Coventry the latest city to licence the LEVC TX eCity ready for business

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The world’s most advanced electric taxis have been handed over to drivers in Coventry for the first time. The first range extended electric taxi will be licensed in the city today – and will then be ready to carry passengers in the city where they were designed and built.Coventry has historically been the home of taxi production in the UK – and LEVC (formerly known as The London Taxi Company) has built the hackney carriage in the city for the past 70 years. This has made the black cab a symbol of the city – and the taxi’s rejuvenation has come at a time of renaissance for the city.The arrival of these purpose-built electrically driven vehicles means that Coventarians will now get to experience the greater comfort and safety that comes with a taxi designed and built by motoring experts from across the West Midlands. The new taxi, the TX, is already getting positive reviews – and the arrival of the vehicleHowever, the new vehicle is no stranger to those in Coventry - as it has been extensively tested in the city and surrounding area. A good part of the vehicle’s million-mile test program took place on local roads and nearby test centres like Mira Technology Park.

Thiruchelvam Selvaratnam who has been a taxi driver for many years was the first Coventry driver to place an order for the TX. Mr Selvaratnam and drivers like him will be supporting LEVC’s efforts to make electric taxis the ride of choice for taxi passengers in Coventry. 65% of people living in Coventry have already said that they would specifically chose an electric taxi, if given the option. And LEVC will be working with drivers to collect passenger feedback in the city to inform the development of future versions of the taxi – all to ensure that LEVC’s vehicles remain focused on the needs of passengers.These purpose-built, electrically driven taxis are being produced at LEVC’s new £325m facility which has been producing for cabs since January. This new factory in Ansty Park is just 5 miles from Coventry City Centre.

Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC said:“Our purpose-built, passenger focused taxi, has been designed with the intention of getting more people back of cabs – offering the safest, cleanest, quietest and smoothest taxi ride yet. We are delighted to have had the support of Coventry drivers to deliver this vision for the taxi trade in Coventry – and I look forward to hearing about how they all get on in the new cab.”

LEVC’s electrification project is due to create up to a thousand new jobs in the area – and is playing a role in establishing Coventry as a leader in the development of electric vehicles. As well as the taxi, LEVC is also developing range extended electric vans – which will be on sale next year.Coventry already has charging infrastructure in place for these vehicles, and last year won £1.2m funding in central Government funding to support the installation of 39 rapid charging point for taxis and minicabs across the city. Announcements on how this money will be allocated are due to be made later this year.

Councillor Kamran Caan, cabinet member for public health and sport for Coventry City Council said:“I’m delighted that we are set to have new electric taxis on our roads. They will offer a new level of comfort and they will be very good for the environment – helping to improve air quality in the city.”“Coventry is the home of the black cab and this focus on advanced electric taxis will see more jobs created for local people which is great news.“I’m sure they will be a welcome addition to the fleet as people increasingly want to make environmentally friendly choices about how they travel.”

April 26, 2018 at 09:35AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Mega cheap Kefalonia last minute group holiday from £133pp - 14nts hotel & flights

Pirates, another absolute bargain last minute getaway to Greece is up next, we have found this cheap holiday in Kefalonia with TUI for under £140 for 14 nights in the sun. If you don't have enough holiday days left at work to take a 2 week break you can stay for 7 nights for even… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Alton Towers Holidays from just £56.50pp - incl. Hotel, breakfast, Theme Park entry, Golf & more

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Luxe 5* Corfu half board escape 3nts from £327pp - incl. flights & Adults Only seaside hotel

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Chelmsford cabbie keeps licence after colliding with pedestrian

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A cabbie in Chelmsford has kept his licence despite colliding with a drunk pedestrian.

The unamed cabbie, who holds both a hackney carriage and a private hire licence had his fitness to hold a licence put into question after attempting to flee from a drunk member of the public.

The person in question had allegedly threatened the driver and blocked his path, trying to prevent the cabbie from escaping.

The driver attempted to reverse around the individual, and also phoned the police, before clipping the man with his vehicle as he was finally able to leave the scene.

The pedestrian suffered no injury, this factor was taken into account by Chelmsford City Council's licensing committee, as well as other mitigating factors, such as the driver being under threat. The committee were critical of the fact that the pedestrian could have slipped and been badly injured by the vehicle.

Despite the cabbie keeping his licence, the committee commented that his status as a fit and proper person had been severely bought into question.

