An irate cabbie confronted a cyclist at a red light in a heated brawl, before throwing him violently against his car.
The Daily Mail reports that the fight broke out for unknown reasons at an island by a set of traffic lights near Jubilee Way in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, which saw the two trade blows.
Footage shows the two men squaring up to each other before the fight is sparked by the cyclist who aims multiple right-handed shots towards the head of the driver.
But the cyclist is quickly overpowered and unable to get many hits in as the motorist lands a series of blows before grabbing hold of his opponent and slamming him into his vehicle in a makeshift wrestling move.
The driver is seen stumbling after being struck by the cyclist, before he regains his composure and pushes the cyclist up against the car and unleashing a flurry of quick strikes.
The cyclist, dressed all in black and still wearing his helmet, appears frazzled after the motorist lands a blow on his jaw, and leans against the red car for stability.
But the punishing does not end there as the driver proceeds to grab the cyclist by the waist before performing a belly to back suplex, a move known as a 'backbreaker' in professional wrestling.
The driver, who is the smaller of the two men, shows impressive strength to whip his opponent off the floor and bundle him into the front seat of his motor.
Car horns can be heard blasting as the driver throws three punches with his right hand before the cyclist manages to get back to a standing base.
The shocking video was shared to social media yesterday and received over 8,900 likes with more than 570 comments from users who were quick to offer their views.
One user reacted: "That suplex though."
Another added: "Taxi driver kept the metre running and all."
Another added:"Always nice to see the underdog come out on top, cyclist had all the advantages but bottled it."
A fifth commented: "Cyclist won't be proud from this.
"Taller, longer reach, helmet on, must have a weight advantage, surely fitness with all the cycling he does to then be German suplexed into the taxi driver's domain. Unreal."
Former Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer has revealed that he was once thrown out of a taxi by a Rangers-supporting driver.
The National Scot reports that the Norway international, who is currently on the books of Brentford, enjoyed a successful spell at Parkhead, lifting three trebles in a row and playing in the Champions League.
However, in 2018 his summer holidays started on a surprising note after he was kicked out of a cab that was meant to be taking him to Glasgow airport simply because he played for Celtic.
Despite the X-rated rant from the driver, Ajer insists he loved the rivalry during his time in Glasgow.
Speaking to The Times, he said: "The taxi arrived at 4.30am and I jumped in. The driver turned around and said: ‘I know who you play for, get the f*** out of my taxi.’
"I had to call another and be sure he was a Celtic fan. Crazy. The rivalry with Rangers could be quite extreme.
"But that also made me absolutely love Glasgow and Celtic."
Source: https://www.thenational.scot/sport/24125975.ex-celtic-star-thrown-cab-rangers-daft-taxi-driver/
Uber drivers waiting to pick up customers on a route near Birmingham Airport are being slapped with £100 on-the-spot fines after reports of 'illegal manoeuvres, littering and even using a lay-by as a toilet'.
BirminghamLive heard from local residents about chaos on the red route close to BHX allegedly caused by the PHVs.
Pictures show queues of vehicles parked dangerously on the A45 between Damson Parkway and Goodway Road, blocking access for motorists as well as bus passengers.
Solihull Council confirmed it had visited the site a whopping 417 times, issuing 91 penalty charge notices since Christmas. West Midlands Police also confirmed they have been patrolling the area since January, issuing the £100 fines.
Residents and local councillors provided pictures of drivers parked up on the red route between jobs, which can include fares to BHX as well as in the local area.
A Solihull resident provided pictures of repeated incidents, and said: "People were struggling to get off the buses and the taxis were stopping on main carriageways, causing us to brake heavily.
Elmdon ward councillors Yvonne Clements (Cons) and Laura McCarthy (Lib Dem) also spoke of public health and safety concerns caused by Uber drivers parked illegally on verges.
When we put local concerns to Uber, they responded to say they are "working on a technical change to help address this issue."
Outlining the issues, Cllr Yvonne Clements said: "The most blatant has been the private hire drivers parking on the A45 between Damson Parkway and Goodway Road. [I have been] working with the council and the police on ways to halt this anti-social behaviour.
"It is an offence to park on a red route or in a bus stop. Unfortunately, vehicle drivers have been seen to use the lay-by as a toilet and continually leave litter behind."
Cllr Laura McCarthy said BHX has a "duty of care" to its neighbours. “The police and council are doing a good job of moving drivers on and issuing fines to anyone caught parking illegally" she said.
"I have contacted Uber myself asking for help due to the danger innocent people are facing, but the problem persists. Taxi drivers need to be able to rest and earn a living.
"The current situation isn’t safe for them or other road users. The airport and the taxi companies must work together to find somewhere safe for taxis to park up, before a serious or fatal accident occurs.
"Birmingham Airport has a duty of care to its neighbours in Elmdon and Sheldon. That’s why we are calling for a long-term and sustainable solution for everyone concerned.”
The Lib Dem group added they have dash cam footage showing Uber drivers pull dangerous manoeuvres such as sudden stops and reversing into the dual carriageway.
PHVs are also understood to be churning up the verges, littering, and blocking the bus stop leaving alighting users vulnerable.
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: "Private hire drivers in the area are not just for Birmingham Airport. However, for those serving Birmingham Airport customers we have an on-site holding area which all Uber drivers have to use in order to be allocated airport pick-ups. This is in agreement with our Uber partner."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the issue of cars parking illegally on the A45. The Lyndon, Elmdon, Olton and Silhill neighbourhood team has been carrying out traffic enforcement in the area since the start of the year.
"As part of this enforcement action, some drivers have been fined £100. We are continuing patrols in the area and are working with the local authority around this issue."
Confirming their crackdown, a spokesperson for Solihull Council said: “We are aware the police have been monitoring these two locations. The Council's civil parking enforcement officers continue to enforce the parking restrictions, visiting 417 times and issuing 91 penalty charge notices since Christmas, when the issue was first brought to our attention.
"The private hire drivers who use this route have been made aware that they are not to be parked in when waiting for their next customer and the situation is improving.
"Our environmental enforcement officers are also dealing with the litter issues in the area.”
An Uber spokesperson said: “The safety of customers, drivers and the general public is a top priority for Uber and we are working on a technical change to help address this issue.
"Any driver found driving dangerously faces losing access to the app and all drivers are expected to adhere to applicable laws and regulations including the Highway Code."
Proposals to increase the cost of operators applying for or renewing taxi licences in Lichfield District could go ahead.
According to the Express and Star, licensing bosses have applied for the new charges to come in as of April 1 – they include the price of hackney carriages going up to £205 instead of the current £177.50 a year, while private hire will rise from £122.50 to £205 – an increase of 67 per-cent.
But the cost of applying for a new private hire vehicle licence or to renew one has only increased by £2 – from £203 to £205.
A report to cabinet before Christmas recommended a six per cent increase to £216.
The cost of running 1-5 vehicles over a five-year period has been brought into line with those of operating six vehicles or over – both figures are proposed at £370 per vehicle.
Any objections, comments or queries about the proposed charges should be sent via email to taxi.licensing@lichfielddc.gov.uk or by post to the Licensing Team, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield. WS13 6YY by 9 March 2024.
Late-night party-goers are facing another increase in the cost of their taxi home with the cost of a five-mile journey after midnight set to rise by £2 in Blackpool.
LancsLive reports that councillors are being asked to approve an increase in hackney fares after a request from the Blackpool Taxi Association to meet rising costs.
If approved, the changes would mean an average increase of nine per cent across all tariffs – and follows a rise of nine per cent last year.
The new fares would come into effect in March.
A report to the public protection sub-committee, which is due to consider the proposals on Tuesday, February 20, says while fuel prices have stabilised, other costs have increased.
It is also hoped the move will attract drivers, especially at peak times when some passengers are having to wait for an available cab.
The report says the last increase in January 2023 saw “wholesale changes to the fare structure” and was “largely due to the economic climate and the impact of increased fuel costs”.
It added: “Since the last increase was approved fuel prices have somewhat stabilised.”
But it adds licensing officers do “not consider the proposals to be unreasonable given the increases in the cost of living and the need to encourage drivers to service ranks at times of peak demand”.
For passengers the proposed new fares would see the cost of a five-mile day-time journey (6am to 8pm) increase from £13 to £13.60; an evening journey (8pm to midnight) increase from £16 to £17.60; and a ride in the early hours of the morning (midnight to 6am) would go up from £16.60 to £18.60.
But even with the proposed rise, Blackpool’s fares would still be below many other towns with a two-mile day time journey in the resort costing £7 compared to the national average of £7.23.
Last year the Blackpool Taxi Association warned vehicle maintenance costs had risen by between 20 per cent and 90 per cent, insurance by up to 25 per cent, and the cost of a ten-year-old black cab was up to £12,000 compared to £3,000 12 months ago dependent on mileage.
Operators had also struggled to recruit new drivers, particularly to work at night, following the pandemic which had led to passengers having long waits on some occasions.
Source: https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpool-late-night-party-goers-28656279
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.
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.