New Taxi and Ride-hailing comparison app to launch in UK city

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Cab Comparison, a new app designed to help local Taxi drivers and minicab firms compete with the likes of Uber will launch in Salisbury on Wednesday August 1.

The app will give customers the opportunity to compare prices and waiting times for local and traditional cab services, allowing you to book a vehicle from 15 minutes to 3 months in advance.

Passenger's will have the option to pay for a journey using their card or simply by paying cash. Payment confirmation will be sent through by text or email for each trip taken.

Cab Comparison will give local firms the option to sign up and submit their own journey prices.

According to a report in the Salisbury Journal, Cab Comparison CEO Lindsley Anthony wants to give British Taxi and private hire firms the opportunity to compete and survive in an industry that is being flooded with ride-sharing services using smart apps.

July 29, 2018 at 10:29PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Taxi driving and the golden rule when facing difficult passengers

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By now, many people will have seen the video footage of a taxi driver pulling somebody who was seemingly unconscious out of the back of his taxi and leaving him in the road.

The incident, which took place near Fenchurch Street in London has rightly, been condemned by many within the industry.

It has been widely regarded as a completely irresponsible act with the driver showing a serious lack of care for the individual involved.

Obviously we can't comment any further on this particular incident as we do not have the full facts as yet, but it has highlighted a very important issue, which should be the golden rule amongst all taxi drivers.

That golden rule is a very simple one, you do not get out of the front of your vehicle and into the back of your taxi under any circumstances.

In a situation where a customer has passed out inside the vehicle you have but two options, you either drive to the nearest police station, assuming that you are able to find one which is open of course, or failing that, you call both an ambulance and the police.

It is almost an irrelevance as to whether a customer has passed out drunk and is failing to respond, nobody can really no as to whether the person is unresponsive through drink or because of a medical issue.

The safest course of action for all concerned is to let the emergency services deal with the issue, it's what they are trained for.

Many cabbies, who undoubtedly feel that they are doing the right thing, and acting with good Intent, may enter the back of the taxi to assist a stricken passenger, this however well meaning, can prove to be an extremely serious error of judgement.

Sadly, in this day and age, good intent can be misinterpreted, leaving the driver potentially open to any given allegation. Allie that to the fact that if the driver has no medical training, he could potentially be making a very serious situation far worse.

So to re-iterate, the golden rule is the following: Stay in the front of the taxi, alert the emergency services, and wait for their arrival.

Anything else is a charter for disaster.

July 29, 2018 at 09:14PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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Costa Blanca cabbies block Alicante-Elche airport

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Unrest amongst the taxi industry in Spain has hit the country's fifth busiest airport.

Roads leading into Alicante-Elche airport, on the Costa Blanca, were shut down by cabbies protesting at the number of VTC (private hire) licenses being issued.

Enshrined in legislation is the edict that there should be only 1 VTC license for every 30 taxi drivers.

This piece of legislation has not been enforced by the regions licensing authority, and as a result there is 1 VTC license for every five taxi drivers.

Costa Blanca's cabbies are the latest group of drivers to join what is, an indefinite strike, initially starting in Barcelona, but quickly followed by Madrids cabbies.

Worryingly, trouble is being expected by some, as the protest tightens around the airport.

The Costa Blanca is traditionally one of the busiest regions in Spain during tourist season.

Only tine will tell if the situation moves south to the Costa Del Sol.

July 29, 2018 at 05:07PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Passengers hail the green generation over diesel so says survey

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Most people would opt for electric taxi over a diesel cab, according to a recent survey.Half of Londoners would actively choose the green option, with only 14% opting for diesel, research from ESB’s EV Solutions found.

The study was conducted on behalf of ESB, Ireland’s largest energy company, whose EV Solutions is actively investing in the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in London.

It has so far installed 32 rapid charging points across London with plans to expand the network in the coming months.

The results emerged as LEVC revealed that there are now 350 TXe taxis in use around the UK – 300 of them in London.

The research also follows new data from the Department for Transport, which revealed 53,000 low emission vehicles were registered in the UK in 2017, an increase of 27% on the previous year. Of these vehicles, 35% are electric, meaning around 18,550 EVs were registered in 2017.

LEVC has also launched its TXe model in Berlin, where it is expected the new cabs will soon be plying for hire in the German capital’s regulation beige.

Speaking on the results of the survey, Chris Gubbey, CEO for LEVC said: “These findings mirror our own internal research that shows Londoners wantto use the latest technology to travel around their city. For this reason, we have developed the world’s most advanced electric taxi with world-class autonomous safety systems to protect both occupants and other road users. The first driversand passengers are delighted with the smoother, quieter ride but, to boost uptake, there needs to be confidencethat provision of charging facilities will continue to grow – making ESB’s level of investment in London extremely welcome.”

ESB developed one of the first fully interoperable EV charging networks in Europe, comprising of almost 1,100 public charge points across the island of Ireland.

The company says it findings “further evidence that Londoners are getting behind the vision for electric vehicles in the capital.

ESB’s rapid charging points providean 80% charge, using 100% renewable electricity, in as little as 30 minutes andat a fraction of the cost of diesel. This is comparative to three to four hours when using a standard unit. Taxi and EV drivers can find the closest ESB rapid chargeron a real time charge point map onlineor through the “EV Plug In” app for smartphones.

Taxi drivers based in London benefit from 52 dedicated rapid chargers, which are set aside for their use. Transport for London has committed to installing 90 of these units by the end of 2018.

July 29, 2018 at 04:58PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

“TfL Loves Tech Too Much” says Caroline Pidgeon

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TfL is getting carried away with new technology while other services are coming apart at the seams, the London Assembly’s transport leader has said.

The regulator is ignoring problems with lifeline services such Dial-A-Ride, according to Caroline Pidgeon.

It follows an announcement by TfL that it was investigating trials of a new app-based on demand bus service, which could be diverted to pick up individual passengers.

Ms Pidgeon said she was fearful that TfL was “getting carried away with the potential wonders of new technology and failing to ensure they get the very basics right.”

Dial-A-Ride is already “demand responsive” but its elderly and disabled user-base are being forced to look elsewhere or contend with a “deteriorated” service caused by poor staffing levels.

Waiting times have almost doubled, she said, with users having to wait seven minutes just to get through to the booking line - up from just under four minutes last year.

This is despite a 10% drop in call volumes – down from 157,287 in 2016/17 to 142,715 this year.

Most Tube and rail stations do not have step-free access, which makes Dial-A-Ride the only way some Londoners can travel by public transport.

TfL’s new technology trials could see private operators running an “on- demand” minibuses ordered through an app. It could also involve a service running on a “semi-fixed route that can be diverted to pick up individual passengers.”

The trial would investigate whether “the latest innovations in ride-booking technology can be used to create a new TfL bus service that complements the capital’s existing bus network.”

Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s Director of Transport Innovation, added: “We want to understand the potential of new TfL demand responsive services to improve public transport for all Londoners.

“We are currently exploring the feasibility of a small demand responsive transport trial in areas of outer London where car dependency is higher and other forms of public transport are less viable.”

Ms Pidgeon recently called for City Hall to investigate the risks of Uber drivers accepting jobs on their mobile phones while on the move, which she said posed a danger to Londoners.

TfL had previously been accused of being too close to Uber when it gave it a licence even though, as has recently been acknowledged, it was not fit to hold one and did not adhere to the existing regulations.

July 29, 2018 at 04:49PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI LTDA THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Awesome Albania: City break in Tirana from £196pp - 5nts 4* hotel, breakfast & flights

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Taxi drivers and war veterans sky dive with the Red Arrows for Taxi Charity

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Four London cabbies, two veterans and a Taxi Charity committee member, undertook tandem skydives with the Red Devils to fundraise for the Taxi Charity. Earlier this week on Thursday 26 July, Team Be Lucky, completed the 12,000 feet skydive. The team included the four taxi drivers Michael Calvey, Dean Euesden, Jon Southcott and Brian Heffernan, war veterans Bill Parr and Mike Smith, and Taxi Charity vice president, Frances Wyhowska, at Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire. Mike Smith, 70, served with the Royal Army Service Corps as an Air Despatcher and completed his 99th parachute jump with the Red Arrows this week. His 85-year-old comrade on the day, Bill Parr, was with the Cameron Highlanders in Libya in the 1950s when he was seconded to the Black Watch and sent to Korea.

Mike Smith said before the jump: “The Taxi charity means so much to me and all the other veterans that it supports, and this is my small way of repaying their kindness and raising much needed funds to allow them to do even more good work." The Taxi Charity For Military Veterans, formerly known as the London Taxi Benevolent Association For War Disabled, was formed in Fulham in 1948 and aims to be for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of military veterans. The charity runs annual outings in the UK and has also recently travelled to Netherlands, Ypres and Normandy. In order to fund these outings, they seek donations from the general public and organisations, and rely on volunteer London licensed taxi drivers to provide their taxis and time for free.

July 29, 2018 at 08:19AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Team Be Lucky skydive for the Taxi Charity

Well done to all who did the parachute jump up at Langar Airfield Nottingham, in aid of the Taxi Driver Charity for Veterans.

On 26 July 2018, Team Be Lucky, made up of four London cabbies, two veterans and a Taxi Charity committee member, undertook tandem skydives with the Red Devils to raise much needed funds for the Taxi Charity.

Team Be Lucky is made up of cabbies Michael Calvey, Dean Euesden, Jon Southcott and Brian Heffernan; Korean War veteran Bill Parr (85) and Chelsea Pensioner Mike Smith (70); and Taxi Charity committee member and vice president, Frances Wyhowska.

See the periscope video with interviews.

  https://www.pscp.tv/w/bispkDE2MDc2Mjh8MVlwS2tMb2p5QkVHasN9MFqDOKJ_0s5-KcB53rQ9UP0mDrySL49UdSOb8Q2d?t=3m30s

Please go to the donation page 

https://mydonate.bt.com/events/taxicharityskydive2018/454191

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After NYC Announce Cap On Ride Share Numbers, More Bad News For Uber As Study Backs Pay Rise

Ridesharing companies such as Uber in New York City are facing more pressure than ever to increase pay for their drivers. The burg's Taxi and Limousine Commission has released a study recommending raises for drivers with companies like Uber and Lyft. 

Economists James Parrott and Michael Reich suggest workers should receive $17.22 an hour after expenses, a roughly 22.5 percent boost to the net pay. That would give them an effective $15 per hour with paid time off.

About 85 percent of drivers don't make this kind of pay, Parrott and Reich said. And that's notable given NYC's relatively uncommon market: unlike in most cities, ridesharing drivers need a license, plates and commercial insurance to operate. They're more likely to be full-time or committed part-time drivers who depend on ride hailing for their living.

The economists suggested multiple ways to raise pay for drivers beyond simply charging more per ride (a typical fare might increase by 3 to 5 percent). They suggested an additional charge for shared-ride services like UberPool and Lyft Line, which might see an uptick in demand if customers shied away from solo trips.

The Commission requested the study as part of a bid to develop new rules for ride hailing services that could include a minimum wage. It hopes to publish draft rules for public comment soon, and the study could play an important role in those early rules.

In response, a Lyft spokeswoman unsurprisingly objected to early details of the report, claiming that it would provide "financial incentives to provide less service," reducing the number of rides and ultimately hurting driver pay, not helping it. Uber shared a similar response to Engadget, but noted that the study's approach would "shrink the transportation pie" and "severely" restrict the amount of time existing drivers could access the services. The report's assertions about the industry were "over-simplified to the point of being flawed," it said. You can read both statements below.

Ridesharing companies have typically resisted attempts to detail real-world pay, and have faced lawsuits over allegations they underpaid workers. And it's no mystery as to why: they're concerned that higher pay would lead to fewer rides, reduced income per ride or both. Uber and Lyft are still losing money, and this might not help their chances of turning a profit.

Lyft made this comment:

"Lyft is proud to provide valuable, flexible earning opportunities for so many drivers in New York. We have not yet reviewed the full report, but the new proposed policy appears to create financial incentives for drivers to provide less service. As a result, there will be more empty cars, more congestion, longer wait times for passengers, and, over time, less pay for drivers in New York City. This would be a bad outcome for all New Yorkers, and Lyft is committed to working with policymakers to find a better solution."

"We share the goal that all full-time taxi and Uber drivers in NYC should earn a living wage, but the report's proposals would get there by shrinking the transportation pie; hurting riders through substantially increased prices and reduced service; and severely limiting the amount of time existing drivers can access the platform. We are concerned about the unintended consequences of implementing the findings in this report and believe many of the assumptions made about our industry are over-simplified to the point of flawed."

So far Uber have remained silent.

Taxi Leaks Extra Bit : 

This is of course major bad news for Uber's investors as the company has just surpassed $6bn in company losses.

As we reported earlier...After six Taxi drivers committed suicide, NYC regulators have decided to put a cap on ride share numbers. 

And Finally, from Twitter : Meanwhile In London

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15,000 Madrid Taxi drivers go on strike to show solidarity with their Barcelona colleagues as they protest against ride-hailing apps

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According to a report in ChannelNewsAsia, the Federation of Madrid Taxis has claimed that 15,000 taxi drivers went on strike on Saturday, 28, to show support to Barcelona taxi drivers that spent the last two days protesting against ride-hailing apps Uber and Cabify. Taxis stopped offering their services in the Spanish capital at the airport and around railway and bus stations to show their solidarity against the apps which they say are taking away their livelihoods. Heated demonstrations in Barcelona prompted Uber and Cabify to suspend all services in the city. Angry taxi drivers attacked Uber vehicles, kicking at the car and throwing flares into the air. Taxi drivers across Spain say that too many licences are being handed out to the ride-hailing industry which is creating an oversaturated industry. Legislation that would see the government enforce a ruling that only 1 VTC (tourism vehicle with chauffeur) licence could be issued for every 30 traditional taxi licence was put on hold, angering drivers into protesting their concerns. Madrid's support to taxi drivers in Barcelona shows that the problem with issuing endless amounts of licences to ride-hailing services is bigger than any one city, it has become national.

July 28, 2018 at 07:38PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Winter flights to Vienna from £41 return - incl. Christmas markets dates

We know...we know! It's still summer. But now is a great time to get bargain flights to some of Europe's most popular Christmas market cities, like Vienna from just £39 return from London. These direct flights depart on heaps of dates between November and December, perfect for an excuse to go and have a slice… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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