A thug and his friends ambushed a taxi driver following a row over paying with cash.
According to the Glasgow Times, Ryan Hamilton, 34, and two others pounced on Iyoha Edene in Glasgow's Ibrox on June 14 2023.
The court heard the driver picked up Hamilton who told Mr Edene to "just drive."
Prosecutor Katie Malcolm said: "Mr Edene asked if he had sufficient money to pay for the service.
"He was told by Hamilton that he could pay with his watch and his phone.
"Hamilton was told that he would be required to pay with money. He then became aggressive and argued with Mr Edene."
The driver told his passenger to get out of the vehicle before Hamilton attempted to punch him.
He went on to walk around to the driver's door and demanded Mr Edene "get out of the f***ing vehicle."
Hamilton stated: "I want to kill you" and called him a "black b******."
Miss Malcolm said: "Mr Edene got out the taxi and was immediately assaulted by Hamilton.
"He punched and kicked him to the head and body which caused the victim to fall to the ground.
"Hamilton called on his two friends who joined in on the assault."
Police later attended and traced Hamilton, of the city's Dumbreck, before he was arrested.
Mr Edene was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a broken nose, wounds to his hand and arm as well as swelling to his left eye.
Hamilton pleaded guilty on Wednesday 20 March, at Glasgow Sheriff Court to acting in a racially aggravated manner. He also admitted assaulting Mr Edene to his severe injury.
Co-accused Charles Campbell, 40, who appeared from custody, had his not guilty plea to the assault accepted by the Crown.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Tony Kelly who continued Hamilton's bail meantime.
Proposed changes to New Forest District Council’s taxi licensing policy will force drivers out of business, one cabbie has claimed.
According to the Advertiser and Times, the district council is currently running a public consultation into the changes to its policy, which covers the application process, ages of vehicles used, DBS checks, and signage.
Taxi driver Philip Bristow from Ringwood, who operates a wheelchair accessible London cab, estimated it would “wipe out” 75% of taxis in the town area, due to the increased costs.
One planned change relates to the age of vehicles used by drivers – all petrol and diesel cars must be less than five years old at the initial time of licensing. All hybrid vehicles must be less than seven.
Further changes would come into effect on 1st January 2026, when it is proposed that only vehicles less than ten years' old will have licences renewed. Fully electric vehicles would be exempt.
“If these new proposals are implemented it would require small operators like myself to invest not only in a new vehicle but a new disabled vehicle – which costs around £80,000,” Philip explained.
“I wouldn’t be able to carry on. You would never recoup that kind of money.”
He pointed out that while all hackney carriages that are licensed must be wheelchair accessible, private hire vehicles are exempt from the requirement.
He added: “Ironically the small operators are the only ones currently operating wheelchair accessible vehicles – many of the larger firms don’t have a suitable vehicle in their fleet.
“A direct result will be no disabled accessible vehicles operating in the area.”
A report to NFDC outlining the changes said: “This is to ensure that NFDC does not have a policy favouring vehicles older than other neighbouring authorities [and] assists our clean air strategy and climate change targets in relation to emissions.”
It will also “maintain” a professional fleet for local customers and visitors to the area.
“This is the first major review of our taxi policy for some years and will incorporate revised statutory guidance, together with increased checks on drivers to ensure their continued fitness and propriety,” it continued.
If the new policy is approved, six-monthly DBS checks will be carried out instead of the current three-yearly ones.
The authority says this is to ensure it is aware of any new convictions which may have occurred during the period of the licence.
A dress code could also be introduced to promote a “professional” image, which the council says is particularly important due to the area being a tourist destination, and card machines should be available to “ensure that travelling by taxi is easier and a more attractive option to customers”.
The technology will also improve safety for drivers as they will carry less cash.
Self-adhesive identification signage to the rear passenger doors could also be introduced in order for passengers to identify vehicles more easily.
The consultation ends on 15th April and can be found here: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/3478/Taxi-and-private-hire-policy-consultation
Bridlington and local residents who are looking for a new career are being urged to consider becoming licensed private hire or taxi drivers.
According to the Bridlington Echo, along with most areas of the country, the East Riding needs to attract more drivers, as the industry has an ageing workforce, current drivers are getting older, and many have retired in recent times.
Although there is not a shortage of licensed drivers at this stage, the council wants to act now to prevent a potential shortfall of drivers in the future.
Over the coming months, the council will issue case studies on its social media channels, showcasing different business models in the industry, giving residents an opportunity to see what they might be interested in and how challenging but rewarding the job can be.
Cllr Leo Hammond, ERYC Cabinet member for planning, communities and public protection, said: “There is much more to being a licensed driver than you might think, and we hope that more people will want to consider taking this on, which will benefit both themselves and the areas they serve.”
Councillor Hammond added: “Many people don’t realise how many different business models are open to licensed drivers. You can work for yourself and choose your own days and hours, perhaps in addition to an existing job, or you can work for a company and enjoy the benefits that can bring.
“It can be very rewarding work – not only can you set your own schedule, but you could end up driving anywhere in the country, and meeting lots of different people. It’s a very diverse and rewarding role.
“You can also drive an existing vehicle, get your own private hire vehicle, or even share a vehicle. There really are lots of ways in which you can make the role work for you, and turn it into a successful business opportunity."
Initially, all applicants meet with the council’s licensing team, and are advised on how to proceed, depending on whether they would like to be self-employed or to work for a company.
To become a licensed driver, applicants would be subject to enhanced checks on their medical history, criminal history, driving history and their right to work in the UK.
They also have a localised knowledge test, and safeguarding training. To find out more, contact: Taxi.hub@eastriding.gov.uk
Source: https://bridlingtonecho.co.uk/taxi-drivers-needed-as-area-faces-shortage-in-the-future/
Three taxis have been removed from service in Aberdeen after a series of spot-checks by police.
According to AberdeenLive, the checks were carried out by Road Policing Officers, working in partnership Aberdeen City Council Enforcement Officers.
They examined licensed taxi and private hire vehicles in Aberdeen City on Thursday, March 14.
Three vehicles were found to have ‘defects’, and as a result these have now been withdrawn from service.
The operators have been advised to get the problems fixed and have also been told to undergo a hackney test before they will be allowed back on the roads.
Constable Daniel Baird of the North East Road Policing Unit, said: “Taxis and private hire vehicles are rightly held to a higher standard for passenger safety and I am glad to report that the majority of vehicles checked were up to standard.
“We will continue to work together with our partners across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray to carry out future checks to ensure these standards continue to be met.”
Source: https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/three-defective-aberdeen-taxis-taken-9179513
Proposals to further delay the introduction of low emission taxis and PHVs on Oxford's roads by an extra year have been rejected.
According to BBC News, Oxford City Council agreed to delay the plan until the start of 2026 at a meeting in February.
But the City of Oxford Licenced Taxicab Association (COLTA) wanted the policy to come into effect in January 2027.
The new policy will require taxis and other private hire vehicles in Oxford to meet an ultra-low emission standard.
COLTA secretary Sajad Khan (pictured) said: "As a trade, we don't think the one year compromise was a balanced judgment of the facts available to all of us."
He highlighted the impact of Covid on the city's taxi drivers, saying they had "lost four productive years".
Mr Khan added that since the pandemic, the trade had "suffered due to the unimaginable rise in living costs due to the financial crisis and very high interest rates".
The taxi association also argued that the introduction of LTNs and closure of Botley Road "created a huge disruption" and caused many drivers' earnings to "drastically" reduce.
Last month, at a general purpose licensing committee meeting, councillors agreed to delay the planned introduction in January 2025 by a year.
Louise Upton, who is the cabinet member for planning and healthier communities, said that the council had to balance "the very real needs of the taxi trade against the health needs of our residents", and that the original extension of one year was a "compromised solution" that "seemed about right".
A council spokesperson added that roughly a third of licensed hackney carriages in the city had already moved to electric vehicles.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51w95rd2jgo#
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.