A major South Wales taxi company will be allowed to display its branding in Cardiff despite the concerns of competitors in the city.
WalesOnline reports that Newport-based Veezu was granted permission by Cardiff Council on Wednesday, October 25 to be exempt from a condition which restricts the size of the livery which private hire vehicles can display.
Exterior advertising is permitted on the outside rear door panels of private hire vehicles in Cardiff provided it does not exceed the dimensions of the panel and is restricted to one advertisement only.
Veezu, which owns Cardiff-based Dragon Taxis, made a proposal for the livery on its Cardiff vehicles to cover a larger proportion of the vehicle than the rear door.
Unite's Cardiff representatives committee wrote to the council saying that allowing exceptions to uniformity among taxis in the city may lead to a "fragmented and potentially confusing experience for passengers".
The committee also raised concerns about the potential of an unfair economic advantage being given to Veezu and for a precedent to be set.
A letter from the committee states: "This could lead to an array of different vehicle appearances, potentially complicating enforcement and oversight for the council."
In response to queries about the potential for competitors to be economically disadvantaged members of Cardiff Council's public protection committee were told on Wednesday that other operators are free to make the same application to the council that Veezu did.
Explaining the benefit of having vehicles wrapped in the Veezu livery company representative Katie Oram told the meeting: "Cardiff is very [popular] for customers to come to on a night out... wrapped vehicles will provide assurances to them that they are going into a licensed vehicle. It just gives them that feeling of being safe."
An independent research group carried out market evaluation of the proposed wrapping on the vehicle, bringing in participants from Veezu's passenger base and other taxi passengers from the same area.
In a letter to the council Veezu said: "We believe that [the] higher the instant recognition of a pre-booked vehicle is, safeguarding and general standards of personal safety, particularly for women, vulnerable groups, and people with visual impairments are significantly enhanced."
Source: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/dragon-taxis-owner-veezu-granted-27990942
A private hire driver has been ordered to pay over £2,000 after admitting plying for hire following an undercover safety operation led by Telford & Wrekin Council.
The Shropshire Star repoprts that Telford Magistrates' Court heard how during an evening enforcement exercise earlier this year Muhammad Qasim, 30, from Telford, was approached by council officers in High Street, Newport, and agreed to give them a ride to the Clock Tower in Donnington.
Officers identified Qasim’s vehicle as one licensed by Shropshire Council.
The defendant pleaded guilty to plying for hire and driving without valid insurance when he appeared before magistrates on Monday October 23.
He was fined £500, ordered to pay £1,250 costs and a £200 victim surcharge and given six penalty points on his driving licence.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “This is another successful prosecution of a private hire driver who chose to break the law and put the safety of passengers at risk.
“Illegally plying for hire and driving without insurance are serious offences because we cannot check if the driver and their vehicle are safe to transport passengers.
“We will continue to work in partnership with West Mercia Police and neighbouring local authorities to clamp down on taxi drivers who show disregard for the rules and undermine the vast majority of drivers who do stick to them.”
Market Drayton taxi driver John Brockhurst of Basil’s Taxi has been asked to remove the cross of St George symbol from his hackney carriage because it does not comply with Shropshire Council’s rules around advertising.
ShropshireLive reports that Mr Brockhurst has used the vehicle for four years and says: “The symbols were put on my car to make it stand out. I’m a proud Englishman who has served over 40 years in the military. I have served Queen and country prior to starting my own business.
"I am supported by the local people, most of whom know me as an ex soldier which is why i wanted to display the flag”.
Shropshire Council says the vehicle is not compliant with the requirement that advertisements on hackney carriage vehicles must not include any political symbols, flags or emblems.
Mr Brockhurst says he plans to appeal the decision, but has obliged with the request to remove the symbols.
Cllr Chris Schofield, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and regulatory services said: “Mr Brockhurst presented his hackney carriage for a routine compliance check when it was noted that his vehicle was displaying England flags on the nearside and offside rear windows and a Union Jack on the bonnet.
“The display of the flags on Mr Brockhurst’s vehicle was reviewed against Shropshire Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2023-2027 and it was found that his vehicle was not compliant with the policy, which clearly states that advertisements on hackney carriage vehicles must not include any political symbols, flags, or emblems.
“Following advice from the Council’s licensing team, Mr Brockhurst acted promptly to remove the flags and the Council is now satisfied that Mr Brockhurst’s vehicle is complaint with the relevant policy requirements.
“If Mr Brockhurst wishes to appeal the Council’s decision, he can do so, and this will be determined in accordance with normal licensing procedures.”
A taxi driver was kicked by a passenger wearing a Navy uniform in an argument over a fare in Helensburgh, say police.
According to the Helensburgh Advertiser, police say the driver was assaulted by the passenger in East Abercromby Street at around 11.45pm on Tuesday, October 17.
An appeal for information has been launched as police in Helensburgh try to track down the person responsible.
The passenger has been described as a white man, 25-35 years old with short dark hair and a groomed beard.
According to police, it's believed that at the time of the offence the suspect was wearing a Navy uniform, and that he kicked the taxi driver several times before making off from the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 and to ask for Helensburgh police office.
A North Wales council has slammed an unnamed taxi firm for sub-contracting school pick-ups.
Conwy County Borough Council said it was "unacceptable" for a contracted school transport provider to let another firm undertake the jobs.
NorthWalesLive reports that the council insisted there were no "safeguarding" risks as the subcontractors were "legitimate" and licenced firms and that all taxi drivers are subjected to police and DBS safety checks.
But concerns were raised that parents may not have known who had taken their children to and from school.
A council spokeswoman said: "We are aware that a school transport provider asked another operator to undertake some journeys.
"That operator was a legitimate firm, and as such there was no safeguarding risk to passengers."
She added: "However, this doesn't make it acceptable; the original contractor should have submitted a sub-contracting request as per the terms and conditions of their contract with Conwy County Borough Council.
"When such issues are reported, they are reviewed as a matter of course, as part of routine contract management."
Source: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/school-taxi-firm-slammed-sub-27966660
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French taxi drivers are calling for government compensation after suffering significant revenue losses during the Paris Olympics.
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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.