“Go Electric Taxi” scheme launched in Coventry offers £2,500 worth of incentives to go green

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The UK’s most extensive programme for encouraging taxi drivers to upgrade to an electric vehicle is being launched in Coventry today.

The Go Electric Taxi scheme includes a range of different incentives worth £2,500 for taxi drivers interested in making the switch to a cleaner vehicle – as well as the opportunity for a two-week test drive for all Coventry Hackney cab drivers.

The initiative, led by Coventry City Council, is supported by a range of companies including, the Coventry electric taxi maker LEVC, Irish energy company ESB, Siemens and the taxi app Gett.

Hackney carriage owners in Coventry will be getting the chance to try out the latest electric cabs produced by LEVC, as part of a scheme to encourage cabbies to understand more about the benefits of electric taxis.

An event today, at Coventry railway station, has been organised to enable Coventry cabbies to take a closer look at the new state-of-the-art TX Electric Taxi, and sign up to a 12 day loan scheme.

Go Electric Taxi aims to speed up the modernisation of the Coventry taxi fleet and offer a premium, better value, service for Coventarians. All these vehicles will offer laptop charging, mobile phone charging, free wifi, card payment – and zero emission capable driving.

Two thirds of Coventry residents have already said that they would specifically choose an electric taxi, if given the option.

Cllr Kamran Caan, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport said that in future year’s electric vehicles would be the norm.

He added: “We are committed to cutting air pollution in Coventry because we know that this will bring health benefits to people particularly vulnerable residents with pre-existing health conditions.

“Electric vehicles are the future both nationally and globally. I hope that Hackney cab drivers will take the opportunity to try out the loan scheme. The vehicles are built locally – and the numbers of charging points are increasing all of the time.”

Cllr Jayne Innes, Cabinet Member for City Services in Coventry, said that she was keen to support local cabbies in helping them to look at options for maintaining their high standards of services.

She added: “We are very proud of the high standards of our licensed taxi drivers, and their key role in welcoming people to the city and supporting the local community and businesses. I’m really keen to see how drivers find the loan scheme, especially if it can bring benefits to their business and improve standards for customers in Coventry.”

As part of the scheme, the first 60 drivers of electric taxis in the city will benefit from a significant contribution towards their insurance costs, as well as a waiver of several licensing fees, this is valued at around £2,500. The scheme has been funded by grants from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles and the Government’s Joint Air Quality Unit.

Jesse Norman, Minister for Roads and the Future of Mobility said: “Britain’s black cabs are iconic around the world. That is why the Government is supporting this initiative with £1.2 million, helping Coventry to champion these new electric models.

"The Government is committed to improving the country’s air quality and creating a low carbon economy, which is already worth billions. Low emission vehicles will be a key part of that transition, showing that we can meet our climate change obligations and also promote economic growth.”

September 05, 2018 at 06:52AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

FOI request reveals Wolverhampton City Council have granted Indian ride-sharing giants Ola an operators licence

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A Freedom of Information Request by a source close to TaxiPoint has revealed that new ride-sharing app Ola, have been granted a private hire operators licence by Wolverhampton City Council. Ola is an Indian ride-sharing app that was founded in 2010 and are considered to be one of the main rivals to controversial tech giants from Silicon Valley, Uber. Ola launched it's first overseas operations early this year when it hit the streets of Perth, Australia, with further plans to launch in Sydney and also Melbourne. The Indian equivalent of Uber launched it's first U.K. Service in South Wales last month and also confirmed that they had obtained an operating licence in Greater Manchester. A FOI request has now highlighted that a licence to operate in Wolverhampton has also been granted.

Wolverhampton City Council has come under scrutiny in the past , facing accusations of putting profit before safety by issuing licenses to drivers who had no intentions of working in Wolverhampton. An article in TaxiPoint back in April, noted that there had been an incredible 6,847 percent increase in private hire licenses issued to drivers living outside of their licensing area since 2013. It was also revealed that Wolverhampton City Council had made £1.29million in 2016/17 through the licensing of PHVs. Both Wolverhampton City Council and Ola were approached last week to comment on what the Freedom Of Information request had revealed but have yet to come back with any statement.

