cab. He talks about protecting drivers but has no idea about the people who drive for Uber to subsidise their income. He talks about congestion but doesn't even recognise that Uber is a fraction of a fraction of the traffic in the city... This is the kind of corrupt shortsighted politics that is destroying innovation."
Harris sent a tweet aimed at Mayor de Blasio, writing, "25K new residents use Uber NYC each week. How is a fixed # (number) of cars supposed to serve this demand for rides? #UberMovesNYC (sic)."
Upton also tweeted the mayor, adding, "Why do you want to return to days when only those in Midtown & Lower Manhattan could get a ride? #UberMovesNYC."
Dance star Moby adds, "I'm still confused as to why people like @BilldeBlasio dislike Uber? I use Uber all the time, it's convenient and great... I have no affiliation at all with Uber I just think it's great... And of course taxi companies hate Uber the same way record companies hate itunes and Spotify the past rarely embraces the future."
After hearing the plan to limit Uber's cars had been dropped, Kutcher added, "Democracy wins."
http://www.contactmusic.com/ashton-kutcher/news/stars-defend-taxi-firm-amid-new-york-row_4839145
Comment: Could Kutcher's support anything to do with his previous family (messy divorce) taking Legal action against UBER.
http://taxileaks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/bruce-willis-daughter-injured-in-uber.htmlhttp:
www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2514558/Demi-Moore-Ashton-Kutchers-divorce-finalised-years-split.html
Wednesday 22 July 2015
TAXI APPS: SCOTLAND
Michael McDougall says licensing law must keep pace with developments in the provision of taxi services.
Taxi and private car hire booking apps are catching on fast so ordering your next taxi by phoning the firm’s office could soon be a thing of the past. Booking apps fundamentally change how customers’ book and pay for taxi and private hire services.
Gett launched in Scotland earlier this year and both Glasgow and Edinburgh have recently granted Booking Office Licences to Uber which means the company has permission to operate as a “premises” for the purposes of taking bookings.
However, there is a serious mismatch between the current legislation, Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Booking Offices) Order 2009, and the type of operation required in today’s smartphone-focussed society to ensure appropriate licensing is in place to protect customers and drivers.
Traditionally, bookings have been placed by the customer phoning the booking office, where an operator takes the details and radios out the booking to a driver. The existing regulations licence a “premises”, thus the booking of a taxi or private hire car is regulated by conditions attached to that premises.
For example, some licensing authorities require the details of the bookings taken to be recorded, such as the name of the customer and the taxi/private hire car driver, and a record kept of taxis/private hire cars operating from the premises. In short, steps must be taken to ensure that passenger safety can be monitored by the police and the authorities. In addition the aforementioned records play a role in helping the police detect organised crime.
Web-based companies such as Uber, connect passengers to a background checked driver via a smartphone app and the firm take a percentage cut of the fare. Therefore, the back office systems of taxi booking apps are not tied to a premises, instead they operate in “the cloud” – a concept completely alien to the current regulations set up in the ‘80s.
The law needs to keep up with changes and various stakeholders, including licensing authorities and police, have lobbied the Scottish government to revisit the taxi/private hire car licensing provision in the wake of these apps. However, regulating these new businesses has caused some tension.
In the recent debates surrounding the Air Weapons and Licensing Bill, the Scottish government have committed to reviewing both the 1982 Act, and the Booking Office Regulations to ensure that they are fit for modern Scotland.
In the meantime it is important that taxi operators review their booking system and ensure that it complies with legislative requirements.
http://www.scottishlegal.com/2015/07/22/blog-licensing-law-must-move-with-the-times-to-regulate-taxi-booking-apps/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EDINBURGH
THE city council’s taxi bill has soared by more than £100,000 in only two years – sparking demands for a full probe into the “dramatic” rise.
Nearly £664,000 was spent on cab journeys across the Capital during 2014-15, as the cost of ferrying children to and from school jumped from around £363,000 in 2012-13 to just under £507,000.
Officials said that with thousands of staff based in council premises throughout Edinburgh, the trips were necessary to ensuring services remained as efficient as possible.
Opposition figures today voiced concern at the rise, which comes as the city battles to save £107 million by 2020.
It has emerged that health and social care teams – currently battling to plug a £16.5m financial black hole – also ramped up spending from around £60,000 to nearly £67,000.
Staff in the city development, corporate governance and services for communities departments collectively billed the public purse for just over £63,000 in 2014-15.
Councillor Iain Whyte, Conservative finance spokesman, said: “I’m surprised that the cost is up so much because my understanding was that we were structuring those services to get the unit cost down as much as possible. It’s really about managing demand, making sure that criteria are being following, and looking more at coordinating some of this – if the journey can be shared, they should do it.”
Cllr Whyte also questioned whether the rate of increase could be justified by changes in the school population and wider demographic shifts.
“It needs investigation and I would be concerned to know whether the cost is rising because of the increased number of children in school or whether costs are rising ahead of that,” he said.
“A 20 per cent increase over the two years does seem very dramatic and seems to be a much higher increase than you would imagine would be necessary.
“This should be looked at to check the increase is needed and to contain costs where possible.”
Council officials admitted taxis could be used for attending meetings or carrying out other essential business, such as visiting and transporting clients.
But they said staff were always encouraged to use alternative means of transport.
A spokeswoman said: “This increase relates to journeys to and from school for pupils, including those with disabilities.
“Many of the city’s vulnerable children and those with disabilities require travel assistance, and this type of journey has increased as the client group and school population has grown.”
http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/city-council-taxi-bill-soars-by-100k-in-two-years-1-3837253
------------------------------------
New York City has backed down in a row with taxi hailing app Uber, dropping plans to limit the number of cars it operates in the City.
Instead of the cap, Uber has agreed to take part in a a four-month study looking at the impact of its cars on traffic and pollution in the City.
In return, New York said it would not impose a car limit for this period.
The move comes the day before a City council vote, which could have seen the cap imposed.
The deal the city has struck with Uber appears weaker than the legislation in the vote, which called for a 1% cap on the firm's growth in the city and a year-long study.
But New York's first deputy mayor Anthony Shorris, currently in charge while New York mayor Bill de Blasio is away, told the BBC that the deal was a "smart and fair way" to address the issue, which matched the "values and interests of New Yorkers".
"Uber will share information for the study above and beyond what has previously been provided, with safeguards to protect privacy.
