Concerns have been raised that young women aren’t able to get taxi rides home after nights out in Hereford, because drivers will only take cash.
The Hereford Times reports that Mani Mistry, who has driven a taxi in Hereford for over 20 years, said: “Drivers are refusing card and app-based payments from young women, even when they are begging.
“It’s a public safety issue that needs to be addressed.”
Hereford Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association chairman John Jones agreed it is a problem in the city, “especially with younger people”.
“Often drivers use it as an excuse to refuse shorter fares – which genuine companies then get inundated with,” he added.
According to a Herefordshire Council spokesperson: “The council’s licensing team are aware of recent reports of this nature, and of the consequences of refusing short fares on vulnerable people. Therefore we will be considering how the taxi policy could be amended so that this issue can be better regulated.
“In the meantime the licensing authority will be increasing night-time enforcement work and has already written to the entire taxi trade to notify them of this.”
Mr Jones said he would welcome such a change in drivers’ licensing requirements.
But he remains unhappy with the way the council is attempting to change more widely how taxis are registered in the county.
He said this “is a simple fix which should have taken six months but has been dragging on for four years” – for which he blames “officers’ incompetence”.
This and other concerns about transport have prompted him to stand for the Conservatives in the Newton Farm county ward at next week’s local elections.
“There is an acute shortage of taxis in Hereford, partly because drivers don’t want to come out at peak times – they just get stuck in traffic,” he said.
He added he would favour bypasses on both sides of the city to improve its longer-term resilience, so “young people to feel able to stay in Herefordshire”.
Source: https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/23485673.young-women-cant-get-taxi-home-hereford-night/
Over 250 more private hire car licences will be available in Glasgow in a bid to address demand at busy times, such as weekend evenings.
GlasgowLive reports that a review of the trade, commissioned by the council, found that there is “unmet demand” for taxis and some evidence of “potential underprovision of private hire cars”, particularly at peak times.
Glasgow residents have reported struggling to get taxis or private hires after night-outs in the city centre since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.
Research found private hire drivers have dropped from 5,475 in 2019 to 3,312 in January this year, while the number of taxi drivers has fallen from 2,353 to 1,756 in the same period.
Licensed taxi vehicles have reduced from 1,420 in 2019 to 1,408 in January, with private hire cars dropping from 3,940 to 3,176.
Council policies limited the number of taxi licences to between 1,278 and 1,420 and private hires from 3,195 to 3,759.
Local Transport Projects Ltd, contracted to carry out a review, recommended taxi licences should be “managed to a limit of 1,420” while the private hire licence limit should be lifted to 3,383.
This change would have allowed 188 more private hires to be licensed, however licensing chairman, Cllr Alex Wilson suggested increasing the limit further to 3,450, which means 255 more licences. His proposal was backed by the licensing committee.
Emphasis should be put on encouraging more drivers into the trade to increase supply and reduce unmet demand, Local Transport Projects Ltd’s review concluded.
Cllr Wilson, SNP, said the “excellent” report “does highlight there are deficiencies out there and I think the trade would recognise that as well”.
He added: “We are struggling to get drivers, we are struggling to get vehicles out there. There are problems with the night-time economy. I speak to many of the nightclub owners, bar staff, waitresses etc, and they are struggling to get home.”
Cllr Wilson said there is a “need to get more drivers and vehicles out there” to “boost the trade”. “The private hire trade would benefit from a shot in the arm,” he added.
The cap should be reviewed in three years and “if considered necessary” an interim review could take place in 12 months, the review added.
Cllr Wilson said: “The review process is vital, especially on the back of a major change to Glasgow, which is the Low Emission Zone.
“I think looking at how that will impact the trade out there is something that we really need to consider 12 months down the line.”
Trade representatives at the licensing meeting believed more vehicle licences could make the job unsustainable for current drivers.
One said public transport in the city needed to be improved to ease the demand on taxis and private hires on busy, weekend evenings.
The review found there was evidence that “significant unmet demand is being triggered by a lack of taxi drivers as opposed to a lack of taxis”.
