Taxi firm leaders have praised the drivers who worked during Eid so as not to let customers down as normal service resumes.
Worcester News reports that Maz Shakil, a spokesperson for Worcester-based taxi firm Woober, said it had been a busy time as Muslims marked Eid on Wednesday, the end of Ramadan and one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar.
Drivers reminded customers that there may be a shortage of drivers as Muslims across the city celebrated Eid by visiting the mosque or spending time with friends and family.
Mr Shakil said: "We extend our warmest wishes of Eid Mubarak to all who celebrated this joyous occasion.
"This Eid marked one of our busiest days of the year, and we are truly grateful to all the dedicated drivers who stepped up to cover the increased demand.
"While we strived to accommodate as many requests as possible, we regret any inconvenience caused to clients whose jobs we were unable to fulfill.
"As we resume full operations, our commitment to delivering smiles to our customers remains unwavering.
"At Woober, we take pride in not just being a taxi company but a dedicated member of the local community.
"We look forward to continuing to serve and support our community with passion and dedication."
Source: https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24247322.woober-taxi-drivers-stepped-eid-taxi-shortage/
A brave pair of strangers stepped in to help after a woman was attacked in Liverpool city centre.
According to the Liverpool Echo, at around 4.45am on Sunday, March 31, a man forced his way into a taxi on Seel Street. A woman and her friend were inside the back of the car when he attacked.
The man snatched a handbag from one of the women before he was removed from the taxi by a doorman and fled the scene.
The woman was unharmed but was "very distressed" after the incident, police report.
Since the attack, detectives have conducted CCTV and witness enquiries to identify the suspect. Officers have now issued an image of the man they believe could assist with their investigation.
DI Steve Street branded this a "violent and frightening attack" and said the woman is "fearing for her safety" after the incident.
He said: "Thankfully another man and door staff bravely intervened and helped the woman after the attack.
"We are appealing to anyone who helped the victim or recognises this man pictured to come forward and contact us as soon as possible.
"Everyone should be able go out and feel safe in our city without the fear of being attacked and we are determined to find whoever is responsible and bring them to justice.
If you have any information, please contact us directly via @MerPolCC on Twitter, 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook with reference 24000299910.
Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.
Source: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-jumps-womans-taxi-seel-28972951
Portsmouth Climate Action (PCA) believes the city has a brighter future after spotting several electric vehicles on the roads.
It comes after new electric buses were rolled out in the city in April, alongside some Tesla model private hire vehicles.
A spokesperson for the group told The News: “There are a number of reasons why [electric taxis] are important, firstly it reduces air pollution and nitrogen dioxide, helping the environment. The more taxi drivers who go green the better.”
The private hire vehicles, operated by Uber, will reduce the city’s carbon footprint by producing less emissions. Data from Portsmouth City Council shows 33 per cent of the city’s carbon emissions are produced from transport.
PCA said it hopes to see more EV taxis introduced. The goup also believes this will help reduce passenger fares thanks to lower running costs.
PCA is calling for more action to reduce the cost of licences for drivers of electric vehicles, to incentivise people to go green.
It added that electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs to be improved.
PCA said: “It would be good if they (the council) could reduce the fees for electrical vehicles to make it more attractive and the charging infrastructure is still pretty poor.“
A spokesperson for Portsmouth city council added: “The Licensing Committee reviews all its fees and charges annually.
"It's necessary to ensure that any licensing fees cover the costs associated with the licensing regime, so it would be at the discretion of the members of the Committee as to how to apportion those costs with regard to any proposals from interested groups.
"The council is also exploring various options to support drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles in switching to electric vehicles, including six more rapid chargers planned specifically for taxi and private hire use.
"Last year, we also consulted with people on our forthcoming Electric Vehicle Infrastructure strategy, which included an objective to 'support fleet conversion to EV through providing supporting infrastructure to meet their needs'.
"This will look to provide the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of fleet conversion to electric, including taxis."
A practical test for new taxi and private hire drivers in East Renfrewshire has been dropped due to a massive backlog.
