Aussie drivers abandoning ride-share platforms

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It has been revealed that a significant number of private hire drivers are leaving ride-share apps due to poor pay and working conditions.

Australia's News.com reported that according to The Ride Share Drivers Association of Australia (RSDAA) an astonishing 50 per cent of drivers leave their chosen rideshare plarform within three months of joining.

Some of the reasons cited by drivers are the low pay attributed to working on the platforms and the incredibly long hours required to make a sustainable living.

A spokesperson for the RSDAA has claimed that drivers are encouraged to sign up to a ride-share platform on the back of promises which have failed to materialise.

Allegations include high rental costs from recommended vehicle suppliers and the promise of a high income, whilst claims of drivers working a 14 hour day, just to make ends meet are not uncommon.

Other factors which are determining whether a driver stays on a ride-share platform such as Uber, Ola and Taxify are how complaints are processed and the ability of a driver to have the right of reply once a complaint is made by a passenger.

November 12, 2018 at 07:19PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Addison Lee under increased pressure to improve driver pay and standards as private hire union targets its corporate accounts

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Self proclaimed “Europe’s largest minicab company” Addison Lee are facing fresh pressure to improve workers pay and benefits from campaigners who are targeting its corporate clients to ensure UN accords are enforced.

Addison Lee has a number of companies that have accounts with the private hire firm that have signed up to International standards on ethical suppliers under the United Nations Global Compact, and now campaigners are pressing those organisations to consider their accounts with the company that has been under pressure to improve driver standards.

The independent Workers Union Of Great Britain(IWGB) have approached Deutsche Bank, who have an account with Addison Lee in London, stating that the German finance giant’s own vendor code of conduct obliges it to recognise the right to collective bargaining and minimum and prevailing wages and benefits.

Any company that markets itself to have great codes of conduct to enhance itself yet uses firms that have questionable working practices should be highlighted and in this case the IWGB will approach the UN Secretary General to ask that the bank be removed from the compact agreement.

The new approach by unions battling the gig economy comes as many firms such as Addison Lee, Uber and Deliveroo fight against the introduction of employees rights.

November 12, 2018 at 03:37PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lisson Grove attacks, TaxiPoint contact Metropolitan Police Commissioner

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In the wake of the robberies and assaults on taxi drivers in the Lisson Grove area, TaxiPoint has contacted Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick with a view to investigating how cabbies can be afforded greater protection as well as looking into how the crimes are being investigated. The e-mail reads as follows:

Dear Commissioner,

My name is Steve Kenton, I am a licensed London taxi driver with over a quarter of a century of service behind me. I am also one of the editors of TaxiPoint, an online trade publication serving the taxi industry across the UK. Over the last couple of years there have been a number of robberies against taxi drivers perpetrated by groups of youths in the Lisson Grove area of West London, a number of which have been violent in their nature. The gang's modus operandi seems to be quite straightforward, one person hails a taxi, they then inform the driver that a person is in a wheelchair and needs assistance, the driver then leaves the vehicle to give assistance, he or she is then subsequently robbed. Up until recently, these robberies were opportunist in nature, and in many cases could have even been termed as distraction thefts. Unfortunately over the last few months they have become more calculated and violent. Last week, in another attack, a driver had his vehicle pelted with missiles, including bricks as well as other building paraphernalia, causing extensive damage to a two week old vehicle. In a seemingly common thread, post-attack, there is a lack of police response pertaining to these crimes. Drivers are being urged to call the police and report these incidents, but there seems to be little or no reaction. I, along with many others within the taxi industry feel that it is only a matter of time before a taxi driver, or a passenger, is seriously hurt, or worse. Worryingly, there seems to have been reports of "copycat" attacks around the Kensington area, these may or may not be connected to the Lisson Grove attacks, it is however unsurprising, given that these individuals seem to be able to operate with impunity, it would only be a matter of time before incidents like these spread. It is appreciated that the Metropolitan Police have an incredibly difficult task in fighting crime across London, and it must be accepted to some degree that these crimes, up until now have been seen as a "low-level" crime, but there is a groundswell of feeling in the industry that there needs to be some positive action taken to alleviate the situation, with a clear line of communication as to how these crimes are being investigated between the police and the industry. Those who work in London's taxi industry should be afforded the same level of protection as all other workers in London's public transport sector, free from fear of abuse and assault. It seems that because the taxi industry is made up of approximately 23,500 self-employed individuals, the right to work free from fear seems to be somewhat diminished as opposed to others working within the public transport sector, with asssults and incidents involving taxi drivers seemingly treated less seriously. Driving a taxi is potentially a dangerous profession, you are alone, you are handling cash, you are dealing with the unpredictability of the public, you are dealing with other road users, cyclists, pedestrians, the list is endless. In some respects the individuals that the police have to deal with are no different to the individuals that the taxi industry have to deal with, there are however two major differences. When things take a turn for the worse in dealing with the public, the police are fully protected and are able to call for immediate assistance. Commissioner Dick, i am urging you to please look into the problems that are being faced by the taxi industry in the Lisson Grove area, including how these crimes are being investigated and whether more can, or should be done to tackle these gangs. I look forward to your response. Please feel free to contact me if you require any assistance or information. Kindest Regards Steve Kenton TaxiPoint editor

