Black cab fares in Birmingham could soon rise as drivers grapple with the cost-of-living crisis.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has called on Birmingham City Council to increase ‘maximum chargeable fares’ to help drivers cope with rising costs and a decline in the number of hackney carriages.

The union's proposal includes:

• Increasing the first mile charge from £5.40 to £5.60
• Raising the mileage charge from £1.92 to £2.04
• Increasing waiting time charges to £1.78 per hour - a 10.5 per cent increase
• Adjusting fare times so days start at 7am instead of 4am
• Tariff two, which has higher mileage charges compared to tariff one, would apply from 10pm to 7am
• The initial charge would remain at £3.20
• Removing extra charges for bank holidays

The council's cabinet is set to approve the union's proposal next week, paving the way for a public consultation. A separate proposal from an individual driver, which included similar fare increases, was also considered but deemed less suitable.

The council's report states that the current tariff was last increased in 2022 and that it is necessary to balance the needs of both drivers and passengers.

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A predatory fake taxi driver who sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman in Leicester has been jailed.

Disturbing CCTV footage captured by police revealed how Ghulan Mohammed, 36, stalked his victim through the city centre for nearly an hour before luring her into his car.

The footage tracked the pair to multiple locations over a two-hour period, including Richard III Road, Pingle Street, and Swan Street.

The victim, who was intoxicated, made a desperate attempt to escape at a petrol station in the early hours of the morning. However, Mohammed persisted, eventually driving her to Leicester Forest East and stopping at a hotel car park on Hinckley Road.

The ordeal only ended when the victim's friends, who had tracked her phone, found her partially undressed, bruised, and muddy inside Mohammed's car.

Mohammed, who was also without trousers, attempted to persuade the victim to return to his vehicle.

Following his arrest, Mohammed denied any wrongdoing, claiming the victim had consented.

However, a week-long trial at Leicester Crown Court found him guilty of four sexual assaults, attempted rape, theft and four counts of fraud.

He was subsequently jailed for seven years and three months at Northampton Crown Court.

Maimuna Bappa, of the Crown Prosecution Service, highlighted the crucial role of CCTV and ANPR evidence in proving Mohammed's predatory behaviour.

She emphasised that the footage clearly demonstrated the victim's lack of consent.

Bappa praised the victim's courage in resisting the attack and assisting with the investigation and prosecution.

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Stockport taxi drivers are calling for urgent action to address abuse and intimidation they are suffering outside the town’s railway station.

The Stockport Taxi Association (STA) said drivers "don't feel safe" after a surge in incidents including verbal abuse, physical fights and damage to vehicles due to non-taxi drivers parking illegally in taxi ranks, bus stops and other restricted areas.

Tauqir Chaudhry, chairman of the STA, stated: “Every second day we get a crime reference number from the police. People regularly park their vehicles in unauthorised areas, leading to physical fights, injuries, and damage to vehicles.”

Asim Javed, a taxi driver for seven years, explained: “Sometimes we're about to move off and people are trying to get in and park next to us on the taxi rank. It's very dangerous.

"We just want the trouble to stop. It's about safety for drivers and other people who come here."

Waseem Saeed (pictured) a taxi driver of 14 years in Stockport, added: "Every driver here has been involved in some incident with other drivers, it happens every day.

"I've had it a few times myself. There has been physical fighting. If they put a camera here people would get tickets and it would stop."

To mitigate the problem, the STA is proposing several solutions, including:

• Physical barriers: similar to those at Manchester Piccadilly station.
• increased traffic warden patrols: to enforce parking regulations.
• additional CCTV cameras: to deter anti-social behaviour and aid in investigations.

Stockport Council has acknowledged the concerns raised by the taxi drivers and is currently reviewing potential safety measures.

Cllr Grace Baynham, the council’s transport lead, said: “We understand the challenges… and have increased enforcement in the area. While a taxi-only zone is challenging, we’re reviewing STA’s suggestions for further improvements.

