Every fourth Addison Lee fare funds a call at Childline

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Addison Lee is partnering with the NSPCC this summer to help fund their vital work through Childline.

Every 25 seconds, Childline receives a call from a child in need. Over 1,400 trained volunteer counsellors respond to these calls, however due to the sheer volume that they receive, they’re only able to respond to 3 out of 4 of the children that need their help. See for yourself the work that Childline volunteers do, and why it matters.

From the 16th May for two months, Addison Lee will donate £1 to the NSPCC every time their participating business clients make a booking via their app.

This means that every fourth app booking will enable Childline to answer a child’s call for help.

May 20, 2018 at 08:01AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flights to exotic South Pacific island of Vanuatu for £682rtn - incl. luggage & meals

Wow! Drop what you are doing right now dear globetrotters, and check this out: Cheap flights to the remote exotic island nation of Vanuatu, nestled deep in the South Pacific, east of Australia. This hidden jewel should appeal to those of you who prefer something a bit different and off the beaten track. It's your… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Italy in July: 7nts near Rome from £214pp incl. cute bungalow w/ pool access

Pirates, if you're looking for something fun for the summer holidays, snap up 7 nights in Italy from £214pp including the 3* Flaminio Village Residence (Bungalow Park) & flights. This leafy green haven is the perfect spot to relax in the sun, with the added bonus of being only a short drive from the delights… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Some Heathrow Express prices are rising. London Cabbies may be able to capitalise

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From May 20, the price to travel on the Heathrow Express will see an increase during peak hours of 6.30am-9.30am. Prices will rise to £25 from £22 for the 15 mile mile train journey. Although for a singular person to make the journey it works out cheaper, if 2 or more people are traveling together it could actually cost less to travel directly to your designated terminal in a licensed London taxi. Depending on where you are in London, a journey to Paddington station in one of London's iconic black taxi's could cost you anywhere from £10-£30, where a direct trip to Heathrow airport ranges between £50-£90. If you combined the cost of a taxi ride to Paddington station and then two or more Express tickets, you are probably looking at a minimum of £60. It's well advised to speak to your passengers who are heading to the Heathrow Express to see if it would in fact cost less to travel directly to the airport without the hassle of dragging luggage from one mode of transport to another.

May 19, 2018 at 06:48PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Groovy Greece: 7nts in July from £260pp incl. 3* hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, spend a July week in Greece from £260pp including the 3* Aegeon Hotel, breakfast & flights. Decent prices for high tourist season, when the weather is set for scorching and the sea is warm for swimming... Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible Example date: 11th 18th July 2018… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All that Algarve: 7nts off-season from £134pp incl. 3* aparthotel & flights

Pirates, pack for Portugal with 7 nights off-season in the Algarve from a mere £134pp including the 3* Parque Mourabel - Oasis Village - Pe do Lago Hotel & flights. A short walk to the beach and near the golf courses of Vilamoura, the hotel is a great base for exploring this beautiful area. Holiday… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Go all out in Poland: 2nt break to Krakow from £116pp incl. flights & apartment w/ spa bath

If you're one for a cheeky cheap city trip then we have the answer for you. Krakow, Poland hosts a number of plush accommodations at super cheap prices meaning you can make your money go further on a 2 night break away. Stay for 2 nights at theLeo Aparthotel in the centre of Krakow's Old… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Union Chiefs say drivers working excessive hours too afraid to seek help for mental stress

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Union chiefs have warned that Glasgow taxi drivers and private hire drivers are now working under extreme pressure since the introduction of firms such as Uber, and are failing to seek help for mental stress caused from having to work excessive hours to cover the cost of living. It has been claimed that drivers are now having to work up to 70 hours a week to earn a living wage by Union secretary Steven Grantas reported in the Evening Times. It's claimed that there is now a massive over supply of drivers within the private hire sector since the rise of ride-hailing app Uber, and there is simply not enough work to go around. Drivers having to work 10 hours a day 7 days a week are refusing to see their GP to discuss mental health issues caused from work related pressure because they fear having their licence revoked, it has been suggested. Glasgow City Council have confirmed that they will be looking into capping the amount of private hire drivers in the city but first they must receive guidance from the Scottish government. Glasgow is not the only city that has seen a significant rise in the number of private hire licences being issued, London is also dealing with a huge number of new drivers joining firms such as Uber on a weekly basis. What city do you operate in? Do you think it's important to cap the number of licenses being issued? Let us know in the comments below.