November 12, 2018 at 04:29AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Council considers a ban on front seat passengers in Taxi and Private Hire vehicles to tackle allegations of inappropriate conduct

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Members from South Ayrshire Council are considering introducing new rules to the taxi and private hire industry that will see an end to front seat passengers. Concerns have been raised surrounding false accusation threats made towards drivers by female passengers that were sitting next to them. During one incident reported by the Daily Record, a private hire driver was threatened by young girls who were not willing to pay for a trip. They allegedly warned the driver that they would falsely report him to the police for inappropriate conduct if he was to pursue payment. Some drivers have also contacted the council to raise concerns about how close the front passenger is sitting to them in some of the larger vehicles used by taxi and private hire drivers. At times drivers are highlighting the difficulties involved in using the vehicles controls without accidentally touching the passenger that is sitting within inches of them. A consultation will take place to asked the question to the public about whether or not they should be allowed to sit in the front of a taxi or private hire vehicle. They will also be asked, in some cases where larger taxis have two front passenger seats, If only one passenger should occupy the front rather than two. Council leader Brian McGinley have assured that the proposals are as much about protecting the drivers as the passengers. Some South Ayrshire taxi and private hire drivers want the decision left in their own hands. If the decision is made to restrict the amount of passengers riding upfront, it will have an overall effect on the amount of passengers that can travel at any one given time, possibly reducing the amount of fares some drivers with larger vehicles get. Council members have said that if approved, the new rules would only apply to newly licensed vehicles.

November 12, 2018 at 11:12AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Taxi driver takes man on a 4-minute ride on his bonnet following argument in Sunderland

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A man was captured riding on the bonnet of a taxi after an alleged argument with the cabbie in Sunderland at the weekend.

The unconventional taxi ride was filmed by the man perched on the vehicle, known only as “Glen”, as he was taken around the streets of the north east city clinging on to the car for over minutes.In the video he claims to have tried to help a stranger with a nose bleed after a night out, but the cabbie refused to take the injured man. Glen says he then stood in front of the cab when the cabbie pulled away, lifting Glen up on to the bonnet. The video posted on Facebook had which included subtitles of the journey which starts: "So I ask a taxi driver to take this lad with broken nose to hospital. “Now I never knew the lad personally, but the taxi would not take him. “So I stood (in front) of the taxi and he just pulled away with me on the front of his bonnet. “Next thing I know I’m getting driven (around) Sunderland on the front of a taxi bonnet surfing. “Thankfully the police stopped us and I did not press charges as we all do silly things.” The rather calm looking Glen says in the selfie video: “Excuse me, I’m like on a taxi. “The lad needed to go to hospital and all of a sudden he pulled away and I’m on the f*****g bonnet! “I think this is quite illegal, but I’m not sure.” During the taxi ride Glen can also be heard yelling: “I’ve come out for a drink and this is what’s happened – I’m going to f*****g Southwick on a bonnet.” “You might as well keep on going son, I’m nearly home!” It is unclear as to how the journey finished and whether police intervened, however a women heard off camera was heard saying “What are you doing?” Glen replied: “I’ve got it all on camera for you pet.”

November 12, 2018 at 10:01AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Eight Taxi and Private Hire drivers test positive for driving under the influence of drugs in as many days

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As Mersyside’s Road Policing Unit continue their crackdown on taxi and private hire drivers who are driving while under the influence of drugs, they have reported yet more drivers that have tested positive for drugs including cocaine, making it eight drivers in eight days. Taxipoint recently highlighted the growing problem within the taxi and private hire sector in Merseyside, with more than 40 drivers being arrested for such offences since the turn of the year.

Results from a private hire driver who was stopped and tested in June were also tweeted by the force stating he was over the limit for 3 drugs whilst he had a paying fare in the vehicle. He subsequently lost his licence.

A court date awaits for another private hire driver who was arrested in October after his test results showed him to be over the limit for cocaine. He will also likely lose his licence.

Merseyside’s Road Policing Unit have said: “Please get the message that it’s not acceptable, you will be caught, you will be arrested and we will take you off the road.”

Images; Twitter

November 12, 2018 at 09:44AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ban diesel and petrol by 2032 say MPs

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Petrol and diesel cars should be banned eight years earlier than planned, MPs have said.

The Government’s plan for phasing out purely fuel driven vehicles by 2040 is “unambitious and vague,” according to a cross-party commons business select committee.

MPs warn that not enough is being done to encourage the take up of electric vehicles, despite claims that the UK is leading the way in electric technology.

The business, energy and industrial strategy committee claims too few roadside chargers have been rolled out. It also criticises the lack of financial incentives to help motorists make the switch from cheaper petrol and diesel driven cars to their more expensive counterparts. The report follows a decision last week to cut existing £4,500 grants for electric cars by a quarter and abolish them altogether for plug-in hybrids - although this did not affect taxi incentives. Rachel Reeves, the committee chairwoman, said: “The government’s targets on zero-emission vehicles are unambitious and vague, giving little clarity or incentive to industry or the consumer to invest in electric cars. If we are serious about being world leaders, the government must come forward with a target of new sales of cars and vans to be zero emission by 2032.” She added that Britain’s roadside charging network was “simply not fit for purpose.” Slashing the plug-in car grant was a “perverse way to encourage drivers to move to non-polluting cars,” the committee said. Electric vehicles made up just 1.7% of total UK car and van sales compared with 6% in Sweden and 39% in Norway, the report says. The Government wants to phase out “conventional” petrol and diesel cars by 2040 and require all new vehicles to be zero emission capable (ZEC). But the plans have been dubbed unambitious by green groups, which believe that far from being a world leader, it will be lagging behind many other nations. Norway is setting the pace for the roll- out of green vehicles and aims to phase out new diesel and petrol models by 2025, while China, India, the Netherlands, Austria and the Republic of Ireland have a 2030 deadline. The Japanese car giant, Nissan, told the committee that the 2040 target would establish Britain as a “second tier” country in the race for electric vehicles. The report recommends that Westminster adopts a target set out by the Scottish government to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2032. The Department for Transport said: “We want between 50% and 70% of new car sales to be ultra-low emission by 2030, and for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040.” Edmund King, president of the AA, said that drivers are put off by mixed messages from Government and it was highly unlikely that the UK would be prepared for a ban of “petrol and diesel cars in just 14 years’ time.”

November 11, 2018 at 08:06PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI LTDA THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Teenagers who lured cabbies to housing estates to rob them at knifepoint sentenced to a total of 17 years

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Two teenagers who lured taxi, private hire drivers and delivery drivers to a housing estate before robbing them with knives and fake guns have been sentenced to a combined 17 years in jail. Tyreece Clarke and a 16-year-old accomplice, who can’t be named for legal reasons, carried out six robberies over a 10 day period at the Lion Farm estate in Oldbury, a Black Country housing estate. During one of the robberies which took place on April 12, the pair called for a cab to come to the Lion Farm estate where they were waiting in ambush. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that the attackers demanded money before the younger robber stabbed the driver twice in the chest. As reported in the Express and Star, Clarke pleaded guilty to two robberies and was found guilty by a jury of four robbery charges, possessing an imitation firearm and three charges of possessing a bladed article. The younger attacker pleaded guilty to one robbery charge and one charge of possessing a bladed article. He was found guilty by a jury of robbery, wounding with intent and a second charge of possessing an imitation firearm. He was acquitted of two robberies that Clarke had made alone, possessing a bladed article and possessing an imitation firearm. Judge Amjad Nawaz said in relation to the stabbing incident:

"You could not know what injury you were going to cause, it could have resulted in death, but you were willing to take that chance. "The driver hadn't realised he'd been injured, he just thought he'd been punched. "Only when he got out and was seen by others he realised he was bleeding. "The two blows entered his chest cavity, there was blood in his lungs and he was in hospital for some time. "The psychological aspect is that he will never overcome it."

