The Full Monty: Montenegro break 3nts from £280pp - incl. 4* boutique hotel, flights & breakfast

Ahoy mateys! Next up we are sending you to the gorgeous Montenegro for a weekend getaway at boutique hotel 4* Casa del Mare - Blanche in Herceg-Novi just steps away from the glittering Bay of Kotor. Featuring a pool, al fresco dining with scenic views and a private beach it doesn't get more relaxing… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way from £45pp for flights + 2nts car hire: Add hotels from £35pppn

September is a great time to visit Ireland; you don't get the crowds of peak summer season but the weather should still be good (or as good as it can be in the Emerald Isle!). The Wild Atlantic Way, a coastal route on the countries West Coast, is definitely worth exploring, especially when you can… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Schools out for summer: Costa Brava family holiday in August from £286pp - 7nts hotel & flights

Pirates, if you are looking for a family getaway in the school summer holidays why not check out this great Spanish holiday in Costa Brava. The holiday is based on a family of 4 (change to suit) and you will stay for a week in sunny Costa Brava. You can book today with a deposit… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

The Hangover Part IV anyone? Return flights to Vegas from £289: Dates until 2019

Grab your wolf pack and head to Vegas on these super cheap flights we've found on our flights finder. Dates stretch from November, 2018 -- including dates over Thanksgiving -- until March, 2019, and prices start from just £289 return, meaning there is plenty to choose from. Flight Details Indirect flights with Air Canada Departures… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Drug dealer's are using ride-hailing apps to ferry drugs to clients

via taxi-point https://ift.tt/2tCjkbk

Taxi and ride-hailing apps are being used to ferry drugs around town by dealers according to a report in the Ilford Recorder. Police and councillors in Redbridge are working closely to tackle the increased amount of rides which are used to deliver drugs to clients. A number of reports from local residents of youths ordering cars through the apps and exchanging packages and money were brought to the attention of the police. Councillor Khayer Chowdury has said that there has been a number of incidents of dealers ordering different vehicles every day to make the drop off of drugs. The Valentines Safer Neighbourhood Team went undercover to catch the dealers in the act and were able to make some arrests thanks to tip-offs from local residents who reported suspicious activity in the area. Their investigations suggest that the Uber app is being used to transport the drugs and money back and forth, but the intelligence suggests that the drivers are unaware of what they are transporting and in any occasion where they may have suspicions they are too scared to report directly to the police because of fears of repercussions. MP for Ilford North, Wes Streeting has raised his concerns about the ease it is to use ride-hailing apps to "arrange and deliver drugs". Chairman of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), Andy Kavanagh, has encouraged Taxi drivers who may suspect that Taxi ride-hailing apps are being used to ferry drugs across town in Black Taxis to "be brave" and refuse to complete the trip. Mr Kavanagh stressed the safety concerns of minicab drivers being able to confront such issues as they do not have a protective partition between themselves and passengers in the same way black taxi drivers do. Any drivers that suspect criminal activity taking place are encouraged to come forward a report it to the police.

June 25, 2018 at 12:42PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

The Court Case Of The Year ... TfL v Uber... Let Battle Commence

TfL’s refusal to grant Uber an operating licence last September not only sent shockwaves through the company it ignited a political battle with govement ministers who had heavily campaigned for Uber to be given an easy ride. 

But so far, its customers would hardly have noticed, as the company has been allowed to continue operating in the capital, having appealed the decision immediately after. 

This morning, that came to a head....as Uber, TfL and London’s media descend on Westminster Magistrates Court for the appeal hearing. 

It kicks off what is expected to be a three-day hearing during which Uber will try to argue that it is no longer the bad boy of the tech industry.

Uber will argue they have made a series of changes to its app, changing the way the company operates in London since September, including flying chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi into London for crisis talks with TfL commissioner Mike "on side" Brown. (Funny though, Mike "on side" Brown has refused point blank to meet with Taxi trade and recently ignored a Scheduled quarterly Commissioners meeting wit senior Taxi trade representatives.

The company will hope the changes - such as improving the way it deals with complaints - are enough to not only convince the court that it has turned over a new leaf, but TfL itself. Having the regulator onside will be a big help in this court battle. 

One the table to day is Uber record number of rapes, sexual assaults, customer accounts hacked, overcharging, discrimination towards customers, road traffic accidents and incidents, fake medicals, 13,000 fake criminal record DBS checks to name but a few.

Uber have operated illegal from day one! The big problem being that certain senior TfL officials knew this and covered Uber's back.

For Londoners who have come to rely solely on Uber (until the price surges), this week’s appeal could have big implications, but it is just as important for the company itself.

London is one of Uber’s most profitable markets ' the Jewel In The Crown'...and its continued operation in the capital is crucial to the ride-hailing app as it seeks to stem losses and prepare for an initial public offering next year. 

It is also a pivotal moment for Mr Khosrowshahi himself, who has sought to reform the company under his watch. A stamp of approval this week would burnish his credentials significantly.

But can TfL be trusted. 

