A woman says she was left 'mortified' after she was charged £66 for a Bolt because the driver accused her of unrinating on the seat.
Kate Walker, 24, took a five minute Bolt journey from Manchester Piccadilly station to her flat in Castlefield in the early hours of June 29 after attending a gig in Leeds.
She described the journey as 'uneventful' but was left shocked days later after noticing Bolt had tried to withdraw £66 - instead of the expected £6 - from her account.
When she queried the charge she was told a cleaning fee had been requested because her driver claimed she had urinated and spilled a drink on the back seat, which she claims is completely false.
"I was mortified," Kate told the Manchester Evening News. "I couldn't believe it, I was so annoyed because I just knew that definitely didn't happen."
The 24-year-old refuted the charge immediately but was told the driver had provided evidence. She was sent a photo of 'clear' liquid on what she claims is a different seat to the one she was sat in.
"I just asked them if there was any chance the picture could have been fabricated, or if there could have been a mistake. I didn't even have a drink with me in the car, and the picture certainly doesn't look like someone wet themselves," she said.
But Bolt told her the driver had submitted the picture immediately after her journey and had not picked anyone else up since.
In a series of interactions with the company Kate said she 'pleaded' with them to investigate the driver - but the money had been taken from her account and she was told nothing could be done.
"The whole time I was speaking to these representatives I was being made to feel like I was just some stupid young woman who had got too drunk," she added. "I wasn't believed at all. It was a really horrible feeling."
Kate eventually told Bolt she was speaking to the press about the incident, and was refunded. But she told the M.E.N she wanted to share her story to make others aware.
"Obviously everyone is feeling the pinch with the cost of living crisis - I know there is desperation out there," she said. "But it's such an easy way of getting money out of people, because some people wouldn't notice. If I hadn't had insufficient funds in my account at the time I wouldn't have been notified of the charge."
A Bolt spokesperson said: “The significant majority of Bolt journeys take place successfully and without incident. The safety and quality of the Bolt service improves the more feedback we receive - positive and negative - so we encourage everyone to continue to share their experiences through all the available channels.
“If a report contains allegations of serious misconduct, our standard practice is to ask both sides for their view of the incident and make a judgement on how best to proceed. For example, if a party is found to be fraudulent, they are removed from the platform. We involve local authorities as appropriate.”
A taxi driver came to the rescue of a Glasgow couple who almost missed their own wedding due to the TRNSMT festival.
According to the Glasgow Times, Liam McDermott and his new bride Kirsty got married on Saturday 8 July, the same day thousands of music fans headed to Glasgow Green for the second day of the festival.
The pair tied the knot at The Hidden Gardens in the city's Pollokshields, and they had booked ten non-wedding taxis to take them and their guests to the reception at Cubatas in Charing Cross.
But the heavy traffic caused by TRNSMT meant that availability was low and Liam and Kirsty became stranded in the Southside.
The bride and groom issued an SOS call and they were rescued by Glasgow Taxis driver Jim Smith.
Kirsty said: “We got married on Saturday and had booked a taxi convoy but because of TRNSMT they were struggling to arrive.
"A call was put out that there was a wedding party needing to get from The Hidden Gardens to Cubatas.
“Jim, just finishing up at another wedding, turned towards the Southside to help."
Almost as if it was written in the stars, Jim happened to be in a cab that is used for the company's popular wedding services.
Kirsty added: "By a fortuitous turn of events myself and my husband waited until the very end for our own taxi and let all the guests go ahead.
"Jim turns up in a wedding cab and we were both beside ourselves! He even got the ribbons and the flowers out!”
Jim, who supports Glasgow Taxis with their wedding service, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to help make Kirsty and Liam’s day that little more special on Saturday.
"As soon as I arrived and saw it was the bride and groom who were the last pick-up, I offered to put my wedding ribbons back on the car and they loved it.
“They were an absolutely delightful couple, it was clearly meant to be.
"Myself and everyone else at Glasgow Taxis wish Kirsty and Liam a very long and happy future together.”
A wheelchair user says there aren’t enough accessible taxis in Worcester.
Worcester News reports that Lewis Bishop relies on his electric wheelchair to get around independently but says multiple taxi firms have been unable to accommodate him because of it.
He even booked ahead before a recent outing only for the taxi to be cancelled at the last minute.
Mr Bishop and his wife Amanda enjoy a weekly trip to the Thursday Activities Club held at Barbourne Ex-Services Club.
“It’s our only night out each week, really,” said Mr Bishop. “And we’re always advised to book taxis in advance.
“We’d booked an accessible taxi for 9.30pm, then at 9.20pm the company phoned to cancel, saying they didn’t have any accessible vehicles available.
“I tried calling every other taxi firm I could think of - probably ten companies - but none of them could help. In the end we had to get a relative to come and pick us up in his work van and put my wheelchair in the back.
