TAXIS AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES: THE ROAD TO REFORM Publication of Transport Committee Report

The Committee has agreed to publish its Seventh Report of Session 2010–12, Taxis and private hire vehicles: the road to reform (HC 720), at 00.01 am on Tuesday 19 July 2011.

Embargoed advance PDF copies of the Report will be emailed on Monday 18 July at 9.30 am to all those who gave oral evidence.

Media representatives wishing to receive an embargoed PDF copy of the document should contact Hannah Pearce pearcehm@parliament.uk.

The Report will be available on The Stationery Office (TSO) Ltd’s and the Committee’s website shortly after the publication hour has passed: Transport Committee Publications.

The Report may also be purchased from TSO—Tel: 08457 023474.

FURTHER INFORMATION:



Committee Membership is as follows:

Mrs Louise Ellman (Labour/Co-operative, Liverpool Riverside) (Chair); Steve Baker (Conservative, Wycombe); Jim Dobbin (Labour/Co-operative, Heywood and Middleton); Mr Tom Harris (Labour, Glasgow South); Julie Hilling (Labour, Bolton West); Kwasi Kwarteng (Conservative, Spelthorne); Mr John Leech (Liberal Democrat, Manchester Withington); Paul Maynard (Conservative, Blackpool North and Cleveleys); Gavin Shuker (Labour/Co-operative, Luton South); Iain Stewart (Conservative, Milton Keynes South); Julian Sturdy (Conservative, York Outer).

National Cab Act Manchester latest

The following web article, would indicate that we have caused a bit of a panic around the country with our little local blog. We only aim to keep you informed, something other organisations find unsettling. NALEO the association of Licensing officers are telling thier members not to panic for NOW.

That message does not seem to have worked in Manchester; news this week indicates that the main GMB rep, a forty year veteran has sold his plate, the acting Chairman of TODA has sold his and the Radio companies trade representative has placed all 3 of his cabs on the market.

All 3 of these people sit on the trade liason committee which meets the Cities Licensing unit every month or so. Do they know something, we dont. Surely these leading luminairies have not been paniced by a harmless little blog like this? 


taken from: rainycityripoff

Disability group targets cabbies

July 7 2011

The treatment of the disabled by some bus drivers and private taxi firms will be highlighted at Westminster by a campaign group.

They will tell MPs how disabled passengers have been left stranded at bus stops or refused entry to buses.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Trailblazers group will also speak of how disabled people are repeatedly ignored by taxi drivers or have been charged double the usual fare.

One of the group, Judith Merry, 22, a wheelchair user from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, was left stranded at a bus stop late at night in a quiet part of London.

She and her mother attempted to board a bus, but after Ms Merry's mother got on, the driver pulled away instead of putting down the bus's ramp, claiming not to have seen her.

Trailblazers also spoke of disabled people being sworn at by cabbies.

Trailblazers project manager Bobby Ancil said: "Disabled people have the same need to use buses and taxis as non-disabled people - to get to work, to get to appointments and to socialise with friends and family.

"Unfortunately, our public transport system and taxi companies have not moved forward enough to offer a basic service and fair standards to disabled passengers.

"Be it physical access or the attitudes of business owners and drivers, disabled travellers are facing obstacles daily that should have been left way back in the past."

Huge shake up of Taxi industry

IMMINENT changes to legislation in Northern Ireland are causing concern among taxi operators across the rest of the UK.

Three years on from the passing of the Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 in the assembly, the implications of the new rules are about to be felt by local drivers — with taxi drivers in other regions expressing fears of a similar shake-up.

The changes will bring about a “single tier” taxi licensing system, leading to customers being able to hail private hire cabs in the street. Under existing legislation, it is illegal for a private hire taxis to pick up a fare that hasn’t been pre-booked.

Belfast’s public hire (black taxi) drivers are vehemently opposed to the changes, claiming they will be forced out of business.

Many taxi driver web forums in mainland Britain have published concerns that the changes will threaten their own livelihoods once established in the province.