September 04, 2018 at 02:51PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Record number of private parking tickets to be issued this financial year

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The number of private parking tickets being issued continues to soar.Figures just published show that in the first quarter of the 2018-19 financial year private parking companies requested 1,479,152 sets of vehicle keeper records from the DVLA.This is a 14% rise on the 1,299,716 sets of records bought in the same quarter of 2017-18.The data is used by the firms to pursue motorists for charges and penalties that they say are due for infringements in private car parks such as those at shopping centres, leisure centres and motorway service areas.If the rate at which data changes hands continues at the same pace then the DVLA is on course to share a total of almost 6.5 million sets of records with private parking firms by the end of 2018-19, up from 5.65 million in 2017-18.

The numbers from previous years read:

2018-19 6.44 million (projection)2017-18 5.65 million2016-17 4.71 million2015-16 3.67 million2014-15 3.06 million2013-14 2.43 million2012-13 1.89 million2011-12 1.57 million2010-11 1.17 million2009-10 1.03 million2008-9 687,0002007-8 499,0002006-7 272,000

The firms that requested the most driver data in the first quarter of 2018-19 were:

ParkingEye – 388,061 (individual records)Euro Car Parks – 125,322Smart Parking – 114,217

In July 2018 Capita PLC agreed to sell ParkingEye to Macquarie for £235 million. This is more than quadruple the £58 million that Capita paid for ParkingEye back in 2013.To access DVLA data parking firms currently need to be members of an accredited trade association of which there are two: the BPA and the IPC. These bodies each have their own code of practice and independent appeals service.However, Sir Greg Knight MP has a private members’ bill before Parliament which aims to introduce a single, government-sanctioned code of practice that all parking firms will have to adhere to if they want to request DVLA information. The bill passed its committee stage in the House of Commons on 19 July 2018. The next step is the House of Commons report stage scheduled for 23 November 2018.Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Motorists might well be asking what is going on when the number of records being sought by private parking companies has shot up yet again.“Numbers like these suggest that something, somewhere, is going wrong.“Drivers will be pleased that Sir Greg Knight’s bill has cleared another parliamentary hurdle in the hope that it won’t be too long before some much-needed regulatory oversight is brought to bear on the industry.”

September 04, 2018 at 02:27PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

2019 April break to Malta: 7nts from £256pp incl. flights, bags, cave bar & rooftop pool

Book your early 2019 break now and make some great savings, like with this 4* escape to Malta. Stay in the Pergola Hotel & Spa for 7 nights in the April -- when the temperatures should really start heating up -- from £256 per person, based on 2 sharing! Easter dates are just a bit… Captain_Niamh POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Have Nottingham council gone too far in their quest to improve the city's taxi service?

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A highly controversial penalty points scheme which was aimed at improving Nottinghams taxi service has seen drivers in the area amass almost 700 points in mearly 18 months.

The Driver Improvement Penalty Points Scheme (DIPPS), which was aimed at improving driver service, was introduced by the council in April of last year.

Since its implementation, one driver has had his taxi license revoked, with 5 drivers suspended.

Taxi drivers have now started to raise concerns as to how the points are issued, with parking on Yellow lines with the meter off, as well as bus stops, seeing drivers receive penalty points.

Drivers can receive up to 12 points in a rolling 3 year period, anything beyond that could see the drivers fitness to operate brought into question.

Acting Unite chairman, Chander Sood, believes that Nottinghams cabboes have become an easy target for Community Protection Officers (CPOs).

Mr Sood also expressed concerns avout private hire drivers, illegally plying for hire, as well as a lack of rank space.

Another concern which has been raised is the lack of time given for drivers to pick up and drop off, with an allegation that over-zealous CPOs have been too quick to issue points pertaining to this.

A Nottingham Council spokesperson has said that DIPPs was brought in to improve safety and behaviour within the taxi industry, with various different sanctions available to the council, which include a written warning, suspension, revocation as well as no further action.

