Taxi drivers in Lewes are being forced out of the industry because of a council policy which dictates vehicles have to be white, a cabbie has said.
The Argus reports that hackney carriages could be any colour until Lewes District Council imposed the scheme in 2019.
James Kiernan, shop steward for Unite the Union’s Lewes District for hackney drivers, says drivers are now facing month-long waiting lists for suitable cars in white to become available.
He said someone he knows waited 18 months.
The 46-year-old said this is resulting in many drivers, including himself, deciding to work in the private hire industry instead which has raised fears about passenger safety.
Lewes District Council said there are "numerous reasons" why people are leaving the trade and that there are shortages nationwide.
Mr Kiernan, who has been a driver for 22 years, said taxi drivers are also experiencing abuse from frustrated passengers who are struggling to get a taxi when they need one.
“We can’t get the desired vehicles now in white,” he said. “Myself included.
“I tried to find a white vehicle because I needed a minibus and I couldn’t find one. There’s plenty of other drivers who have done the same as me.
“So now we’ve had to become private hire just to stay doing the job.
“Now there’s less than 100 hackney carriages left in the district. When I first started there was nearly 400.
“People cannot get a taxi; operators are getting abuse because they can’t provide a taxi when they ring up for one.
“It’s a mess. It’s shocking.”
Mr Kiernan wants the council to reconsider its position and revert to the previous policy allowing cars to be any colour.
But a spokesman from Lewes District Council said its policy is not responsible for the fall in driver numbers.
“There are numerous reasons why people are leaving the taxi trade, but the white car rule has had a negligible impact on the number of drivers,” he said.
“We recently carried out a wide-ranging consultation with the taxi trade and 112 drivers and operators responded. Only four said the white taxi rule should change.
“Since the pandemic, most parts of the UK have seen a reduction in the number of taxi drivers.
“Demand for taxis during the pandemic was obviously low and it was inevitable that drivers looked for alternative employment opportunities.
“Bodies representing the taxi trade have also confirmed this trend.”
Source: https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24094318.lewes-cabbie-says-taxi-drivers-impacted-white-car-policy/
A terrified taxi driver thought that he was "going to be killed" after a fare-dodging passenger brutally hit him with a hammer during a savage attack in the early hours.
According to HullLive, binge drinker Robert Ketley suddenly turned violent and smashed the driver on the back of the head with the hammer before again hitting him with it.
The victim started "seeing sparks" and he was knocked unconscious because of the sheer force of the blows, Hull Crown Court heard.
Ketley, 20, from Hull, admitted wounding the taxi driver with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on January 2 last year. He also admitted a separate offence of affray on February 16 last year.
Benjamin Donnell, prosecuting, said that, at 4.30am, the taxi driver accepted a job to pick up Ketley, another man and a woman. When they arrived, Ketley and the man walked away without paying and the cabbie asked where the fare was.
Ketley and the other man ignored him. The woman started to get out of the taxi and she tried to steal the driver's phone charger but he challenged her and said: "Where is my money and why are you taking my charger?"
They both got out of the taxi. The driver asked for his charger back but the woman started hitting him with a bottle of Coca-Cola. The driver pushed her away in self-defence.
The other man started to kick the taxi driver and the woman kicked his vehicle, breaking a wing mirror.
They were both punching him when Ketley arrived with a hammer in his hand. The driver tried to flee to get inside the car to protect himself.
"The defendant ran towards him and hit him on the back of the head with full strength," said Mr Donnell.
The victim fell to the ground and landed on his back. He was "seeing sparks" and lost his hearing for a few seconds after the hammer hit him.
While the taxi driver was on the ground, Ketley hit him again with the hammer to the side of his ribs. The man was disoriented for a few minutes but he regained consciousness and shouted for the police.
"Thankfully, a woman came to his aid," said Mr Donnell. "The defendant and his two associates fled the scene. The police were called."
One of the taxi driver's colleagues picked him up and took him to Hull Royal Infirmary. He had suffered a deep 1.5cm wound to the back of his head and a suspected rib fracture, which was not confirmed. The wound was cleaned and glued.