For private hires, it stated while there was “difference of opinion” within the trade, the general suggestion was “the primary issue is a lack of drivers rather than a lack of vehicles”.
However, it added: “Increasing the limit may assist in increasing the number of drivers entering the trade.”
Licences for drivers have shown “continuing decline” since a peak in 2008, with “a reduction of approximately 14% between January 2022 and January 2023 alone”.
Economic downturn, the higher cost of living and post-Covid recovery are given as reasons for the reductions, with “anecdotal evidence” showing drivers began working as parcel and food delivery operators during the pandemic.
A public attitude survey found more than half of the 405 respondents (52.8%) had reported experiencing issues when getting a taxi or private hire in the last 12 months, up by 23% from a 2018 study.
Around 40% of taxi users recalled “at least one situation where they gave up trying to obtain a taxi due to excessive wait times”.
Consultation was also carried out with operators, with responses representing approximately 50% of the total taxi fleet and around 18% of the private hire fleet. The report stated a “higher response figure would have been preferred”.
Two operators said there were enough taxis/private hires, while two said provision wasn’t sufficient. One operator reported the main issue is “sourcing drivers” to drive idle vehicles “rather than there being a need to license more vehicles”.
An operator reported the city “does not suffer from a lack of taxi or private hire licences, but that it does suffer from a poor public transport service, particularly during unsocial hours”.
Around 60 responses were received from Glasgow’s Chamber of Commerce, with a majority of stakeholders reporting they do not believe there are adequate taxis (65%) or private hire cars (60%) for their staff/customers.
Source: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-licence-over-250-more-26793882
Uber has announced that customers will be able to catch a ride in a horse drawn carriage as part of its Coronation celebrations.
The Echo reports that Coronation Carriage will be in operation between 1pm and 4pm from May 3 until May 5 in the lead up to King Charles III’s Coronation on Saturday, May 6.
Slots will be able to be booked via the Uber app at London green spot, Dulwich Park.
This follows research by Uber which has revealed that almost half of Brits saying they’d love to experience the majesty of a horse drawn carriage.
The Coronation Carriage joins the ranks of Uber’s ever-growing portfolio of travel methods including Uber Boat, National Rail journeys, Eurostar, coaches and car rentals available using Uber Rent, helping riders go anywhere with Uber.
The beautifully ornate carriage has been lovingly created using designs from previous royal carriages, giving riders the chance to ride in the kind of luxury only normally afforded to the highest ranks of the UK monarchy.
Each of the four white horses pulling the carriage will be dressed up in their finest Coronation wear, complementing the striking and regal look of the carriage and the carriage will be adorned with statuettes, exactly like the carriage that King Charles III will be riding in for the formal celebration, to the delight of millions of viewers from around the world.
Uber’s Coronation Carriage will be kitted out with plush seats, embroidered cushions and throws to make sure Uber customers feel like royalty throughout the experience.
To ride on the Uber Coronation Carriage, head to the Carriage Drive entrance of Dulwich Park and the Coronation Carriage Concierge will book your trip through the app, without you lifting a finger. A limited number of rides will be available each day.
Andrew Brem, General Manager at Uber UK, said: “What better way to celebrate one of the most significant events of 2023 by riding like King Charles III in a horse drawn carriage.
“We’re always looking for new ways to add a little Uber magic to peoples journeys, so we are over the moon to be able to bring the Coronation Carriage to Uber”.
Following the experience, Uber will be making a donation to Spana, a UK based charity that is focused on supporting the welfare of working animals across the world.
Bradford's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has generated almost £4.5m in charges and fines in its first six months.
BBC News reports that money raised can only be spent on projects to reduce emissions, the council said.
The CAZ, which began on 26 September, aims to cut pollution and reduce its impact on people's health.
The charge applies to taxis, PHVs, lorries and vans that do not meet emission standards, but drivers of private cars and motorbikes do not need to pay.
The daily fees for commercial vehicles entering the area range from £7 to £50 and those that do not pay can be fined £120 plus the original fee.
Some business owners have said it has caused confusion among customers and added to price rises.
