Hackney carriage fares are set to increase by ten per cent in East Devon to reflect a rise in costs that are having to be met by taxi companies.
DevonLive reports that the new charges are due to come into force on June 6 following a consultation period.
East Devon District Council's (EDDC) Licensing and Enforcement Committee agreed a new table of maximum fares for hackney carriage vehicles licensed by the council at its meeting on May 8.
The new fares reflect an increase of approximately ten per cent to all tariffs and extras.
The proposed changes seek to balance journey costs and the need for drivers to earn a sufficient income.
Rising vehicle maintenance costs, higher insurance premiums, increased road tax expenses, and escalating prices of second-hand vehicles are said to be some of the factors impacting the taxi industry.
Councillor Joe Whibley, chair of EDDC’s Licensing Committee, said: "The committee has to balance making taxi journeys affordable for the public with the simple truth that the cost of operating a taxi is not protected from the huge rises in the cost of living we have all experienced in recent times.
"By permitting firms to raise their maximum fare, but limiting that rise to ten per cent, we think that balance has been struck."
Any objections, together with the grounds on which they are made, must be made in writing and received no later than midnight on Wednesday, June 5.
The address is: The Interim Chief Executives’ Office, c/o The Licensing Team, East Devon District Council, Blackdown House, Honiton, EX14 1EJ, or objections can be emailed to licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk
Source: https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/taxi-fares-east-devon-set-9304553
A Glasgow taxi driver has said applying for funding to make his cab LEZ compliant has been ‘like hitting his head off a brick wall’.
Joseph Lafferty, 64, has been a cabbie in the city for just over 23 years – making a living and serving the public.
But according to the Glasgow Times, the Parkhead man has found that the process to get his cab retrofitted to become a Euro six engine (as per the Euro 6/VI engine required for diesel vehicles and Euro 4/IV for petrol vehicles to drive through LEZ zone in the city) has been lengthy and onerous.
It comes as taxi drivers have been tasked with either paying out the full amount up-front for the retrofit, which usually costs between £6,000 and £15,000 or applying for the low emission zone (LEZ) retrofit fund which is provided by Transport Scotland and delivered by Energy Saving Trust, which can help towards costs.
Having claimed he began the application process back in January, Joseph’s application was only officially accepted this month – just weeks before the June 1 deadline for the time-limited extension for taxi drivers.
Joseph told the Glasgow Times: “It’s been a nightmare. I feel like I’m one guy trying to fight a big body and I am just up against it.
“With the Energy Saving Trust, the process has been like jumping hurdles. I’m not very literate with the computer, so my pal has had to help me with all the documents and that’s caused a lot of issues for EST.
“I phoned them and asked if I could sit there with someone and sort it out because I was really anxious, I wouldn’t meet the deadline because they had absolutely no urgency, it was threatening my livelihood."
Energy Saving Trust has said it has been left concerned by customers’ ill experience with the application process.
A spokesperson said: “While we're not able to comment on individual cases, it’s concerning to hear of any applicant that doesn’t feel happy with their customer experience.
"We are committed to maintaining our due diligence commitments and would encourage any applicant who feels this way to get in touch with us via lezfund@est.org.uk so that we can resolve any outstanding issues as quickly as possible".
Joseph also believes other issues come down to two other things; the fact that grants are given on a first come, first serve basis and that there are time limits on applying for the grant.
He added: “The point in the extensions was to give us more time to find the money for the grant, and they are introducing time limits which just don’t work.
“I don’t see why they can’t give us time to get our savings together. They have to remember that we didn’t earn money in Covid, and we’ve been trying to build up since then. Now we have this threat, and it is unfair.
“Everyone wants clean air, of course we do, but the infrastructure to enforce that has to be perfect, and it just isn’t.”
Joseph claims he has consistently complied with LEZ after making his vehicle a Euro 4 exhaust and then purchasing a new cab at £15k to make his vehicle Euro 5.
He added: “I went into debt to help Glasgow City Council and the LEZ – they ought to hang their heads in shame because putting this pressure on taxi drivers is just shocking.”
Joseph has now managed to get his grant accepted and has until October to have his vehicle retrofitted in England – as only one place in Glasgow offers the service and it is only to vans – something that Joseph also pointed out as problematic.
However, with the backlogs to get retrofits, Joseph still believes his livelihood is under threat.
Conservative councillor, John Daly, who has been working closely with Joseph, said the cabbie has been left very distressed throughout the process.
He continued: “It’s been weeks and weeks of Joseph speaking to departments in Glasgow City Council and the Energy Saving Trust, which has been weeks and weeks and months of worry for him.
“He has five months to pay a £1,000 deposit and get retrofitted, he’s sort of being put through the mill here and we’re hearing tales like this across the city.
“He is willing to comply with legislation and has consistently proven that yet he has found himself on the rough side.
“Of course, clean air is important but well-meaning legislation should not have a bad impact.”
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council, said: “After receiving confirmation from Energy Saving Trust that Mr Lafferty’s grant application had been approved, we contacted him that same day to advise that his LEZ exemption would be extended until the end of October.
"We have consistently encouraged eligible operators to take advantage of Scottish Government funding toward cleaner, new vehicles, or to retrofit existing vehicles - with £2.4m paid in retrofit grants since 2019 for taxis in our region.
