fonaCAB is the first Northern Irish taxi operator to partner with the “Females in the Fleet” Initiative (FITF/ www.femalesinthefleet.com).
Set up to promote equality in the taxi sector and encourage more females to become drivers, the FITF primary function is to ensure that female drivers maximise their opportunities and operate safely.
FITF actively recruits female drivers into the industry by marketing a career in driving to them. They then help them to get started as a driver by providing training, assistance with licensing and car setup, followed by placement with a suitable operator local to them.
Support continues after this with ongoing mentoring for the female drivers, along with member services and initiatives that promote safety, gender equality and inclusion.
While the number of female taxi drivers working in Northern Ireland is much smaller than the number of men, the feedback we hear from those at fonaCAB echoes what their male counterparts say – flexibility for family, and flexibility to work (and earn) as much as you want are key factors in choosing to be a taxi driver.
The question is then, if the benefits are similar, why do we not see more “Females in the Fleet?” Taxiing has historically been a male dominated sector, but there are no reasons why this should be the case anymore.
fonaCAB is currently offering its New Driver Development Programme free to all prospective drivers. This offers bespoke training to help applicants pass their theory test and to guide them on all other aspects on how to gain their taxi licence.
The programme is easy to join and is delivered at a time and pace (and online or in person) that suits the applicant. While the tutoring and advice is free, applicants still have to pay for their testing fees and licence applications.
To mark International Women’s Day fonaCAB will fund DVA testing and licensing fees for five aspiring female taxi drivers on the New Driver Development Programme
Those considering a career as a taxi driver who would like to join the fonaCAB New Driver Development Programme, and female applicants wishing to benefit from zero DVA testing and licensing fees should get in touch at www.fonacab.com/training.php or call us on (028) 90 330 333.
A taxi driver is taking legal action over claims that a Wakefield Council licensing error left him unable to work.
Cabbie Ishfaq Hussain said the mistake has left him up to £1,000 out of pocket after he was issued with an out of date licence plate.
The Wakefield Express reports that Mr Hussain made a successful application to the local authority to have his hackney carriage licence renewed earlier this year.
The father-of-five said a new licence plate was posted to his home which had an expiry date of February 19, 2023.
Mr Hussain, 36, said the plate was already four days out of date by the time he received it.
He said: “When I showed it to my operator they spotted the mistake and told me I couldn’t work until it got sorted.
“By then it was a Friday afternoon and I tried to ring the licensing office but couldn’t get through. It meant I couldn’t work over the weekend
“It was the last weekend of the month when a lot of people go out after getting paid. It’s a big weekend for lots of taxi drivers. I would have expected to have made between £800 and £1,000.”
Mr Hussain has now returned to work after being reissued with a new plate but said he has made a formal complaint against the council and is seeking legal action to recover lost income.
Mr Hussain, from Bingley, added: “I didn’t notice the mistake at first because you don’t expect mistakes like that to be made.
“The council are constantly saying to drivers that they expect us to be professional at all times. It’s only fair that we should be able to expect them to be professional too.
“It was a lot of money for me to lose and I will struggle to pay my mortgage this month.”
Mr Hussain later received an email from the council’s licensing office stating: “As you have pointed out, the licence was issued with incorrect dates. This was a genuine mistake as a result of human error.
“Although we endeavour to minimise mistakes, the licensing office processes thousands of licences each year and, from time to time, small mistakes are inevitable.”
Yasar Ahmed, president of Wakefield Drivers Association, said: “The fact that Wakefield Council can dismiss their life-changing incompetence as “human error” simply highlights the dismissive nature and pure incompetence that taxi drivers have to face.
“No urgency or action was taken when notified. If we were to make a “human error” mistake, it would be a five-year ban for dishonesty.
“This is simply appalling and disingenuous to our profession. West Yorkshire Major Tracy Brabin called us the ‘fourth emergency service’.
“Wakefield Council treats us with discontent. We have had enough.”
Glynn Humphries, the council’s corporate director for communities, environment and climate change, said: “We are aware of the issue raised by the complainant and we are responding in line with our procedures.”
Ireland’s transport watchdog, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has received hundreds of complaints regarding taxis not having a card machine or refusing to accept card payments.
The Irish Mirror reports that in September 2022, it became mandatory for all taxis to have an in-taxi point-of-sale cashless payment device and for cashless payments to be accepted for taxi journeys when requested by customers.
However, since the new move was enacted the NTA has received well over 200 complaints about taxis that have failed to follow the new rule.
In the complaints, revealed to Newstalk via the Freedom of Information Act, a staggering 229 complaints were made to the authority in the space of five months since the rule was put in place.
Jim Waldron, a spokesperson for the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, told Newstalk he does not believe that the amount of complaints made is significant given the millions of journeys that have taken place.