Clarke was sentenced to 12 years in custody by Judge Nawaz, while the 16-year-old was handed five years and four months.

November 11, 2018 at 02:26PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Knife fears prompt schools to use ubers to get kids home

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It's been revealed inThe Sunthat schools in London are using Uber vehicles to transport children home from school after fears about Londons knife crime epidemic.

With 119 murders in London, with many of the victims under 18, there is a growing fear that gang related violence outside schools will see a rise in that figure.

Schools are now using Uber minicabs as well as escort children to bis stops and staggering school finish times, to try to combat the problem.

Safe havens have also been set up in shops near schools across London, and the government has pledged £150,000 to expand the safe haven scheme.

The Metropolitan Police are also updating schools on the latest gang feuds in their area.

November 10, 2018 at 10:25PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

“Doing lifts” – An emerging unlawful industry

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The emerging popularity of “doing lift” services is an issue that regulators need to urgently get to grips with as it is undermining the UK’s stringent taxi and private hire licensing laws.

“Doing lifts” is the phenomena of using social media to buy and sell car journeys. There is an increasing amount of “lifts” groups appearing on social media sites such as Facebook.

The BBC has reported that more than 7,000 people are members of a closed group in Bournemouth, Dorset which is the equivalent of a third of the town’s student population.

People can apply to join closed Facebook “doing lifts” groups and once they have been granted access they can meet other people using their own cars and charging a fee to give them lifts to and from anywhere they want. Often the fees people charge for offering a lift is less than it would have cost to take a licensed taxi or private hire car.

It goes without saying that people offering lifts in the manner described above is committing an offence. Section 80 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 defines a “private hire vehicle” as meaning:

“…a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to seat fewer than nine passengers, other than a hackney carriage or public service vehicle or a London cab or tramcar, which is provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers.”

A number of offences will be relevant in relation to “doing lift” service:

Section 46(1)(a) – It is an offence for the proprietor of a vehicle to act as a private hire without a licence being in force.Section 46(1)(b) – It is an offence for any person to act as a driver of any private hire vehicle without having a current licence.Section 46(1)(d) – It is an offence for any person to operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle without having a current licence.

Aside from the fact that the “doing lifts” industry is illegal, there are also real public safety and protection implications. None of the people nor their cars would have been subject to checks and scrutiny and their insurance will be invalidated by offering lifts on a commercial basis.

November 11, 2018 at 11:18AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Stephen McCaffrey THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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November 10, 2018 at 10:30PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Police tell cab driver that they can't investigate passenger who didn't pay because the fare was "too low"

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A private hire driver who was left without payment by a passenger who ran off has been told by the police that they cannot take any action against the accused because of the amount of money involved. Private hire driver Mark Donohue from Everton has said he feels badly let down by the police and has questioned why he has even bothered turning his life around after years of his own troubles. As reported in the Liverpool Echo, the police have said that all reports of theft are taken seriously but each incident is considered on its own merits and on this occasion the victim was informed that the crime had been recorded but due to ‘a lack of solvability’ the matter will be closed. Mr Donohue, who has been driving for Alpha Cars for four months said he went out to pick up his first pre-booked job at 5am that morning from an address in Walton. The accused came out of the address and they began their journey. It was a trip to a destination and then return back to Walton. The passenger then told him he had no money. The passenger left the vehicle and Mark was left with no choice but to contact the police and report the crime. During the report Mr Donohue was told that there’s nothing the police can do because of the value involved with the incident. They said it was “to low” to investigate. According to Mr Donohue, a number of other drivers have complained about the lack of support from the police over similar incidents and now feels that there will be people who will think its ok to run off without paying the fare of a journey because they know that the police won’t follow through with the investigations fully. The police have said that there is no “monetary limit” on investigating thefts and that searches were carried out at both addresses given by the informant but they did not show up as having anyone of the name provided at either address. Most taxi and private hire drivers are likely to come across one or two “runners” during their time as a driver and will probably expect to the police force to do all they can to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice, no matter how big or small. On this occasion Mr Donohue feels like the only person punished has been himself and is now out of pocket. Have you ever been a victim of the same crime? Did you report it to the police and what action was taken?

November 10, 2018 at 01:13PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cardiff council in taxi u-turn

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It has been revealed in Wales Online that Cardiff council have made a u-turn in allowing taxis to have tinted windows.

Previously, in July, the council's Public Protection Committee had initiallyvoted to allow taxis in Cardiff to have tinted glass.

