Hilarious imprint of woman's face left on the back of cab drivers headrest after emergency stop

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The imprint of a woman's face was left on the back of a cab drivers headrest when he was forced into an emergency stop while ferrying a trip across Glasgow. Cab driver Jim McNee was unaware of the spooky image left by the woman's make-up until the next day when a male passenger pointed it out to him. The image soon became a hit on social media racking up more than 26,000 likes on Twitter. Jim has now left the imprint on show for all his passengers to enjoy a laugh over.

(Image: Twitter)

Jim was forced into an emergency stop when the car in front suddenly stopped. His female passenger who had a face full of make-up, who clearly wasn't strapped in, was thrown forward with enough force that the whole side of her face left a perfect, some would say "artistic" print. The female passenger was left unhurt and even laughed about the incident it was confirmed in the metro online. Jim's son, Jamie has said his dad seems to be enjoying his newfound internet fame.

July 08, 2018 at 09:50AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

BBC journalist has coffee spiked in Moscow taxi

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A BBC journalist who had been sent to Moscow to cover the World Cup has fallen victim to a robbery involving a Moscow cabbie.

The unamed reporter had taken a taxi from the Bolshoi Theatre at approximately 3.30 am on Friday, July 6th.

Upon entering the taxi he was offered a coffee from an unknown person, which he accepted. He subsequently lost conciousness, and found himself dumped at a metro station in Moscow.

When awaking at the metro station he had found that both his mobile phone and wallet were missing, he then found out shortly after that the equivalent of £500 had been wirhdrawn from his bank account.

The BBC confirmed that the journalist was fine and he is now back at work.

Moscow City Police are investigating the incident and have made an arrest. They are continuing the search for an accomplice involved in the robbery.

July 08, 2018 at 03:42AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Why Is It That TfL PCOs Don't Work Closer With Westminster Marshals ?

Anger as Ferrari driver 'moves cones out of way' to park in taxi rank, despite 'being told not to'

One witness said he laughed when confronted about it

Onlookers say they couldn’t believe their eyes after watching a Ferrari driver move traffic cones out of the way to park in a taxi rank.

The driver of the sports car was seen moving the cones out of his way to pull up at the spot designated only for taxi drivers. 

A traffic marshall was seen speaking to the man, only for the driver to allegedly laugh before putting the cones back around his vehicle.

He was far from the only person parked up there when they shouldn't have been - but perhaps unsurprisingly, the very conspicuous Ferrari was the car that most people noticed.

And those who saw it have been quick to make their feelings known about what happened.

One woman, who was with her husband at the time, but didn’t want to be named, said: “I was quite amazed to see this guy remove the cones and pull up.

“Several other people witnessed it, including the taxi driver and a parking warden official, who did make some comment to him.

“I thought it was inconsiderate and totally out of order as there was no room for any taxis to use the rank. And if a taxi had pulled up next to it, he would have had to double park, which would have caused congestion.

“It is not fair on the taxi drivers to take their spaces.”

The woman was left further enraged as she says the driver ignored advice given to him by traffic marshal.

“I am not a confrontational person,” she said. “I said something to the taxi driver about it and then the traffic warden spoke to him, but he just put the cones back round his car and walked off laughing.

“He walked off like: it's ok, I drive a Ferrari driver, cones don’t apply to me.”

Another man, who didn’t want to be named, said that others were also parking on the Taxi rank. 

A sign clearly says only taxis can be parked there!

However, he says the driver of the Ferrari as well as the others could have easily have parked elsewhere.

Rule 240 of the Highway Code states 

Motorist must NOT park on taxi rank bays as indicated by upright signs and markings.

It is a contravention of code 45 for any vehicle other than a licensed taxi to be parked on a taxi rank. No observation period will be applied. Fines can be issued immediately. 

Only Licensed Taxis are permitted to park on Taxi ranks. Private hire cars (minicabs) are not permitted to park on a Taxi rank and should be enforced against the same as any other road vehicle.

•  Loading/ unloading is not permitted. 

