Jersey's most senior police officer is under pressure from taxi drivers to resign after he made controversial comments about how to tackle the issue of illegal ride-sharing.
ITV News reports that Robin Smith told a panel of politicians that "enforcement will not fix" the issue of so-called "lifts" and added it is "not black and white".
The island's Taxi Drivers Association responded in "total disbelief", saying it "raises serious concerns about the commitment of the local police force to uphold the law".
The group added: "If our current Police Chief cannot enforce our laws, then he is in the wrong job and he should resign."
Mr Smith declined to comment on the calls for his resignation.
It comes as an ITV News investigation has uncovered how hundreds of these trips are being organised through social media groups each month.
The issue has been ongoing for more than a decade, with strangers offering rides for money without the proper licences or checks.
Those who ask for a lift from strangers say they are more available and cheaper than legitimate taxis, especially at peak times.
Authorities have previously warned residents repeatedly over safety concerns but ITV News has discovered how these popular rides are still being run in plain sight.
The most prominent ride-sharing group has around 12,000 members - more than 10% of Jersey's population - with requests for school pick-ups, hospital drop-offs and even lifts from the police station.
'Maya' - whose name we have changed - offers lifts through the group and says it can be a vital source of income during the current cost of living crisis.
She explained: "It really helps you out, it can save you during some months.
"I don't know if it's fully legal or not, I don't know what the repercussions would be."
People offering lifts for profit - above £0.60 per mile - are breaking the law in Jersey as they are deemed to be operating a cab service without the correct licence, which also invalidates their insurance.
In a statement, Jersey Police said: "We have an open working relationship with the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association and have met and discussed the issues associated.
"So far over 100 drivers believed to be partaking in [the group] have been identified and spoken with."
Police chief Robin Smith told ITV News officers recently arrested a man, 38, on suspicion of five motoring offences - including not having the "authority to drive public service vehicles" which is the charge associated with illegally providing commercial lifts.
He is due to appear before Jersey's Magistrates Court on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
The geographical "knowledge" test for taxi drivers in Bury is to be scrapped.
According to the Bury Times, to gain a taxi licence, drivers currently have to take a geographical test correctly identifying locations and the most direct routes in the borough.
Revised taxi standards agreed by the council will see the geographical element of the test thrown out due to "changes to modern practices and increased use of GPS equipment".
The council said the new standards would "maintain passenger and driver safety and support the licensed trade".
The decision followed a period of consultation with the public and the industry, and will cover drivers of both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.
The new standards also include changes to signs on vehicles.
The current knowledge test for cabbies in Bury sees them asked to pinpoint three locations using a map, face 15 questions on road names of where premises are located and recount two journeys by the shortest route between two specific locations from memory.
The new knowledge test would not have any geographical element but would be revised to cover other topics in greater depth which are relevant to public safety such as licence conditions, safeguarding and road signs.
The council said the changes were "aimed at modernising and reflecting changes in current operating practices".
New standards include the requirement for a rear passenger door sticker on each door, issued by the council, stating "private hire vehicle not insured unless pre-booked with operator".
Signs will need to be stuck permanently to all passenger windows and must contain the plate number, registration number, expiry date and the number of passengers the vehicle is licensed to carry.
Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills at the council, said: “We’ve worked closely with the licensed taxi trade and appreciate their co-operation in drawing up these changes, which reinforce our shared commitment to ensure that the service they provide meets the highest standards of safety for drivers and passengers alike.”
A spokesman for Bury Private Hire Drivers’ Association said: “The council’s dedication to reviewing policies demonstrates their understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of the taxi trade and their commitment to meeting the needs of both drivers and passengers.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the licensing service to create an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and the highest standard of service within the taxi industry.”
A council report approved by both members of the licensing committee and later the full council, said: “The knowledge test was introduced reflecting the technology at the time which was a reliance on physical maps and practical knowledge of the area.
“The licensing service is conscious of the rapid development of technology which it is accepted is widely used currently by the private hire trade.
“Furthermore, the council is committed to addressing concerns of the trade and members regarding decreasing numbers of licensed drivers in Bury and increasing numbers of licensed vehicles and drivers from ‘out of town’ areas.
“With readily accessible modern technology used by the trade, the licensing service believe that the geographic element of the knowledge test has been effectively rendered unnecessary.”
The new standards will come into effect for all new applications from January 1.
Source: https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/23970335.knowledge-test-taxi-drivers-bury-scrapped/
Additional taxi facilities have been introduced in Jersey for St Aubin and St Helier in time for the Christmas party season.
According to the Jersey Evening Post, a new weekend taxi rank has been set up in St Aubin after a consultation involving parish officials, the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association and the Infrastructure Minister.