"Uber has also agreed to maintain its approximate current rate of growth and not flood the streets with new licenses and vehicles," he added.
In a statement, Uber also said it welcomed the agreement.
"We are pleased new drivers will continue to be free to join the for-hire industry and partner with Uber. Together, we can build an even better, more reliable transportation system," said Josh Mohrer, Uber NYC's general manager.
Since being founded in San Francisco in 2009, Uber has grown into a huge ridesharing enterprise - with services now offered in more than 200 cities.
But in many cities, local cab firms and drivers have staged protests against the service. In New York, complaints have centred around the idea that the firm has become too dominant, overtaking the city's iconic yellow taxis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33631617
Michael McDougall says licensing law must keep pace with developments in the provision of taxi services.
Taxi and private car hire booking apps are catching on fast so ordering your next taxi by phoning the firm’s office could soon be a thing of the past. Booking apps fundamentally change how customers’ book and pay for taxi and private hire services.
Gett launched in Scotland earlier this year and both Glasgow and Edinburgh have recently granted Booking Office Licences to Uber which means the company has permission to operate as a “premises” for the purposes of taking bookings.
However, there is a serious mismatch between the current legislation, Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Booking Offices) Order 2009, and the type of operation required in today’s smartphone-focussed society to ensure appropriate licensing is in place to protect customers and drivers.
Traditionally, bookings have been placed by the customer phoning the booking office, where an operator takes the details and radios out the booking to a driver. The existing regulations licence a “premises”, thus the booking of a taxi or private hire car is regulated by conditions attached to that premises.
For example, some licensing authorities require the details of the bookings taken to be recorded, such as the name of the customer and the taxi/private hire car driver, and a record kept of taxis/private hire cars operating from the premises. In short, steps must be taken to ensure that passenger safety can be monitored by the police and the authorities. In addition the aforementioned records play a role in helping the police detect organised crime.
Web-based companies such as Uber, connect passengers to a background checked driver via a smartphone app and the firm take a percentage cut of the fare. Therefore, the back office systems of taxi booking apps are not tied to a premises, instead they operate in “the cloud” – a concept completely alien to the current regulations set up in the ‘80s.
The law needs to keep up with changes and various stakeholders, including licensing authorities and police, have lobbied the Scottish government to revisit the taxi/private hire car licensing provision in the wake of these apps. However, regulating these new businesses has caused some tension.
In the recent debates surrounding the Air Weapons and Licensing Bill, the Scottish government have committed to reviewing both the 1982 Act, and the Booking Office Regulations to ensure that they are fit for modern Scotland.
In the meantime it is important that taxi operators review their booking system and ensure that it complies with legislative requirements.
http://www.scottishlegal.com/2015/07/22/blog-licensing-law-must-move-with-the-times-to-regulate-taxi-booking-apps/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EDINBURGH
THE city council’s taxi bill has soared by more than £100,000 in only two years – sparking demands for a full probe into the “dramatic” rise.
Nearly £664,000 was spent on cab journeys across the Capital during 2014-15, as the cost of ferrying children to and from school jumped from around £363,000 in 2012-13 to just under £507,000.
Officials said that with thousands of staff based in council premises throughout Edinburgh, the trips were necessary to ensuring services remained as efficient as possible.
Opposition figures today voiced concern at the rise, which comes as the city battles to save £107 million by 2020.
It has emerged that health and social care teams – currently battling to plug a £16.5m financial black hole – also ramped up spending from around £60,000 to nearly £67,000.
Staff in the city development, corporate governance and services for communities departments collectively billed the public purse for just over £63,000 in 2014-15.
Councillor Iain Whyte, Conservative finance spokesman, said: “I’m surprised that the cost is up so much because my understanding was that we were structuring those services to get the unit cost down as much as possible. It’s really about managing demand, making sure that criteria are being following, and looking more at coordinating some of this – if the journey can be shared, they should do it.”
Cllr Whyte also questioned whether the rate of increase could be justified by changes in the school population and wider demographic shifts.
“It needs investigation and I would be concerned to know whether the cost is rising because of the increased number of children in school or whether costs are rising ahead of that,” he said.
“A 20 per cent increase over the two years does seem very dramatic and seems to be a much higher increase than you would imagine would be necessary.
“This should be looked at to check the increase is needed and to contain costs where possible.”
Council officials admitted taxis could be used for attending meetings or carrying out other essential business, such as visiting and transporting clients.
But they said staff were always encouraged to use alternative means of transport.
A spokeswoman said: “This increase relates to journeys to and from school for pupils, including those with disabilities.
“Many of the city’s vulnerable children and those with disabilities require travel assistance, and this type of journey has increased as the client group and school population has grown.”
http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/city-council-taxi-bill-soars-by-100k-in-two-years-1-3837253
------------------------------------
New York City has backed down in a row with taxi hailing app Uber, dropping plans to limit the number of cars it operates in the City.
Instead of the cap, Uber has agreed to take part in a a four-month study looking at the impact of its cars on traffic and pollution in the City.
In return, New York said it would not impose a car limit for this period.
The move comes the day before a City council vote, which could have seen the cap imposed.
The deal the city has struck with Uber appears weaker than the legislation in the vote, which called for a 1% cap on the firm's growth in the city and a year-long study.
But New York's first deputy mayor Anthony Shorris, currently in charge while New York mayor Bill de Blasio is away, told the BBC that the deal was a "smart and fair way" to address the issue, which matched the "values and interests of New Yorkers".
"Uber will share information for the study above and beyond what has previously been provided, with safeguards to protect privacy.
"Uber has also agreed to maintain its approximate current rate of growth and not flood the streets with new licenses and vehicles," he added.
In a statement, Uber also said it welcomed the agreement.
"We are pleased new drivers will continue to be free to join the for-hire industry and partner with Uber. Together, we can build an even better, more reliable transportation system," said Josh Mohrer, Uber NYC's general manager.
Since being founded in San Francisco in 2009, Uber has grown into a huge ridesharing enterprise - with services now offered in more than 200 cities.
But in many cities, local cab firms and drivers have staged protests against the service. In New York, complaints have centred around the idea that the firm has become too dominant, overtaking the city's iconic yellow taxis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33631617
Comment: Who would pay a 7 figure PLUS sum if a Copeland Hackney working 142 Miles out of his area (WITHOUT notifing his Insurer) caused this Injury ?
