Two passengers who tragically died in a fatal collision on the M62 on Thursday 11 July have been named as Matt Greenhalgh, 28, and Jamie Fernandes, 24, who are Captain and Senior First Officer for Ryanair respectively.
They were travelling to Liverpool Airport in a taxi when the collision occurred at 5.31am.
The car was in a collision with two lorries on the westbound carriageway between junction 8 and junction 7.
Sadly, Matt and Jamie died at the scene. Next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.
The taxi driver who has not been named, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He remains in hospital.
The driver of one of the two lorries, a 61-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Anyone with information or dash camera should contact Cheshire police on 101 or via www.cheshire.police.uk//tell-us quoting IML 1867786.
PHTM sends our sympathy to their family and friends and hope and pray the taxi driver makes a speedy recovery.
A proposed change to taxi zones in North Northamptonshire has been approved.
There are currently four zones that cover the former council areas of Corby, Wellingborough, Kettering and East Northamptonshire.
According to BBC News, a consultation ran, external from late 2023 to early 2024, on whether they should be retained or replaced with a single zone covering the whole of North Northamptonshire.
Hackney carriage drivers have claimed a new enlarged taxi zone would be unworkable because they would struggle to learn all the streets.
Of the responses to the consultation, 54 agreed with the proposal to create a single zone while 143 disagreed.
At a meeting of North Northamptonshire Council’s executive on Thursday 11 July, David Brackenbury, executive member for growth and regeneration, said: "I do understand the concerns of the trade, I do understand the special status that Corby has... I know Corby has always tended to be a black-cab town.
"This is about de-zoning... The knowledge test is not part of the discussion today. That will come to a future meeting."
There are 228 hackney carriages licensed in North Northamptonshire, with half of them working in Corby.
Neil Reilly, a taxi driver in Corby since 2013, said: “Most drivers in the Corby area are due to renew their badge next year.
"Many are approaching or past retirement age and have no interest in renewing. The costs involved in getting a badge, on top of the knowledge test, is putting drivers off applying.”
Taxi driver Ian Robb addressed Thursday's meeting and said: "I find it very difficult to say anything positive... You've ignored our representations... The consultation clearly shows there is no desire to de-zone but you intend to go ahead anyhow."
The four current zones will be scrapped and replaced with a single zone from 1 April 2025.
Swindon hackney saloon drivers, headed by Mark Bates, Mustafa Yilmaz and Ijaz Miyakhail, told PHTM: "We have forced Swindon BC to reverse a decision made in March of this year to no longer allow existing hackney saloon drivers to change the vehicles associated with their plates.
"As hackney saloon vehicles in Swindon only have a working life of 10 years, it meant that all hackney saloon vehicles would be phased out by 2034 in favour of a wholly wheelchair accessible fleet.
"This is something Swindon BC has tried to do before. The previous occasion the council tried to do this was about 10 years ago and was supported by a disability action group. However, the support of the disability action group disappeared when a couple invited by Mark Bates made the action group aware that not all disabled people can easily get into wheelchair accessible vehicles, and the motion was dropped.
"However, this time, the council didn’t invite a disability action group. And even though the motion went against current government guidelines, the motion was voted upon and was passed.
"This despite another disabled person, who was invited, explaining how she cannot get into WAVs.
"Kate Bishop, head of regulatory services from Swindon BC was asked three times what this person was supposed to do if the ban went ahead. On each occasion she answered everything except this question, eventually when pressed, she simply said: 'I don’t know.'
"Now this was a completely unacceptable answer to all the drivers present at the meeting.
"So when the motion was voted on and passed we gained support from fellow drivers legally challenge it and managed to secure around £8,000 from drivers that would have been affected by the ban.
"After this, we appointed a reputable local solicitor who instructed a barrister to prepare papers to submit to the council with a view to doing a judicial review in the courts.
"But after lots of emails back and forth between the solicitors, the council and ourselves, the council finally conceded and reversed the ban!"
Following the successful conclusion of the case, Mark, Mustafa and Ijaz have decided, with the support of the trade, to resurrect the dormant taxi association as there are new fights on the horizon.
They explained: “The first fight is to either force the council via legal means to respond to every email the Swindon association sends under threat of a legal vote of no confidence in the licensing department.
"And then to fight a tyrannical points-based system from being introduced that would see a driver get points on the taxi licence just for using the bathroom at the train station.
"Another is having the engine running to keep warm in the winter whilst parked up. Our argument is simply that the council uses fossil fuels to heat up their offices so what’s the difference?
"These are just a couple of the numerous impositions that the council wants to force on us, and it feels to some that the council is at war with their drivers.”
So all we can say is watch this space….
This critically acclaimed true crime documentary, which peaked at number 4 in the UK on Netflix, and also aired on ITV1 and ITVX, explores the notorious case of Medi Abalimba, a once-promising footballer who turned into a brazen con man, leaving a trail of swindled victims, including Albatross Cars.