Look at the mess their legal teams made of the meter case.

They've had evidence which should have shut the company down from day one and they've done nothing with it.

They knew in January last year about the fake DBS certificate and under Helen Chapman's watch they buried this by October. 

Source : Telegraph, Sun, Mirror : Image Orion Gotch.

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2Mnuwk6
via IFTTT https://ift.tt/2txfCja https://ift.tt/12cqxIH

Discover stunning Slovenia with return flights from £39

Jet off to Slovenia this autumn to discover delights such as the bustling capital of Ljubljana and the beautiful Lake Bled with these incredibly cheap flights that we have found on out flight finder. Slovenia has so much on offer and it's still pretty cheap to travel around, so don't miss this great opportunity Pirates!… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Last minute group getaway in Ibiza from £153pp - 7nts hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Pirates, if you are still looking for that last minute bargain holiday then we have just the thing, a holiday to awesome Ibiza. This group getaway is under £160 per person for a week in the sun, be quick though pirates as there is limited availability left for this one. Holiday details Travel duration: 7… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Live your best life in Cape Verde: 7nts all inclusive from £666pp incl. flights & 4* beach hotel

If you've still not arranged your trip to the sun this summer Pirates, we've spotted a few July bargains starting to pop up. Like this amazing all inclusive week in Cape Verde paradise. Stay in the 4* Melia Tortuga Beach Resort for 7 luxurious nights, right on the beach! What makes this deal even better… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Santorini summer group getaway from £350pp - 7nts 3* hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Pirates, Santorini is simply stunning but it can be super expensive to got there in the summer, until now, we have come across this great group getaway in Santorini departing in July for £350 per person. The holiday is based on 4 sharing but couples can travel for £410 each. You can save £50 off… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Addison Lee Appeal “Hiding To Nothing”

via taxi-point https://ift.tt/2K9x5cA

Instead of wasting their time and money Addison Lee should hold their hands up and admit they were wrong says GMB union.The long standing minicab company Addison Lee today begins a court appeal in a desperate bid to deny drivers their basic rights.The hearing takes place at the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London this morning and is expected to last two days.Last year, the Central London Employment Tribunal found that a group of Addison Lee drivers were workers and therefore entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage and holiday pay.Rather than accept the decision - and take responsibility for their drivers – the company decided to launch an appeal.GMB hopes the courts will uphold the original decision.In 2016, GMB won a similar landmark case against Uber.Mick Rix, GMB National Officer, said:“Addison Lee is on a hiding to nothing lodging this appeal to deny their workers basic rights.“The findings in the original tribunal were damning, and continuing this course of action is frivolous.“Instead of wasting their time and money Addison Lee should hold their hands up and admit they were wrong.“We call on Addison lee to meet with GMB to thrash out an agreement.“GMB hopes the court will reject this appeal, and uphold a ruling which was an incredible victory for workers in the gig economy everywhere."

June 25, 2018 at 09:10AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

“Transport for London sabotaged union efforts to cooperate with police to improve safety” says IWGB

via taxi-point https://ift.tt/2KjQV4h

IWGB claims Transport for London sabotaged union efforts to cooperate with police to improve safety despite epidemic of violence against Uber driversToday the United Private Hire Drivers branch of the IWGB union release the results of a comprehensive survey of Uber and other private hire drivers showing an epidemic of violence in the trade. 55% of all private hire drivers have been physically assaulted at work, 78% have been threatened with violence while 80% have been victims of hate crime.Transport for London, despite recognising stakeholder representation from six separate bodies to represent 23,000 taxi drivers who are overwhelmingly White British, refuses to recognise any dedicated representation exclusively for 113,000 private hire drivers who are overwhelmingly identified as BAME.The IWGB alledge TfL went to extraordinary lengths to also stop the Metropolitan Police Cab Enforcement Unit (CEU) – a TfL funded Met Police force dedicated to taxi and private hire policing – from engaging with the union towards improving minicab driver and passenger safety.In August 2017 Inspector Neil Billany, then head of the CEU, is said to have broke off all engagement with UPHD around the time his letter to TfL concerning Uber’s handling of sexual assaults was published in the press. Billany explained he needed to break off engagement due to ‘recent press’ activity according to the union. UPHD lodged an IPCC complaint and recently received a report on the internal investigation which shows Billany was told not to attend any further meetings with the union by an unnamed senior officer and by Silka Kennedy-Todd, TfL’s Head of Stakeholder Relations for Taxi and Private Hire.The new head of the Met Police Cab Enforcement Unit has since set aside TfL's police directive and now meets quarterly with the union though TfL continues to refuse engagement. James Farrar, Chair of the United Private Hire Drivers branch of the IWGB union and co lead claimant in Aslam and Farrar v Uber said:“Private hire drivers working for Uber and others are suffering horrendous levels of violence and abuse at work as well as being denied their statutory worker rights. It’s right that Uber be held accountable for passenger safety in court this week but now both Uber and TfL also need to be held accountable for the catastrophic levels of violence suffered by drivers working in London’s booming minicab trade.”Yaseen Aslam, Secretary of the United Private Hire Drivers branch of the IWGB union and co lead claimant in Aslam and Farrar v Uber said:“TfL’s behind the scenes attempt to derail our good faith efforts to work directly with the Metropolitan Police to improve safety and security of our members and their passengers is a shameful betrayal of the public interest. Once again we see disturbing evidence of institutional racism at play within Transport for London which must now be urgently tackled.”

June 25, 2018 at 09:02AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Wonderful Warsaw: 4nts from £154pp incl. 4* aparthotel & flights

Pirates, pop to Poland with 4 nights in Warsaw from £154pp including the 4* Platinum Residence Aparthotel & flights. Warsaw is a lively city full of history, culture and a mix of architecture, so it's a great place to spend a few days. Holiday details: Travel duration: 4 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Live like Royalty in a Yorkshire castle hotel from £33.50pppn incl. breakfast - pet friendly

Treat the special someone in your life like the King/Queen that they are with a romantic castle stay in Yorkshire. Located on the outskirts of Hull lies the Cave Castle Hotel & Country Club, offering regal accommodation dating back 350 years! This teeny price also comes with breakfast included and - even better - the… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

TaxiPoint Uber London licence appeal timeline; all the latest

via taxi-point https://ift.tt/2KekSCZ

We’ll bring you all the latest from the Uber operators licence renewal appeal at Westminster Magistrates Court on our TaxiPoint timeline.

Check back to see the latest news, what the media are saying, what those in the trade are writing and more

24th June 21:46

Who thinks Uber will win the court case?

June 24, 2018 at 09:47PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Stylish 4* West London stay from £46.50pp - 2 restaurants & spa on-site

Ahoy mateys! Treat yourself and someone you care about to a stylish stay in the capital this autumn. We found a string of cheap Sunday rates over at the luxe 4* Hotel Dorsett Shepherd's Bush just next to Westfield shopping centre and with easy access to Notting Hill, Earls Court, Kensington and Olympia. Prices… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Winter sun: Luxe 4* Lanzarote half board holiday 7nts from £372pp - incl. SENTIDO hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! We've spotted this great value for money all inclusive winter holiday to popular Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote. You will be staying at the contemporary 4* SENTIDO Aequora Lanzarote Suites within walking distance of Los Pocillos Beach, offering 3 restaurants and 5 pools. Half board is included in this holiday and although it… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Glasgow Shows The Way Forward Again By Investigating A Cap On Private Hire Vehicles

Glasgow to investigate cap on private hire vehicles

GLASGOW is driving ahead with plans to potentially cap the number of private hire cars in the city.

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee at Glasgow City Council agreed to commission an independent expert to research the “drdprovision, use and demand for the services of private hire cars” across the city.

Changes to the law by the Scottish Government make council’s free to cap the number of private hire vehicles operating within their boundaries.

Councillor Alex Wilson, convener of the committee, said: “I welcome the fact that the Scottish Government is looking into guidance for local authorities to cap private hire car numbers and to give us a robust policy where we can actually take this forward.”

Last May, amendments to the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 made by the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 came into effect.

They allowed licensing authorities to refuse to grant an application for a private hire car licence on grounds of over provision.

Councillors were told there are 4,820 private hire cars registered and 3,527 licenses in Glasgow at the committee meeting on Thursday.

Unite’s cab section is in favour of the legislation and has in the past demanded the council put its foot down on bringing forward the appointment of an independent expert.

The black hackney drivers claim that supply is outstripping demand in the taxi trade, meaning full-time drivers are having to work longer hours just to get by.

The move to appoint an independent expert was actually agreed last November but the council was waiting on “legislative guidence” from the Scottish Government, but that guidence has not yet been published.

Now, councillors have decided to wait no longer and push ahead to procure an independent expert to carry out the substantial audit.

“I do think this would allow an opportunity for Glasgow to lead the way in terms of licensing policy yet again,” said Councillor Rhiannon Spear.

Councillor Robert Connelly supported the council pushing ahead, saying: “As no time scale was given by the Scottish Government, it could take quite a long time.”

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2IoOJU9
via IFTTT https://ift.tt/eA8V8J https://ift.tt/12cqxIH

5* Dubai luxury break 5nts from £597pp - incl. iconic hotel, breakfast, BA flights & luggage

Mateys, check this out: We've found really good rates at the iconic, uber-luxurious 5* Movenpick IBN Battuta Gate Hotel (a staple feature of the Dubai skyline). Breakfast and direct BA flights are included as well (with the option of upgrading). Solid. Time to treat yourselves! Holiday details: Travel duration: 5 nights (longer or shorter stays… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Luxe 4* Sardinia half board holiday 7nts from £288pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy pirates! Next up we are sending you to gorgeous Sardinia. We've just spotted some awesome rates over at the top-rated 4* Grande Baia Resort & Spa situated in a quiet spot surrounded by fragrant Mediterranean vegetation, just a short walk from the beach. There's an inviting pool and a relaxing spa at your disposal… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT