Uber is officially set to launch in Stockton-on-Tees.
TeessideLive reports that the ride-hailing app has confirmed that it will be rolling out rides to passengers across the town, following a huge surge in demand.
Bosses say over 4,500 local residents have been opening the Uber app looking for a trip every week.
Uber first arrived on Teesside in the form of the 'Local Cab' option back in 2021, which allowed customers to book a taxi through the Uber app by connecting them with local taxi firm Skyline Taxis. But it is now finally launching in full across Stockton, the second new town for the firm since 2017.
The company has not yet confirmed how far across Stockton it will cover.
Rumours of Uber launching on Teesside have swirled for years, with Teesside Live reporting in 2016 how the company sadly had no plans to launch the taxi service in Middlesbrough - despite previously saying it was a location it had looked at for future expansion.
However, Uber Eats is already in place across several locations on Teesside and has been for several years.
To celebrate the Uber launch in Stockton, riders across the town can enjoy up to £20 off their next two rides until April 7, 2024.
Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK, said: “We are extremely proud to launch Uber in Stockton where we have been seeing increased demand for our services.
"By bringing Uber to the town we want to help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers, boost transport options for passengers, and support the local economy.”
Muhammad, a private hire driver who has already signed up for Uber in Stockton, said: “Uber offers private hire owner drivers abundant opportunities to not only earn but also thrive in their profession.
"By encouraging more drivers to join, Uber contributes to the economic growth of local communities, fostering greater connectivity and accessibility.
"Overall, I encourage private hire owner drivers to embrace this opportunity with Uber, as it promises not just financial benefits but also a positive impact on the broader community."
Source: https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/uber-finally-announces-long-awaited-28891411
Central London streets are set to be safer and calmer as new laws to end the blight of unlicensed pedicabs in London passed on 26 March.
The Pedicabs (London) Bill gives TfL powers to crack down on rogue pedicab drivers by regulating fares and improving safety standards – bringing the industry into line with other forms of transport in the capital.
The bill, which is set to receive royal assent in the coming weeks, aims to close a legal loophole that has meant the industry in London is not regulated, exposing some customers – including tourists – to eyewatering fares, dangerous driving and antisocial behaviour on the city’s streets.
Through the new law, TfL will be able to decide when, where and how many pedicabs can operate to ensure they do not cause a hazard to pedestrians and other motorists.
Drivers in breach of this legislation could face having their licence revoked, their pedicab confiscated or a fine of up to £2,500.
Roads and Local Transport Minister, Guy Opperman, said: "For too long, rogue pedicabs have taken advantage of the lack of rules around fares and licensing, so we’re taking action to close that loophole.
"We know this issue has caused real concerns about the impact on safety and traffic, from clogging up bus lanes to blaring loud music, and this common-sense law will help to put businesses at ease and end the chaos in hotspots like Soho and Covent Garden."
The Pedicabs (London) Bill will enable TfL to regulate London’s pedicabs and protect passengers by:
Ros Morgan, Chief Executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, said: "We are delighted to see the Pedicabs Bill take its final steps towards becoming law today.
"Without regulation, pedicabs have been a menace to London. With regulation, they could prove to be a safe and environmental means of travel.
"We look forward to working with TfL, which will enforce the regulations, to ensure that the scheme works for the capital."
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-to-put-the-brakes-on-nuisance-pedicabs
A total of 13 new measures have been voted through by borough councillors at the latest full meeting of Pendle Council to improve vehicle safety.
The Lancashire Telegraph reports that it comes after unannounced taxi safety checks in November and January found high failure rates with issues including worn tyres, brake problems, loose wheel nuts, loose batteries, faulty lights, seal belts and fluid leaks.
Taxi safety enforcement has been a source of debate, concern and disagreement between officials, councillors and the trade for some years.
Updated licensing powers including penalty points and licence reviews for taxi drivers or company owners responsible for breaches, ranging from spot-check failures to multiple vehicle breaches by taxi firms over a year, have been backed by councillors.
Drivers and company owners in some situations will have to appear before Pendle’s Taxi Licensing Committee for licence reviews.