May 19, 2018 at 03:29PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Liverpool to Belfast: Foot passenger ferry tickets from £10 each way (Kids from £5)

Mateys, if you are looking for something cheap and cheerful to do this summer, why not take the ferry? Stenaline has just launched foot passenger fares between Liverpool and Belfast from just £10 per adult or £5 per child, each way. The 2 ports are really close to the city, perfect for a mini-break. Belfast… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

4* East London hotel stay from £35pppn: July & August dates - incl. weekends

Plan a trip to London this summer and book a bargain stay in a modern 4* hotel, just 20 minutes from central London, from as little as £35 per person, per night -- including some Friday and Saturday nights! We've found lots of dates in July and August available; at that price you could even… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Calls To Close 'Loophole' Allowing Minicab Drivers From Outside Winchester To Operate In City

TAXI drivers in Winchester are calling for an end to a loophole allowing Minicabs from other parts of the country to operate in the city.

Colin Smith, a registered Hackney taxi driver, says private hire drivers from Wolverhampton in the Midlands, are operating in Winchester, despite being licensed miles away in their home city.

Now Winchester City Council has revealed it is lobbying the government to change the law. 

In a letter to the council, Mr Smith said: “At the moment there are 15 or more Wolverhampton plated minicabs working in Winchester... Instead of applying to Winchester City Council (as they don’t think they can pass the relatively easy knowledge test), they bypass this and get a licence very easily at Wolverhampton, or even TfL where PH licenses are given out like sweets, they then can work (cross border) as a private hire worker.”

Mr Smith also raised concerns that these drivers don’t pay fees to the council, are not subject to safety spot checks and are taking work from struggling local cabbies.

A spokesman for the council (WCC) responded to the letter, saying: “The Deregulation Act 2015 enables private hire taxi operators to sub-contract their work to a driver licensed by another local authority subject to certain requirements. 

It's the private hire operators in Winchester that are taking advantage of this, actually sending drivers to become licensed by Wolverhampton City Council, and the drivers can then return to Winchester and work for these operators.

“WCC is writing to the government and to Wolverhampton City Council to explain that this current practice is detrimentally affecting our controls over the private hire fleet operating in the district.

“WCC is asking TFL (Transport for London) to join with them and lobby the Government to change the law but until this is done then our controls over the practice are limited.” (Good luck with that one)

However, a spokesman for Minicab firm Wintax, the oldest in the city, says that the real problem is the council’s “extremely hard” tests.

The spokesman told the Chronicle: “I myself currently do not have any of those [Wolverhampton licensed] drivers working with us. I still say if the likes of Uber are going to exploit the market then why not the take the same advantage as they did. It is all legal.

“The main issue in Winchester is the test has always been extremely hard for some unknown reason. All drivers from any council that has a legit PH plate and badge have paid for this and have had an enhanced DBS check at the least.”

He added: “I can not fault [Wolverhampton drivers] because they have just taken advantage of a loop hole that gives them more control. I agree there should be a balance but there has always been an imbalance in Winchester.”

Both Winchester and Wolverhampton city councils have been approached for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.

In the past the city council has decided to let the market decide how many licensed PH vehicles should operate across the Winchester district. This has seen the number of Minicabs  greatly increase since the early 1990s.

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Late summer Majorca from £153pp: Flights & 7nts Cala d'Or aparthotel (2-4 share)

Book an end-of-season bargain now, and you'll have the whole summer to look forward to your great value holiday to the island of Majorca, safe in the knowledge that you've scored a brilliant price. Starting from just £153 per person, based on 4 sharing, you'll get return flights from the UK, plus 7 nights in… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

End-of-season Costa Brava from £96pp: 4nt group getaway - incl. flights & apartment (4-share)

Arr mateys! If you can hold out til the end of summer, we've spotted an excellent value for money holiday to Costa Brava, staying at the 4* Blau Apartments in popular Lloret de Mar just one minute walk from the beach. We've based this holiday on 4 people sharing and it starts from just £96… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

2 weeks in the Mexican sun all inclusive from £882pp incl. flights, hotel w/ private beach & more

Get your summer off to a flying start this year with not 7 but 14 nights in June, relaxing in the Mexican sun. Jet off to Puerto Vallarta in the next few weeks and relish the luxurious surroundings of the 4* Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort and Spa which boasts it's own stretch of private beach.… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Spain-to-Brazil cruise from £339pp: Epic 13nts with full board (go all inclusive for £130 more)

This next deal is a super early bird offer (it doesn't depart until 2019) but the early bird gets the bargain as this 13-night cruise works out at just £26 per person, per night -- the total price is £339 per person, based on 2 sharing. You'll sail from the Spanish city of Barcelona to… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Wolverhampton taxi driver protest was about “protectionism and self-interest” says councillor

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A protest at Wolverhampton Council in response to the cheap and easy-to-gain minicab licences handed out was branded nothing more than “protectionism and self-interest” by a councillor.