“Eligible operators were also granted an exemption from the scheme’s first year of operation, and we will show further flexibilities beyond this point for operators who can show they are actively taking steps to meet the cleaner LEZ standards.
“To equitably balance the health and environmental benefits of Glasgow’s LEZ, whilst continuing to support taxi operators, where an exemption is extended beyond the end of May, it will be for the shortest period possible.”
The Take Me Group is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of shares previously held by MBH Corporation PLC for its sites located in Farnborough, Leicester, and Stoke-on-Trent.
This strategic move comes following MBH Corporation PLC’s entry into administration in February, solidifying TakeMe’s position as a leader in the industry.
David Hunter, CEO of TakeMe Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating: “This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to consolidate Take Me’s presence across the country.
"Bringing these sites under our ownership not only enhances our operational efficiency but also underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional services to our customers.”
The acquisition reflects Take Me Group’s dedication to expansion and growth despite the challenging economic landscape.
By taking proactive steps to secure ownership of these key sites, TakeMe Group reaffirms its position as a reliable partner and industry leader in providing top-notch services to its clients.
Gatwick Airport private hire drivers will protest outside a full Crawley council meeting to demand councillors do more to enforce licensing laws against Uber.
Sussex World reports that the protest – which will be held on Friday, 24 May at 6.30pm at The Create Building – comes after Gatwick airport began advertising Uber services to passengers and introduced Uber-reserved bays at the airport.
A Unite spokesperson said: “Currently, Uber has an unfair advantage over Crawley’s private hire vehicles because it can circumvent the local authority’s licensing laws, resulting in Uber cars registered in London entering the town and waiting for passengers.
“Private hire vehicles, on the other hand, cannot pick up fares outside of their licensing areas unless they have been pre-booked.
“The situation has led to an in-flux of London-based Uber cars into Crawley which are then parking up and waiting for passengers to poach private hire business.
“Uber’s growing encroachment into Crawley’s taxi sector is damaging livelihoods and undermining the local economy, which is heavily dependent on Gatwick.”
Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell said: “Gatwick Airport should not be hand in glove with a race to the bottom employer like Uber.
“Our members are fighting back against the airport and Uber but Crawley council’s lack of action in enforcing its own taxi licensing rules is leaving them at an unfair disadvantage.
“Ultimately, it is Gatwick and Uber that are causing this through the business model they have set up at the airport.
“Crawley council has the power to stop this by sanctioning Gatwick and Uber for deliberately breaking their taxi licensing laws.
“Crawley council must clampdown on London-based Uber cars picking up fares booked while they park up in Crawley and clampdown hard.”
Gatwick said Uber has taken over as the advertising sponsor for London Gatwick’s airbridges in a multi-year deal as part of a competitive market tender which was also offered to Airport Cars.
Part of the deal includes the rights to Uber branding in a number of places at the airport including a shared ride hail pick-up zone.
Gatwick said this area is not for the exclusive use of Uber.
Uber was already serving their customers from the airport prior to the new advertising deal for a number of years, Gatwick added.
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “Airport Cars, London Gatwick’s official taxi partner, continue to operate from directly outside the terminals.
“Passengers who chose to use Uber or other private hire vehicles can do so from designated pick-up zones designed to reduce congestion on local roads and provide a smooth passenger experience.”
A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the complaint and have been actively investigating. We anticipate producing findings in the near future.”
A private hire driver is furious after being fined £100 while dropping off a passenger at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The Liverpool Echo reports that John Wallace, 59, from Litherland, a private hire driver for Delta Taxis, received a penalty charge letter in the post, fining him £100 for 'stopping to pick up or drop off in a restricted zone' at the airport earlier this month.
Dated May 16, the PCN shows CCTV images of John's Volkswagen Passat dropping a customer off at the car park for the car hire area. John believed he was within his rights to do this, but there is a sign on entry to that area saying that taxis are not allowed to use it to drop off passengers.
He believes he has been treated unfairly and does not intend on paying the fine. The Echo understands he has appealed it.
John said: "The customer wanted to go to the car hire place at the airport. I drove in, dropped them off, took the fare, got on with my business.
"On Monday, I got the fine through the post. It's a £100 fine but £60 If I pay within 14 days."
John added: "I want to warn people. If one of your family want to get a hire car, you just drive them there. If you were pulling in there, you would think it would be okay. I wasn’t going to the airport. I was just taking someone to the car hire.
"It’s making our job harder. The knock on effect is that we might have to tell customers we have to drop them off a distance away and they might start getting shirty with us.
"I was only there for about five minutes. They paid on card, I got out, unloaded the cases, and got back in."
However, Liverpool John Lennon Airport told the Echo that taxi drivers have not been allowed to drop off in that area for some time.
An airport spokesperson said: “Taxis should not be dropping off passengers in the car hire area and signage at the entrance to the car hire area clearly advises all drivers and taxis specifically, not to drop off passengers here.
"Unfortunately, drivers who choose to ignore these restrictions and this clear signage will be issued with a Parking Charge Notice and a charge of £100. This is not new, with controls and clear signage in this and other areas in place for a number of years.
"Drivers who wish to drop off passengers for no charge can of course use our free drop off car park which is in fact immediately adjacent to the car hire area.
"If the driver believes he has a legitimate reason for using the car hire area, then he can of course appeal the parking charge notice.”
Source: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/delta-driver-fuming-after-being-29210844
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.