--------------------------------
Bury man left paralysed in horror taxi crash likely to receive multi-million pound compensation
James Brewster
A young man from Bury who was “catastrophically” injured when a taxi skidded on ice is in line for multi-million-pound compensation.
Alex Pearson, then 23, had only been in the cab for two minutes when the driver lost control and smashed into an oncoming car in January 2010.
His head was propelled forward by the impact, at up to 70mph, and struck a structural pillar beside the windscreen.
Mr Pearson, of Tottington, Bury, suffered devastating spinal fractures and is now almost totally paralysed below the neck.
Tetraplegic and confined to a wheelchair, he will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life.
He sued the cab driver, Anwar Mohammed, of Heywood Street, Cheetham Hill, and his lawyers accepted primary liability for the accident.
But they successfully argued at Manchester High Court last year that Mr Pearson’s payout should be cut by 25% - because he was not wearing a seatbelt.
Judge Platts said that, if he had had a seatbelt on, he would have suffered only minor whiplash symptoms which would have cleared up within six months.
Challenging that decision today at the Court of Appeal, Christopher Melton QC, said the 25% reduction was ‘extremely harsh’ on Mr Pearson.
He had been trying to put on his seatbelt when the collision happened and was ‘very, very unlucky’ that his head hit the pillar, rather than the softer windscreen.
Describing it as an “exceptional case”, the QC said the cab driver was “plainly far more blameworthy” than his passenger.
Refusing permission to appeal, however, Lord Justice Kitchin, said Judge Platts’ decision could not be faulted.
Had Mr Pearson been wearing a seatbelt, he would have suffered only “trivial” injuries, the judge told the court in London.
“This was a case where the failure to wear a seatbelt did, for all intents and purposes, make all the difference”.
Mr Pearson’s appeal against Judge Platts’ decision stood “no reasonable prospect of success”, he concluded.
The amount of Mr Pearson’s damages has yet to be finally assessed.
However, given the extent of his care needs, his payout is bound to run well into seven figures, even after the 25% reduction.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bury-man-left-paralysed-horror-9707856
--------------------------------
Bury man left paralysed in horror taxi crash likely to receive multi-million pound compensation
James Brewster
A young man from Bury who was “catastrophically” injured when a taxi skidded on ice is in line for multi-million-pound compensation.
Alex Pearson, then 23, had only been in the cab for two minutes when the driver lost control and smashed into an oncoming car in January 2010.
His head was propelled forward by the impact, at up to 70mph, and struck a structural pillar beside the windscreen.
Mr Pearson, of Tottington, Bury, suffered devastating spinal fractures and is now almost totally paralysed below the neck.
Tetraplegic and confined to a wheelchair, he will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life.
He sued the cab driver, Anwar Mohammed, of Heywood Street, Cheetham Hill, and his lawyers accepted primary liability for the accident.
But they successfully argued at Manchester High Court last year that Mr Pearson’s payout should be cut by 25% - because he was not wearing a seatbelt.
Judge Platts said that, if he had had a seatbelt on, he would have suffered only minor whiplash symptoms which would have cleared up within six months.
Challenging that decision today at the Court of Appeal, Christopher Melton QC, said the 25% reduction was ‘extremely harsh’ on Mr Pearson.
He had been trying to put on his seatbelt when the collision happened and was ‘very, very unlucky’ that his head hit the pillar, rather than the softer windscreen.
Describing it as an “exceptional case”, the QC said the cab driver was “plainly far more blameworthy” than his passenger.
Refusing permission to appeal, however, Lord Justice Kitchin, said Judge Platts’ decision could not be faulted.
Had Mr Pearson been wearing a seatbelt, he would have suffered only “trivial” injuries, the judge told the court in London.
“This was a case where the failure to wear a seatbelt did, for all intents and purposes, make all the difference”.
Mr Pearson’s appeal against Judge Platts’ decision stood “no reasonable prospect of success”, he concluded.
The amount of Mr Pearson’s damages has yet to be finally assessed.
However, given the extent of his care needs, his payout is bound to run well into seven figures, even after the 25% reduction.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bury-man-left-paralysed-horror-9707856
Tuesday 21 July 2015
'Shadow' taxi industry sparks safety fears as drivers from outside Manchester flood city centre
A burgeoning ‘shadow’ taxi industry is operating outside the control of city officials - leading to grave warnings about public safety.
A legal loophole means drivers are getting cheap licences from councils as far away as Cornwall and Cumbria before returning to Manchester to work.
Because they are not registered with the city’s licensing department, officials have little or no information on them. Pictures taken by one local driver show cars registered in 19 other areas now doing business in the city, outside of council regulation.
Taxi drivers, the town hall and an MP have now called on ministers to change the law.
The news comes as the town hall considers installing CCTV in all cabs.
But the trade says that will make no difference unless all drivers in the city can be overseen by the town hall.
And Stockport MP Ann Coffey, who has campaigned vehemently on sexual exploitation, said: “The problem is that it’s very difficult to keep track of people’s past convictions and past incidents. It’s a loophole that can be exploited by people with something to hide.
“It’s an issue of safety - there’s nothing more vulnerable than a woman going home in a taxi at night so we must have the maximum information possible. It’s imperative the local authority is able to do that.”
The loophole dates back to a court judgement from 2010, which ruled cabbies can apply for hackney carriage licences from other areas and use them to work as private hire drivers here. In Manchester, this can be an attractive prospect - as the city’s licences are some of the dearest and its conditions particularly strict.
Les Reid, who represents 70 Manchester black cab drivers, believes the number of out-of-area drivers runs into the hundreds - and that the problem is getting worse. He is documenting the issue and plans to submit his evidence to government.
Bryan Roland, of the National Private Hire Association, said he didn’t blame legitimate drivers seeking cheaper licences.
The issue was public safety, he said, adding: “That is the danger point. The person it affects more than anyone else is the travelling public. How can anybody tell if the driver behind the wheel even has a licence?”
Manchester town hall has backed calls for a change to taxi laws - saying other councils should also change their policies.
Coun Nigel Murphy, executive member for neighbourhoods, said he shared the trade’s concerns, adding: “We are always trying to improve the quality and safety of Manchester’s taxis - for example by ensuring all our licensed vehicles are clearly marked and regularly tested - and if we were able to stop this practice we would do so, but sadly the current law allows it to continue.
“We have responded to government consultations seeking to redress this and ensure Manchester’s high standards can be maintained in any future taxi licensing laws. We also want to encourage those smaller authorities who are licensing drivers to operate elsewhere, to review and change their policy, and ensure standards are maintained across the region.”
He said licensing officers and police regularly patrolled in search of drivers lacking insurance or illegally plying for hire, but added: “However, we need the government to pay attention and change the national legislation in order for this issue to be addressed properly.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Public safety is our first priority. The government is absolutely clear that strict criteria must be applied by all local authorities when they grant licences to taxi drivers and operators, including if they operate in different areas.
"We strongly encourage local authorities use their power to request enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service checks for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers – revealing not just spent or unspent convictions but anything relevant noted by the police.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/shadow-taxi-industry-sparks-safety-9695623
A burgeoning ‘shadow’ taxi industry is operating outside the control of city officials - leading to grave warnings about public safety.
A legal loophole means drivers are getting cheap licences from councils as far away as Cornwall and Cumbria before returning to Manchester to work.
Because they are not registered with the city’s licensing department, officials have little or no information on them. Pictures taken by one local driver show cars registered in 19 other areas now doing business in the city, outside of council regulation.
Taxi drivers, the town hall and an MP have now called on ministers to change the law.
The news comes as the town hall considers installing CCTV in all cabs.
But the trade says that will make no difference unless all drivers in the city can be overseen by the town hall.
And Stockport MP Ann Coffey, who has campaigned vehemently on sexual exploitation, said: “The problem is that it’s very difficult to keep track of people’s past convictions and past incidents. It’s a loophole that can be exploited by people with something to hide.
“It’s an issue of safety - there’s nothing more vulnerable than a woman going home in a taxi at night so we must have the maximum information possible. It’s imperative the local authority is able to do that.”
The loophole dates back to a court judgement from 2010, which ruled cabbies can apply for hackney carriage licences from other areas and use them to work as private hire drivers here. In Manchester, this can be an attractive prospect - as the city’s licences are some of the dearest and its conditions particularly strict.
Les Reid, who represents 70 Manchester black cab drivers, believes the number of out-of-area drivers runs into the hundreds - and that the problem is getting worse. He is documenting the issue and plans to submit his evidence to government.
Bryan Roland, of the National Private Hire Association, said he didn’t blame legitimate drivers seeking cheaper licences.
The issue was public safety, he said, adding: “That is the danger point. The person it affects more than anyone else is the travelling public. How can anybody tell if the driver behind the wheel even has a licence?”
Manchester town hall has backed calls for a change to taxi laws - saying other councils should also change their policies.
Coun Nigel Murphy, executive member for neighbourhoods, said he shared the trade’s concerns, adding: “We are always trying to improve the quality and safety of Manchester’s taxis - for example by ensuring all our licensed vehicles are clearly marked and regularly tested - and if we were able to stop this practice we would do so, but sadly the current law allows it to continue.
“We have responded to government consultations seeking to redress this and ensure Manchester’s high standards can be maintained in any future taxi licensing laws. We also want to encourage those smaller authorities who are licensing drivers to operate elsewhere, to review and change their policy, and ensure standards are maintained across the region.”
He said licensing officers and police regularly patrolled in search of drivers lacking insurance or illegally plying for hire, but added: “However, we need the government to pay attention and change the national legislation in order for this issue to be addressed properly.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Public safety is our first priority. The government is absolutely clear that strict criteria must be applied by all local authorities when they grant licences to taxi drivers and operators, including if they operate in different areas.
"We strongly encourage local authorities use their power to request enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service checks for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers – revealing not just spent or unspent convictions but anything relevant noted by the police.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/shadow-taxi-industry-sparks-safety-9695623
PARIS — Uber Technologies Inc. is bringing its fight against European Union taxi regulations before the bloc’s highest court, setting up a potential decision on whether national transportation laws across the region can apply to online services such as Uber.
San Francisco-based Uber said Monday that a judge in Barcelona has granted the company’s request to refer a case brought by a local taxi association to the European Court of Justice. The referral asks the Luxembourg-based court to determine whether Spanish taxi rules and court decisions violate EU treaties and laws.
At issue before the European Court of Justice is whether Uber, which runs a popular smartphone app that allows people to hail cars for trips across town, is a transportation company or if it is an “information society service.” Uber argues it is the latter, which would give it sounder legal footing under EU directives to avoid certain elements of national taxi laws. The Spanish judge has asked Luxembourg for guidance, according to a copy of the ruling made available by Uber.
Under current EU law, transportation regulations are exempt from the EU-wide services directive, giving countries more of a free rein to regulate them. But online services are granted freedom from some kinds of regulatory interference.
It isn’t clear how long it would take for Uber’s case to be heard, but Mr. MacGann said he expects a decision in the fall of 2016. Nevertheless, he said he is confident Uber will prevail because EU court decisions “rarely if ever have the effect of closing markets and restricting competition.”
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/europes-top-court-to-decide-if-uber-is-tech-firm-or-taxi-company-2015-07-20
---------------------------------------
MORECAMBE
A taxi driver who touched a young woman on the forehead and told her he had twice been accused of rape has lost an appeal against having his licence revoked.
Robert Allman, 59, of Westgate Caravan Park in Morecambe, claimed he’d touched the woman on the forehead by accident but admitted talking about the rape accusations during a taxi journey.
The passenger made a complaint against Allman for inappropriate behaviour after the incidents during a pre-booked taxi ride on February 16.
The woman said he touched her forehead for five seconds and told her he had twice been accused of rape; once in the UK and the other on the Greek island of Zante.
Allman then had his license revoked in March. He appealed and appeared at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Magistrates, however, rejected his appeal and ordered him to pay £100 towards the council’s costs.
Councillor Margaret Pattison, chairman of the licensing regulatory committee, said: “A licence issued by the council to a taxi driver is in effect the council’s seal of approval that the holder is a fit and proper person to drive members of the public.
“Members of the public can be assured that the city council will do everything we can to maintain public safety and confidence in licensed drivers.”
http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/local/morecambe-taxi-driver-who-talked-about-rape-accusations-loses-appeal-1-7370287
-----------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
Toxteth cabbie denies attempting to drive into couple and five-year-old girl
Jonathan Humphries
A Toxteth cabbie has denied attempting to deliberately drive his taxi into a couple and a five-year-old girl.
