On 29 September, ten London cab drivers who volunteer for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans took fifteen veterans to Goodwood to participate in a motorsport event.
The event at Goodwood was hosted by Mission Motorsport and gave veterans the opportunity to sit in the passenger seat and race around the track at speeds of up to 150 mph in a range of sports cars including, BMW, Audi, Ferrari, and Aston Martin.
Mission Motorsport launched in March 2012 to help those affected by military operations by engagement through sport and the Taxi Charity was delighted when they were invited to bring veterans to their race track event at Goodwood in West Sussex.
Among the veterans attending the event with the Taxi Charity were six Chelsea Pensioners who were picked up from the Royal Hospital Chelsea and driven to Goodwood in three iconic London taxis.
One of the Chelsea Pensioners, Korean veteran Mike Smith, said: “What a couple of weeks I have had. On 12 September the Taxi Charity took me to an event at Biggin Hill and I got to fly in a Spitfire and then today I have been whizzed around the race track at high speeds and had great fun on the skid pan.
"What a wonderful treat and I am extremely grateful to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans for making it all happen. An unforgettable two weeks.”
Frances Wyhowska, Ambassador Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “Mission Motorsport gave our veterans and drivers a marvellous day at Goodwood Motor Circuit.
"Everyone was given the opportunity to experience laps in sleek supercars at speeds of up to 150mph and the Chelsea Pensioners couldn’t be drawn away….until that is they discovered the skid pan!
"Our volunteer drivers even got the chance to do three laps of the track in their cabs, albeit at a slightly more sedate pace.
"The kindness of everyone at Mission Motorsport was outstanding and the smiles on the faces of our veterans and drivers said it all.”
Andy Brown, Chief Operating Officer, Mission Motorsport said: “Our Invitational Track Day at Goodwood is one of the highlights of Mission Motorsport’s sporting calendar, bringing together members of the Armed Forces community from all over the country.
"Our 10th anniversary on Friday was no exception and turned out to have our highest attendance ever.
"It was also wonderful to be able to invite the Taxi Charity along for the first time. The sight of a parade of black cabs doing laps around the iconic motor racing circuit was simply fantastic.
'And of course, the iconic scarlet tunics of the young Chelsea Pensioners was the icing on the cake of an amazing day.
"I hope this is the start of a very special relationship with both the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Thank you!”
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org
A man and a woman allegedly stole a Nottingham taxi after attacking and kicking out the driver.
NottinghamshireLive reports that police were called to Lower Parliament Street, in Nottingham city centre, at around 11pm on Thursday, October 5, after receiving reports that a taxi driver had been assaulted.
Nottinghamshire Police said he had picked up two people in West Bridgford and taken them to the city where they asked to be dropped off at a cashpoint.
When he asked the pair for payment he was threatened before being forced out of the vehicle and assaulted, the force said.
The taxi was then allegedly driven off with both suspects inside the vehicle and shortly after crashed into another cab.
Nottinghamshire Police's Road Crime Team tracked down the taxi in Clifton overnight and arrested a man and a woman after boxing the vehicle in.
Officers said they suspected one occupant of the vehicle was intoxicated but she refused to provide a breath test specimen. They also found a bag of white powder when undertaking a search.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and a 27-year-old woman was held on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a Class A drug and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Police inquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Julian Eminson-Ferry, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a frightening incident for the victim and we will not tolerate attacks like this on people trying to earn a living in our city.
“This sort of violence will always be met with a robust response from the force.
"I am pleased we have two suspects in custody but our investigation continues.
"Anyone with relevant CCTV or dash-cam footage of the incident should also get in touch with us.”
Nottinghamshire Police has asked anyone with information about this incident to call 101, quoting incident 836 of October 5, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Source: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/pair-allegedly-steal-taxi-before-8812069#
Ride hailing app Freenow will launch first-of-its kind perks for black cabbies and taxi drivers using its platform as the industry looks to clean up its image and boost driver numbers.
According to City AM, taxi drivers across the country will receive insurance for accidents and sickness, food and fuel discounts and parental leave under Freenow’s new offering.
Freenow, which operates in 150 European cities and whose biggest market is London, claims it is the first of the ride-hailers to offer the new perks, ahead of the likes of Gett and Bolt.
Freenow recently became the first mobility app in Europe to offer its private hire drivers the choice between becoming a worker or remaining self-employed, with its chief believing it would encourage more drivers to work for them.
But just 24 hours after the announcement, GMB Union backed out of the deal and described it as unacceptable.
“Having reflected on the views of our members, we have been given no choice but to inform Freenow that the deal is suspended unless they can agree to provide all drivers with worker status.
"We will always work with any operator willing to provide drivers the rights they are entitled to,” the union said in a written statement.
Mariusz Zabrocki, general manager at Freenow: “We were surprised that GMB suspended our agreement since all private hire drivers operating on Freenow are being offered worker status.”
“We are giving minicab drivers the freedom to choose their employment status instead of forcing them into one.
"Denying freedom of choice isn’t in the best interest of our drivers.”
The classification of ride-hailing apps’ workers, which decides whether they receive rights including a guaranteed minimum wage, has long been contentious in the sector.
Falling tips and the rising cost of driving are behind a taxi tariff review in and around Rickmansworth.
HertsLive reports that Mealings Taxis, based in Northwood, has asked Three Rivers District Council to consider raising fares.
If councillors agree the proposals, the cost of a one kilometre taxi ride at 10pm will have increased by 60.7 per cent over the past decade.
An email from Mealings to the council points to Confused.com data, published in April 2023, which shows drivers paid roughly 20 per cent more for their car insurance than they did the year before.
"The Consumer Prices Index, including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 8.9 per cent in the 12 months to March 2023," it reads.
"Forty per cent of the hackney carriage fleet in Three Rivers is electric and electricity prices in the UK rose by 66.7 per cent and gas prices by 129.4 per cent in the 12 months to [January] 2023, while other fuel prices have remained static.
"We estimate vehicle repair costs to have increased by 10 per cent in the past nine months based on feedback from drivers in our fleet."
The email adds that, in the past, fewer than 10 per cent of transactions were made by card. This has now risen to 50 per cent, the firm claims, "which has increased the costs drivers pay for processing fees".
The email continues: "This increase in card payments has also reduced the amount of tips drivers receive."
Three Rivers District Council and the local taxi sector effectively froze their tariffs between 2013 and July 2022.
In that period, a trip cost £2.80 - up to the first 1,015 metres. Every extra 95m up to 2,155m cost 10p, and with an extra 10p for every 55m after that. The start fare between 11pm and 6am was set at £3.20.
In 2022, councillors raised the 1,015m start fare rose to £3 in the daytime and £3.50 in the night-time. Ten pence was charged for every 90m up to 2,030m, then 50m afterwards - with the meter ticking over at shorter intervals than before. Night-time was extended to cover 9.30pm until 6am.
On Thursday, October 12, Three Rivers District Council's regulatory services committee will consider raising the start fare again - to £4 during the day and £4.50 at night.
A report for elected councillors, written by authority staff, reads: "Officers note that the cost of living has increased both for taxi drivers and taxi consumers, and consideration is required to make sure the fares are sufficient for drivers to make a living, but not too high to deter customers, recognising the important role the taxi trade plays in society, especially for transporting vulnerable passengers."
Any decision the council makes must be put out to consultation before the tariffs rise.
The new fares would cover cabs licensed in the Three Rivers authority area - which includes Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Abbots Langley, Croxley and Moor Park.
Officers from the Rushcliffe South Beat team worked with Leicestershire Police at their recent Airport Safety week at East Midlands Airport.
According to the West Bridgford Wire, police were joined by licensing officers from North West Leicestershire, Charnwood, Gedling and Rushcliffe borough councils; the DVSA and vehicle examiners.
The purpose of the operation was to check taxis and private hire vehicles were compliant with the terms of their licence and that their vehicles were in a safe condition to convey passengers.
114 vehicles passed through the inspection site at EMA over the duration of the operation.
General issues identified with the vehicles were cleanliness, inoperative lights, no spare wheel or inflation kits and tyres close to legal limits.
Advice was given by VOSA enforcement officers.
Seven drivers did not have their hackney carriage/private hire driver licences with them.
These checks were carried out at the time to ensure they had the correct licences in place and to confirm their identity.
The DVSA issued a prohibition for a minibus licensed as a public service vehicle. A further delayed prohibition on a licensed taxi was issued due to defective brake pads.
They educated drivers and licence holders throughout the initiative.
Source: https://westbridgfordwire.com/rushcliffe-police-join-taxi-driver-checks-at-east-midlands-airport/
A local councillor has sparked a debate on passenger safety after claiming that using locally licensed taxis is safer than hailing an Uber.
A taxi driver was attacked and subjected to racist abuse after two brothers refused to pay him up front.
Christopher Hilling, 64, admitted to engaging a child in sexual activity at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 8 August.
Abdigani Ebrahim, 38, of Grangetown, admitted charges of affray and criminal damage following the incident in Northcote Street, Roath, last July.
The crackdown targeted drivers operating across council boundaries to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations.
Lucio Valentino relies on his six-year-old Border Collie, Pixel, to help manage his mental health conditions, including depression and personality disorders.
Taxi drivers across the Fylde Coast are set to receive a briefing note aimed at clearing up confusion over out-of-area private hire vehicles.
Police are appealing to find a taxi driver who may have "vital clues" about the murder of Ryan Passey seven years ago since he was fatally stabbed in a Stourbridge nightclub.
A joint operation by Hull City Council, Wolverhampton Council, and Humberside Police has uncovered a number of safety issues with taxis operating in the city.
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.