Taxi fares in Bristol are set to rise by up to 10 per cent, just a year after they last shot up by about the same amount.
BristolLive reports that hackney drivers are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, soaring inflation and fuel prices and have asked the city council to increase fares.
The rises depend on when and how far trips are, with the biggest being 9.8 per cent from £9.20 to £10.10 for a three-mile daytime ride.
For one-mile journeys, day rates are set to go up from £4.80 to £5.10, night rates from £5.70 to £5.90, weekend day rates from £5.40 to £5.70 and weekend night rates from £5.80 to £6.
For a three-mile trip, night rates will increase from £10.70 to £11.30, weekend day rates from £9.80 to £10.70 and weekend night rates from £11 to £11.60.
Journeys at Christmas and New Year will rise from £7.40 to £7.70 for one mile and from £14 to £14.90 for three miles.
Fares on other public holidays will be frozen at £6.40 for one mile and £13 for three miles.
Mayor Marvin Rees’s cabinet will meet on Tuesday, July 4, to approve the increases which will come into force after 14 days if there are no objections.
Any objections would have to be considered before the new prices are confirmed.
Before last summer’s rises, which ranged from 5.8 per cent to 9.5 per cent, Bristol taxi fares had not gone up since 2018 when some were hiked by more than 11 per cent, and the time before that was five years earlier.
A report to cabinet said: “Due to the cost-of-living crisis, trade representatives submitted a request for a new revised table of fares to take effect from March 2023, however, due to the proximity of the last increase (August 2022) the decision was taken that no change was necessary at this time. As part of our ongoing commitment to the trade, representatives were instead invited to submit a new proposal in spring 2023.
“This has been received and proposes fare increases across all tariffs, with the exception of (public holidays) which will remain frozen. The increases are based upon a three-mile journey and will see increases ranging from between 5.4 per cent to 9.8 per cent.
“A further request has been made to increase the cost of carrying additional passengers from 30p/passenger to 50p/passenger. These increases are being justified on the basis of general cost-of-living rises and associated costs the trade are so sensitive to such as increased vehicle prices, parts, fuel and other general increases.
“However, care needs to be taken to balance the needs of drivers to earn a living and customers who rely on the service. Given current UK inflation rates, these proposed percentage increases seem reasonable.”
Source: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-taxi-fares-set-rise-8565995
In November 2021, the policy that requires signage on private hire vehicles to display the private hire operator's name and contact details was adopted by Eastleigh Borough Council.
The council is committed to your privacy. It will use the information from this consultation for the purpose of forming an overall view of the importance of private hire vehicle signage detailing the operator name and contact information.
This will enable the council to provide the decision makers with up to date views of the taxi and private hire trade, residents and interested parties before any potential policy changes are considered or adopted.
The survey closes on 30 Sep 2023.
NPHTA comment: in light of recent changes at both Oldham and Southampton following our campaigns on vehicle livery, and the effects that has on vehicles being targeted as well as driver and passenger safety; Eastleigh council has now launched a consultation on the same subject, the link can be found here: https://eastleighboroughcouncil.citizenspace.com/licensing/private-hire-signage/consultation/subpage.2023-06-26.9312446534/?fbclid=IwAR0-1TZP1TXMyaffq1X9-WbqboLiRaEBQW0kAZVTb7B8dIj-ikfnZmoRF4E
Please do have your say, make your feelings and views known and get involved.
Eastleigh's vehicle signage policy was brought in about 18 months ago. Many cars were branded school transport only and were then unable to work for operators in evenings and at weekends.
This meant the collapse of some firms and more and more companies from out of area in to the region work.
Addison Lee has announced the acquisition of Green Tomato Cars, a London-based car service that has led the industry in sustainability over the last ten years.
Having now added over 1,000 electric vehicles to its fleet, following its commitment in November 2021 to transition its standard fleet to electric, the partnership will be invaluable in supporting its customers achieve their sustainability and net zero targets.
Addison Lee and Green Tomato Cars have been operating in London for a combined 100 years.
The deal strengthens Addison Lee’s market leading position as the capital’s largest private hire, taxi and same day courier business. It also includes the acquisition of executive car providers, Brunel and Travelhire.
This deal follows Addison Lee’s strong financial results for 2022 alongside the acquisition of ComCab London in July 2021, which gave its customers access to private hire, taxi and same day courier services all on one platform.
This additional supply of vehicles takes the Addison Lee fleet to over 7,500, ensuring the firm is ready to meet growing demand for reliable and professional transport across the city.
Commenting on the acquisition, Addison Lee’s CEO, Liam Griffin, said: “I’m pleased to see Addison Lee unite these great London companies with shared values focused on quality, reliability, and sustainability. The London private hire market is thriving, and this acquisition supports our growth and ability to meet every Londoner’s transport needs.
“With London businesses now wanting their employees back in the office more frequently, demand for corporate travel is increasing. And as London’s economy continues to bounce back, Addison Lee is in a stronger position than ever to offer safe, quality, and sustainable transport services.”