The Story of Medi Abalimba
Medi Abalimba’s rise and fall is a cautionary tale for many. Once a talented footballer, Abalimba’s career spiraled into deception and fraud. Utilising his charm and leveraging the remnants of his football fame, he conned various businesses and individuals, living a lavish lifestyle on their dime. Among his numerous victims was Albatross Cars, which unwittingly provided services to Abalimba under false pretenses.
How It Happened
Abalimba’s tactics were both bold and deceptive. Posing as high-profile individuals, he booked luxurious rides and services, accumulating significant debts which he never intended to pay. Albatross Cars, known for its reliable and upscale service, was unfortunately caught in his web of deceit. Abalimba exploited the trust and professionalism that Albatross Cars is known for, booking high-end services that remained unpaid.
Lessons Learned
The experience was a significant learning curve for Albatross Cars, underscoring the importance of vigilance and robust verification processes in the taxi industry. Here are some key takeaways from this unfortunate incident that other taxi companies should heed:
Stringent Verification:
Always verify the identity of clients, especially for high-value bookings. Implementing a rigorous vetting process for new clients can help prevent fraudulent activities.
Secure Payment Methods:
Encourage pre-payment or deposits for large bookings. Utilising secure payment methods and having a policy for upfront payments can mitigate the risk of non-payment.
Training and Awareness:
Regularly train staff on recognising potential fraud and the importance of due diligence. Awareness is the first line of defense against con artists.
Collaboration with Authorities:
Maintain a good relationship with local law enforcement and report any suspicious activities immediately. Quick action can often prevent further incidents and help catch the perpetrator.
Customer Service Excellence:
While it is crucial to be cautious, maintaining excellent customer service and professionalism should not be compromised. Balance vigilance with the quality service your customers expect.
Moving Forward
Despite this setback, Albatross Cars continues to thrive and maintain its reputation as Derbyshire's largest and most trusted taxi service. The company has since implemented stronger measures to ensure the security and satisfaction of its clients.
The inclusion in "The Footballer Fraudster" serves as both a stark warning and a testament to the resilience of Albatross Cars. By sharing their story, Albatross Cars hopes to prevent other companies from falling victim to similar scams and to promote a more secure operating environment within the taxi industry.
Conclusion
The documentary is a reminder that even well-established businesses can fall prey to sophisticated fraudsters. Albatross Cars’ experience with Medi Abalimba underscores the need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures. As the industry evolves, so do the tactics of those who seek to exploit it. By learning from these experiences, taxi companies can better protect themselves and continue to provide safe, reliable services to their customers.
On Tuesday 2 July, Over 100 veterans from London and the home counties enjoyed a day in Worthing courtesy of 70 volunteer cab drivers who support the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
After rendezvousing for refreshments in the village of South Holmwood, the cabs drove in convoy to the Pavilion Theatre on the Worthing Pier.
The veterans were welcomed on the Marine Parade by Bob Smytherman, the official Town Crier for the Borough of Worthing and Adur, before entering the magnificent Art Deco building.
The veterans enjoyed a fish and chip lunch before guest speaker Matt Hellyer, the Chief Executive of the charity Pilgrim Bandits, who reached the rank of Warrant Officer in the SAS and served in every conflict over the past three decades and completed over 400 operations, spoke about his life and experiences.
Taxi Charity Chairman Colin Mills thanked the Mayor Of Worthing Cllr Ibsha Choudhury for donating the splendid venue and finding parking for the cabs along the seafront.
As is customary on the annual visit to the coast, which has been a highlight for veterans since 1948, the guests were entertained, and had the chance to get up and dance or join in with the singing before the raffle was drawn and the cabs took the veterans home – meter off!
Colin Mills, London Cab Driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said: “This was my first Worthing outing as Chairman of the Taxi Charity and I am delighted that the team who organised the day did such a fantastic job and everyone I spoke to said they’d had a really good time.
"On the journey back home via South Holmwood I thanked everyone at the village hall and they were delighted that so many had stopped off at the village hall on their journey home from Worthing and I assured them we will be back next year and the tradition will continue.”
Afghanistan veteran Ben Mead said: “Yesterday was a phenomenal day. Being able to enjoy the camaraderie and the banter between veterans and the taxi drivers is truly priceless.
"It is like being in the military where you don’t see each other for weeks, but suddenly whenever everyone gets together the conversation and the laughs carry on, as if it was only yesterday.
"As always when leaving to come home, I was full of happiness and had a huge smile on my face, thanks to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.”
Andy McClaren who accompanied WWII veteran Norrie Bartlett to Worthing added: “Typically superb day laid on by the cabbies for our cherished vets. Well organised boy and girls.”
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org
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.