Peter Paul Rogers, 30, pleaded not guilty to one charge of dangerous driving and one of making threats to kill at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.
Rogers, of Trefoil Close, is alleged to have committed the offences while driving his Ford Mondeo taxi on Lodge Lane, Granby, on June 3.
The alleged victims, an adult man, his partner and the child, were not injured during the incident.
An unrelated charge of possession of cannabis, also denied by Rogers, was dropped.
Neil Audley, prosecuting, said the charges were too serious to be dealt with in Magistrates’ Court.
District Judge Ian Lomax passed the case to Liverpool Crown Court where a preliminary hearing will take place on August 3.
Rogers was remanded in custody.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/toxteth-cabbie-denies-attempting-drive-9694783
San Francisco-based Uber said Monday that a judge in Barcelona has granted the company’s request to refer a case brought by a local taxi association to the European Court of Justice. The referral asks the Luxembourg-based court to determine whether Spanish taxi rules and court decisions violate EU treaties and laws.
At issue before the European Court of Justice is whether Uber, which runs a popular smartphone app that allows people to hail cars for trips across town, is a transportation company or if it is an “information society service.” Uber argues it is the latter, which would give it sounder legal footing under EU directives to avoid certain elements of national taxi laws. The Spanish judge has asked Luxembourg for guidance, according to a copy of the ruling made available by Uber.
Under current EU law, transportation regulations are exempt from the EU-wide services directive, giving countries more of a free rein to regulate them. But online services are granted freedom from some kinds of regulatory interference.
It isn’t clear how long it would take for Uber’s case to be heard, but Mr. MacGann said he expects a decision in the fall of 2016. Nevertheless, he said he is confident Uber will prevail because EU court decisions “rarely if ever have the effect of closing markets and restricting competition.”
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/europes-top-court-to-decide-if-uber-is-tech-firm-or-taxi-company-2015-07-20
---------------------------------------
MORECAMBE
A taxi driver who touched a young woman on the forehead and told her he had twice been accused of rape has lost an appeal against having his licence revoked.
Robert Allman, 59, of Westgate Caravan Park in Morecambe, claimed he’d touched the woman on the forehead by accident but admitted talking about the rape accusations during a taxi journey.
The passenger made a complaint against Allman for inappropriate behaviour after the incidents during a pre-booked taxi ride on February 16.
The woman said he touched her forehead for five seconds and told her he had twice been accused of rape; once in the UK and the other on the Greek island of Zante.
Allman then had his license revoked in March. He appealed and appeared at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Magistrates, however, rejected his appeal and ordered him to pay £100 towards the council’s costs.
Councillor Margaret Pattison, chairman of the licensing regulatory committee, said: “A licence issued by the council to a taxi driver is in effect the council’s seal of approval that the holder is a fit and proper person to drive members of the public.
“Members of the public can be assured that the city council will do everything we can to maintain public safety and confidence in licensed drivers.”
http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/local/morecambe-taxi-driver-who-talked-about-rape-accusations-loses-appeal-1-7370287
-----------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
Toxteth cabbie denies attempting to drive into couple and five-year-old girl
Jonathan Humphries
A Toxteth cabbie has denied attempting to deliberately drive his taxi into a couple and a five-year-old girl.
Peter Paul Rogers, 30, pleaded not guilty to one charge of dangerous driving and one of making threats to kill at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.
Rogers, of Trefoil Close, is alleged to have committed the offences while driving his Ford Mondeo taxi on Lodge Lane, Granby, on June 3.
The alleged victims, an adult man, his partner and the child, were not injured during the incident.
An unrelated charge of possession of cannabis, also denied by Rogers, was dropped.
Neil Audley, prosecuting, said the charges were too serious to be dealt with in Magistrates’ Court.
District Judge Ian Lomax passed the case to Liverpool Crown Court where a preliminary hearing will take place on August 3.
Rogers was remanded in custody.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/toxteth-cabbie-denies-attempting-drive-9694783
Sunday 19 July 2015
Problem of rogue taxi drivers 'just as bad in Poole', former driver claims
ANOTHER former taxi trade representative has waded into the row over rogue drivers and has claimed: "The situation is no better in Poole."
Mike Gale, an independent driver for 37 years, said his decision to leave the business had been due to a "complete lack of enforcement" by the Borough of Poole and persistent problems with a handful of drivers flouting the rules.
He spoke out after John Tye stood down as the taxi trade representative in Bournemouth, claiming he could no longer represent a trade "of which he was ashamed."
He said a minority of rogue drivers were ripping-off customers, being aggressive to passengers and flouting rules but facing no enforcement action from Bournemouth council.
Mr Gale, who for several years represented independent drivers in Poole, said the situation was no different there.
"Over the last 18 months I've taken photographs of Bournemouth taxis parked on Poole ranks and nothing has been done," he said.
"I quit because I had just about had enough of people getting away with it."
He called for Poole council to introduce "mystery shoppers" to catch rogue drivers and said: "If they had done this during the Sandbanks polo weekend they would have caught numerous offenders.
"All people want to do is go home so you get loads of private hire vehicles stopping to pick up passengers from the street, which they are not allowed to do and not insured to do.
"Unfortunately it feels like nothing will be done until something goes badly wrong."
Nick Phillips, accessibility team leader at the Borough of Poole, said: "There is no evidence to suggest that unlicensed taxi and private hire drivers are being used in Poole and so at present we will not be making use of ‘mystery travellers’.
"We do however co-ordinate enforcement activities with both the Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to randomly stop and check taxis in the town.
"These enforcement operations enable both vehicle roadworthiness and driver details to be checked and continue to show that we have an excellent standard of compliance in our town.
"We will investigate any customer complaints about taxi and private hire services and have a progressive enforcement policy if problems do occur. All drivers undergo an additional DVSA driving assessment before licensing and an hour long knowledge test of the roads of the borough, this is on top of a DBS check and medical. This ensures that drivers are of a suitable standard at first licensing and so complaints are therefore rare."
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13464666.Problem_of_rogue_taxi_drivers__just_as_bad_in_Poole___former_driver_claims/?ref=rss
------------------------------------
Taxi driver flashed lights to warn police of drunk motorist « Shropshire Star
A quick-thinking taxi driver alerted police to a drunk driver by flashing his lights as he passed a patrol, a court was told.