The driver later said: "This whole incident has really affected me. I was repeatedly hit with a hammer in my head and over my body just for providing them with a taxi and getting them safely to their destination.
"I honestly thought I was going to be killed. I have scars on the back of my head."
For three weeks, he was in a lot of pain and he could hardly sleep, mainly due to the injury to his ribs. He also could not work at that time.
He estimated that he had lost £2,000 to £3,000 in wages and he had to pay £300 towards car repairs. The driver is now very afraid when picking people up in his taxi.
Ketley has convictions for four previous offences between 2021 and last year. They included assaulting an emergency worker.
Nigel Clive, mitigating, said that Ketley was a binge drinker at the time. He had previously been living in a hostel. His behaviour had become engrained but there were positives for the future.
Judge Kate Rayfield said: "He has committed some pretty serious violence here out of the blue." Ketley was sent to a young offenders' institution for three years and eight months.
Source: https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/fare-dodger-hit-terrified-taxi-9081850
A private hire driver has been fined for unlawfully plying for trade during the Henley Regatta.
The Oxford Mail reports that Umar Ali, 36 from Reading, has been ordered to pay almost £1,000 and had six points added to his DVLA licence after not having the right licence and insurance and not wearing his private hire driver’s badge on July 1.
Appearing at a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on January 12, the court was told that Mr Ali was a licensed private hire driver with Reading Borough Council, but he was not licensed by South Oxfordshire District Council and not permitted to ply for hire within the district.
Mr Ali’s car insurance policy excluded public hire and when stopped by South Oxfordshire licensing officers he was not wearing his private hire badge, despite maintaining that he had just dropped off a fare and agreeing to take the undercover officer to Reading.
After pleading guilty, he was ordered to pay a total fine of £420, £168 victim surcharge and £400 costs and had six points added to his driving licence.
Cllr David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said “Unlawfully plying for hire undermines public safety as we are not able to check that the driver and vehicle are safe and suitable to transport passengers.
"It puts other motorists at risk because, without valid insurance, damage or injury to other road users would not be covered.
"It also takes business away from our licensed drivers who do follow the rules.
"Our officers work tirelessly to stop unlicenced taxis from operating in our district and if we find anyone breaking the rules, we will not hesitate to take the necessary action against them.”
Source: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24102679.taxi-driver-henley-thames-fined-illegally-operating/
Addison Lee, London’s largest private hire and taxi firm, has announced a new partnership with the WizAnn Knowledge School to safeguard the future of the black cab industry, and support drivers looking to establish a successful career in the field.
The number of black taxi drivers licensed by TfL has faced a steady decline in recent years, with latest figures showing just 17,625 taxi driver licences in the capital.
Joint forces have been contributing to the ongoing workforce decline, such as the pandemic and the extensive training required.
To help address this shortage, and ensure Londoners have ongoing access to all forms of reliable transport, Addison Lee has partnered with the WizAnn Knowledge School, to provide
private hire drivers with the Knowledge training at a discounted rate.
To become a taxi driver, applicants must pass ‘the Knowledge’, learning every road within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross. This process typically takes up to four years and has the potential to deter new recruits looking to kickstart both their career and their earnings.
Addison Lee’s partnership with WizAnn aims to tackle this challenge, by giving drivers the opportunity to ‘earn while they learn’ and is open to existing Addison Lee drivers and private hire drivers interested in pursuing a career with the firm.
With the private hire industry continuing to surge across London – with new figures showing 106,538 private hire driver licences – there is a growing opportunity to support these drivers to pursue long-term, fruitful careers in the black cab industry.
The firm will be delivering the Knowledge training for private hire drivers at its West Drayton Fleet Hub, and all materials – from training documents to videos, and a 24-hour support group – is being provided at a discounted rate, laddering up to no costs for drivers in the fourth year.
WizAnn Knowledge School has reduced the Knowledge training to £40 per month exclusively for Addison Lee. Throughout the four-year training, the cost to drivers will be as follows:
Year 1 – Driver pays £30 per month (AL will cover the remaining £10 per month)
Year 2 – Driver pays £20 per month (AL will cover the remaining £20 per month)
Year 3 – Driver pays £10 per month (AL will cover the remaining £30 per month)
Year 4 – Driver pays £0 per month (AL will cover the £40 per month)
Liam Griffin, CEO of Addison Lee, commented: “Operating in the capital for over 50 years, we share our strong London heritage with the hackney carriage industry, alongside a shared passion for providing drivers with fulfilling and fruitful careers.
"But we’re not naive to the challenges, and we know that if we want to see the black cab thrive, we must provide drivers with the right support and benefits to encourage them into the field. We hope our partnership will spur a positive change for the industry and uphold the rich cultural significance of London’s iconic black taxis.”
With a full suite of services and owned vehicles, Addison Lee offers a clear career path for drivers unlike other operators in the city. With its courier, standard, executive, and black cab fleet on its platform, the firm is able to provide drivers with career development, supporting them with their next move and progression.
Drivers with Addison Lee also benefit from a leading driver package, including a contributory pension scheme, sick pay, holiday pay, vehicle maintenance, and the AL Rewards package, providing drivers with financial, physical and mental wellbeing support.
Keith Prince, Chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, said: “The partnership between Addison Lee and WizAnn Knowledge School signifies a much-needed shared commitment to future-proofing the city’s transport network. With driver numbers falling, it’s heartening to see the proactive steps taken to revitalise the black taxi trade – which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the industry and the city as a whole.”
Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, commented: “There is a growing demand for the high-quality, safe, and reliable service that London’s licensed taxis provide, and in recent months we’ve seen a welcome increase in the number of applicants to study the Knowledge.
“We welcome important initiatives such as this one, which will encourage more people willing to do the hard work required to complete the Knowledge to join the ranks of the world’s best taxi service and to uphold our gold standard. This is vital to ensure the longevity of London’s iconic black taxis.”
A review will take place to see whether it’s possible to give Blaenau Gwent taxi drivers more of an incentive to drive eco-friendly cars.
The South Wales Argus reports that at a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s Licensing Committee on Tuesday, January 30, councillors looked at a proposal to increase licensing fees by five per cent from April 1.
These will be the first increases since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Trading standards and licensing team manager, Steve Osborne said: “You will be aware of the pressures businesses have been under since the pandemic and the cost of living crisis and you have supported trade through the licensing system by not increasing fees since 2019/2020.”
Mr Osborne told councillors that the council’s Regeneration and Community Services chiefs have proposed that the fees are increased in line to move towards full-cost recovery over the next three-year period.
Mr Osborne said: “This is the first time we’ve looked at a three-year period and think this is a pragmatic way forward, as it provides some certainty to trade and the authority.”
He added that costs would continue be monitored to ensure that fees don’t “exceed” full cost recovery and that the next review would be in three year’s time.
Cllr Sonia Behr asked whether it would be possible to give a “discount” for taxi drivers who use electric vehicles.
Committee chairwoman, Cllr Lisa Winnett: “It’s a good point and it’s something we should look at.
“But we also need to look at cost recovery because the vehicle would still need to be tested – it would affect the vehicle not the driver and would need to work out.
“We would need to know how much it costs to test the vehicles and whether it can be done in the borough.”
Cllr Jules Gardner added that this review should cover biofuels, hydrogen and even ammonia powered vehicles and: “other alternatives besides electric vehicles.”
Cllr Winnett asked that the committee receive a report to get a “full picture” on this topic.
Cllr Malcom Cross said: “Totally agree as we have to be forward thinking it would be good to debate and we have to be mindful of how much this would cost.”
Cllr John Hill added: “We need incentives for people to switch over to electric.”
Councillors agreed the proposal and a consultation on the fees is set to start soon.
If no objections are received the new fees would come into force on April 1.
Proposed new licence fees in Bleanau Gwent for 2024:
Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle
New licence application – £310 – from the current £295.
Renewal licence –£243 – up from the current £239.
Source: https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24091569.blaenau-gwent-taxi-drivers-given-incentives-evs/
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.