In a bold move to stem the tide of drivers exiting the trade, London's taxi fares are set to increase by an average of 8.9 per cent next month, significantly above the current CPI inflation rate of four per cent.
BNN reports that this decision, aimed at ensuring the viability of taxi driving as a career, comes amidst a sharp decline in the number of licensed taxi drivers in the capital, which has plummeted by 21 per cent since the pandemic's onset, reaching the lowest figure since 1980.
Transport for London (TfL) has been grappling with the challenge of maintaining an adequate number of licensed taxi drivers.
The fare hike is seen as a critical measure to boost driver incomes and make the profession more attractive to potential newcomers.
On on 13 March, TfL's finance committee is poised to approve the increase, which will see the cost of a one-mile weekday journey rise from approximately £6.80 to about £7.20, and a three-mile weekday evening journey from £15.80 to £17.20.
Despite the fare increase, the minimum fare will remain at £3.80.
Public consultation on the fare adjustment revealed a strong preference for the 8.9 per cent increase, with over half of the 1,487 respondents, including 72 per cent of taxi drivers, supporting the hike.
Drivers cite a 5.2 per cent rise in operating costs, including vehicle expenses, insurance, and electric charging costs, as significant factors necessitating the increase.
TfL emphasises the importance of ensuring fair compensation for drivers to keep taxi driving a sustainable career choice.
While the fare increase aims to preserve the taxi industry's workforce, concerns have been raised about its impact on passengers, especially those with accessibility needs and individuals reliant on taxis for safe travel at night.
London TravelWatch, the passenger watchdog, acknowledges the potential benefits of preventing driver attrition but warns of the disproportionate disadvantage to disabled and safety-conscious passengers.
Meanwhile, the Taxi Trade Tariff Group, representing various driver associations, has endorsed the 8.9 per cent increase as the only fair and reasonable option. This was reinforced by The Taxi Now Group (TNG), along with other major taxi booking platforms such as Addison Lee, FREENOW, and Gett.
The fare revision also introduces adjustments to long-distance tariffs and reduces the Heathrow premium charged to airport passengers from £3.60 to £2.00.
As TfL navigates the complex terrain of balancing driver compensation with passenger affordability, the outcome of this fare increase will likely shape the future of London's iconic black taxi service.
The UK's first vertiport testbed, a landing spot for aircraft which takes off vertically, is set to be developed at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire.
The Oxford Mail reports that the 444-acre estate will play a significant role in advancing electric aviation in the UK.
The new vertiport being developed by Skyports Infrastructure will feature a 160 sq m passenger terminal and offer facilities for both ground infrastructure and flight operation tests.
Set for completion by the end of 2024, the facility will sit alongside Bicester Motion's existing runways and serve as a key component of the UK's aviation future.
Skyports CEO, Duncan Walker, said: "Our vertiport at Bicester Motion is ideally located to serve as a central hub for the UK's advanced air mobility industry.
“The facility will be employed by Skyports and our strategic partners to test and refine all aspects of our ground technology and operations within a UK context.
"This will also be a key location for early demonstration flights in the UK and will help to pave the way for permanent operations in the future.”
Developed under the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium and supported by Innovate UK's Future Flight Challenge, the vertiport aims to be a central node for early network planning and demonstrations.
The consortium will also use it for wider testing and public engagement.
Vertical Aerospace, which is currently developing one of the world's most advanced electric aircraft, plans to conduct demonstration flights at the facility.
The design of the UK vertiport is inspired by other Skyports' testbeds located in Paris and California.
It has been submitted for review to the Cherwell District Council.
In line with its vision to connect urban centres with regional, tourism and retail hubs, the vertiport is located in Bicester Motion - an approximately one hour 40 minute drive from central London - proving viable for air taxi services.
By air taxi, the journey would take less than 25 minutes.
Daniel Geoghegan, Bicester Motion chief executive, described the agreement as a "major step for UK aviation innovation".
He praised the partnership with Skyports and underlined the significant boost it will bring to Oxfordshire’s aviation hub.
In October 2022, Skyports launched a "Living Lab" terminal in the USA alongside partner Joby Aviation.
It also inaugurated its European vertiport testbed in France in the same year and has plans for commercial air taxi services in Dubai by 2026.
Gary Cutts from Innovate UK, said: "As a hub for researching, testing and demonstrating ground and air operations for the advanced air mobility industry, it will play a significant role in developing a UK vertiport network and implementing commercial air taxi services in the future.”
Source: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24165567.uks-first-vertiport-set-developed-bicester/
A former Thanet cabbie has been jailed for three offences of rape of a child and one of sexual activity with a child.
According to the Isle of Thanet News, Shane Aaron Keeler, from Ramsgate, appeared for sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court on 22 February.
The total sentence was 15 and a half years made up of 14 and a half years imprisonment, followed by one additional year on licence.
Keeler had previous complaints of harassment, stalking and breaches of restraining and non molestation orders against him.
A victim who dropped their case in order for the rape offences against children to be brought forward said: “I’m glad I dropped my original case against him as if I didn’t, this current case wouldn’t have been brought to light, and due to the nature of this case as horrific as it is, he is off the streets for a lot longer.
“The mental trauma is horrific. I just can’t believe everything he has done to people and (previously) got away with.
“Until the restraining order and charges of harassment, he had a clean record which is absolutely disgusting considering the amount of things found against him. But no-one was brave enough to go further.
“I get so angry that for so long he has been let off. A true narcissist and bully. He is a nasty man who fooled many victims and manipulated many people.”
Keeler had previously been stripped of his taxi licence by Thanet council after being deemed unfit to hold it.
Wiltshire Council will be carrying out a review of taxi ranks in major towns across the county to assess the accessibility of the sites.
The Gazette & Herald reports that this comes after recent government guidance placed an emphasis on accessible transport for the 13.9 million disabled people across the UK.
The new taxi and private hire vehicle licensing guidance states: “Disabled people are particularly reliant on taxi and private hire vehicle services, either because they may not have access to a private car, are unable to use public transport, or because the built environment is insufficiently accessible to meet their needs.
“This can mean that the availability of an accessible, affordable taxi or private hire vehicle service can make the difference that allows them to live their life the way they want to, and ultimately, to fulfil their potential.”
As a result of this update, Wiltshire’s taxi licensing team will be undertaking a review of the ranks whilst assessing accessibility issues such as dropped kerbs and shelters.
Councillors were told about the plans in the latest licensing committee meeting on Monday, March 4.
Tom Ince, Wiltshire Council's Principal Compliance Officer, said that this review would also consider how to implement electric vehicle charging points.
He described the electrification of Wiltshire’s taxi fleet as a “big challenge.”
Source: https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/24162898.wiltshire-taxi-ranks-set-shake-council-review/
"The government will launch a consultation on the impacts of the July 2023 High Court ruling in Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC in April.
"The government is committed to exploring a range of viable options to ensure that this court ruling does not have any undue adverse effects on the private hire vehicle sector and its passengers."
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
BYD, manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber, designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform across key global markets.
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.