As police pulled out to follow the vehicles the taxi driver pulled over, allowing them to tail 21-year-old Matthew Jones as he swerved across lines on the A5.
Jones, of Cresswell Crescent Gabowen, pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol when he appeared at Telford Magistrates Court.
He also admitted one charge of failing to surrender to bail having missed his first scheduled court appearance on July 14.
Mrs Katie Price, prosecuting, said Jones had slurred his words when speaking to police after they pulled him over at 2am on June 26.
She said that a taxi driver heading south on the A5 from Chirk had become worried about the way in which the Vauxhall Astra in front of him was being driven and, noticing a police car waiting at the side of the road, began to flash his lights to get their attention.
She said that once officers had got behind Jones’ vehicle they observed it swerving side to side, crossing the white line and over-correcting.
Jones failed a roadside breath tested and later blew a reading of 60 micrograms in 100 ml of breath – the legal limit is 35, she added.
The court was told Jones, a farm worker, was a man of previous good character with no convictions.
He was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £165 plus total prosecution and court costs of £255.
Mr Oliver Nicholas, for Jones, said that his client had “genuinely forgotten about his court date” and had been arrested and held in custody after he had failed to appear in court.
He said that Jones had been to the pub that evening, but had walked to the premises and even walked home, only to find he had been locked out of his house in Gabowen by his parents - and did not have his keys.
Mr Nicholas said Jones had decided to drive the short distance to Oswestry to stay with a friend.
He said his client, who had a young child, would be hit by the ban as he had been looking for work outside the area which would have entailed the use of a car.
“For the sake of driving round to his friend’s to get some sleep, he’s attracted a driving ban, affected his employment and likely some fines as well,” said Mr Nicholas.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-news/2015/07/20/taxi-driver-flashed-lights-to-warn-police-of-drunk-motorist/
---------------------------------------------
UBER AUS.
A court case testing the legality of UberX's ride-sharing service in Victoria has taken a dramatic turn, with the Taxi Services Commission ambushing a driver inside a courtroom on Monday.
Magistrate Julian Ayers of the Melbourne Magistrates Court was hearing the long-running case between the Taxi Services Commission and 15 UberX drivers who were caught in a sting last August.
The Commission sent a staff member into the courtroom during a break in proceedings to serve Nathan Brenner of Caulfied North with three additional charges. Last August Mr Brenner was charged with operating a commercial passenger vehicle without a licence and has become the lead test case for the courts to determine whether the service is legal here.
Mr Brenner's barrister, Peter Haag, watched the TSC serving his client inside the Magistrate's courtroom and said it was not allowed. The man went outside, returned and then re-read three charges to Mr Brenner, who responded by talking loudly over the man so he couldn't hear the charges. Mr Brenner refused to take the charge sheet, which then lay on the courtroom floor until the matter was adjourned some time later.
The additional charges include being the owner of a commercial passenger vehicle and that vehicle being used without a licence or permit. Being the driver of a commercial passenger vehicle without a licence or permit and driving a commercial passenger vehicle without accreditation.
When court resumed Mr Haag argued serving papers inside a courtroom was not allowed.
"There are common law principals that apply," he said. "I have never seen that happen in 30 years inside a courtroom."
Magistrate Ayers asked the barristers to work out between themselves if charges could in fact be served inside a courtroom.
"It beggars belief that this could be the subject of serious legal argument in this day and age," he said, adding it was "disappointing" the issue had arisen.
The original charge may now be struck out if "these charges were in on the file", barrister for the TSC, Morgan McLay, told the court. And it was likely 14 other drivers charged in TSC's sting would also be served with additional charges, he said.
The case has already been going for several months and was heard for three days last week with little progress. It continues on Monday afternoon.
UberX drivers use their own cars to ferry passengers around, using the Uber app to find and locate passengers. Uber also operates the legal hire car service Uber Black, with drivers and vehicles that have been accredited by the TSC.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/taxi-commission-ambushes-uberx-driver-inside-melbourne-courtroom-20150720-gig8rh.html
ANOTHER former taxi trade representative has waded into the row over rogue drivers and has claimed: "The situation is no better in Poole."
Mike Gale, an independent driver for 37 years, said his decision to leave the business had been due to a "complete lack of enforcement" by the Borough of Poole and persistent problems with a handful of drivers flouting the rules.
He spoke out after John Tye stood down as the taxi trade representative in Bournemouth, claiming he could no longer represent a trade "of which he was ashamed."
He said a minority of rogue drivers were ripping-off customers, being aggressive to passengers and flouting rules but facing no enforcement action from Bournemouth council.
Mr Gale, who for several years represented independent drivers in Poole, said the situation was no different there.
"Over the last 18 months I've taken photographs of Bournemouth taxis parked on Poole ranks and nothing has been done," he said.
"I quit because I had just about had enough of people getting away with it."
He called for Poole council to introduce "mystery shoppers" to catch rogue drivers and said: "If they had done this during the Sandbanks polo weekend they would have caught numerous offenders.
"All people want to do is go home so you get loads of private hire vehicles stopping to pick up passengers from the street, which they are not allowed to do and not insured to do.
"Unfortunately it feels like nothing will be done until something goes badly wrong."
Nick Phillips, accessibility team leader at the Borough of Poole, said: "There is no evidence to suggest that unlicensed taxi and private hire drivers are being used in Poole and so at present we will not be making use of ‘mystery travellers’.
"We do however co-ordinate enforcement activities with both the Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to randomly stop and check taxis in the town.
"These enforcement operations enable both vehicle roadworthiness and driver details to be checked and continue to show that we have an excellent standard of compliance in our town.
"We will investigate any customer complaints about taxi and private hire services and have a progressive enforcement policy if problems do occur. All drivers undergo an additional DVSA driving assessment before licensing and an hour long knowledge test of the roads of the borough, this is on top of a DBS check and medical. This ensures that drivers are of a suitable standard at first licensing and so complaints are therefore rare."
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13464666.Problem_of_rogue_taxi_drivers__just_as_bad_in_Poole___former_driver_claims/?ref=rss
------------------------------------
Taxi driver flashed lights to warn police of drunk motorist « Shropshire Star
A quick-thinking taxi driver alerted police to a drunk driver by flashing his lights as he passed a patrol, a court was told.
As police pulled out to follow the vehicles the taxi driver pulled over, allowing them to tail 21-year-old Matthew Jones as he swerved across lines on the A5.
