Police stopped a taxi driver who had been allegedly accepting customers' fares without having insurance in Swindon.
According to the Swindon Advertiser, roads policing unit officers pulled over a Jaguar I-pace on Bath Road near the junction with Victoria Road at around noon on Sunday 21 April, with help from community police teams and an armed response group.
Officers spoke to the person behind the wheel after stopping outside the former museum and art gallery.
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said the driver of the electric vehicle had been "taking fares with no insurance but swapping registration plates from a second I-pace to pretend it does [have insurance]".
Police say the motorist was also "using someone else's electricity" to charge both vehicles.
The driver has been arrested.
In response to a police post about this traffic stop on social media, one X user replied: "Thanks for all your hard work, trying to keep Swindon and Wiltshire roads safe."
A partially sighted man said he is "scared to use taxis" after he faced discrimination twice in one day because he uses a guide dog. Ryan Moreland said it is not the first time he has felt uncomfortable while using taxis, but said the two incidents were "beyond the pale".
The 37-year-old from Rhiwbina said the first incident happened when he booked a taxi through the Veezu app in order to travel to a hospital appointment at the University Hospital of Wales in Heath on Thursday, April 11.
He said he noticed the taxi driver continue past him and "hide" down his street when they clocked Ryan's official guide dog, Jamie. A Veezu spokesman said a driver had been deactivated from its booking system following the incident.
Ryan told WalesOnline: "I was stood outside waiting for the taxi, then he slowed down and drove to the end of my estate. He released the job [on the app] and then hid there until another driver took my job on. When another driver took my job on, he then drove off. He clocked Jamie and decided he didn't want to take us on."
Ryan said the incident made him 15 minutes late to his appointment, which was booked due to a bleed in one of his eyes. He said he could not believe it when a second taxi driver tried to refuse him on leaving the hospital because of his guide dog, before charging him an additional £5 for the animal.
Ryan explained: "I went to the first taxi and he asked me which area I would like to travel to. Before I could answer with 'Coryton' he looked down and said 'no dogs'. I said he is a guide dog. After about 30 seconds of awkward silence he said 'I need to check' and he went to speak to the driver behind who explained he couldn't refuse to take us. He came back and mentioned £5.
"I misunderstood what he meant and thought he meant a £5 minimum charge, which was okay as my journey was going to be more than £10. It wasn't until I got to my destination that I realised he wanted to charge me extra because I had Jamie. I was charged £20 instead of £13.30 [which was shown on the meter].
"I have autism so I didn't feel comfortable challenging him. I had already challenged him when he said 'no dogs'. I reported it to taxi licensing and they have taken a statement."
Describing how the incidents made him feel, Ryan said: "I'm a very independent person I don't like to rely on taxis, there are one or two really nice drivers but the majority I've felt very uncomfortable with. I feel too scared to get in a taxi now because, what if this happens again? I've had so many bad experiences and then what happened on Thursday was so beyond the pale."
Regarding the first incident a Veezu spokesman confirmed the partner has been deactivated from its booking system while the incident has been referred to Cardiff council's taxi licensing department.
He said: We do not tolerate discrimination and take incidents like this very seriously. We will continue to work with the local licensing authorities and passenger groups to raise awareness and eliminate cases like this.”
It is understood that the driver who picked Ryan up from the hospital was operating as a self-employed hackney carriage. A Spokesman for Cardiff Council's shared regulatory services said: “We have been advised of the allegations and the matters are being investigated by the licensing enforcement team”
Andrea Gordon, external affairs manager for Guide Dogs Cymru, said: “Guide Dogs Cymru is taking a lead role in working with the Welsh Government on its commitment to introduce compulsory disability equality training for all taxi and private hire drivers in Wales, so that guide dog owners no longer have to suffer the crushing refusals that leave many of them feeling like second-class citizens.”
Source: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/taxi-drivers-hide-refuse-take-29026776
Barnsley Council will not increase the limit on the number of hackney carriages allowed in the town despite there being an ‘unmet demand’, a report has revealed.
According to the Barnsley Chronicle, each year, the council undertakes a demand survey to accurately assess the availability of taxis in the town centre.
There are currently 67 hackney carriages in Barnsley though the report states that despite there being a demand for more, the cap will not be raised.
A survey of the demand was carried out in September, with key stakeholders contacted and questions regarding taxis and private hire vehicles were asked of the general public, private hire and hackney carriage drivers, disability groups and local businesses.
A survey of the taxi ranks was carried out, with 24-hour observations and counts on the main ranks from Thursday until Sunday.
The report states: “There is an issue in getting drivers to work during the busiest late night and early morning periods.
“This is recognised by the trade, however, many drivers do not want to work these hours. The main reasons given for this were driver safety and dealing with difficult customers.
“Seven per cent said they avoided times there might be drunken, violent or abusive customers.”
Taxi marshals were also asked about their roles and what they see whilst working.
“The overall view of the taxi marshals was that, though there was queuing, particularly with their presence there was no significant risk to public safety and people were generally content to wait and happy to be able to return home,” the report added.
“They did not feel there was any shortage of vehicles on any night.
“The small number of incidents reported, however, confirmed that the presence of the marshals was critical to making the operation work in a safe and secure manner.”
The council said: “Any increase in hackney carriage vehicle licences may not make any impact on specific times ie Saturday nights, as we cannot issue licences with restricted usage times,” it added.
“It could simply see a shift from private hire drivers to hackney vehicles without increasing supply, or potentially lead to over-supply in general, reducing the income to existing drivers and potentially pushing out some of the drivers who do operate on Saturday nights.
“Given there has only recently been a hackney carriage fare change, which saw an increase of 30p on the flag and 30p on the mile thereafter.
“It also saw the introduction of a super tariff that saw a further increase of 30p on the flag and the mile thereafter after 1am on Sunday mornings.
“Despite there being unmet demand that is significant we would not introduce more hackney carriages vehicle licences at this time, although other research and a repeated full survey with rank surveys no later than March 2025.”
The council is also set to accept £173,500 from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority as part of a pilot scheme to introduce CCTV in taxis.
It’s hoped this funding will increase both driver and passenger safety, with the hopes that drivers will be more willing to partake in late night shifts.
Taxi fares in West Lothian will be frozen until November next year.
According to the Daily Record, the decision followed a consultation among operators who were divided between backing an increase and those who thought it would hurt business.
Objections and division remain within the trade, with some suggestions that fares need to rise similarly to neighbouring Falkirk, by up to 10 per cent.
One operator said that keeping fares at the same level fixed in 2022 would mean drivers were "working for below minimum wage."
There was also criticism of the council's public consultation process, which was launched in local media following consultation with the trade in January.
This week's meeting of the executive approved a motion put forward by council leader, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, which said: "Council Executive notes the consultation and representations received, and approves an unchanged fare table for metered hires between 22
May 2024 and 21 November 2025."
There are 61 taxi licences in effect and 49 operators. Some operators hold more than one licence. Three bodies representing the trade met with council licensing officers in January to discuss proposed increases - West Lothian Taxi Owners Association (TOA);
West Lothian Taxi and Private Hire Car Owners and Drivers Association and The Fellowship. Members of the first two groups voted to retain the current tariffs.
A total of 25 votes were cast for retention of current tariffs while seven votes were cast by members of the Fellowship in favour of rises.
The number of taxi operators has fallen drastically since the Covid lockdown. Strict government regulations regarding the types of access for disabled passengers mean taxi operators have to spend in excess of £50,000 for a suitable vehicle.
A council spokesperson confirmed that unless the decision by the Executive is appealed by the holder of a taxi licence the proposed fare table will see rates remain as they currently are for the next 18 months following completion of the statutory review and consultation with relevant licence holders.
The council is legally required to carry out a review of taxi fares every 18 months. The fare structure will now remain uncharted until November next year.
The updated fare table will be published on the West Lothian Council website in due course: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/taxi-and-private-hire-cars
Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/taxi-fare-freeze-agreed-west-32615732???????
A Greenock taxi driver has been warned he is on his ‘final chance’ after avoiding disqualification for careless driving.
The Greenock Telegraph reports that Mohsin Khalid, 36, admitted driving without due care and attention – or reasonable consideration for other persons using the road – and colliding with a passing vehicle on Kilmacolm Road on April 21 last year.
He pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of failing to provide police with breath specimens to ascertain his ability to drive, which was accepted by the Crown.
The court heard that Khalid was driving at around 10.45pm when he turned on to Glenbrae Road and hit a stationary car.
A fiscal depute said: “The accused was carrying too much speed into the turn, causing him to enter the opposing carriageway, and collided with the rear of the witness’s vehicle.”
Defence solicitor Gerry Keenan acknowledged that Khalid was going ‘a little too fast’ in the build up to the incident.
Mr Keenan added: “It was an effective error of judgement on his part. He lost control and collided with the rear of the other vehicle.
“He is currently employed as a taxi driver.
“It goes without saying that were he to be disqualified, that would end his livelihood.”
Sheriff Sheena Fraser told Khalid that she deemed the circumstances of the case to be ‘at the lower end of the scale for this particular offence’.
She also noted that he had a previous conviction for speeding, for which he had received penalty points.
Sheriff Fraser ordered Khalid to pay a fine of £370, and imposed six penalty points on his licence.
She added: "This is very much your final chance.”
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.
A pilot emissions reduction grant scheme providing financial support for hackney carriage drivers to upgrade to cleaner EURO 6 and fully battery powered vehicles has been launched.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.
Darlington could soon see Uber cars on its streets after the ride-hailing giant applied for a licence to operate in the town.
Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has revoked the licences of two taxi drivers following a series of speeding offences.
A Northampton taxi driver has been found guilty of trafficking cocaine between his home city and Milford Haven.
The move comes after concerns were raised by the taxi industry about the rising cost of purchasing new vehicles.
Guide Dogs charity has asked licensing authorities in England for their support in sharing guidance on the law on carrying guide or other assistance dogs with all taxi and private hire operators.
Reading Taxi Association (RTA) chairman Asif Rashid has slammed Reading Borough Council's proposed phase-out of older petrol and diesel cabs by 2028, calling it a financial burden for drivers.
Dorset Council is poised to review taxi fares across the region, excluding Weymouth and Portland which have separate regulations.
A North Belfast man, Ruairi Fintan Muldoon (31), has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with an additional 12 months on supervised release for a botched attempt to rob a taxi driver.
Passengers are been invited to take part in a survey aimed at finding out if the taxi trade in West Suffolk is accessible to all.
A Glasgow man, Darren Gray, 31, launched into a verbal tirade and racially abused a taxi driver on Paisley Road West on August 19th, 2022.