A mobile phone app is to be introduced for daily vehicle checks with penalties for those who do not use it.
There will also be penalties for people who lie or are ‘untruthful’ about taxi safety checks.
Another measure is to extend taxi knowledge tests to include a test on the basic mechanics of cars.
The taxi trade has opposed introducing an app and had disagreements over who its own representatives are.
Lib Dem Cllr David Whipp, the deputy council leader, said: “I think this new report makes excellent suggestions. Recent checks have picked up a significant number of defects. If daily checks had been properly followed, the number of defects would have reduced significantly.”
Con Cllr Kieran McGladdery, who has raised taxi safety fears and frustrations a number of times in recent years, said: “I am absolutely delighted with this. It has been an ongoing issue and I have had some fierce debates. These changes should make an immediate improvement. Thank you for eventually getting to this decision.”
Labour Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said: “Cllr McGladdery is right to say there has been fierce debate. The failure rate was truly shocking under him. Taxi businesses have been given a warning and incidents have reduced. Some offenders have been dealt with by the taxi committee.
“But some of these new recommendations will put significant pressure on the committee. If taxi drivers are to be sent to the committee for not doing their daily checks, where are the resources going to come from? The committee needs to be capable of dealing with a surge of cases.
“Also there has not been recent consultation with the taxi trade, such as with training and the magical app. We had a presentation about the app from a Burnley company. But, as far as I’m aware, the council has never gone out to tender on this.
"There should be transparency. We should not just give a contract to a certain company.”
Ind Cllr Yasser Iqbal said: “I agree in principle about this. But it’s the app I have some issues with and also with recent consultation.
“Taxi drivers may properly check their vehicle in the morning but then suffer some damage if they hit a pothole, for example. This would not show on the app. Or a light bulb going out or whatever. But an inspector would find it later in the day. This type of situation needs some thought.
“Also is the app good value for money? Have we asked anyone else about apps? It has been railroaded through. Has it been properly looked at?”
Cllr Whipp added: “No disrespect to Councillor McGladdery but I think there was an aggressive approach to driving this through, which I don’t think helped. But there has been progress. Clearly, the taxi trade is hostile to this but I think there has been dialogue.”
He added: “Some people have spoken about improvements to vehicle failure rates. But 50 per cent is still too high.
"Training with the app needs to be addressed. Hopefully, with safety improvements and the trade responding, there will be less failures and less of a surge of work for the taxi committee than perhaps expected. We need to grasp this nettle.”
Cabbies defecating in bushes and on streets near Heathrow Airport have pushed Spelthorne Council to act. New restrictions ban tents, barbecues and cabbies parking in problem areas.
SurreyLive reports that tents, barbecues and cab parking will be banned to prevent anti-social behaviour in a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) by Spelthorne Council. Warnings, fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £1,000, and potential prosecution for offenders was agreed as part of the PSPO at a Spelthorne committee meeting held on March 21.
The crackdown seeks to end what residents describe as a "horrendous" situation where they've had to tolerate people "weeing and pooing" in public areas near their homes.
According to the council, cab drivers waiting to pick up Heathrow fares have often relieved themselves in bushes, hedgerows and on village streets despite available toilet facilities nearby. Stanwell and Stanwell Moor communities closest to the airport say they have borne the brunt of this antisocial behaviour, with one resident saying they felt unsafe even challenging the offending cab drivers.
Stanwell residents said in response to the consultation: “We want our village back” and “Enough is enough”. One respondent said they had challenged private hire drivers for dropping litter and felt they are “putting [their] personal safety at risk”. Others said some drivers have been verbally “aggressive” towards them.
An email from a Spelthorne Litter Pickers trustee said: “What residents have to tolerate [...] I could not mentally process. People weeing and pooing outside where they live? It must be horrendous.”
Vehicles will be allowed to pick up or drop off a fare within the prohibited area, if the company operating the vehicle is based in, or the driver lives in, the exclusion area.