Taxi drivers travelled in from around the Midlands to hold the protest outside the Wolverhampton Civic Centre on Wednesday. The protest was sparked after a recent Freedom of Information request showed roughly 4,000 private hire drivers who lived outside of the Wolverhampton licensing area had acquired a licence from there. Drivers then used their Wolverhampton licence back in their hometowns, which included places like Weymouth and Blackpool, as part of a cross-border licensing loophole.

One driver in the Express and Star who attended the protest said: “What they are doing is morally and ethically wrong. They are destroying the lives of thousands of taxi drivers.

"Why should we suffer the detriment because Wolverhampton council decide to make a profit from a fast licensing application?”

However, Councillor Alan Bolshaw, chair of licencing at Wolverhampton council said: "A small number of Hackney Carriage drivers from Coventry arrived in Wulfruna Street to protest about increased competition from the private hire trade. Coventry Hackney Carriage fares have recently been identified as the most expensive in the country. This small protest was about protectionism and self-interest and passed off without incident."

May 19, 2018 at 10:06AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Direct flights to Orlando, Florida from £217pp

Pirates, get yourselves a trip to Florida this year with these sensationally cheap Orlando flights we spotted on our Flights Finder! Flights are direct from several UK cities with TUI, with an inflight meal included. We've seen availability in May and June - a perfect time to visit as the strongest heat of the summer… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Life in the Lakes: Stunning 4* Lake Windermere spa hotel stay from £59pppn incl. breakfast

Why not whisk your favourite shipmate off on a romantic staycation to one of the UK's top spots, the Lake District. Take in the jaw dropping views of Lake Windermere from the4* Beech Hill Hotel & Spa and relish their top notch hospitality this autumn. Breakfast is also included in this deal and you can… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Chic 4* Lake Como escape 4nts from £194pp - incl. half board, hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Holiday like the stars with an escape to beautiful Lake Como in Italy (holiday home to George Clooney, amongst others.) You'll be staying at the well-rated 4* Seven Park Hotel with half board included, an inviting pool along with some scenic views! Holiday details Travel duration: 4 nights (longer or shorter stays possible)… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

TfL: Unattended vehicles at taxi ranks impact working drivers and potential customers

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Approaching a working rank only to find it blocked by unattended vehicles is a real red rag to taxi drivers.

Gary Snewing, Ranks Manager, explains: ‘This is one of the main problems at ranks because it causes a multitude of complications. If the rank is full because of unattended vehicles it means other taxis have to drive by. Also, drivers leave vehicles not just at the head or back of the rank but in the middle as well, which means the other taxis have to keep driving round them: it’s basically stopping the flow forward on the rank.’

According to Edgerton Rodgers, TfL’s Compliance Resource Manager, it’s an increasing problem across the network, but especially at suburban and central London ranks. Between 1 January and 31 December 2017, 982 taxis were reported for being unattended on a rank.

‘We will send our compliance officers to areas where the trades and other sources have told us there is a problem,’ explains Edgerton. ‘Officers will take action against private hire vehicles found working or left unattended on a rank and report the drivers of unattended taxis, which can result in warning letters being issued. Repeat offenders will ultimately have their fitness to hold a licence reviewed. I would encourage drivers to continue to report any non-compliance information to us so we can be made aware of any issues impacting the legitimate trade and improve the service for customers wanting to use ranks.’

Although there are problems with members of the public and private hire vehicles stopping on ranks, unattended taxis are also a cause of concern. Gary says: ‘One of the biggest gripes we get from taxi drivers is about other taxi drivers leaving their taxis unattended on suburban ranks.’

At a recent meeting with Redbridge Borough Council, TPH was told about problems at two ranks that had six unattended taxis sitting on them for more than an hour. This meant there were no taxis available on any the ranks to pick up passengers. ‘This is very frustrating for working taxi drivers,’ explains Gary. ‘Also, if local authorities see the ranks being misused like this they become very reluctant to give us more ranks in the future.’

May 18, 2018 at 05:35PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT