Dear Operators and Trade Reps
As you have likely already discovered, the Licensing Committee took the decision on Wednesday to revoke operator licences associated with the company Cab My Ride. There is no provision in law for an operator’s licence to be revoked with immediate effect. This means that an operator revocation does not take effect until 21 days after the decision is made or the outcome of any appeal, should one be lodged. It is our understanding that an appeal has been lodged in this case, so this means that Cab My Ride, Aryvo and Bitterne Cars are still able to take private hire bookings and operate Southampton private hire vehicles until the outcome of this appeal.
Southampton City Council’s School Travel Service has made the decision to cancel their contracts with the taxi firm Aryvo, following the revocation of their licence. This was due to a number of material breaches of their contractual obligations. Since then, the School Travel Service have been working to put in place a continuity of service for the children whose home to school travel routes were operated by Aryvo.
The council is reassuring all parents/carers that rely the School Travel Service that they are doing all they can to provide replacement transportation for the children on the routes previously operated by Aryvo. This will be concerning for parents/carers of the children who rely on the School Transport Service to get their children to school each day. All parents/carers affected are being contacted by the team. If we are unable to arrange alternative provision for a particular route in time for Monday 19 February, parents/carers are being advised to be prepared to make their own arrangements to get their children to and from school until an alternative is confirmed.
The council will be confirming new school transport contracts with operators from 16 February. Parents/carers whose children have previously been taken to school in an Aryvo vehicle will be contacted by the School Travel Service before Monday to confirm arrangements. If operators or parents/carers have additional concerns, they can contact the School Travel Service by email at travel.coordination@southampton.gov.uk
Regards
Russell Hawkins Senior Licensing Officer
Licensing Team Southampton City Council
IN RESPONSE THE TRADE ASKS SOUTHAMPTON LICENSING:
" If Cab My Ride is going to appeal and they have every right to do so, if it escalates, where is SCC licensing going to find the funds? The council as we have been informed are under extreme financial pressure, in fact the word bankruptcy has been mentioned."
"Surely it would not be from the licensing fund? It could then transpire if our licence fees are to increase?"
SOUTHAMPTON LICENSING RESPONSE:
"Costs of appeals of this nature do not come out of the general fund. They would come from fees as it is a direct cost of compliance.
"I do not envisage any rise in fees over and above what would be normal as a direct result of this case.
NPHTA - NATIONAL TRADE BODY RESPONSE:
“We would agree with Russell here.
"Since the appeal would be lodged, the funds to dispute such an appeal would be covered by a cost order being awarded against the unsuccessful party, meaning there would be no overall cost impact on the council and therefore licensing fees.”
A stolen car raced through a major Salford roundabout - causing a massive smash - before a private hire driver was forced to hand his keys over at knifepoint as a suspect made their getaway.
The Manchester Evening News reports that the cabbie's vehicle was tracked down in the West Midlands late on Friday night, 16 February. A man was then arrested.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said detectives are investigating the theft of a car on Regent Road in Salford at around 9.20pm. That vehicle was then involved in a smash, with three other cars damaged.
The injuries suffered by those involved were not life-threatening.
The person in the stolen car got out, before a nearby taxi was 'taken violently'.
A driver was threatened with a blade and was hurt, but their injuries are not life-threatening.
They were 'told to hand over the keys' before the suspect headed towards Manchester city centre, GMP said.
The force's specialist operations branch was then drafted in to scour the area. The car was stopped in the West Midlands, on the M42, after being spotted on the M6, at around 11pm.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery; and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and was brought to Greater Manchester for questioning.
Chief Inspector Simon Ashcroft of GMP's Salford district said: "This is understandably a terrifying ordeal for those involved last night, but after a swift response by our dedicated local officers and the support of the wider force, we were not only able to manage the scene effectively, we also detained the suspect with assistance from colleagues in another force before any further harm could be caused.
"I hope this result shows that we will use all the resources available to us to detect and detain offenders quickly who are intent on causing unnecessary harm to innocent members of the public.
"As we continue to investigate to bring justice, if anyone has any further information in relation to this incident, or footage including dashcam, doorbell or CCTV."
A taxi driver fears business will take a hit after Glasgow Airport recently increased pick-up and drop-off charges in a move that's been branded "outrageous".
GlasgowLive reports that George Mullen, of Glasgow Taxis, says drivers will have no choice but to pass the charge onto customers. It comes after a decision to bump up prices came into effect from midnight on Wednesday, February 14.
It will cost anyone entering the pick-up/drop-off zone £5.50 for up to 15 minutes, 50p more than last year's initial raise from £4 to £5.
For motorists who stay longer than the 15-minute allocated time, they will be charged £1 for every extra minute.
Bosses are advising drivers who wish to use parking facilities for more than 15 minutes to use the Short Stay car park, which costs £15 for 60 minutes.
There is no change for blue badge holders - who are entitled to 30 minutes free in the Short Stay car park.
George, 62, who makes around six trips to the airport a week, has slammed the move.
He said: "We used to be able to drop off there for nothing. There’s guys who get quite a few airport jobs each day and they are having to charge people over a fiver but what is it for?
"That airport has never been busier than what it is now so there’s no reason for any charges. It’ll add on to the customer because we cannot swallow it.
"You can’t say to people that you’ll drop them off across the road somewhere and they will have to walk through roundabouts and car parks. A family going to the airport doesn’t want dropped off around the corner when going on holiday.
"Less people are going to use taxis to the airport which will reduce our business. It’s shocking and outrageous.
"They should reduce the charge or make taxis exempt from paying it."
A Glasgow Airport spokesperson said: "We would remind passengers that this facility is designed purely for pick-up and drop-off transactions under 15 minutes. Anyone planning to stay longer should use one of our short-stay parking options.
"The free option in our Long-Stay Car Park has also been increased from 30 minutes to one hour and is serviced by an on-demand 24-hour shuttle service."
Pick-up & Drop-off charges are priced below
Pick up & Drop Off (15 minutes) - £5.50
Per minute thereafter - £1.00
Short Stay (60 minutes) - £15.00
Find more information here: https://www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/pick-up-and-drop-off/
Source: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-airport-price-hike-branded-28645809
Private hire firm, Cab My Ride, said it plans to appeal the decision to have its licence revoked.
The Daily Echo reports that the family-run company has said it is ‘deeply disappointed’ that its licence has been revoked by the city council after a driver was found using a car with worn-out brakes and an expired licence.
The council's Licensing Sub Committee found the business was 'not fit and proper' when it made its decision.
This came after the firm’s boss Arjan Sahota apologised before the committee at Southampton City Council adding that he was working hard to 'gain back the trust' of the community.
Council papers showed a private hire driver drove 1,000 miles with damaged brakes and still carried on after the vehicle’s licence expired.
The incident only came to light following a string of complaints against the company.
Other complaints quoted in the council report include wheelchair users being overcharged, children being driven to and from school in an unlicensed and damaged vehicle and questions about the conduct of the former director, who resigned in 2020.
The director said changes to the app were made when the overcharging issue was raised and that the incident which saw an unlicensed and damaged vehicle being used was a result of human error and changes also had been made.
However, despite this, the committee was not convinced and revoked the company's licence to operate in the city.
Now, in a statement, the firm has said: “The Cab My Ride team expresses deep disappointment regarding the decision made by the Licensing Committee of Southampton City Council on the 14th February 2024 to revoke our licence to operate.
“In response to this decision, we will be consulting with our legal team and we will be appealing in due course.
"It is important to note that customers retain the ability to book trips via the Aryvo platforms.”
It added that throughout the process it has cooperated with the councillors, presented the case and acknowledged areas of improvement.
It added that while they are ‘disheartened’ by the decision, it respects the committee’s authority and it will work ‘diligently to address any concerns raised’.
Adding: “Despite our best efforts, we recognise the gravity of the mistakes that occurred.
“We had hoped that Southampton City Council would consider these errors within the broader context of our service history, where an overwhelming majority of journeys have been completed successfully.”
Source: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24122084.southamptons-cab-ride-says-will-appeal-losing-licence/
A woman endured a harrowing ordeal when she was raped in a car by three men in Hull who had picked her up in Ferensway after a night out.
The victim believed she was getting into a licensed taxi but instead found herself at the mercy of the three men from Hull. During the journey, they continued to deceive the victim it was a licensed taxi and she was raped.
According to the Hull Daily Mail, Bakhtullah Safi, 18, and Habibullah Ahmadzai, 18, were both charged with rape following the incident on Sunday, July 30, last year.
Kehan Safi, 26, was also charged with rape and pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing.
Following the attack, a large-scale investigation was launched with officers from Humberside Police's Protecting Vulnerable Persons Team and Major Crime Team.
They reviewed CCTV footage in and around the Hull City Centre to identify the vehicle and made enquiries to trace and identify the suspects using the car.
From the CCTV recovered, the footage captured the woman entering the vehicle and Bakhtullah driving away towards Hull Royal Infirmary. The vehicle was identified as being registered to Bakhtullah.
Further enquiries were conducted to trace the journey of the vehicle and it was discovered that Bakhtuallah travelled from Ferensway, before dropping the woman at an address in Hull where she was allowed to get out of the vehicle.
Having raped the woman, alongside Habibullah and Kehan, Bakhtullah then requested a £20 fare for the journey which the woman refused and fled to safety.
Bakhtullah Safi was arrested on Saturday, August 5, and Kehan Safi and Habibullah Ahmadzai were arrested on Sunday, August 6.
All three men were interviewed by detectives and were subsequently charged with rape.
Following an eight-day trial at Hull Crown Court, on Wednesday, February 14, a jury returned a guilty verdict for Bakhtullah Safi and Habibullah Ahmadzai.
All three men have been remanded into custody and are due to be sentenced on Tuesday, April 2.
Detective Constable Ashley Webster, who led the case, said: "This was a truly disturbing case and I’m pleased these men are now behind bars and are being punished for this horrific attack.
“I cannot begin to put into words the bravery the woman has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings, and I want to offer my sincerest thanks as she has helped take these abhorrent men off our streets.
“Kehan Safi, Bakhtullah Safi and Habibullah Ahmadzai are what I can only describe as ‘sexual predators’ who subjected a lone woman who had just been on a night out with friends, to a horrific and utterly traumatising ordeal for their own perverse needs.
“They have shown no remorse for their actions, putting the woman through the further torment of a trial by refusing to admit their crimes.
“We are committed to making our streets safer by preventing these types of crimes, investigating reported offences and pursuing perpetrators and bringing them to justice."
Dave Lawrie, Director NPHTA, said: Sadly this is a case where CCTV in cars would not help as it was a private car, not a taxi or private hire vehicle. This is precisely why we have never agreed with single colour policies for hackney carriage vehicles; by being only one colour, it removes the focus away from plates, roof signs and other identifiable markers, creating a situation where the general public consider that any vehicle which is that colour "must be a taxi" and therefore opens up the risk to dangers like this!
Source: https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/woman-raped-three-men-after-9100640
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.