• Blue Badge holders are not exempt on Taxi ranks 

Exemptions to enforcement

Vehicles (other than taxis) are not permitted to park on a taxi rank with the following exemptions:

• council/ government department in pursuance of statutory duties

• Emergency services (fire, police, ambulance, customs)

• Road maintenance

• Statutory undertaking or water, gas, electric, BT, and so on. 

Anyone caught is liable to receive a fine.

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People need to think before parking in any taxi bay, as the are stopping working drivers earning a living.

Moving ‘no parking or loading’ cones is also breaking traffic laws and could lead to a fine to anyone who is caught moving them.

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New York early bird break from £451pp: 4nts incl. 4* Times Square hotel & direct flights

The Big Apple is calling you pirates! Be in the heart of the action in New York City - our Holidays Finder has a great price on a 4* hotel just a block from Times Square. Prices start from just £451 per person, based on 2 sharing in January and this includes 4 nights at… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lake Garda 4* half board break 4nts from £268pp - incl. flights & lakeside hotel

Ahoy pirates! How about a relaxing break by the azure waters of Lake Garda? We've found this very reasonably priced half board holiday placing you right by its shores at the 4* Casimiro Park Hotel, which has 2 outdoor pools and a wellness area. You can also go full board from £292pp, or a whole… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

20% off safari glamping in Kent: School holiday family deals from £42pppn

Pirates, grab the whole family and explore the great outdoors this summer with this super glamping deal in Kent that's available from just £42 per person, per night, based on a family of 4 sharing -- that's a guaranteed 20% off regular rates and includes school holidays until mid-August. You'll enjoy an overnight stay in… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Late season all inclusive 4nt break in Ibiza from £189pp - 3* hotel & flights

Ahoy there pirates, rates for all inclusive holidays can be super high during the busy season so one way to get around it is travel at the beginning or end. This all inclusive holiday in Ibiza departs in October and there is a range of airports at great prices. Holiday details Travel duration: 4 nights… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Australia flights from £489 return - incl. bags: Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney & Perth

Pirates, fancy spending some time down under? Swap the UK winter for Australian spring or summer with these great value flights to various cities across the country from London; prices start from just £489 return. We've seen availability from September to December, 2018, but our pick is for the peak season summer dates when the… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Autumn in Majorca: 7nts from £165pp incl. hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, pick up 7 nights in Majorca from £165pp including the Sultan Hotel, breakfast & flights. Enjoy a leisurely meal to start your day before checking out the white sand beaches of the area that make it a favourite hotspot for visitors. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date:… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Solo all inclusive Turkey break from £299 - incl. 6nts aparthotel & flights

If you pirates really want to get away from it all, the best way is to fly solo! Using our Package Finder we spotted this all inclusive offer to Turkey. So not only so you not have to find a travel buddy, your meals are all covered too! As well as 6 nights at Elite… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London Taxi Maker Geely LEVC, Joins Brexit Chorus

Traditional London black cab maker, the Geely owned London EV Company, has also warned about the impact that a hard Brexit could have on business, with its chairman saying it could dismantle Britain's rejuvenated car industry.

Reuters noted Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's biggest automaker and employer, had said earlier a so-called hard Brexit would cost it GBP1.2bn (US$1.59bn) a year, curtailing its future operations in the UK.

"What we really worry about is if there are big difficulties transporting goods via the [English] Channel, whether it's increased costs, or anything else," LEVC chairman Carl-Peter Forster told Reuters in Berlin at the launch of its electric taxi in Germany.

"Even with no tariffs, lorries could still be stuck at the border for days," he said, highlighting how the industry relied on frictionless supply chains to transport components and assembled vehicles back and forth across the channel.

Chief executive Chris Gubbey told Reuters 33% of LEVC's suppliers are in the UK, another third in Europe and the rest elsewhere worldwide.

Reuters noted LEVC spent GBP300m (US$398m) on a new plant in Ansty near Coventry when it made the shift to electric vehicles, the first new automotive plant to be built in Britain in over a decade.

Forster said "if the wrong decision is made" people should have no illusions about the extent of the impact on Britain's car industry which has been undergoing a revival in terms of manufacturing in recent years.

"You won't see it overnight, it's a process that will take 10-15 years.... It would be madness to wake up in the morning in London and read in the papers that there are virtually no carmakers in Britain, it would be a real shame," he told Reuters.

Forster was speaking as LEVC launched the electric version of the traditional black London taxi cab in Germany, where the market is dominated by Daimler's Mercedes, in which Geely also owns a 10% stake.

LEVC hopes that the electric taxi, which is available in the more typical beige colour of German taxi cabs, will find takers as a debate about clean air and urban mobility rages, Reuters said.

The automaker is close to finalising a deal with also Geely-owned Volvo for sales and servicing in Germany.

Gubbey said LEVC was looking to sell hundreds, rather than thousands, of taxis in Germany and wasn't seeing Brexit having any impact on negotiations with potential customers.

Along with the Netherlands, Norway and now Germany, LEVC is also in negotiations in France and has plans to expand to customers outside of Europe from next year, particularly in the UAE, Australia, Singapore and China, Reuters added.

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Geely warns against hard Brexit

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The Chairman of Geely, owners of LEVC, has waded into the hard or soft Brexit conundrum by saying that a hard Brexit could cause Britain's motor industry to collapse.

This comment comes on the back of Jaguar Land Rover claiming that a hard Brexit would cost the company over £1 billion per annum.

The cost of transportation across the channel as well as lorries being stuck at the border have been identified as an issue by LEVC chairman, Carl-Peter Forster.

Forster has expressed concerns over the long-term impact a hard Brexit could have, believing that it may only take ten to fifteen years for the car industry to disappear in the UK.

LEVC is looking to expand into France, as well as the UAE, Australia, Singapore and China.

July 07, 2018 at 12:24PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Super luxury Scottish lodge group stay: 4nts from £107pp w/ hot tub & sauna (sleeps up to 10)

Grab a slice of Scottish luxury with this stunning countryside lodge. Sleeping up to 10 people, whether it's a group getaway for your mates or you're looking for somewhere to hold a family reunion the hot tub, sauna and pool table will ensure that everyone has a great stay! No one is left behind either,… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Taxi Leaks Withstands Hacking Attempts And Is Back Up And Running

After a couple of days down time... Taxi Leaks, in association with London Taxi Radio are back up and running,

As we posted last week, the Taxi Leaks Blog have been the target of malicious attacks which have made it quite difficult to keep up our standard of posting.

We know where most of these attacks and potential hacking come from, so therefore we have taken measures to secure our place on all social media platforms and in fact have also branched out into other fields....but more about that later.

One of our problems we believe -facing not only us but every driver posting on social media- is allegedly coming from the Twitter police team, currently working away for TfLTPH. Anyone can be "targeted" by Tfl for anything.... but obtaining a clear judgement by their legal teams... is very different.

 Tfl employees (directors, managers, and others) dislike criticism and take offence very easily, so its not surprising they are behind the scenes scheming and plotting.

In Britain, we still live in a society where we can voice our opinions freely and without fear of twisted retribution in the name of a legal definition "fit and proper person" argument and Tfl know only too well a suspension or revocation will attract a legal challenge and scrutiny if only once on this subject delivering judgement surrounding this clear attempt to close down dissent or critique in UK law under the auspice of the rights of freedom of speech law.

I really wouldn't worry too much about what is voiced on social media if it is presented as either a "question" or a "checked and proven fact"

If this principle is adhered to, there is never going to be any chance of Tfl's underhanded involvement as they will have neither any legal argument or right to be in any position to involve themselves as self righteous regulators of taxi driver trade press or social media commentary remembering their (us) clients pay licensing fees into their bank account and the use of our funds to follow a fanciful argument is a dead end argument. 

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Amsterdam autumn city break from £99pp - incl. 2nts boutique hotel & flights

If summer for beaches, autumn is the time for city breaks pirates! We never get bored of laid back Amsterdam, especially when we get to stay in chic properties like Hotel Not Hotel. The cheapest time to getaway is November, and you'll find departures in other months below. Holiday Details Direct return flights London -… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

England fan charged £107 for £10 trip home after Uber leave the meter running

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A furious Uber passenger was left stunned after minicab app Uber charged him £107 for a journey to Luton – despite being in Chiswick eating a pizza at home in London.Cheapskate Nick Brownridge traveled to Lancaster Gate via the tube after watching England beat Colombia on penalties and then ordered a low cost minicab for the five-mile trip back to Chiswick where he lives. However, he like many before him was left stunned when he found out that Uber had charged £107 for a 40-mile trip to Luton in the early hours of the same night. Nick, spoke to The Sun Online and said: “I had just watched the England game and booked an Uber from the tube station to my flat.“I got out in Chiswick and bought a pizza. I woke up the next day and saw I had been charged £107.“The driver hadn’t ended the trip and he arrived in Luton at 2am and I was charged for the whole journey.”Uber were reluctant to refund the journey and only after The Sun asked for a statement did Uber agree to refund the amount charged.An Uber spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear about this. We have of course refunded the passenger and are investigating exactly what happened.“Riders always get an emailed receipt from Uber, so if an issue ever arises it can be easily fixed.”

July 07, 2018 at 10:44AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Absolutely gorgeous Croatian 4nt break from £226pp incl. flights, hotel & breakfast

Fancy some time away from the kids, or maybe you just want a getaway without little ones running around? Well then the 5* Hotel Meliá Coral boasts oozes luxury from inside it's wellness centre with sauna and hot tubs to it's beachfront exterior. For 4 nights you'll be on a B&B basis in October where… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

GMB and Addison Lee latest to slam proposed changes to congestion charges by TfL

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The GMB union and private hire firm Addison Lee are the latest to slam TfL proposal to change London congestion charge scheme by removing exemption for private hire drivers.

The proposed changes are seen as another attack on the private hire trade, a trade that is on a race to the bottom with ever decreasing rates and increased overheads, says GMB LondonBoth groups have raised concerns over the new proposals from TfL, that would see changes to London’s congestion charge scheme, including the removal of private hire vehicle (PHV) exemption from the charge.An Integrated Impact Assessment from TfL stated that they are considering the proposal to remove the PHV exemption from 8 April 2019 onwards.PHVs which are designated as wheelchair accessible will continue to be exempt from the charge under the proposed changes.Simon Rush, GMB Professional Drivers Branch Secretary said:“We at the branch always suspected that TfL would bring out a consultation on removal of our congestion charge exemption, as yet another way to cover the shortfall of their income as central government has removed a large amount of funding.“This is yet another attack on the private hire trade, a trade that is on a race to the bottom with ever decreasing rates and increased overheads.“The driver, not the operators, will bear the brunt of the cost as the operator will not want to pass this cost on to the public.“It’s a restriction of trade, it's unfair to the trade, and it's discriminatory as it’s not been currently passed to London’s black taxi trade. We predict that in the future this is likely to be passed to the taxi trade.“We have told TfL that if we see such a consultation we will grind London to a halt. That time has now come!“We cannot allow our members and wider trade to fund an extra expense of up to £57.50 a week and if you include older pay, the so-called toxic charge of 12.50 a week, this will decimate the trade and leave the public vulnerable to touts and other illegal activity.”Steve Garelick, GMB Regional Officer said:“Despite constant explanations of why this is a tax on drivers, we believe the authorities intend to steam roller this legislation through at all costs.”

Andy Boland, Addison Lee Group’s CEO said: ‘This move suggests that London isn’t open. Removing the exemption for private hire vehicles is a revenue-raising measure thinly disguised as an environmental initiative which will have no impact on congestion and will do nothing for air quality.He added: ‘It will hit drivers and operators in the pocket at a time when the industry should be investing in electric vehicles and charging points to make a genuine impact on London’s environment.’

July 07, 2018 at 07:23AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Minicab driver takes a dump on Derby driveway

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Caught short?! Not really news, but a bit of ‘cheeky’ humour! Private hire driver takes a sneaky poo in the middle of a road unaware he's being caught on camera. What was he thinking?!Don't watch while you're eating supper!

July 06, 2018 at 10:25PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

4* Design hotel in central Brussels from £26pppn - incl. sauna & gym access

We know you pirates are a stylish bunch, so when we saw some great rates for the Radisson RED in central Brussels we just had to share. This eco-conscious hotel takes inspiration from art, fashion and music. Guest rooms here have pop art on the walls and huge windows that overlook the city. Each room… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT