The amount by which taxi fares in Rhondda Cynon Taf could increase has been announced.
HeraldWales reports that under proposals that the council put out to consultation tariff one for a two-mile hackney carriage journey would be £6 which represents a 3.33% increase. However this remains below the UK national average of £7.18.
Tariff one applies between 7am and 7pm and for one passenger under the current tariff, the cost per two miles is £5.80 which is one of the lowest of all Welsh authorities and well below the UK national average of £7.18.
The cost of parts has increased, the costs of labour has increased, and so a report said that an increase in the tariff is cabbies' means of increasing their income per mile.
As of January 2024 the Welsh national average for tariff one based on two miles is £6.42 and the increase would still place RCT borough in the bottom third.
The report said the tariffs in RCT were renewed in 2022 for the first time in ten years. This was due to the cost of living, fuel prices, maintenance of vehicles, and the unprecedented pandemic which has caused loss of earnings for drivers.
Since the previous tariff increase in 2022 several other Welsh councils have increased their tariffs based on similar reasoning.
The report proposed that consideration is given to the requested increase in tariffs to enable the taxi trade to be viable in their business, which in turn provides a service to the community.
It also said that the licensing authority proposes that a review of taxi meter tariffs within the borough is done every three years subject to circumstances that may require consideration of an earlier review.
For five miles at tariff one the cost would increase from £11.20 to £12 and for 10 miles it would go up from £20.20 to £22.
Tariff two applies for up to four passengers between 7pm and 7am as well as on Sundays and bank holidays and from noon until 6pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
For this the two-mile charge would go up from £6.50 to £7, the five-mile charge from £12.50 to £14.50, and the 10-mile charge from £22.50 to £27.
For tariff three which applies for five to eight passengers between 7am and 7pm the two-mile charge would increase from £7 to £7.20, the five-mile from £13 to £13.80, and the 10-mile from £23.10 to £24.80.
Tariff four applies for between five and eight passengers between 7pm and 7am as well as on Sundays and bank holidays and from noon until 6pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
This would see an increase for two miles from £7.80 to £8.80, for five miles from £15 to £19, and for 10 miles from £27 to £36.
Tariff five would be double the rate of tariff one and tariff six would be double the rate of tariff three for Christmas and New Year.
The charge for fouling of the vehicle would remain at £55 and the waiting time charge would remain at £15.
Tariffs two and four would remain from noon on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve until 6pm on the day.
The Christmas Day and New Year’s Day double tariff one and three would remain from 6pm on Christmas Eve to midnight on Christmas Day and from 6pm on New Year’s Eve to midnight on New Year’s Day.
A serving Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in Surrey has pleaded guilty to assaulting a taxi driver.
PCSO Danielle Carter, 39, pleaded guilty to assault by beating when she appeared at Staines Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 28 March.
According to SurreyLive, the officer, who was off duty at the time of the incident, was out in Redhill on 1 May 2023 when police received a call from a taxi driver just after midnight.
The driver reported a concern for Carter’s safety after he drove her to an address in Grantwood Close.
The driver also alleged that Carter had assaulted him and damaged the inside of his taxi. She was arrested and subsequently charged with assault by beating and criminal damage.
She was ordered to pay a £1,050 fine following her guilty plea for the assault. The court decided not to pursue a separate conviction for the criminal damage.
Head of Surrey Police’s Professional Standards Department, Superintendent Andy Rundle, said: “Criminal offences committed by our officers and staff simply cannot be condoned.
"Allegations against any of our officers or staff are always subject to a thorough investigation by our Professional Standards Department to ensure that those who do not meet the high standards expected of them to maintain public trust and confidence are dealt with swiftly and robustly.
“Now that the court case has concluded, we will be taking disciplinary action against Carter which will determine whether she has breached the policing standards of professional behaviour.”
Supt Rundle added: “We recognise the impact this case will have both on the Surrey public and our own officers and staff, particularly with the current focus on standards. Thankfully, the majority of our officers and staff come to work each day to protect the public and do so with honesty and integrity.”
