The landscape of the taxi and private hire trade has changed significantly in recent years.
The introduction of app-based operators and the role technology plays has had some negative implications due to primary legislation not keeping up with the advancements, but it has also led to many positive changes and increased accessibility to, and the use of, taxis for many people.
Bury Licensing Service has listened to reports of ongoing issues and has reviewed the ways in which it can adapt and change to assist taxi and private hire drivers, whilst maintaining its strategic objective and ensuring public safety.
The proposals in this document are believed to address the most important concerns at this time, and the licensing service is consulting on the proposals to ensure the right decisions are made.
Proposals include:
• removal of operator signage
• removal of bonnet sticker and backflash
• removal of fire extinguishers
• removal of first aid kits
• extension of entry age limits for vehicles,
• allowing breaks between licences for renewals
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A rogue private hire driver who lied about having a previous licence revoked has been prosecuted for fraud.
LeicestershireLive reports that Mohammed Mirza Noor, 51, from Leicester, had his private hire licence revoked in 2015 by Leicester City Council for plying for trade - but then lied to a different council about this in order to get a new licence.
Through his lies Noor abused a position of trust, magistrates ruled, as “members of the public would be getting into his taxi on trust yet not knowing he has lied to the council”.
Noor pleaded guilty to fraud at Leicester Magistrates’ Court last week and was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work.
Noor said in an application to Blaby District Council for a new licence that he had never been refused a private hire or hackney carriage driver licence and had never held one with another council, the district authority said.
The council granted him a three-year licence. This was then renewed three years later in 2019. Noor again said he’d never been refused a licence or held a licence with another authority. Blaby District Council added.
However, when he came to renew in 2022, Noor admitted he had previously had his licence revoked.
The district council said, upon investigating, it was then told by Leicester City Council that he had previously been prosecuted for plying-for-hire offences and not having insurance, and his licence had then been revoked in 2015.
The district council refused his application and took steps to prosecute.
Noor admitted to lying to the council and deliberately failed to disclose information relating to his previous offences for personal gain during an interview with the council under caution in March this year, the authority added.
He then pleaded guilty to fraud by failing to disclose information when he appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday August 2.
He was given a 12-month community service order in which time he must complete 100 hours' unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs, including a victim surcharge, of £1,467.64.
Magistrates said Noor had abused his position of trust as “members of the public would be getting into his taxi on trust yet not knowing he has lied to the council”, adding he had conducted this “fraudulent activity” over a “sustained period of time”.
Cllr Les Phillimore, Blaby District Council portfolio holder for housing, community and environmental services, said: “This is a most satisfying result for us and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring anyone who provides false information to us will face the consequences.
"Being a taxi driver is a huge responsibility and we must be confident all our drivers meet our ‘fit and proper person’ criteria. When that isn’t the case, we will act – so let this serve as a clear message to other drivers and the public that lying and failing to disclose relevant information to the council will not be tolerated.”
Source: https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/leicester-taxi-driver-court-after-8662258
A female taxi driver has been left badly shaken after being robbed at knifepoint in north Belfast during the early hours.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that police are investigating the report of a robbery in the Shore Road area on Saturday August 5.
“It was reported that two men flagged down a taxi in the Clareglen/Ballysillan Park area of Belfast at around 3.30am on Saturday morning and asked to be taken to the Shore Road,” said a PSNI spokesperson.
“When they arrived at their destination, in the Seamount area of the Shore Road, one of the men threatened the female taxi driver with a knife and demanded money.
“A sum of money was handed over and the two men then made off on foot. The taxi driver was not injured but was left badly shaken.
“One of the men was described as being aged in his 30’s, of slim build, with short fair hair, tanned skin, blue eyes and was wearing a blue coat with a capped hood.
"The other was described as also being aged in his 30’s, of heavy build with dark hair and facial hair and was wearing a black coat.
“An investigation is underway and anyone with any information or who may be able to help with the investigation is asked to call detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1719 07/08/23.