Speaking on the radio show, he said: “I don’t think 229 complaints, with regards to the millions of journeys that take place since this compulsory credit card transaction payment had come in.
“I don’t think it’s that much to be honest. I think it’ll drop further down as time goes by.”
In the cases reported by the radio programme, multiple drivers were reported as they did not have a card machine present in the vehicle, with the drivers being issued fines by the NTA following the reports.
However, in another instance, the driver said he had a card machine but he would need to charge a commission on the transaction.
Source: https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/complaints-nta-card-payments-taxi-29232963#
There are now more London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) TX electric taxis on the streets of London than diesel TX4s.
Electric Drives reports that as the capital transitions to a cleaner greener environment, electric vehicle (EV) black cab fleets continue to accelerate.
Highlighting the transition away from fossil fuel, LEVC’s TX taxi, the world’s most advanced electric taxi, now represents more than 40 per cent of official black cabs, with over 6,000 vehicles operating in the capital.
As sales continue to increase, so does the positive contribution LEVC’s TX is making to air quality.
Powered by its revolutionary eCity technology, LEVC’s electric TX taxi has travelled more than 534 million miles globally and prevented 162,000 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere, since it was introduced in 2018.
Alex Nan, CEO of LEVC, commented: “We are witnessing a significant tipping point in the push towards cleaner transportation, with the TX overtaking the diesel-powered TX4 as the cab of choice in London.
"There are now more than 6,000 TX electric taxis operating in the capital, accounting for over 40 per cent of the black cab fleet.
“Since LEVC launched the revolutionary TX taxi, it has successfully delivered an unrivalled sustainable mobility solution, perfectly suited for urban environments.
"With each new TX on the road, we are preventing thousands of tonnes of harmful emissions, helping to create healthier and happier cities.”
Helen Chapman, Transport for London’s Director of Licensing and Regulation, said: “It is great to see that almost half of the entire taxi fleet is now zero emissions capable and there are now more LEVC TX taxis than any model of diesel black cabs in the capital.
"Alongside reductions to emissions, these modern vehicles deliver a really comfortable experience for both driver and passenger.
“London’s taxi drivers are rightfully proud to be at the vanguard of cleaning up the city’s toxic air. The step change in the taxi fleet moving to zero emissions capable is an important part of the bold action the Mayor is taking to deal with the public health crisis that is being caused by deadly pollution, and for tackling the climate emergency.”
The TX taxi is an accessible and inclusive vehicle for all, regardless of age or disability. Featuring flexible space for up to six passengers, the vehicle includes an integrated wheelchair ramp enabling the TX to accommodate a forward-facing wheelchair. This is the only taxi of its kind to do so.
LEVC has recently announced a new brand strategy to become a leading zero-carbon mobility technology company. LEVC’s new direction will see it grow beyond manufacturing the world’s most advanced taxi, the TX, and commit to delivering smart, green, safe and accessible mobility solutions to more people than ever before.
Source: https://electricdrives.tv/ev-biz/levcs-electric-tx-taxis-overtake-diesel-models-in-london/
A pilot scheme for taxi drivers to "earn as they learn" is being introduced in Basildon to combat a drop in cabbies since the Covid pandemic.
The Basildon Echo reports that the scheme allows trainee taxi drivers an extended period to pass the "topographical section" of the knowledge test on local routes, as well as being able to work as a private hire driver while training.
The scheme was suggested in response to concerns highlighted by the Basildon Taxi and Private Hire Forum that the trade is experiencing a reduction in the number of licensed drivers, including new applicants, following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Councillor Danny Lawrence, chairman of Basildon Council’s licensing committee, welcomed the scheme to boost the number of taxi drivers in the town.
He said: “We are keen to encourage new driver applicants into Basildon, to boost our driver numbers and help our residents who want to access quality local transport options.
“We hope that by giving drivers the chance to earn while they are learning our local areas, they will be supported to pass the topographical test to achieve the same professional standards as other licence holders.
"This will then mean they can have a licence giving them greater flexibility to drive private hire or hackney carriage vehicles licensed by Basildon Council, with all the benefits that brings.”
In order to become an “Earn as you learn” licensed driver the applicant will still need to meet existing pre-licensing criteria to ensure appropriate passenger safety, including passing a criminal record check, a driving assessment, medical and passenger assistance training, as well as other checks.
The council’s licensing team will continue to engage with the Basildon Taxi Forum and representatives of the taxi trade as the pilot scheme progresses.
Regular updates and a final report will be presented to the licensing committee to monitor progress and consider future options.
“Earn as you learn” is a nine-month pilot scheme.
The application window opens on Monday and will close on March 31.
Source: https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23367107.basildon-taxi-drivers-earn-learn-new-scheme/
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.