Source: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/surrey-pcso-guilty-assaulting-taxi-28923443
Cash-strapped Kirklees Council is looking to make a £1.65m saving after spending £2.6m on school transport for sixth form age students with additional needs in the last financial year.
A meeting of the council’s Children’s Scrutiny Panel on March 26, received an update on the council’s plans for school transport for students over the age of 16 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Three hundred pupils of sixth form age are currently eligible to have their costs covered by the local authority and this worked out at around £8.6k per student in the year 2022/23.
According to YorkshireLive as costs of transport are rapidly rising, with a 23 percent increase for students over 16 between the years of 2022/23 and 2021/22, the council is reviewing its Transport Statement. This sets out arrangements for eligible students within this age group. The council says its new proposals would cut costs to £950k.
At present, the council contracts private hire and public service vehicle operators to provide minibuses and taxis for students with SEND who are both pre and post 16. Previously, the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that between April and October 2023, Kirklees Council had spent £54k each day of term on school taxis for around 3,000 students.
The council also provides free transport in the form of buses to eligible pupils, or a bus pass where this is appropriate. On top of this, 188 Passenger Assistants are employed to support pupils with the greatest need. The total cost for all students who were eligible for free transport in 2022/23 exceeded £12m.
The new policy would see eligible post 16 students receiving a flat rate payment as travel support, with the amount being based on distance of the educational setting from a home address. These are as follows:
Up to three miles - £300
Between three and 10 miles - £1,000
Between 10 and 20 miles - £2,000
Over 20 miles - £3,000
However, the council acknowledges that this approach may not fit all pupils, especially those with the most complex needs, so has factored in provision for council-organised transport where the personal travel payment would not be appropriate.
A period of consultation was carried out on the plans at the end of last year with feedback from 130 respondents. Concerns were raised around the financial impact of the plans, the impact on family, and around safeguarding.
At the meeting, Cllr John Lawson (Cleckheaton, Lib Dems) also raised concerns around the potential impact on safeguarding, as well as the impact the plans could have on parents in terms of price hikes.
In response, the council’s Head of Service for Public Protection, Martin Wood, said: “I think the key thing is to get that message across to parents around the vetting that taxi licensing do on drivers and the training that they do, the level of DBS and our convictions policy follows national best practice and is very robust, and that’s the message that we need to get across to parents to try and offer that reassurance.
“We’re as confident as we can be that they’re using a Kirklees licenced driver with the wider West Yorkshire region their children are going to be safe in those vehicles.”
On the matter of cost, a council officer said: “I’ve spoken to colleagues up and down the country and often it is the case that when a local authority is booking transport, they’re charged one price and when it’s a private booking, they’re charged another price. Now, I’m not commenting on that locally but that is seen in other areas.”
It was also highlighted that other local authorities have adopted schemes based around personal travel payments and these were said to have been successful. Cllr Eric Firth (Labour, Dewsbury East) said: “If it's embedded in other local authorities and it can be seen to be working then that must give parents and carers some confidence too.”
The next steps will see the proposed policy considered by Cabinet on 9 April. If adopted, the new Transport Statement will come into force in September 2024.
When luck finally comes your way, it can change your life for the better. This is the story of Steve Glover, a former taxi driver who won the lottery and now lives his dream life in Scotland after pocketing £1 million. From driving a taxi, Mr Glover now owns several cars, including a Bentley.
Steve Glover, 73, was not a new lottery player. He always played the same numbers. He had bought the tickets for the Lotto draw the previous night at McColl's on Pinhoe Road in Whipton and left them on the table the night of the draw.
However, after watching the darts on TV on Saturday, he checked the lotto results on his tablet and couldn't believe his eyes when he recognised the numbers.
He was almost sure because he always played the same numbers. However, he needed to know his eyes were not playing tricks on him. So, he first called his mate, who was in Fuerteventura, to read out the numbers, and then asked his ex-wife to confirm the numbers for him.
After confirming he had won £1 million, Mr. Glover woke up early the next day, eagerly waiting for the National Lottery line to open at 9 am. Even after they confirmed his win, he still had doubts until the winnings were deposited into his bank account.