September 04, 2018 at 09:10AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Are we your favourite? 2018 British Travel Awards - Vote for a chance to win 1 of 50 prizes

Pirates! We've been nominated for the Best Online Travel Deals Provider at the British Travel Awards 2018, the travel industry's 'Oscars'. We are super excited but WE NEED YOUR HELP as it's you, the voting public, that gets the final say on who wins, so we'd be a very happy pirate crew if you'd cast… Captain_Niamh POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber drivers set for international strike to hlghlight exploitation

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It's been revealed that Uber drivers in the UK are to go on strike.

The international Uber Log-OFF Strike is to take place between 6:00am until 10:00am on September 5th.

The strike, which has been called by Ride Share Drivers United, will include drivers from Australia, New Zealand and the United States as well as the UK.

The strike has been called because of concerns surrounding Uber's alleged exploitation of drivers, unfair contract terms and drivers being falsely declared as independent contractors, according to a spokesperson for Ride Share Drivers United.

There have also been calls for respective governments to start legislating the ride share industry properly.

Concerns have also been raised over the unsustainably low fares that have helped Uber control huge swathes of the ride share market, thus squashing competition.

September 04, 2018 at 06:18AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cool minibreak: 3nts in Berlin incl. 5* hotel from £162pp *Xmas market dates available*

Pirates, there's no cooler city than Berlin, which welcomes travellers of all kinds with open arms. Check out this bargain minibreak - 3 nights in a 5* hotel from £162pp including the 5* Hotel Bristol Berlin & flights. Pick dates to visit the Christmas markets in December, or just enjoy the city and its gazillion… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Police keen to speak to Taxi driver who may be able to assist fatal collision investigation

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Hampshire police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision which happened near Verwood last month.Officers from Dorset police were called following reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and Peugeot 208, at around 5.45am on Saturday, August 25, on the B3081 Verwood Road on the Hampshire/Dorset border.

Officers from Hampshire's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, who are now leading enquiries, are particularly keen to speak to the taxi driver who drove Mr Lenton and his two friends from Bournemouth to Verwood in the early hours of Saturday morning.The collision was so severe, the pedestrian, Thomas Lenton, 23, from Verwood, was pronounced dead at the scene.The driver of the blue Peugeot, a 29-year-old woman from Eastleigh, was uninjured.Sgt Rik Grant, from the Joint Roads Policing SCIU, said: “We know that Mr Lenton and his two friends got into a taxi close to the Genting Casino, in Bournemouth at around 4.30am and were taken to The Quomp, in Ringwood, which would have taken around ten minutes.“We are keen to speak to the driver of this taxi as he may have information that could help with our investigation.”He added: “We are looking at all possible scenarios surrounding this collision and it may be that another vehicle was involved.“So we are keen to speak to as many people as possible who were driving in the area around that time, or anyone who might have seen someone walking along the B3081 between 4.40am and 5.45am.“So if you were in the area and think you can help, or if you have any dash cam footage, please get in touch.”

If you have any information, please contact us on 101, quoting reference number 44180330815.

September 03, 2018 at 05:23PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Police to revoke licences of drivers who don’t pass road side vision test

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Road safety charity Brake is teaming up with police forces in Thames Valley, Hampshire and West Midlands to run a month-long campaign on driver vision, revoking the licenses of those who don’t pass the 20m number plate check.

Throughout September, anyone stopped by Road Policing Officers in these areas will be required to take the 20m number plate test, with those who fail having their licence immediately revoked. Data will be collected from each test and will be used to gain an improved understanding of the extent of poor driver eyesight on our roads, which is thought to be vastly underreported in Government statistics.This activity is part of a wider campaign to encourage the public and the Government to take driver vision seriously. An estimated 1.5m UK licence holders have never had an eye test and crashes involving a driver with defective eyesight are thought to cause 2,900 casualties every year on the UK’s roads. However, the UK’s driver vision testing remains inadequate and antiquated, requiring only a 20m number plate check when taking your driving test and nothing else for the rest of your driving life – one of only five EU countries to have such low standards.Brake, alongside Vision Express, is urging the Government to tighten up UK driver vision laws and make eyesight testing compulsory before the driving test and each time a driver renews their photocard license.Sergeant Rob Heard, representing the police forces taking part in the campaign, said: “All of us require good vision to drive safely on our roads - not being able to see a hazard or react to a situation quickly enough can have catastrophic consequences. The legal limit is being able to read a number plate at 20m, around 5 car lengths, however this is a minimum requirement and a regular eyesight test with an optician is a must if we are going to be safe on the road.”“Since 2013, the Police have a new procedure – Cassie’s Law - to fast track notification to the DVLA should they find someone who cannot read a number plate at 20m in daylight conditions. Offending motorists will within an hour have their licence revoked and face prosecution. During September, we will be carrying out 20m number plate checks at every opportunity and those who fail will have their licences revoked. I hope we do not find anyone and everyone makes sure they are safe to read the road ahead.”