Jones, of Cresswell Crescent Gabowen, pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol when he appeared at Telford Magistrates Court.
He also admitted one charge of failing to surrender to bail having missed his first scheduled court appearance on July 14.
Mrs Katie Price, prosecuting, said Jones had slurred his words when speaking to police after they pulled him over at 2am on June 26.
She said that a taxi driver heading south on the A5 from Chirk had become worried about the way in which the Vauxhall Astra in front of him was being driven and, noticing a police car waiting at the side of the road, began to flash his lights to get their attention.
She said that once officers had got behind Jones’ vehicle they observed it swerving side to side, crossing the white line and over-correcting.
Jones failed a roadside breath tested and later blew a reading of 60 micrograms in 100 ml of breath – the legal limit is 35, she added.
The court was told Jones, a farm worker, was a man of previous good character with no convictions.
He was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £165 plus total prosecution and court costs of £255.
Mr Oliver Nicholas, for Jones, said that his client had “genuinely forgotten about his court date” and had been arrested and held in custody after he had failed to appear in court.
He said that Jones had been to the pub that evening, but had walked to the premises and even walked home, only to find he had been locked out of his house in Gabowen by his parents - and did not have his keys.
Mr Nicholas said Jones had decided to drive the short distance to Oswestry to stay with a friend.
He said his client, who had a young child, would be hit by the ban as he had been looking for work outside the area which would have entailed the use of a car.
“For the sake of driving round to his friend’s to get some sleep, he’s attracted a driving ban, affected his employment and likely some fines as well,” said Mr Nicholas.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-news/2015/07/20/taxi-driver-flashed-lights-to-warn-police-of-drunk-motorist/
---------------------------------------------
UBER AUS.
A court case testing the legality of UberX's ride-sharing service in Victoria has taken a dramatic turn, with the Taxi Services Commission ambushing a driver inside a courtroom on Monday.
Magistrate Julian Ayers of the Melbourne Magistrates Court was hearing the long-running case between the Taxi Services Commission and 15 UberX drivers who were caught in a sting last August.
The Commission sent a staff member into the courtroom during a break in proceedings to serve Nathan Brenner of Caulfied North with three additional charges. Last August Mr Brenner was charged with operating a commercial passenger vehicle without a licence and has become the lead test case for the courts to determine whether the service is legal here.
Mr Brenner's barrister, Peter Haag, watched the TSC serving his client inside the Magistrate's courtroom and said it was not allowed. The man went outside, returned and then re-read three charges to Mr Brenner, who responded by talking loudly over the man so he couldn't hear the charges. Mr Brenner refused to take the charge sheet, which then lay on the courtroom floor until the matter was adjourned some time later.
The additional charges include being the owner of a commercial passenger vehicle and that vehicle being used without a licence or permit. Being the driver of a commercial passenger vehicle without a licence or permit and driving a commercial passenger vehicle without accreditation.
When court resumed Mr Haag argued serving papers inside a courtroom was not allowed.
"There are common law principals that apply," he said. "I have never seen that happen in 30 years inside a courtroom."
Magistrate Ayers asked the barristers to work out between themselves if charges could in fact be served inside a courtroom.
"It beggars belief that this could be the subject of serious legal argument in this day and age," he said, adding it was "disappointing" the issue had arisen.
The original charge may now be struck out if "these charges were in on the file", barrister for the TSC, Morgan McLay, told the court. And it was likely 14 other drivers charged in TSC's sting would also be served with additional charges, he said.
The case has already been going for several months and was heard for three days last week with little progress. It continues on Monday afternoon.
UberX drivers use their own cars to ferry passengers around, using the Uber app to find and locate passengers. Uber also operates the legal hire car service Uber Black, with drivers and vehicles that have been accredited by the TSC.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/taxi-commission-ambushes-uberx-driver-inside-melbourne-courtroom-20150720-gig8rh.html
Saturday 18 July 2015
The Taxi of Tomorrow will become the standard cab on New York City’s streets starting on Sept. 1, the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission announced on Friday.
After a yearslong legal battle, most taxi owners will be required to switch to the Nissan NV200 model, also known as the Taxi of Tomorrow, when they retire their cabs. The State Court of Appeals ruled last month that the city had the authority to pick a taxi model, ending a challenge by opponents of the vehicle.
The taxi commission had set April 20 as the start for the new vehicle rules, but the Court of Appeals granted a stay in March to temporarily halt those efforts while it decided the case. Taxi owners can also choose certain hybrid or wheelchair-accessible vehicles, depending on the type of medallion they have.
Hundreds of taxi owners have already moved to the boxy NV200, which has sliding doors and room for four passengers. Commission officials estimate that the model could eventually make up as much as 80 percent of the fleet of about 13,500 yellow taxis.
The Bloomberg administration chose the NV200 as the Taxi of Tomorrow in 2011. But the Greater New York Taxi Association, a taxi group, sued, arguing that the city overstepped its authority by trying to force drivers to buy a certain vehicle model.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/18/nyregion/taxi-of-tomorrow-will-be-new-york-citys-standard-cab-starting-sept-1.html?_r=0
-------------------------------------------
A TAXI driver is under investigation after they were filmed driving on the wrong side of the road and the wrong way around a mini-roundabout.
Crawley Borough Council is deciding whether to take any action against the Hackney Carriage driver who is licensed in the town after he was caught on camera performing the dangerous manoeuvre in Turners Hill.
Footage shows the taxi going the wrong way around the mini-roundabout on Selsfield Road before driving on the wrong side of the road around a pedestrian crossing island.
http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/VIDEOL-Crawley-taxi-driver-investigation-campaign/story-26899782-detail/story.html#ixzz3gGTTP7BT
-------------------------------
A man in his fifties sustained serious head and chest injuries after a collision with a taxi in Birmingham city centre last night.
An ambulance crew were called to the collision in Hollies Croft, Edgbaston at around 11.30pm.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Medics arrived to find a pedestrian had been in collision with a taxi in Birmingham city centre last night".
The man was placed on a spinal board and anaesthetised before being taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
http://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2015-07-18/man-seriously-injured-after-being-hit-by-a-taxi-in-birmingham-city-centre/
----------------------------
Friday 17 July 2015
CLYDEBANK
A TAXI driver was left traumatised after yobs smashed her vehicle’s windscreen with an ORANGE while she was driving.
