Councillors in the Bedford ward of Cauldwell have written to a local paper to express their concern and opposition to proposed changes to the Ampthill Road bus lane.
These changes would ban taxi and private hire drivers from using the bus lane unless they are driving an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).
They wrote to the Bedford Independent: “In principle we support the ULEV bus lanes due to the long-term benefits for the environment, but we also believe the proposed changes to the bus lane are premature and would have negative consequences, including: • devastating the taxi and PH trade financially • extending journey times for passengers who need to rely on these services for essential travel • increasing the cost of fares, which would disproportionately impact people on low incomes. • lead to job losses in the trade.
“This proposal is unfair and dis-criminatory and would impact - drivers who already face financial difficulties. Many can’t afford an ULEV, and this proposal would force them out of business.
“If this proposal is accepted, the result will be more taxi and PH drivers sitting in traffic whilst their vehicles emit greenhouse gases which is the opposite intention of the proposals. The ban would also likely increase congestion on other roads in Bedford Borough.
“We have therefore written to the newly elected Mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootten, asking him to listen to the trade who are raising real concerns about the consequences of the proposed change and are worried about their future.
“He should reconsider and scrap plans to prohibit taxi and private hire drivers from using bus lanes be it Ampthill Road or indeed any other road. We believe the proposed changes would be harmful to Bedford residents and not be in the best interests of our community.
“We have asked the Mayor for a response that we can share with concerned constituents at his earliest convenience and for our comments to be recorded formally as a consultation response.
Sincerely,
Cllr Abu Sultan (Labour, Cauldwell)
Isle of Wight Council's transport costs for children with special education needs (SEN) has gone up, despite fewer pupils being taken to school via the service.
BBC News reports that the council spent £3.6m to take 2,317 pupils to school in 2012 but this year paid £4.3m to transport 1,614 pupils.
The authority said it was already over budget this financial year due to increased demand for SEN transport.
Currently, 9.7% of school pupils (1,614) are eligible for the transport.
That includes 1,111 mainstream pupils using Southern Vectis school buses and 503 SEN pupils who travel by taxi and minibus.
In mainstream schools, the number of children eligible for council transport has fallen by 44% in the last 10 years, from 1,992 to 1,111. Costs have reduced from £2.9m to £1.9m.
This was due to the removal of catchment areas in 2015 and the opening of the Island Free School in Ventnor.
Outside mainstream provision, over the same period, the number of SEN children needing transport has more than doubled - from 169 to 352 - increasing costs by £1.25m to £1.7m.
The council said pressures have come from a shortage of places at dedicated SEN schools - meaning pupils have to travel further - as well as a large number of Education, Health and Care Plans and the need for adapted vehicles.
It estimated transport could be needed for 461 SEN pupils by 2027 and costs could rise to £5.7m for all children by 2026.
Speaking at a children's education scrutiny committee earlier this month, council officers said they needed support from central government.
The authority is operating close to a statutory minimum of service, they said, adding it would be "impossible to solve problems" without statutory change from government.
The officers said they also needed help "reinforcing the fact" that, in most cases, it was parents' responsibility to take their children to school.
Stuart Ashley, the council's interim children services director, said it was a national challenge, adding that while he would be happy to provide more home-to-school transport but the authority does not have the money.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-66852951
Council-funded taxi trips for school children with special needs are set to end under town hall plans published last week.
The Havering Daily reports that Havering Council, which has a multi-million-pound budget deficit, is proposing to stop paying for taxis for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and cut the number of bus journeys it funds.
It has tabled a new transport policy that will prioritise the most “cost-effective” option, encourage carpooling and promote direct payments so parents can “organise their own”.
The council says it will also introduce “clear eligibility criteria” to “significantly reduce” how many school bus trips it funds.
Cabinet member for children and young people, Oscar Ford, said the changes are part of the council’s “drive to control expenditure” by replacing taxi and bus costs with personal budgets that “better meet the needs” of children.
The proposals will go out for public consultation before receiving final approval by cabinet at a later date.
In 2022/23, the council spent about £5.5million – double its budget – on transporting eligible children to school, often by taxi or bus, and sometimes with the extra expense of a personal passenger assistant.
The council spent £3.6m on taxis and buses in 2019/20.
The council says it has experienced a “significant and continued increase” in the number of residents with Education Health and Care Plans (ECHP), with the total jumping more than 60% to 2,189 between 2018 and 2022.
A report on the proposed policy before cabinet last week set out a breakdown of savings that can be made, which the council hopes will add up to £1.4m over the next four years.
The most expensive daily taxi charge the council funds is for 16 miles per day, with a passenger assistant escort, costing the council about £45,000 per school year.
Under the new policy, fuel reimbursement or an UBER trip would cost about £30 per day, costing about £5,500 per year.