April 25, 2018 at 11:43PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Blue Lamp Trust makes first appearance at taxi show to promote benefits of driver assessments

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A leading national provider of taxi driver assessments is making its first appearance at the Private Hire and Taxi Exhibition this year to advocate driver tests to make taxi travel safer for operators, drivers and passengers.The Blue Lamp Trust has been running practical driving assessments for taxi licence applicants and existing taxi drivers since 2011. To date, its assessors have tested nearly 10,000 taxi drivers nationally for 106 licensing authorities.

The trust’s business development manager David Watkins and senior driver assessor Graeme Pilling are manning a display at the MK Dons stadium in Milton Keynes on 9-10 May 2018 to explain the benefits of driving assessments and further driver training.

Mr Watkins said: “Our assessments improve safety but they also save time and money for everyone. Reducing the number of collisions and injuries reduces the associated costs of compensation claims and higher insurance premiums.

“Our assessments also prevent reputational damage to a taxi operator by cutting down on complaints by unhappy passengers.”

He added: “The Blue Lamp Trust is committed to a fair, open and transparent assessment, reflecting the standards set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency with the safety of the passengers and others as our top priority.”

Better for operators

All members of the trust’s nationwide network of assessors are approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to “Fleet” level.

The Blue Lamp Trust has a very short waiting time for tests, aiming to complete all assessments between 5 to 15 working days after a booking.

The Trust also offers e-learning to prepare for an assessment, which is a more cost-effective option than on-road lessons.

Assessments and driver training help employers meet their duty of care while identifying gaps in their drivers’ skills. The Trust also offers advanced training to upskill drivers for executive travel firms.

Trusted by licensing authorities

Licensing authorities have a duty to make taxi travel as safe as possible. For example, Transport for London is committed to eradicating deaths and serious injuries on the capital’s roads and as part of its “Vision Zero” policy, the authority is considering introducing advanced driving and accessibility training tests for taxi and private hire drivers.

Since The Blue Lamp Trust started providing a taxi driver assessment service to one Unitary Authority in 2016 there has been a 37% drop in taxi-related incidents, with a 36% reduction in injuries.The Blue Lamp Trust maintains strict quality criteria and standards in its training and assessments that promote public safety. As such, it does not provide driving lessons before an assessment, to avoid any conflict of interest.

Assessments are at zero cost to the licensing authority and all money made by the Trust is used to promote and enhance community safety through its “Bobby” scheme.

April 25, 2018 at 09:38PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

40% off New York helicopter sightseeing flights from £63pp ($88pp) - incl. tax

Mateys, we don't normally show you deals like this, but this one was just too good to pass up. We know New York is one of your top travel destinations for 2018 so why not team it with a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride over the Manhattan skyline -- now discounted by a whopping 40%. Rides start… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

4* Costa Rica beach break £519pp - incl. 7nts Platinum resort, flights, breakfast & transfers

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Flights to Milan from £19rtn: Visit Italy's capital of fashion from London or Liverpool

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All inclusive Turkey holiday in July from £494pp - 7nts luxe hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

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Gorgeous Montenegro beach break 4nts from £299pp - incl. 4* boutique hotel, flights & breakfast

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Uber suspends operations in Vienna after court ruling

  

VIENNA - Ride-hailing service Uber said it was suspending operations in Vienna on Wednesday after a court upheld a complaint against its business practices brought by a local taxi company.

Uber's Austrian arm said in a statement: "Sadly, today's decision by Vienna's commercial court, for now, does not allow us to offer our services UberX, UberBLACK, and uberVAN in Vienna".

But it added that "we are working intensively to change our practices, in order to be able to offer our services to you again within a few days".

The complaint against Uber was brought by the Taxi 40100 company.

It said Uber represented unfair competition as it did not have to abide by the same rules as traditional taxi companies for picking up passengers.

"We're delighted with the court's decision," said Taxi 40100 head Christian Holzhauser.

Ride-hailing services have met with protests from taxi drivers in numerous cities and varying levels of resistance from authorities around the world.

Earlier this month, Uber had to suspend one of its services in Greece after tighter rules on the sector were introduced, while in March it had to suspend operations in the Slovakian capital Bratislava.

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Early bird Austrian escape: 2nts from £196pp incl. flights & chalet apartment (2-4 share)

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Uber ordered to stop operations in Vienna

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Controversial ride-sharing app Uber have been issued with a temporary injunction to stop operating in Vienna, according to a report in Reuters. Taxi company Taxi 40100 had put forward a case claiming that Uber operations violated Viennese regulations on Taxis. On Wednesday 25 April, a commercial court upheld that case and issued an injunction. Uber will now face fines of up to 100,000 euros for any violation of the injunction.

More to follow.

April 25, 2018 at 03:42PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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