Taxi fares will be increased in Reading soon after just one customer objected to the price rises.
The Reading Chronicle reports that in the summer, taxi drivers and councillors agreed that there should be an 8 per cent increase for day fares and 10 per cent increase of night fares.
After journeys begin, a 20p charge would come into effect every 123 yards, rather than the 133 yards at the moment.
But before the increases could be implemented, Reading Borough Council had to hold a statutory consultation. Now the price rise has been approved after just one regular taxi user objected.
However, the objector's arguments were rebuffed at a council licensing applications committee meeting where the fare increases were agreed.
Taxi driver Imran Ali said: "The email from the objector is subjective, based on personal feeling and opinion.
"The fare increase we had was for the cost of fuel."
The last price rise was implemented in October 2022, where the flag drop was increased by £1.
Mr Ali argued that the increase 'wasn't enough to cover the shortfall'.
The objector stated that employees of companies only have pay raises once a year.
To that argument, Mr Ali pointed out that taxi drivers are not employees, but 'self-employed sole traders'.
Mr Ali also noted that the objector did not attend the meeting to express their feelings in person.
Ultimately, councillors sided with the taxi drivers' proposals for the price rise.
The fare increases will come into force on Tuesday, October 3.
Councillors unanimously voted for the price increases at the meeting on Thursday, September 28.
Source: https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/23824264.reading-taxi-fare-increase-coming-one-objection/
Scotland's 29,640 taxi and private hire drivers will now need to complete new tax checks when renewing their operating licence, starting from October 2.
The Scottish Daily Express reports that HMRC say they have introduced the checks to promote tax compliance within the industry and make it fairer for the vast majority of drivers who already pay their taxes correctly.
Councils will administer the process in Scotland, which involves making sure drivers have completed their tax check before their licence applications can be considered. The checks will also be required for those in Scotland renewing their licence to operate a booking office or a scrap metal site, plus those who are metal dealers.
When renewing their licence, drivers will need to use a Government Gateway account to complete the tax check on GOV.UK.
After answering a few questions about their tax registration, HMRC will provide applicants with a tax check code. This code must be given to the local council before they can proceed with the licence renewal application.
TAXI LICENCES
Aberdeen City - 1056
Aberdeenshire - 602
Angus - 242
Argyll & Bute - 383
Clackmannanshire - N/A
Dumfries & Galloway - 385
Dundee City - 1069
East Ayrshire - 371
East Dunbartonshire - 552
East Lothian - 299
East Renfrewshire - 562
Edinburgh City - 5243
Eilean Siar - 143
Falkirk - 527
Fife - 1585
Glasgow City - 5071
Highland - 836
Inverclyde - 477
Midlothian - 261
Moray - 558
North Ayrshire - 451
North Lanarkshire - 1919
Orkney - 83
Perth & Kinross - 573
Renfrewshire - 1235
Scottish Borders - 256
Shetland - 264
South Ayrshire - 489
South Lanarkshire - 2296
Stirling - 323
West Dunbartonshire - 841
West Lothian - 688
Scotland - 29,640
Source: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/money/scotlands-30000-taxi-drivers-warned-31082470
As Sheffield Council says it is not in a position to tighten up out-of-area licensing rules, a taxi driver is calling on them to relax 'draconian measures' around the age of vehicles to help them to compete.
The Star reports that Sheffield taxi driver, Yazid Atallah, said he and his fellow cabbies are being penalised for ‘going about things the right way’ and adhering to the conditions of the Sheffield City Council taxi licensing scheme, which the local authority itself acknowledges are among ‘highest licensing standards in the UK’.
He wrote an open letter to Sheffield City Council, on behalf of the city’s taxi drivers, calling on them to address issues surrounding Sheffield experiencing a ‘large influx of Wolverhampton plated vehicles’.
Yazid claimed, through the letter, that ‘it is easy to obtain a Wolverhampton private hire licence’ because ‘the course can be completed in a day, there is no driving test or even an extensive knowledge test required’.
Sheffield-licensed drivers, however, says Yazid, are required to obtain a 'certificate of professional taxi and private hire driver course to be completed in a college, safeguard training and knowledge and driving test' to get their badge.
In response to Yazid’s letter, Councillor Joe Otten, chair of the waste and street scene committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Licensed vehicles are permitted to work in other areas to those in which they are licensed as set out by the Secretary of State.
“On behalf of the committee, I wrote to the Government who acknowledged the challenges out-of-area working presented to licensing authorities and that it was to be looked at as part of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV Licensing.