“If the UK’s mainland taxi industry thinks this is an ‘across-the-water’ issue and they shouldn’t worry about it, well, perhaps they should think again,” is one typical comment.

Following a recent consultation with all relevant stakeholders at Stormont, the changes are expected to be rolled out within months, with all aspects of the bill introduced by 2015.

Environment committee chairwoman Anna Lo said the changes are “good news for consumers” and have come about as a result of complaints from customers.

“Once this system is implemented, then you can put your hand up to any taxi coming down the road and hail the taxi — this will increase the number of available taxis all over Northern Ireland,” the Alliance MLA said.

“Also, there will be meters for all taxis and there will be a maximum fare so that disabled people will not be told there is an extra charge for putting in an extra bit of wheelchair.”

Kevin Doherty, of Disability Action, said the bill is an important piece of legislation that “makes sure people with disabilities can no longer be discriminated against when using taxi services”.

“Disability Action welcomes the fact that the environment committee has asked the department to ensure that people with disabilities are treated fairly in regard to fares and access,” he said.

Proprietor of Fon a Cab private hire company, William McCausland, explained that requests for specific kinds of vehicles can lead to varying charges but said there was no question of disabled customers being overcharged.

“As far as I am concerned, the more regulation and the more enforcement, the better for everyone,” Mr McCausland said.

A spokeswoman for the Consumer Council acknowledged the “important role” played by taxis and said: “We strongly support the objectives of the Taxi Act to raise service standards within the industry, deter unlicensed taxiing and to improve consumer protection, safety and accessibility.”

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said the minister “is very aware of the potential impact of the proposals, and will in particular listen to the environment committee, taxi drivers and operators”.

Hackney Cabs Stockport

Station Cabs Stockport

It might surprise many passengers arriving at Manchester Airport to find that the new "Arrow Cars" taxi/private hire are a lot more expensive than using a traditional Black cab.

A Black cab can usually be found right outside the door at all three terminals, the drivers will be happy to give you a price for your chosen destination. You may then compare this to the Arrow cars price.

National Taxi protest??

In the early 1980's a National protest was organised against the (then) proposals by Steven Norris, who was Tory transport Minister. The same national deregulation was on the cards.

Hundreds of cabs travelled from the North (I was one) and we met up with the Merseyside fleet, travelled on to and around Birmingham causing chaos.

The M6 had a rolling 50mph taxi roadblock before meeting up with the London trade, who were at that time protesting about the proposal to license minicabs.

London was brought to a standstill, whilst we met Mr Norris at the commons and we all filled in some sort of a paper which meant if your MP was present, they had to come and see you.

Anyway, we made National news, the police helicopters were all over the M6, Mr Norris was almost assaulted by the Merseyside brigade - But best of all, section 16 was born.

All this was arranged without the interweb or mobile phones and it achieved it's goal.

If the London trade are to protest about the Olympic VIP lanes, then you have a "perfect storm" for a National protest.

It has been done before, will it be done again?

de-reg dilemma

Further to our breaking news on the proposal to have a National de- limit, our email box has been busy. Some tell us it’s a lie, we have made it up to buy some cheap plates. So be it, that COULD have happened.  July 19th is the deadline for the Select Committee report. If our source is lying you will know in 3 weeks time.

PS. don't shoot the messenger(s)

£300k claim against taxi driver

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9086318.__300k_claim_over_taxi_door_injury/

Is de-regulation nation wide back on the agenda?

Thursday, 16 June 2011

The National Cab Act 2011.

We have received an Email today from our source close to Westminster, “TheMouseInTheHouse” tells us the report from the commons select Committee is almost ready and MUST be published online by July 19 this year. This is obviously when Parliament rises for summer recess. This would follow the same path and time scale of last year’s Equality bill. We would expect this bill to clear Commons before Xmas 2011 and clear Lords before March 2012. The Act can then be ratified around October 2012.

We are told the report recommends the repeal of section 16 of the Transport Act 1985. This in effect will de-limit Hackneys nationwide. The purpose is to remove the burden of bi-annual market research surveys to limit the number of hackneys on the road. “TheMouse” further alleges that a better way to contain numbers is by quality restrictions. To that end it is proposed that all new Hackney and Private hire vehicles being licensed for the first time will be required to pass Euro 5 emission standards.

