Karhoo stops trading and enters administration, again!! ... as parent company Mobilize and ultimate owner Renault Group pulls plug.
A notice briefly put up on Karhoo's website read: "Unfortunately, the decision has been taken that the business is no longer financially viable. It has therefore become necessary to enter an administration process.
"Under these circumstances, regrettably, we will not be able to conclude any new contracts or fulfill our obligations under our current agreements, and our platform will no longer be able to execute rides with immediate effect.
"We apologise to all our customers and partners.”
Head of Product at Karhoo John Daily Jr said: "I still believe there is a massive need that has not been addressed by anything on the market today.
"Perhaps the timing is just a bit off, or the solution takes a more radical form in the future as the market consolidates.
"But if there is anything Karhoo has proven, there are fleets and drivers looking for a better way, the tech can be built and there are individuals out here that are passionate enough to keep at it."
Veezu, the fast-growing leading private hire operator in the UK, has become the official ride partner for Leeds Rhinos.
Through this partnership, Veezu, formerly known as Amber Cars, will provide fans with safe and reliable travel to and from the home grounds of AMT Headingley Stadium to give the best match day experience possible.
Ben Turnbull, Business Development Manager at Leeds Rhinos, said: “ “We are delighted to welcome Veezu into our family of partners here at Leeds Rhinos. They have been a great company to work with and special thanks to Donna Coombs and Chris Neary for making this possible.
“Veezu is a national brand with a local feel that will have a range of great offers for fans and the wider community, so everyone has the chance to benefit. This is just the start of a great partnership.”
Chris Neary, Regional Operations Director for Veezu in Leeds, said: “Following our rebrand in Leeds, we are delighted to be partnering with Leeds Rhinos as its official ride partner.
“At Veezu, working closely with the local communities in the areas we operate is incredibly important to us.
"Working with the team at Leeds Rhinos, and Ben Turnbull who has been instrumental to the partnership, has been a joy, and we are very excited for what the future of this partnership holds.”
Uber is offering drivers a £5,000 grant – plus additional discounts of up to £17,000 – to make the switch to an electric vehicle (EV).
Fleet News reports that the grants are part of a £145 million fund for its London drivers to help make the transition cheaper, faster and more efficient.
London is already Uber’s leading city for EVs globally with 25% of Uber’s miles in the capital now fully electric.
However, the ride hailing company says more incentives are needed for Uber to meet its target of being all-electric in London by the end of 2025.
Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber in the UK, said: “Now is the time to speed up on electrification, not slow down.
“We cannot reach our collective zero-emission goals without continued action from policymakers and investment across the industry.
“Uber drivers can be the catalyst for accelerating electrification across the transport sector but collaboration will be crucial to combat air pollution and work towards a more sustainable future.”
The package being offered to its London drivers from Tuesday, May 21, includes the £5,000 grant offered through Uber’s Clean Air Plan and additional discounts of between £12,000 and £17,000 available on select models – giving drivers up to £22,000 off an EV if combined with the 'Power-up' grant.
All EV drivers will also be eligible for up to three months of free charging credits worth £750 and an exclusive charging rate through BP Pulse.
Furthermore, Redbridge Council in London is rolling out 34 dual chargers (68 charge points) funded by Uber, part of a £5 investment from Uber to install 700 chargers across three London boroughs.
Drivers can spend their grant cash as a lump-sum on a purchase, or on a rental or rent-to-buy deal – through which drivers make weekly payments.
New data, released by Uber shows that the proportion of EV trips by Uber drivers in the Congestion Charge zone more than doubles when the zone is active, avoiding the £15 charge through an EV exemption.
Earlier this year Uber launched a new in-app feature that allows riders to see all of the emissions they’ve saved by taking Uber Green, alongside their usual Uber rating – encouraging riders to continue choosing zero-emissions options.
Uber launched its Clean Air Plan in 2019, building up a fund of £145m between 2019 and 2022 to help drivers transition to EVs.
A taxi driver subjected to a racist attack by a passenger turned amateur detective to track him down on Facebook.
The victim was working for Blue Line Taxis when he was called to pick up Carl Turnbull and a woman on Raby Way, Byker, Newcastle, around 1am on September 26 2021.
Turnbull said he would direct the cabbie to Forest Hall, North Tyneside, rather than giving a destination, and paid a £10 deposit.
The victim said during the journey the defendant made disapproving comments about the number of black people or immigrants in the area.
In his basis of plea, Turnbull said he "remarked about the West End being multicultural and he says he didn't mean discourtesy but accepts he might have felt some disrespect", the court heard.
Turnbull told him to stop in Forest Hall and was told the bill was £14. The woman with him went to pay with her card but Turnbull stopped her. There was then a dispute about what the fare should be.
Turnbull then got out of the car and called the driver a "black *******" and repeatedly kicked the taxi.
Deborah Smithies, prosecuting, said: "The victim got out to look for damage and there was a physical confrontation. The defendant confronted him, tried to goad him, pushed him and punched him once in the face."
The victim shouted for some bystanders to call the police and someone did so and as the sirens approached, Turnbull ran off.
The taxi driver suffered a broken little finger and pain to his face and there were dents and scratches to his car.
He found his attacker by searching Facebook for people called Carl in Newcastle, flicking through profiles until he found the face he recognised about a month after the attack.
He said in a victim impact statement: "The entire incident has left me feeling very distressed. I feel the language used towards me was specifically targting my ethnicity and if I was white this would not have happened.
"It's affected me at work because I'm anxious when I'm collecting customers that this will happen again and I might end up hurt or someone might try to take my money. However I need to work to provide for my family."
Turnbull, 32, from Gateshead, who has 36 previous convictions, claimed he couldn't remember using the racial slur but said he must have done so in the heat of the moment as he was angry that his phone was still in the taxi.
He pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage and was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for two years and must do a "thinking skills programme".
Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/taxi-driver-subjected-racist-attack-29192755
Blackpool South MP Chris Webb used his first Parliamentary question since being elected to highlight concerns over unlicensed cabbies picking up passengers in Blackpool.
The Blackpool Gazette reports that it follows a meeting with licensed drivers from his constituency who have warned about the influx of drivers from other towns. It is feared some may not be insured to carry passengers.
Mr Webb said in the House of Commons: "Blackpool is experiencing a scourge of unlicensed taxis in our treasured seaside resort.
"Uber and similar companies, who have no operating licence in Blackpool, are allowing passengers to use their unlicensed taxis, uninsured - creating a real public safety risk.
“These unlicensed drivers are parking in local ranks illegally and taking fares from our hard-working, rule-abiding Blackpool taxi drivers.
“What is the Minister doing to tackle these unlicensed drivers and will he meet with me to discuss this issue I have in my constituency.”
After Mr Webb raised the issue in Parliament on 18 May, Guy Opperman, the Under-Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport, said the government had published updated "best practice guidance".
The question arose from meetings Chris has had with cabbies in the constituency who say they are constantly battling against drivers coming into the resort from other towns mainly using digital ride-sharing apps.
He said he was told other drivers were travelling "to Blackpool as they see an opportunity to capitalise on our busy summer season."
Speaking after asking his question, he added: "They are taking work from our hard-working Blackpool taxi drivers who go to great lengths to ensure they and their vehicles are properly licensed and are working with a properly licensed operator.
“The companies they operate under have made no application for an operator licence in Blackpool and have not attempted to engage with Blackpool council.
"There is a pattern of behaviour emerging that is putting passenger safety at risk. These companies are allowing passengers in Blackpool to get into taxis with drivers that are potentially unlicensed and uninsured.”
Operators such as Uber can only work in Blackpool if they have an operating licence from the council, which is currently not in place.
Chris said: "I have had meetings with the council's licensing team and the cabinet member Cllr Paula Burdess and I hope to go on a walkabout with council officers to see for myself what is happening.
"There are powers the council can use and I will be looking at those, and that is something I am hoping the minister can also do following my question."
The former Lancashire deputy police and crime commissioner said he "will work with anyone who wants to deliver jobs here in Blackpool, but they have to follow the rules".
But Blackpool Council's director of community and environmental services has said "taxi operators have alerted us to instances of app-based unlicensed drivers operating in Blackpool".
He added: "This is not a situation that is unique to Blackpool. We are in the process of seeking advice from the Local Government Association as well as reviewing what legal powers we have under the existing legislation."
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.