"There was no consensus on how to tackle the issue and the Government concluded that it would not, at this time, take forward out-of-area restrictions. This is highly frustrating and we appreciate this is frustrating for taxi drivers too.
“Sheffield has some of the highest licensing standards in the UK, equally we have high vehicle standards. We will continue to ensure public safety with the policies we set.”
But Yazid believes that the council could, and should, be doing more to improve the situation for the city’s taxi drivers, with measures that would allow them to compete with drivers using out-of-area licences.
He said: “The fact is that if nothing can be done, why can’t they make it easier to compete in our own area, we’re not being fairly treated.”
Yazid says drivers operating in Sheffield with a Wolverhampton private hire badge are able to use vehicles which are up to 11 years old, while drivers working in the city with a Sheffield licence are not permitted to drive vehicles which are more than five years old.
“If I need to buy a vehicle now, it has to be one made at the end of 2018 or beginning of 2019, and cars have gone up by 30 per cent, which means the second-hand market has gone up.
"It’s a lot of money to own a vehicle that’s less than five years old,” Yazid said.
Yazid says the ‘huge financial pressures’ placed upon on Sheffield-licensed drivers as a result of the council's 'draconian measures' have resulted in scores of drivers taking on 'more and more hours' in a bid to cope with spiralling costs.
He believes this pressure could be eased if the council relaxed their rules, and allowed drivers to badge up slightly older cars of up to seven years old, providing they fall within the Euro 6 standard.
As part of Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone, petrol vehicles need to be Euro 4 and diesel vehicles Euro 6 to avoid the £10 daily charge for taxis and vans.”
“Cars of that age have the same Euro 6 standard and compliance in terms of emissions, they even have the same engines, so they don’t produce more emissions than what we’re driving. But the cost is a lot lower,” Yazid said.
And while Yazid welcomes Sheffield’s high licensing standards because he believes that you should have to undergo rigorous training and checks if you’re going to work with people, including children, he believes the current situation is becoming so untenable for Sheffield-licensed drivers that they may be forced to go to other authorities such as Wolverhampton to get their badge in future to keep costs down.
“All we want is a level playing field, why should we be paying more to be working in the same area?”
“But if they won’t give us that then drivers are going to go elsewhere for their licences.
"I feel like the only way the council might start listening is if they stopped getting fees for Sheffield taxi licences.”
Northern Ireland’s cabbies need to complete HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) tax checks when renewing their operating licence, starting from today, October 2.
The News Letter reports that the checks have been introduced to promote tax compliance within the industry and make it fairer for the vast majority of drivers who already pay their taxes correctly.
The Department for Infrastructure will administer the process in Northern Ireland, which involves making sure drivers have completed their tax check before their licence applications can be considered.
Marc Gill, director of individuals and small business compliance, HMRC, said: “While most taxi drivers in Northern Ireland pay their taxes accurately and on time, we want to level the playing field and tackle the small minority who don’t.
“The hidden economy is estimated to cost the UK Government £2 billion in unpaid taxes, which deprives funds for the vital public services we all rely on.
“By linking tax compliance to licence renewal, the government hopes to discourage participation in the hidden economy and encourage drivers to fulfil their tax obligations.”
The checks were rolled out in England and Wales in April 2022, where more than 120,000 people have already successfully gone through the process.
When renewing their licence, drivers will need to use a Government Gateway account to complete the tax check on GOV.UK, which is quick, simple and straightforward.
After answering a few questions about their tax registration HMRC will provide applicants with a tax check code. This code must be given to the Department for Infrastructure before they can proceed with the licence renewal application.
A taxi driver has reported being threatened with a knife by two passengers in Gateshead.
ChronicleLive reports that Northumbria Police has launched an investigation into the alleged incident and are appealing for information.
On Friday 29 September, it was reported that two men got into a taxi outside Morrisons in Blaydon at around 5pm and asked to be taken to Hyde Park Street in Bensham.
When the passengers reached their location, they allegedly threatened the driver with a knife before leaving the scene, instead of paying the fare.
The driver was unhurt but left shaken.
Now police have released images of two men who were in the area at the time of the incident and could have information to help their investigations.
Anyone else with information is also urged to contact officers.
A spokesperson from Northumbria Police said: "An investigation into the incident is ongoing and officers have already carried out a range of enquiries to trace the males, including a review of CCTV.
"Today (Sunday) police have issued an appeal for information in the hopes of tracing those responsible.
"Officers have released images of two men who were in the area the time of the incident, and could have information which assists.
"The men, or anyone who thinks they have information, is asked to get in touch by calling 101 or using the ‘Tell us Something’ page on our website quoting log NP-20230929-0798."
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.