“And when we left, we saw an accessible taxi picking up two people who weren’t in wheelchairs.”
Mr Bishop said he has been in touch with Worcester City Council as the problems getting a suitable taxi have worsened.
“It’s making me feel like I don’t want to go out,” he said.
“I feel like a recluse. I’ve got a manual wheelchair as well but my wife has to push me in that and she has disabilities, too.”
A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “Of the 319 taxis and private hire vehicles licensed by Worcester City Council, 232 are accessible for non-electric wheelchairs.
"A proportion of those will also be able to take electric wheelchairs, although it will depend on the chair’s size and shape. This is in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the council’s taxi policy.
“The council is investigating reports that some taxi drivers have refused to take passengers in wheelchairs.”
Taxi drivers have been thanked for their efforts in supporting an annual charity outing which passes through East Lothian.
The East Lothian Courier reports that the Edinburgh taxi outing makes its way from the Scottish Capital through East Lothian and on to Archerfield Walled Garden.
The event involves children with additional support needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses as the youngsters also stop off at S Luca in Musselburgh for ice cream.
Last month people were encouraged to watch the procession of decorated taxis armed with water guns, water bombs and buckets of water to soak the cars.
Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, submitted a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the taxi run, which has taken place each year since 1947.
He said: “I was honoured to submit a parliamentary motion to mark the 74th Edinburgh Taxi Outing.
"The outing offers children from Lothian a fun day out in East Lothian – made all the more special by taxi drivers and members of the public who helped to organise the event and make it a memorable day for children and their families.”
Source: https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/23644340.edinburgh-taxi-outing-drivers-recognised-holyrood/
The passenger who killed a much-loved Wolverhampton private hire driver in a fight over a fare has been jailed for manslaughter.
Anakh Singh, 59, died after being brutally assaulted next to his vehicle in Nine Elms Lane, Park Village, in Wolverhampton, in broad daylight on October 30 last year, over the £5.80 fare.
Tomasz Margol, 36, knocked off Mr Singh's turban during his sickening attack when he delivered repeated heavy blows to the dad-of-three's head and body which left him with internal bleeding.
BirminghamLive reports that he then callously fled the scene leaving 'hardworking' Mr Singh to die in the street.
Margol - who has a number of previous convictions from Poland - was jailed for ten years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday, July 11.
He had denied murder and stood trial where jurors acquitted him of the murder charge but instead convicted him of an alternative count of manslaughter by a majority in June.
Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC said Mr Singh was just trying to earn a 'honest living' when he died as a result of Margol's 'sustained beating'.
The judge branded Margol as the 'aggressor throughout' the horrific assault, adding: "Nothing justified your unprovoked assault on him. Your victim was providing a public service at the time of the incident.
He added: "It is right to say this was not a case that involved use of a weapon. This was nevertheless a sustained persistent bout of repeated heavy blows.
"The taxi drivers in this city, in common with others, deserve to be protected."
He said Margol's actions were captured on CCTV and that Mr Singh had taken a dog guard from the vehicle in self-defence.
The court heard how Margol's girlfriend booked a PHV for him and told the operator the fare would be paid upfront in cash to the driver. But she soon made a second call and instead paid the fare using a card.
Mr Singh collected Margol but was not aware the fare had already been settled, which led to an argument between the victim and his killer inside the PHV.
Margol was asked to leave the vehcile but then delivered a nasty headbutt to Mr Singh which caused his nose to fracture. He repeatedly punched the devout Sikh, while also kicking him and knocking him to the ground.
Members of the public arrived at the scene, with Margol offering to help Mr Singh and returning his turban.
Judge Chambers added: "You offered him help simply because you knew you were being watched. You then fled the scene."
Knocking off the victim's turban was a 'matter of great disrespect', the judge added.
Mr Singh was suffering from a pre-existing heart disease at the time of his death, a pathologist told jurors during the trial.
Margo must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before being released.
Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/killer-who-knocked-wolverhampton-taxi-27298068
Police have stopped a private hire driver who was driving the wrong way on the M1 close to Junction 8 at Hemel Hempstead.
Newcastle City Council is set to introduce strict new measures to tackle illegal and inconsiderate parking near Newcastle International Airport.
West Mercia Police is appealing for information following a rape that took place in Malvern's Priory Park early on Sunday, August 4th.
Glasgow taxi users could be facing a near-10% fare increase and extended night-time charges.
At least 14 cars have been damaged since June, with drivers suffering financial loss and emotional distress.
The attack happened at around 12.45pm on Etruria Vale Road, Stoke, when the victim, driving a Toyota Avensis, was punched in the face by one of the men.
Cumberland Council has taken decisive action to protect public safety by revoking the licence of a taxi driver charged last week with a serious racially aggravated offence.
A historic bridge has been closed indefinitely after an Uber car became wedged on Saturday morning.
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.