September 03, 2018 at 11:05AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

City centre stay in Edinburgh: Grand 2nts from £108pp - sleeps 3

It's time to grab some mates or the family and head to the Scottish capital for a mini staycation that oozes grandeur. The Blackfriars Lofts are in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, within walking distance of a bunch of the local tourist spots as well as local eateries and bars. Offer Details: Many travel… Worlds_End_Gem POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cabbie collides with a wall after drunk passenger grabs his steering wheel

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A Carlisle cabbie has collided with a wall after a passenger grabbed his steering wheel causing his vehicle to veer off the road during a late night trip.The court heard that driver Terence McIntyre picked up two female customers from a pub after a night of drinking for the two friends. 29-year-old Lucy Dobbin, who was intoxicated, was described by prosecutor Becky McGregor, as being "hyperactive" on the journey, shouting, screaming and dancing around in the passenger street. The court heard that while on a stretch of road, the A595, Dobbin became "agitated and distressed" demanding that the driver "slow down". McIntyre was said to be traveling within the speed limit at the time. McIntyre became "concerned" about Dobbin's behaviour, but was unable to stop her from reaching over and grabbing the steering wheel, pulling the vehicle to "the offside". The court heard that seeing an oncoming vehicle, McIntyre took hold of the wheel just avoiding a crash, but the taxi then collided with a wall. The vehicle was damaged in the collision and McIntyre received injuries. Dobbin's confessed to being "steaming drunk" when questioned by police, News and Star reported. She described the steering wheel incident as mistakenly believing the driver was speeding and they were about to be involved in a crash. Dobbin admitted a charge of causing a danger to road users by interfering with a vehicle. She also admitted assaulting a 15-year-old girl outside a pub during a "completely unprovoked attack". Judge Barbara Forrester gave Dobbin a five-month jail term suspended for two years. Dobbin must also complete rehabilitation and a three-month night time curfew.

September 03, 2018 at 09:02AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Are Liverpool next for card machine mandate in all taxis?

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Taxi drivers in Liverpool could be the next up to accept all card payments following new modernisation proposals by its city council. A public consultation will commence next week to analyse demand for all black cabs to have a machine installed capable of both contactless and debit card payments. If the consultation is successful, drivers will have six months to purchase card machines costing anywhere between £50-£300 and have them installed in the passenger cabin ready for use. Liverpool could follow London where in January 2017 all taxis are now installed with fixed card readers in the passenger compartment.That move came after 86 per cent of respondents to Transport for London’s consultation said they wanted to be able to use cards and contactless payments in taxis.

September 03, 2018 at 08:53AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Super photogenic Sri Lankan escape: 7nts B&B from £789pp incl. flights, hotel, bags & transfers

Cross Sri Lanka off your travel bucket list this winter with this stunning beachfront escape. Be the envy of your friends by spamming their Instagram feed with snaps from the gorgeous surroundings of the 4* Suriya resort. Offering chic accommodation surrounded by palm trees with a chic design pool area as the central focus of… Worlds_End_Gem POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cabbie escapes jail after deliberately running man over

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A 73 year old cabbie was spared jail after being convicted of dangerous driving.

Jim Corbet of Stoney Brae, Paisley, knocked over Christopher Flannigan after an argument at a taxi rank.

The incident, which had been caught on CCTV, showed Corbet mount the pavement in his Pink taxi and knock Flannigan over.

Witness, Blair Dalgleish, described in court how, as he was approaching another taxi, he saw a row erupting between Corbet and Flannigan.

He then described how the cabbie hit the accelerator, with Flannigan moving out of the way and kicking the taxi before the taxi miunted the pavement and hit the man.