"A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
A Scots mum has been left with an anecdote to last her the rest of her life after she gave birth in the back of a PHV that was taking her to the hospital.
The Daily Record reports that Caitlin Nuttall called a taxi on Tuesday, August 1, after realising she was going into labour at her home in Dundee.
Despite being picked up and rushed to the hospital by driver Jimmy Crerar of Tele Taxis (pictured with Caitlin) the 22-year-old's water broke on the way, leaving the pair with no choice but to opt for a back of the taxi birth.
Making it to Ninewells Hospital car park, Caitlin gave birth to a healthy baby girl thanks to Jimmy and some midwives who rushed out to lend a hand.
The mum-of-two explains that by the time the pair arrived at the hospital, she was fit to burst, with Jimmy sprinting into the ward get help.
Midwife's soon appeared, getting into the car with seconds to spare as Caitlin gave birth right there and then.
Amazingly, Caitlin and her baby were totally fine, with the mum back home and resting up with her newborn just six hours later.
Tele Taxis took to social media on Tuesday to share the incredible story, writing: "Not every day someone gives birth in a taxi.
"She never made it on time to Ninewells, then our driver Jimmy was in for a surprise. Congratulations to the passenger on the birth of their baby. Hope mum and baby are doing well."
The post has since attracted over 360 likes and dozens of comments from astounded users who heaped praise on Jimmy for his actions.
One user said: "I was in the labour suite and seen it from window. Well done to driver. Wolf whistled to get help from midwives."
Another joked: "Driver did what he had to do. Pressed the 'extra passenger' button on the meter."
A third quipped: "That's sweet - not the valeting bill though!"
Another added: "That's something else to add to his CV, emergency midwife. Well done and congratulations to the new family."
A fifth replied: "Well done Jimmy, not your everyday passenger. Congrats to the new parents."
Speaking on Friday, Caitlin said: "The taxi came so fast, Jimmy was lovely. He came to the door, helped me with the bags and reassured me that it was okay.
"We were just driving past Tesco and all of a sudden I felt the most horrible intense pain.
"At some point, I just remembered feeling my waters pop and saying 'Oh my god my waters just burst' and hearing 'What?'
"At some point the car stops, her head is fully out, we're in the car park of labour suite and she's about to have the rest of her body shoot out - I can feel it!
"[Jimmy] was already out the car like lightning and got the midwives out and the door opens and one of the midwives just catches her with her bare hands!
"It was a bit like a baby drive through.
"Bless his heart, he didn't bill me at all. I offered but he was just lovely and only cared if we were both alright."
Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-taxi-driver-helps-woman-30631108
A man with convictions for “reckless” driving and setting fire to a car has been permitted to work as a taxi driver after promising he is a “changed man”.
GlasgowLive reports that Glasgow’s licensing committee handed a restricted one-year licence to Abdullah Monsaf after Police Scotland objected to his application.
He was also issued with a “severe warning” over his conduct.
A Police Scotland representative told councillors that the force believed Mr Monsaf is “not a fit and proper person to be granted a taxi driver’s licence”.
She said he had been fined £135 after he was “observed by police driving in a culpable and reckless manner” in October 2019.
Then, in February 2020, he “did wilfully set fire to a motor vehicle”, the officer added, and was given a community payback order of 45 hours.
Asked to explain his actions, Mr Monsaf said he was “hanging out with the wrong crowd”.
He denied setting fire to the car but said his “fingerprints were on it” and he pleaded guilty.
“I didn’t know initially what they were going to do, set it on fire,” he added. “Everyone hangs around with the wrong friends in their life when they are young.”
The driver said he was “a changed man”. He is now married and has been working for First Bus as “a professional driver”.
“On a daily basis, I have been dealing with the public as well and I have had no trouble,” he added.
He said he is working long shifts and wants the flexibility offered by being a taxi driver.
Mr Monsaf also said he has no points on his driving licence.
Source: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-man-convicted-setting-fire-27474646
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.