The new rank will be on La Neuve Route adjacent to the public car park behind St Brelade’s Parish Hall, operating from 6pm to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12pm to 12am on Sundays.
In St Helier, the change will allow taxis to queue along Wharf Street on Friday and Saturday evenings from 10pm, to ensure a good supply of taxis are available at peak times at the main St Helier rank at the Weighbridge.
This will mean vehicles are unable to park in Wharf Street after 10pm on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The new arrangements came into effect on 1 December.
Source: https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2023/12/01/extra-taxi-ranks-for-st-helier-and-st-aubin/
A Gloucester taxi driver has released his very own Christmas song which has been years in the making.
Michael Ian Brown, 62, has been working with Associated Taxis on Barton Street for around five years.
GloucestershireLive reports that originally from Swindon, living in Gloucester for the past 20 years has made him go for something big and chase a huge dream to sing and spread some festive cheer this year.
Called Santa’s On His Way the single was released in October 2023 and at the time of publication has had 46 monthly listeners on Spotify.
With nobody knowing the full details of Michael’s singing qualities, he says that this will all be a surprise to friends and work colleagues.
Writing the first four lines in Tredworth 13 years ago, Michael said: “I started to write it again during Covid. I always wanted to do this as I wanted to finish something.
"There’s a lot of misery around at the moment so anything to brighten up people’s day is important.
"I played it to someone I know and I don't think he could believe it was me singing. It's all a little odd."
Explaining that the song was recorded in the Forest of Dean at Littledean, Michael taught himself to do a bit of mixing but got a helping hand at DB Recording Studio in Stroud where the song was engineered with some backing vocals too.
The next step then saw the song go to Abbey Road Studios to have it mastered, which Michael says is just the dream scenario.
Michael adds: “I remember as a lad having a picture taken on that famous zebra crossing when I was in a school band, so this does mean a lot. They did a great job in making me sound better!"
Still writing lots of songs, Michael also sings semi-professionally at pubs across the South West and he adds that his favourite singers at Christmas are Nat King Cole and Dean Martin.
Festive cheer at the most wonderful time of the year, you can find Michael’s Christmas song here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBMsb9DSX0o
A cabbie who came to the aid of a young woman who had an unknown substance thrown in her face said she looked like a burns victim.
TeessideLive reports that David Reidy has been called a hero after bouncers at Redcar's Aruba nightclub hailed him down and asked if he would get the stricken woman to hospital as soon as possible as they didn't know how long the ambulance was going to be.
Knowing time is of the essence with injuries like this, David drove the terrified woman, who he says was in agony, to James Cook Hospital as fast as he could.
Cleveland Police made an appeal for witnesses to the attack, which they say involved an unknown substance, to come forward.
Red-car Taxis, where David has worked for just four months, hailed the driver a hero on social media for helping the young woman.
David said of the young woman: "She was in a terrible state. She was in agony. I just got her in the car and drove as quickly as I could to hospital. I was really worried that she might have got some of the (substance) in her mouth."
He said the victim told her another woman had thrown something in her face, he said it had hit the side of her mouth and down her chin and neck.
David added: "It was terrible, it looked like someone had set her on fire, she looked like a burns victim.
"I felt so sorry for her. She was just a young lass." Although not a medic, David said he believes the injuries looked severe.
On its Facebook page Red-Car Taxis said: "Not all heroes wear capes but a well done to Reidy. It's a shame this has happened to her, we do all wish her a speedy recovery."
David Reidy replied on Facebook: "I wouldn’t call myself a hero, I just like to make sure people in our community are safe and get to where they need to be. But I have done what any other of our Red-Car taxi drivers would have done.
"We are ALL heroes in some sort of way as us drivers do like to go the extra mile. I’m just happy I was able to help when I could."
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: "We are appealing for information after a group of females assaulted another female at around 1.00am on Sunday, November 12, at Aruba nightclub on Redcar High Street.
"During the assault, an unknown substance was thrown at the victim's face causing multiple burns and she was taken to hospital for treatment. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.
"Officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with relevant footage to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 23224726."
Source: https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/hero-taxi-driver-raced-attack-28220208
French taxi drivers are calling for government compensation after suffering significant revenue losses during the Paris Olympics.
Coventry city centre has introduced a new taxi marshal service aimed at improving safety and efficiency for late-night revellers.
A court heard harrowing details of the moment a drink-driving uninsured motorist killed three people in a 90mph crash.
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was amongst the thousands who enjoyed the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle on 3 August.
Swindon residents could be facing a hike in taxi fares from October after councillors gave the green light to a £1 increase in the standard fare minimum charge.
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.