The committee gladly welcomed the PSPO, with one ward councillor stating: “For the residents to have some peace and quiet for once knowing there’s something in place with these unfortunate taxi drivers moved on.”
Heathrow Airport agreed with the council’s proposed measures for a zone in Stanwell Moor and surrounding areas where cab drivers will not be allowed to park. Receiving regular feedback from residents, the airport was aware of the persistent anti-social behaviour issues.
Heathrow said in response to the consultation: “Littering, urination and defecation are detrimental acts of harm to the local community, but they are of considerable harm to the environment and the delicate ecosystem around Stanwell Moor.”
The banning of tents or shelters is also proposed, which aims to limit littering, public urination and defecation caused by people using the tents on public land. Meeting documents state: "The proposed PSPO seeks to protect the community from the detrimental effect on the quality of life" from those "continuing unreasonable behaviours".
There have been reports of people staying in tents on public land and using areas of parks as a toilet. Specialist cleaning companies have had to be deployed on several occasions, costing the council £1,000 per clean, the council stated.
Concerns were raised on the potential effect on the homeless if tents were banned. Officers said enforcement action will not be taken against rough sleepers in tents unless all offers of assistance have been refused, and reports of anti-social behaviour are received.
Council officers said there will be discretion in the enforcement of the rules.
Enforcement officers from the council and Surrey Police will be given further powers to deal with the highlighted issues. Coming into force in 2024, the PSPO will last for at least three years.
Around 70% of 349 respondents agreed with the proposals in a consultation held between January 2-31 this year. Surrey Police, Heathrow Airport and Staines Moor Masters were also involved in the consultation.
Source: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/cab-drivers-slammed-over-horrendous-28869094
Veezu, the UK’s biggest and fastest-growing private hire firm, is extending its reach further south with the acquisition of Aqua Cars in Portsmouth.
The acquisition opens new horizons for Aqua, promising an elevated private hire experience for its driver-partners and their passengers.
Launched in 2013, Veezu invests heavily in data, technology, and infrastructure to ensure that hyperlocal private hire operators, such as Aqua Cars, remains part of their community, without compromising the passenger experience.
Aqua Cars’ head office in Portsmouth will become part of the Veezu Group, alongside Bridge Cars in Gosport and Andi Cars in Havant.
Ronnie Leng, Co-Owner of Aqua Cars, said: "Joining forces with Veezu is a natural next step for us to further support our local community by improving the passenger experience.
"The implementation of new technologies will ensure a more reliable, safe, and easy service for passengers and will aid more than 600 drivers with whom we partner across the region.”
Arnie Singh Chief Operations Officer of Veezu, said: "We’re so pleased to welcome the whole Aqua team to Veezu. Their reputation for excellence proceeds them and is one we will maintain throughout the partnership.
"As our first acquisition of 2024, following a number of successful acquisitions last year including Britannia Taxis in Merseyside, it highlights that our growth strategy continues.
"We’re thrilled to expand further south and develop our strong network of areas across the UK.”
The ride-hailing app has confirmed that it will be rolling out rides to passengers across the town, following a huge surge in demand.
A bill to allow pedicabs in London to be regulated has passed Parliament which will improve safety standards and help put an end to dangerous driving and antisocial behaviour in London hotspots.
New measures to improve taxi safety in Pendle have been welcomed and backed by borough councillors.
Enforcement seeks to crackdown on littering, property damage, defecation and urination on public land and in communities close to Heathrow Airport.
Veezu, the UK’s biggest and fastest-growing private hire firm, is extending its reach further south with the acquisition of Aqua Cars in Portsmouth.
Ibraheem Khan, 27, pounced on Abdelella Yousif in Glasgow’s St George’s Cross on November 13, 2022.
A thug and his friends ambushed a taxi driver following a row over paying with cash.
The district council is currently running a public consultation into the changes to its policy, which covers the application process, ages of vehicles used, DBS checks, and signage.
Bridlington and local residents who are looking for a new career are being urged to consider becoming licensed private hire or taxi drivers.
The problems were identified in a series of spot-checks on licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, with police stressing the majority of vehicles checked were up to standard.