The Glasgow Times reports that officials at East Renfrewshire Council reported 120 tests currently need to be completed - and the process could take around 300 hours over three to four months.
They proposed limiting the Knowledge test to a written test only. The council’s licensing committee approved the change on Tuesday 9 April.
The new rules will apply to all drivers with outstanding practical tests, and any new applicants for taxi or private hire licences.
A two-part test was introduced to “improve customer service standards”, with the practical part involving an applicant being asked to drive to certain locations across the East Renfrewshire Council area while accompanied by a licensing enforcement official.
However, a report to the licensing committee stated periods of “long-term staff absence, allied to the labour intensive nature of this process, have resulted in a backlog of tests”.
It added: “The total processing time for a single test has been calculated as 2.5 hours. If the current process is retained, it is reasonably estimated that it will take approximately 300 hours over three to four months to clear the backlog.”
Currently, to “avoid unnecessary delays in processing applications”, licences are issued “conditional on the test being subsequently passed by the applicant”.
The intention has been to conduct tests within six months of the licence being granted, but there are “now a number of applications where the delay exceeds this timeframe”.
“In order to clear the backlog, maintain service standards of drivers on the road and minimise future delays it is proposed to amend the process by limiting the test to a written examination,” the report added.
It added the move will allow multiple candidates to be tested at the same time and free up officials to carry out enforcement duties.
The redesigned written test will be “maintained by the clerk through time to ensure it remains accurate and up to date”.
It will be conducted in “an exam hall style setting”, but can be adapted to address equality issues.
The number of active taxi licences in Northern Ireland has more than halved since 2014, prompting calls for a review of taxi regulations.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that Members of the Legislative Assembly were told the industry is losing 1,200 drivers a year on average.
With the country hosting big events such as Euro 2028 and the Open in 2025, there are fears there won’t be nearly enough taxis to deal with the influx of tourists.
Members of Stormont’s Infrastructure Committee received a stark briefing on the state of the industry from representatives on Wednesday 10 April.
MLAs heard that while demand for taxis is increasing post-Covid, the number of licences and drivers on the road is decreasing rapidly.
Stephen Anton, communications manager at Fonacab and of the Licensed Taxi Operators Association, said there were almost 16,000 active taxi licences across Northern Ireland in 2014, but by the end of last year this figure had fallen to around 7,500.
But Mr Anton warned this isn’t necessarily the number of active drivers and there are currently around 5,000 taxi drivers on the road any given week. He said the void is being filled, to a degree, by “illegal” taxis.
He said there needs to be around 7,500 drivers on the road each week to cope with current demand and “significantly” more going forward to handle the growing tourism industry.
In terms of recruitment of drivers, Mr Anton explained that, prior to changes in the rules in 2014, prospective taxi drivers only needed three years’ driving experience, a medical and an Access NI and safety check. Now they also require a theory and practical taxi test.
He said the majority of taxi drivers currently on the road are operating under the “grandfather rules” and the current theory test is “not fit for purpose”.
Mr Anton said red tape and issues with the theory test mean it could take more than six months to obtain a licence.
He said there needs to be more of an incentive for drivers to apply to become a taxi driver, or else they will “go and drive for Tesco and Amazon”.
Mr Anton said the industry is losing around 1,200 drivers each year, but only bringing in about 200.
Concerns were also raised about a lack of wheelchair accessible taxis.
Cathy Mallie of Clanrye Taxis in Newry said rural areas are also struggling with a lack of drivers and the situation is “dire”.
She estimated that the chances of a passenger getting into an unlicensed taxi in Newry is “around 50%” and this poses a risk to both passengers and drivers.
Mr Anton said: “We would ask whatever [the Department for Infrastructure] does going forward, they factor in the visitor economy.”
He added that, if they are going to meet the growing demand for taxis, “we need to ensure there is the capacity”.
Mr Anton added that there needs to be an overarching review of the Taxis Act, a “fresh approach” to taxi driver licensing, and support to get more wheelchair accessible taxis on the road.
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.