A Hertfordshire based charity that supports adults with learning disabilities has delivered Valentine love hearts for veterans supported by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
The lovely project was the brain child of Jo Radcliffe, who runs the Hertfordshire based charity Always Bee You, which enables adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues to access the opportunities, skills and support they need to live fulfilled lives.
The young adults were asked if they might like to make Valentine love hearts for WWII veterans and the request was met with an overwhelming yes.
Jo contacted Taxi Charity volunteers Dick and Susy Goodwin and it was agreed that the hearts would be placed into the charity cards which are being sent to veterans across the country for February 14th.
Jo Radcliffe, Always Bee You said: “We chose to support the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans as we felt there might be some people who would be lonely and isolated on Valentine’s Day and we wanted to show appreciation for the amazing service they gave our country to keep us free and safe.
"We also felt that it would be good to share some history and stories with our group members who may not have heard about the war. It was wonderful for some of the group to talk about their great grandparents and find out their own families' stories.”
The Always Bee You team was delighted to have the support of local artist Donna Reeves who helped with the design of the hearts.
Dick Goodwin, Honorary Secretary, Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said: “We send the veterans we support a card every month to show that we are thinking about them.
"The cards are incredibly popular and when Always Bee You asked if they might do something special for Valentine’s Day, we were thrilled to be able to share the love.”
Louis Melton who is supported by Always Bee You added: “We made Valentines Day love hearts for these veterans as we really are grateful for all that they have done for us.”
To view Louis’s full message visit - www.taxicharity.org/post/hearts-from-herts-for-our-veterans
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate, visit www.taxicharity.org
CMAC Group announces it has been acquired by ComfortDelGro Corporation through its wholly-owned subsidiary CityFleet Networks.
CMAC Group has operations in the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and The Netherlands, managing journeys for close to three million travellers annually on behalf of airlines and ground handlers, train operators, corporations and consumers.
Through its Suntransfers brand, CMAC provides private and share-ride transfers to over 500 airports, stations and ports worldwide.
This acquisition is aligned with ComfortDelGro’s strategy to expand its point-to-point mobility services and offerings, and increases the Group’s footprint to 12 countries worldwide.
In the UK, the mobility group owns and operates taxis and private hire vehicles through CityFleet Networks in Aberdeen, Liverpool and the Northwest region. It also operates Metroline buses and Westbus coaches in London, Adventure Travel buses and coaches in Wales, as well as the Megabus, Scottish and Irish Citylink inter-city coach services.
CMAC will remain operationally independent and led by its current senior team, including CEO Peter Slater. CMAC will continue to work with its existing and valued clients and supply partners.
Peter Slater, CEO of CMAC Group, said: “We are excited to be part of a bigger family in Europe and globally. With our strong history, innovation expertise and team, CMAC would be growing aside with ComfortDelGro Group and will continue to deliver value to our customers and partners.
“I’m immensely proud of CMAC’s history and achievements, which wouldn’t have been possible without our fantastic team, valued clients and trusted supply partner network.
"I look forward to continuing our commitment to delivering a highly valued service as well as being an employer of choice.”
Edward Thomas, CEO of Europe, ComfortDelGro said: “This acquisition is aligned with ComfortDelGro’s strategy to expand our point-to-point mobility services and offerings.
"As an established player in providing wide-ranging emergency passenger transport services to businesses, CMAC is complementary to our operations in the UK and Europe, allowing us to expand our business-to-business offerings in the region.
"In addition, as part of the wider ComfortDelGro Group, CMAC will be able to tap into our deep market knowledge to grow its business and reach.”
A Deacon Blue fan flew into a violent rage and punched a cabbie 12 times during a brawl after a gig.
Steven Beattie riled a taxi driver who waited more than 20 minutes for the 50-year-old and his partner outside McDonald’s on Inverurie Road in Aberdeen.
The pair, who were at the P&J Live on October 13 last year, demanded a long stop at the fast food branch leading the driver to push for payment.
But Beattie became aggressive and began throwing punches at the cabbie, reports the Press and Journal.
The engineering firm director proceeded to grab a fire extinguisher from the restaurant and smash the vehicle.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how the driver saw Beattie running towards him shouting "come on then, come on then!"
Beattie punched the driver 12 times to the head, leading him to fall to the ground.
Fiscal depute Peter Finnon told the court the accused approached the vehicle shouting "come on, you f****** b******, I’ll have you now" after leaving McDonald's.
The couple went back inside the restaurant and Beattie was arrested a short time later.
His victim was left with pain and swelling to his head and minor pain to his elbow after the windscreen smashed.
Beattie, of Kemnay, near aberdeen, pleaded guilty to charges of assault to injury and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly said Beattie, a first offender, had already paid the taxi driver just over £4,600 to cover the damage and loss of earnings.
He said Beattie was “mortified to find himself in court for such a serious matter”.
He was ordered to pay a fine of £740.
Source: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/11951144/deacon-blue-fan-punched-taxi-driver-aberdeen/
Following eight months of disputes, hackney carriage drivers will be reclaiming the taxi rank outside Winchester Railway Station.
The Hampshire Chronicle reports that Wintax’s four-year tender to use the bays directly outside the station is being abolished, starting from next month, after the company agreed to a new deal with South Western Railway which will see hackney drivers take back the rank.
Tensions were sparked in the summer after Wintax secured the rank for its private hire vehicles, forcing hackney carriages to the other side of the road and confusing customers.
The Chronicle reported widespread unhappiness especially from the elderly and disabled over the confusion and the crossing of the carriageway outside the downside platform.
A management spokesperson from Wintax said: “Due to pressure from the hackney drivers, South Western Railway has ended our contract after this month.
“We could have appealed the decision but we have obliged. We’re not fighting it. We’re not going to cause a fuss as we’re so busy and customers can still call us.
“It’s disheartening but we’re still the largest private hire company and this is not necessarily going to harm us.
"If they are willing to put up this much of a fight we thought we should let them have it. They rely on picking up from the station and do not have the same luxury as we do as a company.
“We don’t need the train station, we are a very good and well-known company. With all the grief we have had it’s just not worth it.
“Having the rank has been great – some customers have loved it and others haven’t but there have been more positives than negatives.
“It’s a shame and we’ve put a lot of hard work into it but we get it from both sides. Everybody has to make a living. We were offered the contract and we took it and believed it would improve safety for customers as we can track our vehicles.
“South Western Railway has listed safety reasons with all our boards being up and a member of staff being there all the time.”
Wintax said the new deal was confirmed earlier in February.
A spokesman for SWR said: "We can confirm that, following feedback from our customers and colleagues, hackney carriages will provide taxi services for our customers at Winchester station from Friday, March 1."
Uber has submitted an application to start operating about 250 drivers in Hull.
BBC News reports that the ride-hailing firm's request is set to be heard by Hull City Council on Monday 12 February.
Regular cars, larger minibuses, pet-friendly rides and vehicles for accessibility needs would be part of the service.
According to the application document, Uber initially plans to have 250 drivers. The company has requested an exemption from council rules requiring it to display prices in its cars because its app system means prices fluctuate according to demand.
If the application is approved on Monday, Uber could become the first app-based ride hailing firm from outside Hull to get up and running. Uber rival Bolt was previously granted a private hire licence in May 2021 and advertised jobs for drivers, but its services never materialised.
Uber's drivers and vehicles would be licensed by the council, a report to the committee said.
Both Hull Cars and Drive currently offer apps to book private hire vehicles in the city.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-68253983
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.