A council assessment of the policy’s impact concluded that disabled children will see a “positive outcome” because “appropriate measures” will be put into place to accommodate them.
A cabbie sexually assaulted a teenager in a secluded spot after picking her up outside a city centre nightclub.
StokeonTrentLive reports that dad-of-three Motosir Ali was supposed to be driving his victim home after picking up the fare in Hanley. But Stoke on Trent Crown Court heard he instead took her to a remote location and attempted to kiss her, biting her lip. He then went on to grope her breasts and sexually assault her.
Now the 42-year-old from Bradeley, Stoke-on-Trent, has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to one charge of assault by penetration.
Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said: "He was working as a taxi driver. The victim had spent the evening with friends in Hanley town centre in the Fiction nightclub. At about 3.20am, she decided to take a taxi home.
"She handed her phone to the taxi driver, who agreed with her mother over the phone that once they arrived the mother would pay for the cab fare.
"After the call, he placed the phone in the driver's door pocket and drove in the direction of North Staffordshire.
"He stopped at a secluded stop and started to try to kiss the victim. He aggressively grabbed the victim's breasts under her shirt and then carried out another sexual assault."
The court heard the victim's mother managed to write down a section of the number plate and reported it to the police.
In his police interview, Ali claimed that the victim had instigated the incident, saying it was a payment for the taxi service. However, he pleaded guilty on the day of his trial.
A victim impact statement was read out which said: "I struggle to deal with emotions and suffer from anxiety. This has taken a massive dent in my mental health."
Catherine O'Reilly, mitigating, said: "He has no previous matters recorded against him. In his letter to the court, he is very candid. He accepts that this was a dreadful incident that was frightening and traumatic to his victim. He wishes me to apologise to the victim and the court on his behalf.
"He is deeply upset about this. He has been married for 19 years and has three children. He is the main breadwinner. I ask the court to keep the custodial sentence as low as possible."
Jailing Ali, Judge Sally Hancox told him: "All of your character references are extremely surprised you are in this position. I have read the letter from your wife. She tells of your three beautiful children and of her shock and rage when you confessed to what you had done.
"She describes she has forgiven you and how difficult it has been, emotionally and financially.
"You have shown the court how deeply remorseful and you appreciate the impact of your actions on that night.
"You speak of shame and letting down your wife and three children. Between you and your wife you understandably ask mercy from the court.
"Of course, I take into account you are a man of previous good character but you have bought this entirely upon yourself. I accept you are remorseful for what you did."
Source: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/taxi-driver-jailed-sex-attack-8761360
Cab drivers in Tunbridge Wells could be made to take fares paid by cards following concerns by the borough council about public safety in cases where people are "left stranded".
A Tunbridge Wells Borough Council report said it had received "a growing number of complaints from members of the public" unable to get a taxi at night because drivers said they didn't have card readers.
The council is updating its policy governing hackney cabs and private hire vehicles and a public consultation on proposed changes has just been agreed by the authority's licensing committee.
KentLive reported in February the frustration and anger from would-be passengers refused a ride because they didn't have cash. It sparked a torrent of posts from people with similar experiences in Tunbridge Wells.
Some fed-up residents shared their work-around the 'cash only' issue, saying they quickly asked cabbies in the rank who would take cards and "finding one usually at the back" they hopped in, rather than queueing only to be refused.
The council's report said taxis were important for people getting around outside of the hours of public transport and if they had mobility difficulties. But said "the majority" of drivers were not set up to take card payments, either through an app or devices.
It said traditionally drivers preferred fares paid in cash. In February, the council's licensing team wrote to drivers and encouraged them to take card payments.
Revisions to the policy to be consulted on include taxis having a sign inside stating card payments could be taken.
Drivers are also expected to give their views on how to incorporate surcharges into their pricing for those using debit or credit cards.
Currently, the "general position" is drivers can't pass on that charge, said the report. Drivers have previously raised concerns about the problems of using card payments in areas of low wi-fi coverage.
The report to the licensing committee held on Tuesday September 12, said: "Traditionally the preferred method of payment for taxi drivers is cash however with advances in technology some of our licensed vehicles now have the facility to accept credit or debit card payments, either via an app or through card payment terminals.
"However, the majority do not. This has resulted in the council receiving a growing number of complaints from members of the public who were unable to get a taxi late at night because the driver did not have the facility to accept payment by card.
"To improve public safety by ensuring people are not left stranded because they do not have cash, members are asked to consider as part of the policy revision to make it a mandatory requirement that all vehicles are equipped with machines that are able to take contactless payments from mobile phone apps such as Apply Pay as well as bank cards and display signage showing that card payments are accepted."
The committee decided a public consultation on the draft revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy should be held.
The committee will consider the results of the consultation before adoption of the policy.
Source: https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/tunbridge-wells-cab-drivers-could-8763202
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.