"It has had an impact in terms of it's an increased cost which we have to pass on," said Keith Wildman, who owns city centre bar The Record Cafe.
He said it was not ideal given other rising costs and said one brewery had passed the charge for entering the CAZ directly to him adding 20p to a pint of beer.
Mr Wildman said people visiting from outside the city were often confused about whether they had to pay.
"We're all for clean air and all for a healthy lifestyle, there probably just needs to be a better thought out way where it doesn't impact smaller businesses as much," he added.
Haulier Lesley O'Brien said her firm was lucky as its fleet complied with the required emission standards.
"For operators who don't have Euro Six vehicles it is a nightmare, it's a cost."
She warned the zone could move the pollution and congestion elsewhere.
Council figures to the end of March show it received £2,031,269 in payments from vehicles entering the zone, of which it had paid the government £410,800 for the cost of services it provides.
A further £2,468,218 was received from Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) associated with the zone.
The council said 58,776 PCNs had been issued since September.
A spokesperson said the government did not allow them to use the revenue generated by the scheme to fund normal council services.
"Revenue from CAZ charges is mandated to be reinvested in further programmes in the district to reduce harmful emissions," they said.
Those schemes could include further support for zero-emission buses and help for residents and businesses to upgrade vehicles.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-65409441
A cabbie and one of his passengers have been sentenced after terrorising another motorist.
StokeonTrentLive reports that Kamran Mahmood drove dangerously after pulling up alongside the man at traffic lights in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
His front-seat passenger - Simeon Quaile, 21 - then made racial comments about the man's colour.
Mahmood then followed the motorist, flashing his lights, beeping his horn and trying to overtake him.
Now 42-year-old Mahmood has been jailed for ten months and Quaile sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
The incident dates back four years. But the victim still avoids travelling at night and does not travel alone.
In a victim statement, he said: "On that night I was vulnerable. If I had not been able to evade them they would have tried to seriously injure or kill me.
"I was called disgusting names because I was white. This was pure hatred because of the colour of my skin."
Mahmood, from Stoke, denied dangerous driving and Quaile, also from Stoke, denied racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence. Both men were found guilty by a jury.
Richard McConaghy, mitigating for Mahmood, said no damage was caused and no personal injury sustained by his client's driving. The married dad-of-three has no convictions since 2000 and has not re-offended since this offence four years ago.
Mr McConaghy added: "He was a taxi driver for a significant period of time. Following this incident his licence was revoked. He has been working as a delivery driver since. That will come to an end today."
Barry White, mitigating for Quaile, said his client was aged 17 at the time. He said Quaile maintains his denials but accepts the jury's findings."
Judge Paul Glenn said: "The victim was simply making his way home alone in a car at 11.30pm. He is a small man, then in his late 20s, an inoffensive individual, a sober individual.
"I heard his 999 call and his obvious distress. He became very upset when he gave evidence and had to relive these events.
"You, Mahmood, pulled your vehicle alongside him in the right hand lane at traffic lights in the centre of Burslem.
"Quaile, you were a front-seat passenger. You decided to provoke him. You made racial comments about his colour. Your tone was aggressive. A rear-seat passenger joined in with similar comments. He was very frightened.
"He pulled away, you pursued him. Mahmood, you drove in a highly aggressive manner, intimidatory. You targeted him. You were flashing your lights, beeping your horn, trying to overtake him.
"I reject entirely your account that your passengers steered the car and activated the lights and horn or that they threatened you. But I am quite prepared to accept that you were egged on. You were trying to effect a confrontation.
"You, Mahmood, could have put an end to this by stopping the car. But you made a conscious decision not to do that. On two occasions you pulled in front of his vehicle, trying to stop it. The doors of the taxi were open.
"Quaile, you were the prime mover so far as the threats were concerned. Had he not got away I have no doubt at all he would have been assaulted.
"Quaile, you claimed you were misidentified. You gave evidence in a cocky and arrogant manner."
Mahmood has also been handed a 29-month driving ban. Quaile's suspended sentence includes a ten-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 180 hours unpaid work.
He must pay the victim £1,000 compensation. They are also both subject to a five-year restraining order.
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.