SHOCKED: Theresa Martin’s taxi was struck — smashing her front windscreen on an early hours drive.
Theresa Martin was driving along Glasgow Road in Clydebank in the early hours of Thursday, July 9 when a black car approached and suddenly her window shattered.
The 58-year-old was given the fright of her life and nearly came off the road after being covered in glass particles.
Theresa had no idea what caused the impact but police investigated the stretch of road between Hardgate and Faifley and discovered that the missile was a large orange.
The mum-of-two, of Parkhall, told the Post: “It was a shock for that to happen — I could have been killed if I was going any faster.
“It smashed my whole window through, taking me completely by surprise. These idiots shouldn’t be allowed to get away with doing things like this to people.”
Theresa told the Post how she loves her job but has been left upset by the whole incident, and now has to foot a repair bill for her windscreen.
The married mum, who works with First Taxis in Bearsden, cannot afford to take much time off despite needing to relax after the incident.
Police told Theresa if she was going any faster the missile would have put the whole window through. Being startled while driving faster may have ended in a serious road accident.
After being struck she slammed on the brakes and executed an emergency stop.
She continued: “You don’t expect something to come flying out a car and smash your front windscreen.
“Thank god I didn’t have anyone in the car, someone could have been killed.
“They don’t realise what they’re doing to people who’re just trying to earn a living, people just like them.
“I love my job and I’m not going to let these idiots on the road make me stop or be scared to go out working.”
http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2015/07/16/539176-clydebank-taxi-driver-attacked-by-orange/
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Compulsory CCTV cameras proposed for Manchester cabbies
All taxis in Manchester could be forced to install CCTV cameras under a town hall campaign to improve passenger safety.
Council chiefs believe the move would help reassure people using cabs in the city, particularly on their way home from a night out.
But cabbies have warned the extra cost would put added pressure on an already struggling industry.
The council currently operates a voluntary CCTV scheme and gives drivers a list of recommended firms to use.
If the new proposal is agreed, the council would become Greater Manchester’s first authority to make cameras compulsory.
That could be extended to both black cabs and private hire cars, although it is understood hackney carriages are the prime focus.
Operators would need to pay for the cameras themselves.
Coun Nigel Murphy, executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “We are always looking at ways in which we can make people feel safer when they get home from nights out in the city centre.
“We are looking into measures including giving extra training to all drivers, as well as putting CCTV cameras in taxis.
“We’ve already set up a voluntary scheme enabling taxi operators to set up CCTV in their cars, and have provided an approved list of suppliers, but we will now look into whether installing cameras in all vehicles would make passengers feel safer.
“This idea is at a very early stage, and if we decided to go ahead with this we would of course need to ask drivers and members of the public for their views, as well as looking closely at what has happened in other cities that have introduced similar schemes.”
There are already a few authorities in other parts of the country also looking at such a move, including Edinburgh and Warrington. Rotherham is also considering the move in the wake of the town’s grooming scandal.
But Les Reid, who represents 70 Manchester black cab drivers, said: “The problem is the trade is under massive financial pressure.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/taxis-manchester-fit-cctv-cameras-9673086
A TAXI driver was left traumatised after yobs smashed her vehicle’s windscreen with an ORANGE while she was driving.
SHOCKED: Theresa Martin’s taxi was struck — smashing her front windscreen on an early hours drive.
Theresa Martin was driving along Glasgow Road in Clydebank in the early hours of Thursday, July 9 when a black car approached and suddenly her window shattered.
The 58-year-old was given the fright of her life and nearly came off the road after being covered in glass particles.
Theresa had no idea what caused the impact but police investigated the stretch of road between Hardgate and Faifley and discovered that the missile was a large orange.
The mum-of-two, of Parkhall, told the Post: “It was a shock for that to happen — I could have been killed if I was going any faster.
“It smashed my whole window through, taking me completely by surprise. These idiots shouldn’t be allowed to get away with doing things like this to people.”
Theresa told the Post how she loves her job but has been left upset by the whole incident, and now has to foot a repair bill for her windscreen.
The married mum, who works with First Taxis in Bearsden, cannot afford to take much time off despite needing to relax after the incident.
Police told Theresa if she was going any faster the missile would have put the whole window through. Being startled while driving faster may have ended in a serious road accident.
After being struck she slammed on the brakes and executed an emergency stop.
She continued: “You don’t expect something to come flying out a car and smash your front windscreen.
“Thank god I didn’t have anyone in the car, someone could have been killed.
“They don’t realise what they’re doing to people who’re just trying to earn a living, people just like them.
“I love my job and I’m not going to let these idiots on the road make me stop or be scared to go out working.”
http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2015/07/16/539176-clydebank-taxi-driver-attacked-by-orange/
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Compulsory CCTV cameras proposed for Manchester cabbies
All taxis in Manchester could be forced to install CCTV cameras under a town hall campaign to improve passenger safety.
Council chiefs believe the move would help reassure people using cabs in the city, particularly on their way home from a night out.
But cabbies have warned the extra cost would put added pressure on an already struggling industry.
The council currently operates a voluntary CCTV scheme and gives drivers a list of recommended firms to use.
If the new proposal is agreed, the council would become Greater Manchester’s first authority to make cameras compulsory.
That could be extended to both black cabs and private hire cars, although it is understood hackney carriages are the prime focus.
Operators would need to pay for the cameras themselves.
Coun Nigel Murphy, executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “We are always looking at ways in which we can make people feel safer when they get home from nights out in the city centre.
“We are looking into measures including giving extra training to all drivers, as well as putting CCTV cameras in taxis.
“We’ve already set up a voluntary scheme enabling taxi operators to set up CCTV in their cars, and have provided an approved list of suppliers, but we will now look into whether installing cameras in all vehicles would make passengers feel safer.
“This idea is at a very early stage, and if we decided to go ahead with this we would of course need to ask drivers and members of the public for their views, as well as looking closely at what has happened in other cities that have introduced similar schemes.”
There are already a few authorities in other parts of the country also looking at such a move, including Edinburgh and Warrington. Rotherham is also considering the move in the wake of the town’s grooming scandal.
But Les Reid, who represents 70 Manchester black cab drivers, said: “The problem is the trade is under massive financial pressure.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/taxis-manchester-fit-cctv-cameras-9673086
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