Uber is trialling free childcare for drivers as part of efforts to encourage more parents of young children to sign up to the app platform.
The Independent reports that the company announced it is offering ten hours of free childcare for 1,000 of its UK drivers.
Uber said its drivers on average earn £34 an hour in London and £30 across the rest of the country.
Opportunities for the highest earnings are usually at weekends and evenings, but childcare commitments prevent some parents from working at those times.
Uber UK general manager Andrew Brem said: “Over the last year I’ve spoken to many ambitious and hardworking drivers who told me that support with childcare would help them to earn more.
“The cost of childcare is often a barrier for women to join Uber, which is why we have launched an innovative pilot for drivers.”
Tania Naseer, who has been driving with Uber for four years, said: “As a single mother with children aged ten, six and five, I used to spend money on childcare to allow me to drive when earnings were the highest, like late night airport trips.
“But childcare is harder to access for me now, so I will be making the most of this new Uber pilot which will also help me as I study for a degree in biomedical sciences.”
A recent report by charity Coram stated that Britain is one of the most expensive places in the world for childcare.
The average price of a part-time childcare place (25 hours) a week for a child aged under two in a nursery is £148.63.
Uber’s free childcare will be provided through on-demand app Bubble.
The company said it will discuss the impact of the programme with recipients before deciding whether to expand it to more drivers.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uber-london-coram-b2299320.html
The Welsh Government has unveiled plans to introduce 'national minimum standards' for taxi and private hire licences in a bid to tackle 'cross-bordering'.
Local Government Lawyer reports that outlining its plans in the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (Wales) Bill white paper on 9 March, the Welsh Government said the standards would help 'level the playing field' for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers in Wales.
'Cross-bordering' is where taxis and private hire vehicles licensed by one local authority operate in another local authority area. The practice can lead to unfair competition, especially for those licensed to higher standards, the Welsh Government said.
The white paper proposals would give more tools to local authorities to allow enforcement of vehicles and drivers operating out of area.
The white paper also outlines a plan to introduce mandatory training for drivers.
The Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters, said the taxi and private hire vehicle sector has changed "rapidly" in recent years, "and quite simply the legislative framework has not kept up with the pace of change".
"Having worked closely with the industry the proposals we are putting forward will help address some of the most pressing issues facing the sector, and will help to deliver a better, safer, and more consistent service across Wales."
A taxi driver drove his friend to the shop while disqualified and has been banned for one year, a court heard.
The Salisbury Journal reports that Richard Coulson, 64, drove a company-owned Vauxhall Zafira without a valid driving licence and with no insurance.
The taxi had been parked outside his home because the company "had problems" parking cars at the office.
Coulson, from Amesbury, decided to use the car to drive his friend three miles to the shops in Larkhill when he was stopped by police.
Officers recognised Coulson as someone who had been disqualified and he admitted at the roadside that he had been driving illegally.
Coulson appeared in Salisbury Magistrate's Court on Friday, March 10, and the court heard that he had eight and a half weeks left of his six-month totting-up ban.
Bob Scott, defending, said Coulson "took a silly risk", adding: "He was not comfortable working but he did a friend a favour by taking them to the shop.
"The ban will have an effect on his ability to employ himself."
He is due to start the process of a knee replacement on March 24 and Mr Scott said: "In any respect, I don't think he'll be driving any time soon."
Coulson pleaded guilty to the two motoring offences, was ordered to pay £533 and was banned from driving for 12 more months.
Private hire vehicles coming to Cheltenham Festival are asked to only pick up pre-booked customers.
As Cheltenham’s four-day jump racing festival begins Tuesday 14 to 17 March 2023, the town will buzz with activity.
Private hire drivers are being warned by the council’s licensing team that they should only come to Cheltenham this week for the purposes of fulfilling legitimate pre-bookings.
The council’s licensing team will be undertaking test purchasing operations and drivers found guilty of illegally plying for hire face fines of £1,000 and the prospect of losing their licence.
Cllr Martin Horwood, member for customer regulatory services said: ‘’The council continues to take a zero tolerance approach to unlawful taxi activity.
"Private hire vehicle drivers should not be tempted to try and ply for hire and take cash work on the side. Our enforcement officers will continue to carry out spot checks and monitor activity during major race meets.
"The council will again seek to prosecute any unsafe or unlicensed taxis chancing their luck during the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.’’
Jason Kirkwood licensing team leader said: ‘’We see scenarios each year with members of the public who’ve had a great day and now just want to get home or back to the hotel. We see private hire drivers trying their luck and our message is clear, without a booking for a private hire vehicle the insurance that protect passengers will often be invalid and the driver is acting illegally."
‘’Our team will be actively checking licensed vehicles and drivers working during race week with the help from colleagues at Gloucestershire Constabulary, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, South Glos Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Wolverhampton Council.’’
The most congested cities in the UK have been revealed with some drivers spending almost 40 minutes to travel just six miles.
Car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have crunched the numbers to find the drivers who are spending the most time sitting in their cars.
London drivers experience the worst congestion in the world - travelling at an average of just eight mph during rush hour.
Motorists in the North West experience the second and third worst congestion in the UK, as Manchester and Liverpool have an average travel speed of 13 mph and 14 mph respectively, during peak times.
Edinburgh makes the top five of the worst congested cities, taking on average 21.3 minutes to drive six miles
Drivers in the East Midlands also experience long wait times sitting in traffic, as Nottingham and Leicester make the top ten list also.
Cardiff and Bournemouth rank at the ninth and tenth worst congested cities in the country, with an average speed of less than 20 mph during rush hour.
Sheffield and Bristol also have some of the most jam-packed roads in the UK, with drivers there spending 20 minutes making six miles of progress during peak travel times.
A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “It’s unsurprising to see the capital city at the top of the league table - with Londoners travelling at an average of eight miles an hour at rush hour.
“This would mean that it would take approximately two hours for someone commuting from Richmond in west London to drive the 16 miles to work at Canary Wharf in the east.
“Of the top ten, it’s only drivers in Nottingham, Leicester, Cardiff and Bournemouth who can make a six-mile journey in less than 20 minutes.
“For motorists in the most congested cities of Sheffield, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and London the journey will take 20 minutes or more.
“Drivers are experiencing slow moving traffic every day - with an average speed of only 14.5 mph during rush hour across the UK as a whole.
“And many motorists are spending over an hour doing their daily commute because of how congested our city's roads have become.
“This is frustratingly slow and none of us particularly enjoy spending longer than we already do sitting in our cars while we miss out on things we would rather be doing
“But it is surprising not to see some of the UK’s biggest cities on the list - Bournemouth ranking above Birmingham is surprising when you consider the reputation our second city has for congestion.
“What we might be seeing is the result of differing levels of investment into improving roads and public transport from city to city.
“As we try to meet targets on pollution and emissions, the UK needs more investment to help traffic to flow more freely.
“This might involve reviewing plans to introduce congestion charges for motorists in these cities - as several of them have recently cancelled plans to do so
“More funding into improving roads and public transport systems to tackle congestion should be a top priority for the UK.”
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.