An Uber driver has hit out at the new low-emission zone in Glasgow, saying that the new rules are costing him hundreds of pounds.
The Scottish Sun reports that the scheme was introduced on June 1 in an effort to improve air quality in the city, and support wider climate change targets.
The council has previously said the main cause of Glasgow's nitrogen dioxide levels was traffic. But private hire drivers claim they have been left to pay the price.
New rules mean motorists can be slapped with penalties from £60 to £480 for bringing non-compliant vehicles into the LEZ.
Petrol cars and vans will need to have engines at the Euro 4 standard, which generally applies to vehicles registered after 2006.
Diesel-powered cars and vans will need to be at the Euro 6 standard, mainly applying to vehicles registered after 2015.
Glasgow based Uber driver, Saleem Dean, 60, spoke to the Scottish Sun about the huge financial burden these new restrictions have placed on him.
He has to shell out thousands of pounds for a new car that will comply with the LEZ rules so he can keep on working in the city centre.
He said: "It cost me £39,000 to change my car so I had a new one that worked for the LEZ zone. I work for Uber, they don't help with the expenses, I have to pay it myself.
"It has affected me a lot. I'm worried about the repayments which are £620 a month. Then again cars for rent are £200, so we're stuck.
"What can I say? We are stuck. We have to comply with the regulations. If I don't do that, I can't work."
Colin Dodd, the lead GMB union representative in Scotland, also spoke out on behalf of cab drivers who have been affected by the new shake up.
He said although he believes the city council is aiming to make changes that would be possible in a perfect world, it will lead to business being driven out of Glasgow city centre.
The trade union rep thinks punters will start shopping and partying outside of the LEZ areas to avoid fines that come with driving into Glasgow, which will also affect trade for taxi drivers.
He said: "I know there are a number of drivers who actually had to give up their cars and hand the plates back because of the situation.
"I’m a hackney driver but I don’t want to buy a 70 grand vehicle, which is really a hybrid – it’s not even electric. Especially after Covid, you really don’t want to take a chance on making that purchase because of the risk involved.
"We didn’t get much help from the Scottish Government during the pandemic. That’s why so many probably don’t want to go and purchase a 70 grand hackney. It’s too much money to invest.
"I drive in Glasgow and Edinburgh and although you see one or two people cycling, it’s not the amounts they say it is. Even in this nice hot weather, I’ve seen four people cycling. Where are these masses of people jumping on a bike?
"They’ve used the money for infrastructure and they’ve used it all wrong on the way they’ve designed the cycle lanes. They’ve rushed it and wasted a lot of money on it.
"LEZ will actually force people to move outside of the zones for business.
"A lot of people will start shopping at the Fort and Braehead because they can park there without getting fined.
"Somebody sent me a photograph of the city centre and it looked deserted even during the day."
Source: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/motors/10864838/taxi-driver-lez-glasgow-costing-hundreds/
A taxi driver cancelled a trip and left a blind passenger on the side of the road after spotting their guide dog.
BirminghamLive reports that Ramesh Mahesan has now had his licence revoked for failing to carry the assistance animal.
His licence was issued by Wolverhampton Council, which launched an investigation after the victim complained following the incident, which happened in June last year.
The passenger said when Mr Mahesan arrived at the requested location in Coventry, he'd spotted the assistance dog and "immediately left".
He then cancelled the trip, with the booking being assigned to a new driver, who got the victim home safely.
The passenger's version of events was confirmed by their personal assistant, who was travelling with them and the assistance dog.
Although Mr Mahesan’s legal representative denied the complaint and stated that the driver had “looked after dogs before” and “is very aware of the importance of taking guide dogs”, his licence was revoked by Dudley Magistrates' Court in April this year.
An appeal against the original decision was dismissed after he failed to attend a hearing at the court, where he was also ordered to pay costs of £939.96.
Councillor Craig Collingswood, cabinet member for city environment and climate change, said: “Leaving a vulnerable passenger on the side of the road is inexcusable.
"When licensing drivers, it is made very clear from the outset that it is a legal obligation to carry assistance animals at no extra cost.
“As a council, we strive to ensure the best possible service for anybody who uses one of our licensed vehicles and this scenario was deeply upsetting to us.
"Due to the serious nature of the complaint, we no longer consider Mr Mahesan to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence to drive a private hire vehicle.
"Every passenger should feel safe and respected when using taxis or private hire vehicles and we believe that Mr Mahesan did not display the high standard of service that is expected from our drivers.”
Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/taxi-driver-stripped-licence-refusing-27199099
A cabbie was left fearing he could die after being assaulted during a violent robbery in Colchester city centre.
According to the Daily Gazette, the driver, who wants to remain anonymous, was called to the Greenstead area to pick up a male and female passenger on Saturday 3 June, at about 11.25pm.
They both got into the rear of the car before the journey got underway. During the trip, the taxi driver claims the woman explained she needed to go to Asda but later changed her mind and wanted to go to Roman Road off East Hill.
He agreed to continue the journey and as he turned towards the destination, the driver asked what payment method they wanted to use.
The driver said: “As the car slowed down, I noticed the woman was trying the door to get out, but the child locks were activated.
“As she was unable to exit, both of them then fought to get through the front seat gap to escape.
