An East Lancashire borough is to ease its MoT testing regime for taxi and private hire vehicles.
The Lancashire Telegraph reports that currently cabs in Blackburn with Darwen are checked for road worthiness every 12 months until they are three years old.
Then they are safety tested every six months.
In future the 12-month testing frequency will apply until the vehicles are five years old.
And cabs over that limit which pass the safety check first time will be eligible for an eight month licence, instead of the standard six month one.
The move has been welcomed by Conservative councillor and taxi driver Altaf 'Tiger' Patel who has led a campaign against the high testing charges imposed by Blackburn with Darwen Council and its refusal to outsource the checks to private garages rather than insist all are conducted at the council's Motor Vehicle Service Station (MVSS) at its Davyfield Depot.
A report instigating the new regime by borough environment boss Cllr Jim Smith says: "As part of the broader consultation exercise undertaken with the trade and other stakeholders on the revised policy, a proposal to amend the vehicle testing frequencies was discussed.
"This proposal seeks to incentivise the trade to invest in newer vehicles by granting a twelve month licence for all vehicles aged up to five years, instead of the current three years.
"It also proposes to grant an eight month vehicle licence, rather than a six month licence to those applicants with vehicles aged five years or over, whose vehicle passes the council’s ‘taxi test’ on first presentation.
"Based on current fleet data, the extension of the twelve month licences would capture circa 40 vehicles and see a loss of revenue in licensing fees and testing fees of £6,500.
"The additional two months on vehicle licences will defer the income from vehicle renewals for two months."
Audley and Queens Park ward's Cllr Patel said: "This is good news but the cost of the tests is still very high."
A passenger who attacked a taxi driver in Belfast has been given 18 months' probation.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, Thomas Glassey was also ordered to carry out 80 hours community service and pay for damage he caused to the victim’s car.
A judge warned the 39-year-old that he faces imprisonment for any failure to comply with the sentence.
Glassey admitted common assault, criminal damage, and assault on a police designated person.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he became increasingly aggressive during a cab ride at an undisclosed location on September 23 last year.
A Crown lawyer said Glassey called the taxi driver a “c***” and began to flail his arms around.
When the car stopped he got out and kicked the vehicle, causing £200 worth of damage as the driver tried to restrain him.
“He kicked, punched and spat at the injured party during the struggle, resulting in an injury to his knee,” the prosecutor added.
Glassey continued with the outburst following his arrest, spitting on the chest of a custody detention officer.
Based on his guilty plea and lack of any recent offending, District Judge Steven Keown decided not to send him jail.
Imposing probation and community service, he told Glassey: “Be under no illusion, if you come back to court for breaching the combination order there is every likelihood you will go to prison.”
Mr Keown added: “There will also be £200 compensation.”
CityFleet Networks Ltd, the national taxi and private hire services provider, has acquired Chester-based taxi firm, Vedamain Ltd operating under the KingKabs brand name.
The move continues CityFleet’s growth in the private mobility services market, providing further expansion of its network in the Northwest.
Outside of London, the Northwest is the largest taxi and private hire market in the UK. The added capacity from this acquisition means that CFN will be delivering over 5 million taxi and private hire journeys each year to residents and visitors in the region, supporting businesses and the local economy.
CityFleet is committed to being the leading mobility service provider, connecting driver partners with passengers seamlessly using the latest technology and unparalleled customer and driver support.
Flexible payment options are available, including cash, with a bespoke account service for organisations in the health, education and business sectors providing security and management information.
Damian Rowbotham, CEO, CityFleet Networks Ltd, said: “The team KingKabs have an enviable history, establishing the most professional and customer focused taxi service in the area.
"Together we will be able to take our business to the next level, with customers of both companies benefiting from an even better, regional experience”.
Karen Long, CityFleet Networks general manager in the Northwest, said: “Vedamain is a perfect fit with our other local operations, Argyle Satellite and ComCab Liverpool and presents us with a great opportunity to grow and invest further in the local community. Watch this space for further development and service improvements”.
Nigel Thomas, the outgoing managing director and owner, added: “We are incredibly enthusiastic about what joining CityFleet means for the future of KingKabs.
"CityFleet have a great team with a focus on customer and driver experience. They are fully committed to taking the company forward and continuing KingKabs’ proud traditions and levels of service.”
A Cambridge cabbie has slammed the state of the city's roads.
Ahmed Karaahmed, Chairman of Cambridge City Licenced Taxis says that he's "never" seen the roads in as poor a state as they have been in recent months.
In the past week, Ahmed said he had spent £500 repairing his car after driving into a deep pothole which was concealed by rainwater.
Speaking to CambridgeshireLive, he said: "There are a ridiculous number of potholes now. I took my car into the garage I damaged one of my wheels and tyres.