A man has been arrested after police spotted a suspected drug deal taking place in Nottingham.
Officers from the city’s knife crime team were on patrol in the Radford area on Sunday 25 June when they spotted a known drug user loitering on the corner of Independent Street and Clifford Street.
Moments later, a taxi pulled up alongside the man. The driver then spotted the officers and quickly drove off, rousing suspicion.
Officers stopped the taxi in nearby Argyle Street and carried out a search of the vehicle under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
They found bundles of cash and a quantity of suspected crack cocaine and heroin.
A 66-year-old Nottingham man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
He was later bailed with conditions by the force’s prisoner handling team pending further inquiries.
Sergeant Matt Daley, of Nottinghamshire Police’s city knife crime team, said: “Drug dealing and drug related crime is a blight on our communities.
"That’s why we conduct these kind of proactive patrols to disrupt the activity of local dealers and reduce the associated risk of violent crime.”
A speeding Audi driver who caused a private hire driver's death has been slammed for trying to shift the blame onto his victim.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Krishan Patel, 24, was doing more than twice the speed limit on Trafford Road, in Ordsall, Salford, when he hit a Renault Megane in 2020.
The Megane's driver, William Welsh, 46, suffered multiple injuries and died two days later.
Patel was convicted by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.
Prosecuting, Brian Berlyne earlier said that just after 9am on September 10, 2020, Mr Welsh was driving with no passengers along the duel carriageway, which has a 30mph limit.
He moved into a filter lane to turn right onto Phoebe Street. "As Mr Welsh began to approach the junction, danger was approaching from the opposite direction," Mr Berlyne added.
As Patel approached the junction, Mr Welsh appeared in the opposite direction, preparing to turn right.
"Mr Welsh began to make that right turn and [Patel] was driving so fast he was unable to stop on time. Mr Patel collided with Mr Welsh’s vehicle," Mr Berlyne said.
Mr Welsh was thrown from the car into the road. Patel, who was initially trapped in his car, was able to get out. He stayed at the scene.
PC Paul Terry, a forensic collision investigator, concluded Patel was driving at 65mph - more than twice the speed limit. There were no mechanical faults with either vehicle, he said.
Mr Welsh's seatbelt was fastened, but he was sitting on top of it at the time, the court heard.
In a statement read to the court, Mr Welsh's partner Rachel Palmer wrote: "My babe. That's what we called each other.
"Our daughters, Logan and Chloe, were ready to leave home and start a new chapter in their lives. Myself and William were so proud. This meant it was our time to start a chapter we were both looking forward to - growing older with each other.
"William was only 46, and had lots to look forward to. He went to work as normal and as a result of Krishan Patel, he never came home.
"He always said it was a skill to drive 30mph. Idiotic people drive too fast, William paid the price and he never came home."
Daughter Logan said she had 'not been [herself] since the collision'. Daughter Chloe said Mr Welsh was 'the best dad anyone could ask for'. She added: "While he [Patel] can carry on with the rest of his life, showing no remorse and putting us all through this trauma, we can only hope justice will be served for taking our dad away from us."
Mr Welsh's sister Jane Welsh said: "I'm just so thankful that William didn't have any passengers in his car. The only thought that has kept me sane for the last 33 months is that all actions have consequences, and I hope the judicial system does take into account Krishan Patel's inability to accept blame.
"To the world, William was a 46-year-old taxi driver. To his life partner, he is the love of her life and the person she should be growing old with. To their daughters he was their protector, advisor, friend and cash man when they needed a little extra.
"It's devastating that he will not see them grow and experience life, not be able to walk them down the aisle or have children. To our mum and dad, he was their baby brother who helped complete the family.
"To his friends, colleagues and customers, and those in Salford who knew him, he was 'Welshy' - the friendly, cheeky, gentle giant. To the rest of his family, he was simply our world."
Patel has no previous convictions on his record.
Mitigating, David Birrell accepted his client was driving at 'greatly excessive speed', but claimed that because the incident happened during a Covid lockdown, the roads were quieter and the 'risk was reduced'.
"The mitigating factors, in our submission, are that William Welsh did contribute significantly to both the collision and the death," he said.
"There was the manoeuvre, and most important, the seatbelt. It is no exaggeration the outcome would have been different.”
In response, Judge Elizabeth Nicholls said: "There wouldn't have needed to be an outcome if the collision hadn't occurred."
Mr Birrell added that his client was 'hardworking and studious’' and had to drop out of university as a result.
Sentencing, Judge Nicholls said: "Had you been driving at the correct speed, this collision would not have happened. There are speed limits in place for a reason, so we can avoid collisions such as this.
"I wonder, if a child had run into the road, would you have sought to blame them as you blamed Mr Welsh?
"It is tragic he was not wearing a seatbelt, not that that killed him - it was the collision at speed that killed him."
Patel, from Preston, was jailed for four years and six months. He was banned from driving for seven years and three months.
A change in law, which came into force on 1 July, means the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving will go up - from 14 years to a life sentence. That maximum sentence applies to offences committed after June 22, 2023.
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.