Corbet claimed that he was trying to prevent Flannigan from stealing a bike, and the victim had attacked his vehicle and spat at him.

He also claimed that he was trying to protect himself and his vehicle.

Sheriff Tom McCartney at Paisley Sheriff Court, convicted Corbet of dangerous driving.

Sparing him a 12 month jail term, Corbet was fined £400, banned from driving for 12 months, and ordered to take a retest once his ban has been served.

September 02, 2018 at 08:46PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Moroccan marvels: 5nts 5* break in Marrakech from £187 incl. breakfast & flights

Pirates, set off for one of Morocco's hidden gems: the beautifully designed 5* Fellah Hotel in Marrakech with 5 nights from £187pp including breakfast & flights. The stunning hotel has a 20,000-book library, pool and hammam, and is a short drive from the bustle of Marrakech's medina. Holiday details Travel duration: 5 nights (longer or… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Knowledge of London campaign set to carry on following donations from united trade

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The successful Knowledge of London advertising campaign is set to continue running as trade groups and companies unite to fund a further month. The London Taxi PR originally teamed up with 8 outdoor media who provided 29 large format digital billboards across Central London. The campaign features London Taxi drivers of all genders and ethnic origin, which reflect the current diversity within the trade, with the headline “I did it, so can you”.With the campaign set to end soon, several taxi industry names stepped forward to keep the advertisements running. Donations from the LTDA (£2,000), Plan Insurance (£500), LCDC (£250) and Colts Cabs (£250) respectively, helped secure the space for the following month. However committed monthly funding from drivers and firms like Ascotts, CabVision, Sherbet London and the UCG will bring longer term benefits too. All images used in the PR campaign have been provided by Terry Gibbins, a passionate and proud London Taxi driver and Photographer, who has been photographing drivers for several months. A recent spike in students interested in becoming London taxi drivers, especially from those who were female, was linked back to the recent campaign. Dean Warrington, who has been running Wizann Knowledge School since 1996, said via Twitter earlier this month “Who said advertising doesn’t work? As soon as London Taxi PR start their campaign we see an influx of women starting The Knowledge with 4 women in our beginners seminar today!”A spokesperson from London Taxi PR said: “The aim of the campaign is to encourage more people to sign up to do ‘The Knowledge’ and become a London Taxi driver. We believe the job offers great opportunities for all who are prepared to put in the work and meet the high standards required of the profession to be a licensed London Taxi driver.”All of London Taxi PR’s campaigns and publicity has so far been been funded by fellow London Taxi drivers, many of whom have signed up to donate to the cause on a monthly basis, indicating how passionate they all are about their industry and the cause.

September 02, 2018 at 05:54PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Passenger shoots himself dead in the back of a New York Yellow Taxi

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A passenger has fatally shot himself in the head while on a trip in one of New York's yellow taxis. The incident happened on the Upper West Side during the early hours of Sunday morning, the New York Post reported. The deceased, a 30-year-old man, hailed the taxi at around 2am. Reports say that he need pulled out a gun, held it to his head, and shot a single bullet, killing himself. The taxi driver pulled his vehicle over and called 911. Medics rushed the man to Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital, where is was pronounced dead from his injuries. No further details are yet to be released.

September 02, 2018 at 05:26PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ultimate Lapland from £499pp: 3nts w/ flights, B&B Snowhotel & more - Igloo upgrade available

We dare you not to swoon over this bucket list holiday to Lapland, which includes a night at the Instagrammable Arctic Snowhotel & Glass Igloos with Ice Bar and heated lake sauna. This epic adventure from Fleetway also includes 2 nights in a seriously well-rated chalet, flights, all transfers and breakfast daily; it starts from… Captain_Niamh POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

No carbs before Marbs: 6nt autumn Spanish stay from £254pp incl. flights & 4* apartments

Remember the golden rule pirates; no carbs before Marbs. Luckily this end-of-season bargain holiday gives you plenty of time to prep for bikini and speedo season. October dates for Marbella holidays have dropped to an astonishingly low, starting from just £254 per person, based on 2 sharing for 6 nights in self-catering apartments at a… Captain_Niamh POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT