A Hull private hire driver was told he would be prosecuted for something that is “completely legal”.
HullLive reports that Steven Leadley, 64, was driving a female customer and her one-year-old child across Roger Millward Way on the A63 on August 15, when a police officer on a motorbike pulled the private hire vehicle to the side of the road.
After the officer told him he was breaking the law for carrying an unrestrained child in the back seat, Mr Leadley was then told he should expect notification of his prosecution in the post within 28 days.
“I’ve been a cabbie for 39 years and I think I know what the laws are,” said Mr Leadley.
“The baby was sat on the mother’s lap in the back of the car, and the law states that can happen up until the age of three.
“The officer knocked on my window and told me it was an offence, and I told him it wasn’t. Then he told me he would ring me within 24 hours if he was wrong, otherwise I would be facing prosecution.
“I still haven’t received that phone call and nobody at Clough Road police station can get hold of any traffic officers.”
Mr Leadley went straight to the licensing department of Hull City Council and they provided him with a copy of the laws stating taxis and private hire vehicles are allowed to drive with unrestrained children under the age of three if they are held by an adult.
He said: “I took the sheet of paper straight to Clough Road police station and they said they couldn’t get hold of anybody in traffic because they’re based in Welton.
“I went back the next day and they still couldn’t get hold of anybody, so now I’m awaiting prosecution for a law that was never broken.”
A summary of the seat belt laws for cars, taxis and private hire vehicles states for children under the age of three a correct child restraint must be used.
However, if one is not available in a taxi then the child may travel unrestrained in the back.
Chief Inspector Mark Bishop of Humberside Police roads policing unit, said: "Our first consideration is always for the safety of those using and travelling on the region’s roads and our Roads Policing Unit have understandably stopped to speak to the driver on this occasion.
"On considering the circumstances of this particular case, there appears to be no specific offence under the road traffic legislation, or any contravention of the taxi licence conditions, of carrying a child under three years of age in the rear of a taxi and we will be contacting the driver to advise him accordingly."
Source: https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/hull-taxi-drivers-anger-hes-1931027
A taxi driver in Salisbury says the resurfacing of Castle Street is “absolutely ridiculous" after taxi markings have been re-marked incorrectly.
According to the Salisbury Journal, Giles Harries, 59, has worked for an independent taxi company that uses the taxi rank on Castle Street for the last 19 years.
The road has been resurfaced, and three spaces in the taxi rank have been removed and replaced with double yellow lines.
Giles told the Journal how the taxi rank, just steps away from Tesco, is an essential pick-up point for those doing their shopping, rather than the larger taxi rank on New Canal.
He said: “When you become a taxi driver, you think it will all be taking people to and from the pub. But it’s not that, it’s the elderly, school children, the disabled, tourists who don’t know where they’re going.”
“I have this feeling as a taxi driver – as after 19 years, it becomes very clear that we really aren’t made to feel important, we aren’t made to feel like we’re providing a good – or even adequate – service.”
A frequent taxi user, Kay Rudland, added: “We don’t need taxis in bigger places, we need them outside supermarkets, and I need a taxi because buses don’t run later for me.
"There's usually around five taxis there at a time. Two cars is a big difference”
The added double yellow lines mean that no more than two taxis will legally be able to park there at one time.
Another Salisbury taxi driver, Vlan, said: “You’ve got to drive around to find a space because you can’t stop.”
Giles and Vlan both believed the removal of the taxi space was a mistake.
Giles added: “If it is a mistake, it would be nice if the traffic wardens came along and say we’re allowed to park there. We have a good taxi community, but I think we are all being let down – and I don’t sense any kind of accountability.
“What it makes me feel is that no one is by your side.”
The council has since confirmed that the removal of taxi space was unintentional.
In a statement, Cllr Richard Clewer said: “Castle Street has been resurfaced this week and it appears that the taxi rank markings have not been put back correctly.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and have asked our contractors to return and correct this as soon as possible.”
A private hire driver has been fined after pleading guilty to plying for hire following an undercover safety operation led by Telford & Wrekin Council.
Telford Magistrates' Court heard how during an evening enforcement exercise in October 2023, Imran Riaz, 35, from Wellington, Telford, was approached by council officers at Showcase Cinema and agreed to take them to Snedshill Trading Estate inTelford.
Officers identified Riaz’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 20 May 2024.
He was fined £294, ordered to pay £300 costs and a £118 victim surcharge and given eight penalty points on his driving licence.
Dean Sargeant, Director of Neighbourhood and Enforcement at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Following the work of our night-time economy officers, we have again successfully prosecuted a driver who disregarded legislation and put the safety of his passengers at risk.
“We will continue to work alongside West Mercia Police and our neighbouring local authorities to clamp down on taxi drivers who flout the rules and undermine the good work of the vast majority of drivers.”
Frances Darling, Head of Business and Consumer Protection at Shropshire Council, said: “Shropshire Council provided evidence to support Telford & Wrekin Council’s investigation into this matter and we are very pleased with the outcome.
"At the time the offence was committed last year, Shropshire Council reviewed the driver’s licence and took appropriate action in line with the council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
"We consider plying for hire offences to be of a very serious nature as they fundamentally pose a serious risk to public safety and undermine the licensed taxi regime.
“We fully support the work that Telford & Wrekin Council undertakes to identify licensed private hire drivers who illegally ply for hire in their area and are committed to reinforcing the message that it is totally unacceptable for any Shropshire Council licensed private hire driver to ply for hire.”
Source: https://newsroom.telford.gov.uk/news/taxi-driver-prosecuted-for-illegally-picking-up-fare
A taxi driver was forced to take a month off work after a terrifying knife-point robbery in his cab. Luke Richardson (right), 29, and James Abbotts (left), 32, carried out the offence as they travelled in the taxi hunting for a bag they had misplaced.
BirminghamLive reports that items inside included drugs, a mobile phone and cash, a court heard. The pair became aggressive and Richardson held a knife as he told the victim to hand over money.
The taxi driver gave them £180 from his centre console on June 20 last year. Now Richardson, from Kidsgrove, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years and Abbotts was locked up for three years, StokeonTrentLive reports.
Prosecutor Annabel Hale said the victim collected both defendants from an address in Middleport at 6.05am that morning. The driver remembered them from previous occasions and had not had any problems with them.
"Both were talking to him about a bag they had left in another taxi," Miss Hale said. "Richardson said it contained drugs, phones and money. They were trying to contact Magnum Taxis to get it back.
"Richardson requested they go for cash and directed the driver to a petrol station. He found himself on High Lane, Burslem, and decided to stop at the Co-op. He drove on to the car park.
"Richardson got out and went to the doors of the Co-op. They were shut. He did not get to the cashpoint and returned to the vehicle."
Abbotts had contacted Magnum and they arranged to meet another taxi, the court heard. They both got out of the taxi when the other cab arrived but quickly returned.
Miss Hale said: "Richardson was sat behind the taxi driver. Abbotts was in the rear passenger seat. They did not have the bag. Richardson said, 'Just drive'. Both seemed aggressive and more agitated.
"They were again on the phone to Magnum Taxis. They said, 'We have got one of yours here. We are going to put him in his grave'. The driver tried to explain he did not work for Magnum.
"Richardson said, 'We are taking all your money and your car. I want at least £200'. The driver felt a tap on his shoulder and then his neck. He noticed Richardson holding a knife. He was too scared to turn around.
"He stopped his taxi on Watlands View, Porthill. There was £180 in the centre console. Abbotts grabbed the money out of his hand. Abbotts was smirking and laughed at him. The defendants ran off down Heaton Terrace."
The taxi driver said he no longer likes his job in a victim impact statement read to the court.
He said £280 was stolen - £180 for the service of the car and taxi fare money - and he was left feeling angry and emotional.
Both men pleaded guilty to robbery. Abbotts entered his plea on the basis he was not aware Richardson was in possession of a knife.
Simon Rippon, mitigating for Richardson, said his client had a crack cocaine addiction and the drugs in the missing bag were not to supply others. He added that Richardson had no previous convictions for robbery.
Catherine O'Reilly, mitigating for Abbotts, of no fixed address, said: "He knew he would be arrested and sent back to prison. He clearly did not think through the consequences of his actions." She added that he was remorseful.
Judge Michael Maher said: "The victim is a hard-working man. He works long and unsociable hours. Every day he puts himself in a vulnerable position to provide a service to this community.
"You, Richardson, had left a bag containing phones, drugs and money in another cab. You threatened to put him in his grave. No wonder he felt so terrified.
"Richardson, you demanded £200 from him. You tapped him on the shoulder, under the neck area, with a knife. He handed over every penny in his possession.
"You were acting together. This was a joint enterprise. But Richardson, you were doing more of the talking, you produced the knife, these were your drugs."
Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/taxi-driver-told-hed-put-29268514
Hundreds of Uber drivers have staged another protest in Birmingham with drivers demanding fair treatment and transparency and objecting to 'unfair working conditions'.
The demonstration started with speeches given by notable figures including barrister Ayoub Khan and Independant Ladywood candidate Akhmed Yakoob outside the Uber Greenlight Hub in Aston Cross Business Park at 4pm on Thursday 30 May.
A huge convoy of drivers then staged a go-slow which snaked through the city centre tunnels, arriving at Birmingham's New Street Station.
The drivers sounded their horns and shouted support during the lively demonstration before heading home.
Birminghamlive reports that an estimated 700 drivers had gathered outside the headquarters.
The drivers are demanding: an end to dynamic pricing; an end to fixed pricing; an end to unfair terminations; a freeze on new recruitments.
Minhaj Uddin, spokesman for the Uber Drivers' Union UK, said: "There was a minimum of a 1,000 participants with the driver at the back counting around 600 to 700 cars.
"We have finished the protest and it was a success, it exceeded all our expectations. We distributed around 10,000 leaflets and drivers from Manchester and Liverpool took part.
"We remain steadfast and we will continue to protest until our demands are met. We refuse to accept Uber's mistreatment any longer."
The union said they had given Uber a fortnight to negotiate but claimed they had not responded, 'forcing drivers to escalate their efforts.'
One of the participants, Nadeem Hussain, from Hall Green, said: "Uber has promised us that we are partners but generally as time went on they started reducing their fares.
"Due to the cost of living, fares should be going up but they are not. The fares are reducing everyday, down, down and down.
"Basically we are getting £4.19 or £4.16 a fare and that includes holiday pay. We are the backbone of this company - if every driver doesn't accept any jobs, Uber would be lost."
An Uber Spokesperson: “All drivers on Uber are guaranteed holiday pay, access to a pension plan, free sickness protection and guaranteed National Living Wage – though the vast majority earn more.
"We regularly engage with drivers, including through our industry-leading agreement with GMB Union which ensures all drivers have access to full union representation.”
Another protest is planned for July 1 at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/moment-700-protesting-uber-drivers-29269849
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.
A pilot emissions reduction grant scheme providing financial support for hackney carriage drivers to upgrade to cleaner EURO 6 and fully battery powered vehicles has been launched.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.
Darlington could soon see Uber cars on its streets after the ride-hailing giant applied for a licence to operate in the town.
Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has revoked the licences of two taxi drivers following a series of speeding offences.
A Northampton taxi driver has been found guilty of trafficking cocaine between his home city and Milford Haven.
The move comes after concerns were raised by the taxi industry about the rising cost of purchasing new vehicles.
Guide Dogs charity has asked licensing authorities in England for their support in sharing guidance on the law on carrying guide or other assistance dogs with all taxi and private hire operators.
Reading Taxi Association (RTA) chairman Asif Rashid has slammed Reading Borough Council's proposed phase-out of older petrol and diesel cabs by 2028, calling it a financial burden for drivers.
Dorset Council is poised to review taxi fares across the region, excluding Weymouth and Portland which have separate regulations.
A North Belfast man, Ruairi Fintan Muldoon (31), has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with an additional 12 months on supervised release for a botched attempt to rob a taxi driver.
Passengers are been invited to take part in a survey aimed at finding out if the taxi trade in West Suffolk is accessible to all.
A Glasgow man, Darren Gray, 31, launched into a verbal tirade and racially abused a taxi driver on Paisley Road West on August 19th, 2022.