The annual West Lothian Special Needs Children’s Taxi Outing was held again to the delight of local kids.
According to the Daily Record, drivers of ten taxis took to the streets with the youngsters in their cabs to travel through Livingston tooting their horns taking them to a special celebration.
The line of brightly decorated taxis left from Livingston Football club and ended up at Livingston Rugby Club for a day of fun activities and entertainment.
Organiser Eddie Millar said a lot of taxi drivers had retired and or were on holiday and gutted to miss the event - but they still managed to ferry 30 children and their parents to the rugby club for a special treat, and invited others along.
He continued: “I would like to thank Val from Livingston Rugby club who worked so hard and also the Rugby Club for hosting the event and Livingston Football Club for allowing us to use their club as the starting point.
“I would also like to thank Police Scotland for keeping us safe and the route clear, all the volunteers who worked so hard on the day to make sure everyone was fed.
“I would like to thank Morrisons, Krazee Kapers for supplying the flat bed lorry that the led the parade and Keith Bell who did all the announcing and getting people spirits up.
Also Stina sparkles and her Husband Paul and their team, the Royal Artillery Reserves all the children and parents who turned up and of course all the Taxi drivers who the day would not happen without them.
“We’ll be back next year!”
Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/annual-west-lothian-special-needs-29887858
A private hire driver is speaking out over a spate of break-ins leaving fellow Southampton drivers hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
The Daily Echo reports that Uber driver, Ali Haydor, says dozens of colleagues have been left out of work after having car windows smashed or doors broken.
He says between 20 and 30 vehicles parked outside drivers' homes in St Mary's, Northam, and city centre areas have been targeted by thieves in the past few months, forcing drivers to take time off to get their vehicles fixed.
The GMB union rep said: "We have seen a lot of taxis and private hires being broken into in the last few months.
"Some of the cars have been left with broken windows or doors, leaving the drivers out of work and having to deal with large repair costs.
"They often miss out on working for at least two or three days to have their cars repaired before they can return to work.
"This means that not only are they losing repair money but also their daily earnings.
"It's affecting their lives and causing them a lot of inconvenience. And with the cost of living crisis, it's only going to get worse and worse.
"We ask drivers to follow police advice and report every incident."
Inspector Brian Goodall from Hampshire Police said: "We understand the frustration that local taxi drivers in Southampton are facing after a spate of thefts or damage being caused to their vehicles; our main takeaway piece of advice is to not leave any valuables or cash inside their vehicles.
"In most cases, it appears that a window is smashed to gain entry before a search of the vehicle and glove box, where items are then subsequently stolen.
"We know how distressing these incidents can be for victims. It’s not simply a case of valuables being stolen or vehicles being damaged, but livelihoods being turned upside down as they are then off the road for a period of time while repairs are being conducted.
"These crimes can have an incredibly emotional impact on victims, especially in the current climate of financial challenge, alongside the effect they can have on people feeling safe in the wider local community.
"Our neighbourhood policing teams will always seek to establish if there are any patterns or links to any other similar incidents or people linked to these crimes in the area by reviewing reported incidents on a daily basis.
"This information that we gain from the local community about suspicious incidents is vital. It informs where we put our resources—every call helps our officers build up a bigger picture of the current landscape and possible impact on the wider community."
Anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity is urged to call 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Source: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23497334.southampton-taxi-drivers-pocket-spate-break-ins/
Clydebank Football club is already planning for next season with the announcement of a new sponsorship deal with one of the UK's largest private hire firms.
According to the Clydebank Post, the new partnership with the Take Me Group will mean away game travel for players, coaches and staff next term is already sorted and paid for.
As part of the deal, the Bankies bus will display the Take Me Taxi logo at the front of the coach as well as tagging the company in social media posts.
Bill Abraham, commercial director at Clydebank, told the Post he was pleased to get the deal over the line so early.
He said: "The club is delighted to announce a new travel partner, the Take Me Group.
"From next season the sponsorship will help to cover the cost of travelling to away games.
"We're grateful to Take Me's Peter Bresland who we worked with to facilitate the deal."
The company that owns London’s private hire cab firm Addison Lee has broken into profits as passenger revenue surged by a third.
According to the Evening Standard, accounts filed at Companies House this week show that parent company Atlas Topco made an operating profit of £12.4 million in the year to end August, compared with an £8.9 million loss in the previous year.
However after financing costs are taken into account the company remained £2.3 million in the red compared with a loss of £23.2 million previously.
Revenues soared from £164 million to £218.5 million.
Addison Lee said it has recruited more than 1,500 extra drivers since the start of 2022 and now has more than 5,000 vehicles in its fleet, including 1,000 electric cars and vans.
CEO Liam Griffin, said: “We’ve had a strong year, borne out by these financial results. The addition of black taxi and the growth of our EV fleet means that the company is thriving.
“As the only large operator trusted to hold a full 5-year licence from our industry regulator, we continue to be the clear partner of choice for passengers and London businesses looking for a premium, safe experience. We’re confident we’re perfectly positioned for continued strong growth.”
Two Oldham men have been charged with robbery after a cabbie had his earnings and some of his work equipment stolen in Royton.
The Oldham Times reports that shortly after midnight on Wednesday, March 29 a taxi driver was forced to pull over before being "grabbed from behind" by his passengers on Springfield Lane, Royton.
The passengers stole the driver’s earnings for the night and some of his work equipment before fleeing on foot, police said.
The cabbie was hurt during the incident, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Following the incident an investigation was launched by Oldham's Neighbourhood Crime Team.
Ellis Mayall, 25, and Ryan Wynn, 27, both from Royton, have now both been charged with robbery in connection to the incident.
They have been remanded into custody and are set to appear at Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday, May 4.
Commenting on the robbery back in March, sergeant Matthew Adshead, of Greater Manchester Police's Oldham division, said officers said: “These sorts of incidents are always investigated thoroughly, and we are determined to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
Source: https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/23495002.two-oldham-men-charged-royton-taxi-driver-robbery/
A former paratrooper turned pet taxi driver is in the running for an Animal Star Award for his work in Wakefield and Pontefract.
Tariq Rehman, 75, from Stechford, had his licence removed by Solihull Council in November last year following a complaint from a passenger.
A taxi firm boss has branded the criminal justice system "broken" after new figures revealed almost a third of offenders in the town reoffended within a year.
Dramatic CCTV footage has captured the moment a hooded figure set a taxi alight on a residential driveway.
A Drongan taxi driver has been convicted of sexually assaulting a female passenger after offering to waive her fare in exchange for sex.
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.