“She opened the front door. I reached out to push her out while the man in the back had hold of my jacket and was throwing punches to my head.
“I managed to break free and get out of the car. As the male got out, he was attacking me, and shouting 'give me your money'.
"I could see the woman then leaning into the passenger side taking money from my centre console.
“I managed to get in the car and sped off with all the doors open, I then stopped up the road to catch my breath and to see if I had been stabbed as I was hurting.”
The driver, who has worked in Colchester for 16 years, said he has been left very shaken.
He added: “I am still very nervous. This is such a dangerous job, picking people up in the early hours, some people are unpredictable.
“I was hit several times to the back of the head which left me dazed and I am still suffering.
“At the time of the attack, I was expecting the worst, especially if I had ended up on the ground. I knew I had to get away.
“I was shaking uncontrollably.”
Essex Police have now launched an investigation.
A spokesman for the police said: "We are investigating a robbery which was reported to us shortly before 11.30pm on June 3.
“A taxi driver reported he was assaulted in the area of Castle Road, Colchester, and a two-figure some of cash was taken.
“Thankfully, his injuries were not deemed to be life-threatening or life-changing, though he has understandably been left shaken.
“Anyone with information which may assist our enquiries is asked to get in touch.
"You can call us on 101. Please quote incident number 1556 of 03 June."
The expansion of traffic-calming measures in Exeter has divided opinion.
BBC News reports that the council has confirmed trial road closures will go ahead in the Heavitree and Whipton areas, with the aim of encouraging people to walk more.
Supporters of the low-traffic areas said it would help make the streets safer.
However, taxi drivers said they were not consulted and are concerned it could lead to longer and costlier journeys for passengers.
Councillors on the Exeter Highways Committee approved the £190,000 scheme, which will last for 18 months, on Tuesday 20 June.
Devon County Council said it would ensure "all properties would remain accessible by car".
Planters and bollards are among objects being used on residential streets to stop vehicles passing through.
Sarah Beare, a resident in Heavitree, said the scheme would help cut down on excessive traffic movements.
She said: "Traffic has increased so much and there's speeding along our road. It's 20mph streets and no-one ever sticks to it."
Councillor Martin Pearce (Labour) said the area had become a rat run.
"There are many streets in that area where there are more than 2,000 vehicle movements a day," he said.
"These are residential streets. This is where people live, where children try and walk to go to the park and go to school.
"They've been inundated with traffic, using it as a cut through to get from one area of the city to another."
Others, however, said the scheme was causing division.
One said: "It's been one of the most divisive issues that I've come across since I've lived here really. People are very passionate about it."
Another said: "It's a great idea in principle but it doesn't really work, does it? The traffic goes into another street and then that gets blocked."
Amir Mossadegh, chairman of the St David's Taxi Association, said road closures would lead to more expensive trips for commuters.
"It would be better, before they make such a decision, to consult with the trade," he said.
"We've got experience - we know what the consequence of that is going to be."
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-65999394.amp
Bedfordshire’s police constable has responded to a call for reassurance for taxi drivers after one driver said officers didn’t attend the scene after he was attacked.
According to Bedford today, during the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Chief Constable Accountability Meeting on June 13, commissioner Festus Akinbusoye pictured right), said he had been told by a Bedford taxi driver that the police are “not attending all cases involving taxi drivers”.
“They play an important part in our night-time economies, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate”, he said “especially getting women and girls home, or anyone home for that matter, when they need that extra support.
“An example given to me was that someone who came into a taxi, got to the destination and refused to pay the taxi driver.
“This person not only went on to leave the vehicle, but also proceeded to start shouting the racist abuse at the taxi driver, and he basically punched them, I believe.
“The taxi driver said that he called the police and all the police did was to give him a crime reference number or something, there was no attendance.
“What reassurance can you give these important tradespeople in our county that when they need the police they will get a response?” he asked.
Chief constable Trevor Rodenhurst (left) replied: “We do see them as an important part of the community, they do often act as eyes and ears and play, as you say, an important role particularly in the night-time economy.
“We won’t attend every incident in terms of, for example, it might be an accident that a taxi is involved in where no one is injured.
“And it might be that a crime has happened but that’s no longer in progress and the person’s no longer there..,” he said.
The PCC cut in: “So the non-attendance is not because it’s a taxi driver, it’s just because that’s the general rule, if it’s a car accident and no one is injured the police will not attend, generally speaking.”
The chief continued: “We will do what we do with all of our calls – it’s threat, harm and risk.
“But if those taxi drivers are in danger, they’re being a victim of serious crime or anything like that I would expect us to be going to their aid.
“There will be some instances where something has happened, it’s no longer happening, which I can foresee in a busy night time economy, where we might have to then deal with that subsequently.
“But nevertheless, we’re supportive of our taxi drivers and it sounds like a meeting to talk through some of these concerns with the sergeant from the licensing team would be a good thing to do,” he said.
Artur Nowostawski has been jailed for six years and nine months after he attacked a taxi driver earlier this year.
Taxi drivers in the city are facing significant financial losses after a series of electric vehicle charging point failures left them unable to operate.
Police are appealing for help to trace a man who disappeared after getting into a taxi bound for the Otley area of Leeds.
The company’s operator licence includes a condition ordering all drivers to undergo the same training as those from other companies.
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.