Black cab fares are to rise by 7.6 per cent – including at night, in a bid to ensure there are enough cabs available to help women get home safely.
The Evening Standard reports that TfL has refused a request from the cab trade to hike fares by 11.6 per cent – closer to the rate of inflation – but also rejected a wish from passengers for a fares freeze.
The changes, which are due to be approved next week, will come into effect next month.
The weekday, weekend and night rates – between 10pm and 5am – will all increase by 7.6 per cent but the minimum fare will remain unchanged at £3.80.
The night rate has been frozen since 2016 to try to ensure fares remained affordable for women reluctant to use late trains, Tubes or buses.
But concerns were raised that fewer cabbies would work at night if the premium rate was eroded – itself creating a safety problem because of a shortage of taxis for hire.
TfL said: “We believe this option strikes the most appropriate balance between taxi drivers being fairly paid and taxi users getting fair, reasonable and affordable fares.”
The number of licensed taxis in London has fallen from 18,961 in March 2020 – when the first pandemic lockdown began – to 14,892 last October, a drop of 21 per cent.
The number of licensed drivers has fallen by 16 per cent over the same period, from 22,409 to 18,754.
Only 158 new taxi licences were granted by TfL last year – fewer than half the 393 awarded in 2019.
More than 900 taxi drivers, trade groups and passengers responded to TfL’s consultation on taxi fares.
The majority of drivers and trade groups wanted an 11.6 per cent hike, one of a number of options under consideration.
The changes that TfL’s finance committee is expected to rubber-stamp next week include the scrapping of a surcharge of up to £2 that passengers who book a black cab via phone or app can be charged.
Source: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/taxi-fares-women-safety-night-tfl-london-b1064198.html
A taxi driver was fined £60 after stopping outside a branch of McDonald's for 47 seconds to pick up a passenger.
StokeonTrentLive reports that Kam Parvez launched two appeals after being hit with the ticket for pulling up outside a McDonalds, picking up a customer and turning around - all in less than a minute.
The parking company claimed Kam had stopped in a no-waiting area, and provided a map to prove it.
Kam said: "I was in there for 47 seconds, including the U-turn and including loading the customer into the vehicle.
"I was parked outside of the restricted area. The customer was already waiting on the roadside.
"They rejected my appeal and included a site map. In there, the area has a red line which goes all the way to the entrance of McDonald's. It's bigger than the area they've marked out on the road. I want the public to know.
"They told me it was because I had entered the marked area and I had parked there. But I wasn't parked within the 'keep clear' area, I parked out of that area."
McDonald's has declined to comment as the incident did not take place on its land.
The fine has been overturned on appeal.
Source: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/60-fine-cabbie-who-parked-8127872
Two North East Lincolnshire taxi drivers have lost their licences after they were caught under the influence of drugs whilst driving.
The bans come after the drivers were stopped by police to conduct roadside drug tests, the first on December 13 last year and the second one month later on January 13.
Both cases were heard at Grimsby Town Hall in January and February, after which the Hackney Carriage sub-committee of North East Lincolnshire Council made the decision to revoke the drivers' licences with immediate effect.
Councillor David Hasthorpe, chair of the licensing and community protection committee, warned that any taxi driver who risks the safety of their passengers can expect "serious consequences".
He said: “We take these matters very seriously and passenger safety is our top priority.
"The majority of taxi drivers in our area take their job very seriously and abide by the highest of standards.
"Anyone risking the safety of their passengers, who appears before the committee, can expect serious consequences.”
Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, added: “People should feel safe when using taxis in the borough and the licensing regime exists to protect the public.
"The council takes its responsibility for ensuring public safety very seriously and we work with the taxi trade to offer advice and guidance when necessary.
"Licensing officers work closely with officers from Humberside Police and will take action when drivers are found to be acting in an irresponsible or dangerous manner.”
Source: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/two-taxi-drivers-lose-licences-8198414#
Leeds City Council has this week launched a review on taxi vehicle condition standards, following updates to national guidance.
The review, led by a working group of Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee, will consult drivers, the public and passenger groups on potential updates to hackney and private hire vehicle condition standards in Leeds, with a specific focus on standards for wheelchair accessible vehicles.
As part of the consultation process there will be a series of meetings with the trade and passenger groups, which will include representatives for disabled, older, female and school passengers.
Public drop-in sessions will also be scheduled around the city to allow all interested parties to have their voices heard and influence potential updates to vehicle condition standards.
Following the public consultation and review, members of the licensing committee will recommend options to Leeds City Council’s Executive Board in response to the updated national guidance.
It is expected that the initial review will run from March to August 2023, which will be followed by further public consultation on detailed proposals.
The first meeting of the working group is due to take place on 20 March 2023. Further details relating to dates and times of the public consultation meetings will also announced shortly.
In a press release this week, Councillor James Gibson, Chair of Leeds City Council's Licensing Committee, said: “This review will ensure that the council’s vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles are updated to reflect the changes in legislation and policy guidance.
"As always, ensuring passenger and driver safety will remain central to the review.
“The council is committed to consultation at all levels, and we want to hear views from all interested parties on potential changes to vehicle condition standards.
"I would encourage members of the public and trade to contribute to the conversation and have their views heard.”
We will update you further in due course, if you have any queries, please contact the Taxi and Private Hire Service on:
TPHL-Development@leeds.gov.uk or speak to a member of the team at Taxi and Private Hire Licensing, 225 York Road, Leeds LS9 7RY.
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A 71-year-old taxi driver has had his license revoked by the Stratford-on-Avon District Council due to public safety concerns.
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