Mr. Glover had experienced several misfortunes over the years. He suffered two heart attacks and an injury that stopped him from working, causing his business to close. As if that's not enough, one week before winning the lottery, thugs damaged his caravan, killing his retirement dream of relocating to Scotland. But fate had something else in mind.
He was sure his life had changed once he saw the money in his bank account. But he wasn't going to celebrate just yet; he was waiting for the return of his mate from Fuerteventura and his ex-wife from her holidays in the Caribbean. According to him, he thought of flying out to surprise them. But then, he changed his mind and waited for their return.
However, he shared the good news with the McColl staff (the shop where he bought his ticket) and even gifted the lady who sold him the winning ticket flowers. When asked about his plan for the future, Mr Glover said: "I don't have a specific area in Scotland that I want to call home just yet, so I'm buying a motorhome which will be my temporary home.
"I will spend time travelling and get a feel of the place again.
"I'm after a nice little croft, and when I see the right place, I will know it's the one."
And true to his word, a month after winning, he bought a luxurious motorhome, gifted his mate another, and embarked on a 1,000-mile road trip to Scotland.
Steve Glover fell in love with Scotland while driving for the RAF Go-Kart race team in Leuchars. With enough money to make his dream a reality, he got into his motorhome to find a perfect home in Scotland. The Exeter native settled in Lybster, North East Scotland, where he bought a farm. He later realised his motorhome was too wide for the narrow roads in the highland and had to swap it with a more practical SUV.
But that was not enough. Mr. Glover told the Daily Mail: "I have always loved anything with an engine; being in this wonderful position to 'play' is an absolute dream; I'm like a child in a sweet shop."
So he bought an all-terrain vehicle with several attachments to aid in managing the farm and an old Land Rover pick-up. In addition, he bought a Bentley R Turbo as a pre-Christmas gift.
He said the RAF gave him the two greatest loves of his life: the fascination with anything with an engine and Scotland.
"While the RAF gave me a go-kart, the Lotto win has given me a veritable fleet of vehicles; I think my current favourite is my old classic, a Bentley R Turbo."
Mr. Glover’s overnight success is a reminder of how unpredictable life can be. While life may not always go as we plan, there's always hope for a better future. Hold on to your dreams, and maybe luck will find you.
Uber is officially set to launch in Stockton-on-Tees.
TeessideLive reports that the ride-hailing app has confirmed that it will be rolling out rides to passengers across the town, following a huge surge in demand.
Bosses say over 4,500 local residents have been opening the Uber app looking for a trip every week.
Uber first arrived on Teesside in the form of the 'Local Cab' option back in 2021, which allowed customers to book a taxi through the Uber app by connecting them with local taxi firm Skyline Taxis. But it is now finally launching in full across Stockton, the second new town for the firm since 2017.
The company has not yet confirmed how far across Stockton it will cover.
Rumours of Uber launching on Teesside have swirled for years, with Teesside Live reporting in 2016 how the company sadly had no plans to launch the taxi service in Middlesbrough - despite previously saying it was a location it had looked at for future expansion.
However, Uber Eats is already in place across several locations on Teesside and has been for several years.
To celebrate the Uber launch in Stockton, riders across the town can enjoy up to £20 off their next two rides until April 7, 2024.
Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK, said: “We are extremely proud to launch Uber in Stockton where we have been seeing increased demand for our services.
"By bringing Uber to the town we want to help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers, boost transport options for passengers, and support the local economy.”
Muhammad, a private hire driver who has already signed up for Uber in Stockton, said: “Uber offers private hire owner drivers abundant opportunities to not only earn but also thrive in their profession.
"By encouraging more drivers to join, Uber contributes to the economic growth of local communities, fostering greater connectivity and accessibility.
"Overall, I encourage private hire owner drivers to embrace this opportunity with Uber, as it promises not just financial benefits but also a positive impact on the broader community."
Source: https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/uber-finally-announces-long-awaited-28891411
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.