Further speculation of the report is not needed. “TheMouse” promises us we will have a sneak preview before publication. However if you were toying with the idea of selling, do it on the “Hurry Up”.

Source; http://rainycityripoff.blogspot.com/

Read more: http://www.mrblackcab.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=819#ixzz1PWXfaFeK

Salford licensing in £100k fraud investigation

A police officer and two town hall workers have been arrested in connection with a £100,000 fraud investigation.
The probe centres on the licensing department at Salford council.
One worker Jane Nugent, was arrested on suspicion of fraud at her home in Swinton.
Miss Nugent was principal licensing officer for the city until she took voluntary redundancy from her £30,000 post in January. She had worked in the department for several years.
Her boyfriend, Bury-based PC Graham Fox, has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and placed on restricted duties by Greater Manchester Police.
The probe into Miss Nugent relates to an alleged fraud of more than £100,000 involving credit and cash transfers over a number of years.
Another council worker Gareth Robinson, from Radcliffe, a support assistant in the licensing department, was also arrested in a separate investigation. Mr Robinson was arrested on suspicion of fraud and has been suspended by the council.
It is understood the investigation into Mr Robinson centres on alleged misuse of a credit card amounting to about £7,000.
The licensing department is responsible for issuing licences for taxis, street traders, pubs, and dealing with fixed penalty notices.
Councillor Ray Mashiter, lead member for environment, said: "During one of our regular accounting reviews we uncovered some financial irregularities. As a result we contacted the police and our internal audit team has been supporting their investigation into this matter.
"As this is an ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."
In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "A 43-year-old woman and 25-year-old man have been arrested by detectives investigating the theft of cash from licensing services at Salford council.
"Both have been arrested on suspicion of fraud and the man has additionally been arrested on suspicion of burglary.
"A 48-year-old man, a serving GMP officer, was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering as part of the investigation.
"He has been placed on restricted duties and the matter has been referred to the IPCC."
All three have been bailed pending further inquiries until August.

OUR VIEW: All of Greater Manchester Councils should carry out an immediate audit of their own licensing units, many have not produced detailed and understandable accounts for years!!  

Arrow at Manchester airport

 Manchester cab trade blog (CLICK HERE!!!)

 

 

Hi Viz waistcoats for sale.

Monday, 30 May 2011

Private hire expansion comes at a price.

It would appear the cracks are getting bigger with Manchester Airports new top class private hire service. The following mortgage taken out in March this year would suggest that their bank is getting anxious with the size of the overdraft.


http://www.mediafire.com/?twlhcdnn1e5hugd


Source = Companies House, via Capt John.

Government want your views on Taxi reforms

Taxi/PH red-tape Challenge

Taxi-ferrying drug barons jailed

27 May 2011 Last updated at 18:56

A father and son from Oldham who used taxi drivers to distribute drugs across the UK have been jailed at Manchester Crown Court.

Fazal Hussain, 43, and his son Faisal, 20, both of Cranbrook Street, Oldham, were sentenced to nine years 11 months and eight years four months respectively.
Ch Supt Tim Forber of Greater Manchester Police said that the pair "wreaked misery on the community" and that it was "extremely pleasing" that they were behind bars.
Both men admitted several counts of supplying drugs and possessing criminal property.
Seven other gang members received sentences from 15 months to seven years.
WATCH LINK HERE>
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-13580347

This is the future/ Taxi app

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zKAr2tcdjk&feature=player_embedded

Can the trade dinosaurs adapt to this type of technology? Well it's modernise or become extinct.

Black Cab Taxi sales plunge at Manganese Bronze

Taxi sales plunge at Manganese Bronze

Last updated: Tue 17th May, 2011 | Time: 08:20am

Sales of Manganese Bronze Holding's London taxi cabs have dropped by 5.2 per cent in the UK for the first quarter of 2011. The Coventry-based company said taxi driver earnings and confidence had been "negatively affected" by the economic climate.
The results were announced through an interim management statement for the period 1 January to 16 May 2011.
Manganese Bronze produced 524 vehicles compared with 553 in the comparable 2010 period.

Girl charged after rape investigation in Bolton

A teenage girl has been charged with perverting the course of justice after police investigated a rape in Greater Manchester.

Officers were called to a house in Great Lever, Bolton, on 8 January when a 17-year-old girl reported being raped by a taxi driver.
A 34-year-old man was arrested but later released without charge, a police spokesman said.
The teenager is due before Bolton magistrates on 1 June.

Lotus builds hydrogen fuel cell taxi for London 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10836132

World's top five taxis

The classic New York taxi is to be phased out and replaced with a Japanese minivan. Here is a list of some of the world's most beloved taxis:

10:30AM BST 04 May 2011

1. London's Black Cab

The world's most distinctive taxi cab, the first Austin FX3 "Black Cab" rolled off the production line in 1948. But it was its successor, the FX4, from 1958 that set the familiar design that is still in use today.

More than 100,000 black cabs have been produced, but today Manganese Bronze, the company which owns the marque, is now importing parts from China, where it has a partnership with Geely, before assembling them in Coventry.

The company has struggled in recent years to make a profit, especially with other taxi cab manufacturers making inroads into London, but it did manage to sell 1,000 black cabs to Azerbaijan earlier this year.


2. Delhi's Ambassador

The Hindustan Ambassador, based on the Morris Oxford III, has also been in production since 1948 and is currently produced near Calcutta.

Despite its British origins, the Ambassador is known as the "King of Indian Roads" because of its excellent suspension. Its excellent reputation was bolstered by the fact that it was the car of choice for Indian political leaders until 2002, when the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee started travelling in an armoured BMW 7 Series.

3. Bangkok's Tuk-tuk

The auto rickshaws of Bangkok, or tuk-tuks, are often the best way to get around a city that is choked with traffic. These days, tuk-tuks are modernising, moving to low emission engines and sometimes being powered by Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG). Tuk-tuks do not have meters, however, and the cost of a trip has to be negotiated in advance. That has led to steep rises in fares with clueless tourists often willing to pay the asking price.

4. Mexico City's VW Beetle

Known in Mexico City as El Vocho, tens of thousands of VW Beetles have been painted green and white and have been a familiar sight for at least half-a-century. Now, however, the Mexican Transport ministry is out to get rid of the fleet of Beetles by next year, arguing that they should be replaced with more modern, fuel-efficient vehicles. To tempt taxi drivers to upgrade, Mexico City is offering 15,000 pesos (£790) to anyone who scraps their Vocho.

5. Venice's Gondola

The flat-bottomed gondolas that traverse the canals of Venice were the chief means of transportation in the city for centuries, reaching a peak of popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, when some 8,000 to 10,000 operated in the lagoon. Gondoliers use oars to propel the boats and have to understand the hidden currents that run through the canals, making many of them impassable.

Source; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8491505/Worlds-top-five-taxis.html
_________________

Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy (London)

Important Information for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers and Operators

As you may be aware, in December 2010 the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy was published which contained a wide range of initiatives aimed at reducing harmful emissions in London. The actions outlined in the strategy included initiatives focused on reducing harmful emissions from licensed taxis and private hire vehicles.

You can find a full copy of the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy on the GLA website at: www.london.gov.uk/publication/mayors-air-quality-strategy.

The air quality initiatives for taxis and private hire vehicles included:
• From 1 January 2012 a 10 year rolling age limit will be introduced for private hire vehicles and a 15 year rolling age limit for taxis unless exempted
• From 1 April 2012, unless exempted, all newly licensed private hire vehicles must, as a minimum, meet Euro 4 standards for emissions and be no older than 5 years and all newly licensed taxis must, as a minimum, meet Euro 5 standards for emissions
• TfL will work with both the taxi and private hire industry to introduce eco-driving training from 2012 and to promote efficient driving techniques to reduce emissions with eco-driving elements being required for all new taxi drivers before becoming licensed

New assessments for Chichester taxi drivers

Would-be taxi drivers wanting to work in the area covered by Chichester District Council are now being assessed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) before being given a licence to drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle.

More than 160 councils throughout Britain have already agreed to take testing on board for hackney carriage and private hire drivers. Central operations change manager Phil Coop said: “We are delighted Chichester District Council (CDC) has decided to introduce this assessment as driving a taxi carries a great deal of responsibility.”

Taxi wars' in France as new businesses try to compete

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13320358

De-reg via the Human Rights Act?

Breaking news from Edinburgh. After a battle lasting over 3 years, two Taxi drivers won an appeal in the Sheriff’s court yesterday, granting them two Hackney proprietors licenses. Nothing new here, appeals are won all the time.

This time however, IT IS BELIEVED the drivers used the Human Rights act. The drivers claimed they were unfairly kept from the trade because of artificial restrictions to the tools of the trade i.e, plates. The City of Edinburgh had its own criteria system, similar to Manchester, this was found to be unlawful, as that to was an artificial barrier to the trade. We have been saying all along that Manchester’s criteria was unlawful so the Sheriffs judgment, when we receive it could have repercussions around the country.

Watch this space.

Read more: http://www.mrblackcab.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=740#ixzz1M3QCSKqe

Manchester Airport hands taxi contract to Arrow4th April 2011

MANCHESTER Airport has awarded an exclusive five-year private hire contract to Leeds taxi business Arrow.

The firm plans to invest £700,000 in a new fleet of vehicles which will operate from pick-up points from the airports' three terminals.
Chairman David Richmond said: "We are delighted to be working with Manchester Airport to provide a high quality, seamless taxi private hire service that befits the high standard of one of Europe’s largest airports.
"We bring unrivalled experience from our Leeds Bradford Airport and East Midlands Airport operation offering passengers a high quality, value for money, pre-paid service."
Arrow was awarded a similar concession at Leeds Bradford Airport in January 2008 and a further five-year contract at East Midlands Airport in 2009.
Mr Richmond originally bought the company in 2004 when it had just 20 cars in the fleet. His earlier businesses included Scorpio, a Leeds-based print and finishing company sold in 2003 with a £20m turnover and 500 staff.

Attempt to snatch girl in Burnage

Burnage/Green End

Police are trying to trace a cyclist who helped a girl who was being followed by a man in a car.

Sometime between 9.35pm and 10pm on Sunday 10 April 2011, a 13-year-old girl was walking along Kingsway close to Green End Road when a man in a red car pulled alongside her and asked her if she was ok.

The girl ignored him and walked off.

He then pulled alongside her on Mauldeth Road near the junction with Aubrey Road and tried to grab her.

The teenager stopped a passing cyclist and the man drove off.

The cyclist walked the girl home before leaving.

The man in the car is described as Asian, in his 30s, about 5ft 6in tall, with short black hair and a long face.

Detective Constable Anthony Calvert, said: “The girl is understandably very upset by what has happened and we are working hard to identify the driver of the car.

“I am also keen to identify the cyclist who helped the girl as he could have vital information to help this investigation so I would urge him or anyone else with information to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to call West Didsbury CID on 0161 856 6090, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

All change at Manchester airport

Major contract win for Arrow

1st April 2011

Taxi business Arrow has secured its third major airport concession in as many years after winning a five year contract to be the exclusive private hire operator at Manchester Airport.

Leeds-based Arrow is investing £700,000 in a new fleet of vehicles which will operate from pick-up points from the airports' three terminals.

Arrow chairman David Richmond said: "We are delighted to be working with Manchester Airport to provide a high quality, seamless taxi private hire service that befits the high standard of one of Europe’s largest airports.

"We bring unrivalled experience from our Leeds Bradford Airport and East Midlands Airport operation offering passengers a high quality, value for money, pre-paid service.“

Arrow was awarded a similar concession at Leeds Bradford Airport in January 2008 and a further five year contract at East Midlands Airport in 2009.