"CCTV is already in place, and we encourage drivers to report any incidents to GMP for investigation.”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has also pledged to address the issue.

Insp Jason Holmwood, from GMP’s Stockport district, said: “When we receive reports of threatening behaviour and criminal damage, we endeavour to look at all available information with a view to taking the most appropriate action.”

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Derby residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the city’s deteriorating road conditions, which they say is costing them dearly.

Taxi drivers in particular are feeling the financial strain. Ian Wigley, a 36-year veteran of the trade, estimates that his repair costs have soared by 30% in the past two years due to the abundance of potholes.

“The roads aren’t good, our vehicles are tested every six months, so it puts the cost up and we’re spending a lot more on repairs,” he said.

Freedom of Information requests reveal a stark increase in pothole reports in recent years.

Over 1,093 potholes have been reported to Derby City Council since the start of 2024, compared to 1,172 in 2023 and 833 in 2022. The council has also paid out over £3,000 in the past year to settle pothole-related compensation claims.

While the council acknowledges the issue and has invested in road repairs, some residents remain unconvinced.

Martin Laycock, a lifelong Derby resident, believes that the current state of the roads is the worst he has ever seen. “The potholes coming into the city are terrible,” he said. “I had to get my suspension repaired twice last year and I suspect that the potholes are to blame.”

However, not everyone shares this view. Taxi driver Mo Imran believes that the roads he mainly uses are generally in good condition, although he states that some roads are really bad.

He is unhappy with the traffic congestion around the city’s flyover. “I've been a taxi driver for more than 10 years and I think that the traffic is the worst problem,” he said.

Derby City Council has received over £1.2 million in pothole funding from the Department for Transport.

The council plans to use this funding to improve the long-term condition of the roads, rather than just "aimlessly repairing potholes".

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A taxi driver left disabled and unable to work after a horrific crash with a speeding motorist has urged a judge not to jail the young offender.

Asgar Ali, who suffered life-changing injuries in the collision, expressed his belief that a prison sentence would have a detrimental impact on 20-year-old Max Street.

Preston Crown Court heard that Street was driving at more than twice the legal speed limit when his Skoda Fabia crashed into Mr Ali's Toyota Prius on April 28, 2023.

The incident occurred at a junction in Blackburn, where Street overtook another vehicle and accelerated into the oncoming lane.

Mr Ali, who was turning into a side road, thought he had enough time to make the manoeuvre, but due to the excessive speed he was driving, Street ploughed into the taxi.

Mr Ali was thrown from the vehicle and rolled along the pavement, suffering severe injuries, including a brain bleed and spinal fractures, muscle damage to his leg and spent three weeks in intensive care.

Other motorists stopped and called emergency services. Street was walking around saying the taxi had driven into him and the collision was not his fault, the court heard. 

His family described the devastating impact of the accident, highlighting his struggles with mobility, emotional distress, and the loss of his independence.

Despite his own suffering, Mr Ali's son emphasised the importance of rehabilitation for Street, stating: "My dad believes the driver should be punished, but he is young and made a mistake. My dad feels a custodial sentence would have a terrible impact on a young person's life."

Judge Richard Gioserano, sentencing, said: "What a contrast it is to you that the man who was injured still finds it in his heart to think about you when you can only think about yourself.

"You would do well to think about that Max Street and ask yourself what it says about you."

The judge said he had reached the conclusion there was not any real remorse shown by Street. He added: "Mr Ali was clearly caught by your speed that led him into a false belief he had all the time in the world to clear the junction.

"Given you were travelling at more than twice the speed limit - 70 in a 30, you were upon him in a flash. You could easily have killed him. He is fortunate not to have been killed and you are fortunate not to be standing in that dock facing death by dangerous driving."

However, Judge Gioserano said he felt there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation for Street, from Darwen.

He sentenced the defendant to 20 months suspended for two years with 15 days of rehabilitation activities and 250 hours of unpaid work.

He also banned Street from driving for three years and ordered he must take an extended retest if he wishes to get behind the wheel again.

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