Sheffield taxi drivers have announced plans not to renew their £700 annual permits in protest against the chaotic traffic conditions at the city's railway station.

The strike, which could cost East Midlands Railway up to £200,000, is set to commence unless the train operator addresses longstanding issues at the pick-up point.

The Sheffield Taxi Trade Association claims that members are subjected to hours of gridlock at busy times and private hire drivers blocking access to the taxi rank.

This, they say, leads to delays for passengers, missed trains and increased air pollution.

Nouman Khan, of taxi association, said access to the rank was regularly blocked by private hire drivers and motorists, leading to confrontations and verbal abuse. And years of complaints had been met with “empty promises” of action from EMR.

He added: “It’s time for EMR to step up and take responsibility for the situation at the station. We will continue to serve our passengers while advocating for the changes we need.

East Midlands Railway has defended its position, stating that as long as private hire drivers do not encroach on the protected taxi rank, they are not breaking the law.

The company also highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve access for disabled customers and reduce emissions.

An East Midlands Railway spokesperson said: “We are in regular dialogue with the drivers who use the taxi rank, and we are aware of the congestion issues that can occur at peak times.

“Our goal is to alleviate the existing congestion and enhance access for all station users, and we are continuing to work with our local partners to explore long-term solutions to these issues.”

However, the taxi drivers remain unsatisfied with the current situation, accusing EMR of ignoring their complaints and failing to take adequate action.

Nouman Khan emphasised the need for immediate improvements to ensure fair treatment for all drivers operating in the area.

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Hundreds of drivers gathered outside the Uber office in Nottingham at 2.30pm on Tuesday 22 October, to voice concerns over unfair fares.

Organiser of the protest, Abid Rashid, an Uber driver since 2017, highlighted the challenges faced by drivers, stressing the impact of decreased fares and increased costs.

He said: "It's about the Uber fares, they're not giving us the right fares. There is a new system and they are trying to get more money from customers and trying to take more commission for themselves."

He explained that a month ago he could expect to earn around £6 for a two-mile trip and now he receives as little as £3.80 for two miles.

Abid added: "It's not enough to cover expenditure."

The drivers claim a new algorithm judges the maximum that it can charge passengers and then checks what is the lowest fare a drivers can be paid.

He and his fellow drivers have created a WhatsApp group to speak about the situation and compare fares they earn, with more than 800 people now in the group

"It has to stop. We need Uber to talk to us and make our pay fair. We are doing everything possible to reach an agreement with them.

"Enough is enough and we are not accepting this anymore."

As well as protesters calling for transparency and fair pay to support their livelihoods and families they are also have a list of other demands. These include better support for drivers from Uber and the development of safety measures and protocols to protect drivers while on the road.

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A sting operation in Dudley has uncovered a minibus with a rotten chassis and another with no rear lights among 27 private hire vehicles and taxis inspected for school transport.

The operation took place at the Merry Hill Centre on October 21, focusing on vehicles transporting children to a nearby special school.

Unlike previous checks conducted at school sites, the sting operation was held at the center due to the number and size of vehicles involved.

Nick Slym, Dudley Council’s assistant team manager for licensing, explained that the checks were essential to ensure the safety of children being transported to school.

“We are checking to make sure vehicles are roadworthy, insurance and driving licences are in place, and all conditions of the licence are being upheld,” he said.

The vehicles were inspected by council officers, DVSA staff, and West Midlands Police officers.

All taxis/PHVs involved were from companies contracted to provide transport for children with special needs under strict conditions.

Andy Beaman, a transport officer with the borough’s travel support team, emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards for vehicles and operators.

“We require a standard from each vehicle and each operator,” he said. “We can go back now to parents and schools to show that all the vehicles have been checked and are roadworthy.”

In addition to the defective vehicles, the checks identified two illegal number plates, drivers without badges, and one driver without insurance.

Companies and drivers could face penalties, including criminal prosecution.

The two defective vehicles had their licences suspended and operators will need to demonstrate necessary repairs before they can be used again.

Councillor David Stanley, Dudley cabinet member for children’s services, emphasised the priority of children’s safety.

“Safety of our children and young people is paramount,” he said. “The majority of drivers and vehicles were found to have the standards expected, but there were a small number of drivers who were found to be contravening their licence.”

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A private hire driver has been fined £324 for refusing to take a fare that included a passenger and their assistance dog.

Milton Keynes City Council investigated after a complaint was made.

Krishnasamy Ananthan pleaded guilty to the offence at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court. He was fined £135, ordered to pay £135 in costs and a victim surcharge of £54.

The court heard that Ananthan deliberately refused to pick up a blind passenger who was accompanied by their guide dog.

Despite the booking clearly indicating the presence of the assistance dog, Ananthan chose to reject the fare. Magistrates concluded that he had the opportunity to refuse the booking in advance if he had a medical reason for doing so.

Ananthan’s driving licence will now be reviewed by Buckinghamshire Council, the authority that issued it.

Cllr Mick Legg, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, condemned Ananthan’s actions, stating that: “Refusing to take passengers with assistance dogs is not only illegal, but also deeply discriminatory.”

He emphasised that everyone has the right to access the same services and called on all taxi drivers to comply with the law and accommodate passengers according to their needs.

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A man from Johnstone has avoided prison after admitting to a series of break-ins targeting cars and taxis in the area.

Peter McDougall pleaded guilty to breaking into eight vehicles, many of which were cabs, stealing items valued at over £800.

The break-ins occurred between 3-18 September at various addresses in Linwood and Johnstone.

McDougall attributed his actions to a relapse into crack cocaine addiction.

Despite the significant value of the stolen items, none of them were recovered. The items included cash, sunglasses, clothing, bank cards, and a card reader.

McDougall's defence agent, David Nicholson, explained that his client had suffered a relapse after a six-year period of sobriety.

He emphasised McDougall's remorse and his commitment to returning to stability with the support of his family.

Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill acknowledged McDougall's previous convictions but noted the significant time since his last offence.

He recognised the relapse and the need for money to fund his addiction stating: "You targeted mainly taxi vehicles stealing cash and phones and things of a similar nature.”

However, Sheriff Gill opted for a "direct alternative to custody," sentencing McDougall to 200 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months.

Additionally, he was placed under the supervision of the social work department for 18 months, with a review hearing scheduled for 19 December.

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