"I went through a puddle not thinking the damage was that bad, and I asked them whether anything else needed to be done. They said there were other things on the front suspension that needed to be replaced."
Ahmed, who is meeting MP Daniel Zeichner to discuss his concerns, has conducted a poll of his members - with an accompanying report finding taxi drivers have seen a big increase in the amount of money spent on car repairs over the past year.
He has said that on top of rising fuel bills, decreasing trade to the cost of living and new CCTV installation, his profits have hit a considerable bump in the road.
He added: "The council seem to have money for other projects, but when it comes to fixing the roads they don't have the budget. It's one of the subjects I would like to see a big improvement.
"I've never seen the conditions of the roads as bad as they are now. When I drive I feel that I'm in a third-world country.
"I have to spend more money on my vehicles and my colleagues have experienced the same issue."
Responding to Ahmed's concerns, a Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: "We are responding to a high number of defects right now and repairing at an unprecedented rate.
"Please continue to report highways faults as soon as you can and encourage others to do so as well.
"We are also committed to continuing to prioritise regular inspections of our roads, bridges and footpaths to identify defects and get them repaired as quickly as possible.
"All reports are inspected and actioned based on the intervention levels in the Highway Operational Standards."
Source: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-cabbie-says-hes-spent-26499080
A man punched a taxi driver in the face before spitting in the back of a police van. Robert Marriner, 34, was told to go home by a local police officer before being refused service by a taxi driver.
PC Hammond was patrolling the city centre on February 3 when he was notified by door staff that Marriner was drunk and acting aggressively.
After getting into a taxi, the 34-year-old was refused service and became abusive towards the driver, Wiltshire Live reports.
He then assaulted the driver before being swiftly arrested by police. However, while in the back of the Wiltshire Police van, he spat out.
At a hearing earlier this month, Marriner, from Warminster, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage. He was fined £1,234 and required to pay a victim surcharge of £492, court costs of £85 and £100 compensation each to the taxi driver and Wiltshire Police.
PC Hammond said: “When people come to Salisbury for a night out, any violence will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly. I am glad that the courts have taken this assault seriously.
“Marriner was given plenty of opportunity to go home and sleep off the alcohol, however when he did get into a taxi he chose to continue his tirade of abusive behaviour towards the taxi driver.
“He was subsequently asked to leave the vehicle, and he has then assaulted the driver.
"Taxi drivers work hard to make sure that people get home safely when they have been out drinking and shouldn’t be subject to any assault, physical or verbal.”
Source: https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/man-punched-taxi-driver-face-8271993
A private hire driver was found asleep in his vehicle in the middle of the road, prompting concerns for public safety.
A private hire driver who continued to work despite having his licence suspended, has been prosecuted by Oldham Council.
The Hinckley Area Taxi Association has proposed new tariffs to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, which could make the borough's taxis the most expensive in Leicestershire.
Shaun Meenan attacked the teenager, who was a stranger to him, both in his vehicle and then in her home after gaining entry under false pretenses
Hillingdon Council launches consultation on PSPO to prohibit PHVs and taxis from waiting in residential streets around Heathrow Airport.
A taxi driver was left shaken after being robbed and assaulted by a knife-wielding passenger in Gateshead.
The proposed changes,which are set to be discussed at the licensing committee this week, would affect fares during weekdays, evenings,weekends, and festive periods.
A 71-year-old taxi driver has had his license revoked by the Stratford-on-Avon District Council due to public safety concerns.
Wolverhampton taxi drivers are set to be given powers to record audio in their cabs if they feel in danger following a spate of attacks.
Residents of Stirling are being invited to have their say on plans for a new taxi rank in the city center, as the local authority looks to address a growing demand for taxi services.
As of this year, only 278 licensed taxis are in service, significantly lower than the government's goal of 310.
Over 200 children from across England suffering from chronic or life-limiting conditions experienced a dream come true this weekend, thanks to a heartwarming initiative by London's black cab drivers.
Residents are being encouraged to participate in a consultation on proposed new taxi charges.
Taxi drivers at Bristol Parkway railway station are expressing frustration over a subsidised bus service that they believe is cutting into their business.
A year after the removal of a taxi rank due to lack of customers, Ipswich Borough Council is proposing to introduce a new five-place rank on Key Street.
A taxi driver who had his licence revoked following allegations of posting offensive material online has been given the chance to reapply.
The Glasgow Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has shown initial positive results in reducing air pollution, according to a new report.
Colin Aylward, who lives in Chittys Lane, Dagenham, captured the shocking incident on his home security system.
Independent Councilor Dave Patrick warned that the proposed increases would make Fenland one of the most expensive places in the country for taxi travel
Bleed kit charity, RAPAID, has already installed over 5,000 kits in UK cities in a bid to put emergency bandages in permanent circulation so that they are on hand whenever needed.