However, upon being informed that there could be a legal challenge against them, the committee decided to reverse their decision.

Current regulations dictate that windscreens must allow at least 75 per cent of light to pass through, with all other windows allowing 70 per cent.

The u-turn means that some cabbies may have to pay up to £2,000 to replace tinted glass on new vehicles to comply with the current regulations.

November 10, 2018 at 11:34AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cabbies Do Kilimanjaro' working in a cab wash to fundraise for Taxi Charity

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Five London cabbies opened a cab wash on 9 November 2018 to raise money for the Taxi Charity. The cab drivers, known collectively as “Cabbies Do Kilimanjaro”, have pledged to shed an amazing 25 stones, climb Kilimanjaro and raise an incredible £20,000 for the Taxi Charity. The cab wash was the first in a series of events to ensure they reach their fundraising target by this time next year. Supported on the day by Go Wash My Car, the cab wash opened at 10 am on Friday 9 November situated opposite The Astral Café on Regency Place. London taxi drivers were asked for a minimum donation of £10 per vehicle and the cabbies had hoped to raise over £500 on the day.

They smashed that target and raised £657.75 on the day.

If you want to donate and help the cabbies reach there target visit their Just Giving Page here.

November 10, 2018 at 10:01AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Transport Minister Jo Johnson in shock resignation

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Jo Johnson has announced his resignation as Transport Minister in a shock move over Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal deal.

Following a Cabinet reshuffle in January 2018, 46 year old Johnson became Minister of State for the Department of Transport, following on from John Hayes, who was highly supportive of the taxi industry, he was also Minister for London.

Johnson, who is Boris Johnston's younger brother said, via a video posted onto Twitter:

"Theresa May's withdrawal deal would leave the UK outside the EU but “wholly subject” to its rules."

He also added:

"The UK is on the brink of the biggest crisis since World War II."

Mr Johnson, a staunch remainer, stated that he felt that he had no choice but to submit his resignation this afternoon.

November 09, 2018 at 05:11PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London taxi driver looks to take app to employment tribunal claiming workers rights

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A London taxi driver is seeking funding to take ride-hailing giants mytaxi to an employment tribunal following his removal from the taxi app. Chris Johnson, a cabbie of 4 years, has used his removal from the popular app as an opportunity to raise questions as to whether mytaxi and similar ride-hailing apps are in fact a booking platform or a ply-for-hire conduit. The driver is hoping that action in court will confirm mytaxi as a plying app for cabbies and bring into question similar private hire apps like Uber, Taxify and ViaVan who claim to be a pre-booking app. To bring this question to the forefront Mr Johnson has challenged mytaxi on the grounds of workers rights. The cabbie is looking to follow in the steps of private hire drivers looking to move away from self-employed status and instead claim that each independent cabbie is in fact a controlled worker. Chris Johnson said : “I’m bringing an employment tribunal case against MyTaxi on the grounds that I believe I have been unfairly sacked for blowing the whistle on serious public safety concerns. Additionally, I allege that MyTaxi has misclassified me under a sham self-employed contract similar to what most of these “gig economy” companies do to their workers to avoid giving drivers their basic rights. “It’s important to note that I am not claiming that I am an employee for MyTaxi, I’m claiming that I’m a limb-b worker, that being a category of self-employed and someone who has some employment rights as I carry out my work as part of MyTaxis’ business. “It’s difficult to suggest that taxi drivers are genuinely operating on their own when working for MyTaxi given the fact that MyTaxi fix the prices on jobs to the airports, contractually obligate drivers to do their work and suspend drivers if they don’t, and unfairly deactivate for highlighting public safety concerns – these are all reasons why I believe that MyTaxis’ driver T&C’s are a sham and are in fact not too dissimilar to the “controls” Uber place on their drivers. “Given the increasing market dominance of apps these are important rights and winning may well stop apps like MyTaxi illegitimately undercutting individuals who are genuinely operating on their own account.”

This opinion is however not supported by some within the industry. Steve McNamara, General Secretary at the LTDA, who said: “We have always maintained that taxi drivers are 100% self employed and can decide when and if they work and if they sign up to or subscribe to an app or radio circuit.

“We are the polar opposite of minicab drivers who HAVE to subscribe to an app or minicab radio circuit and work for an Operator and who are ‘controlled and directed’ by an operator and who are 100% employed by that operator. “I am aware that Unite, the RMT and the UCG share our position” So far roughly 350 drivers have helped Mr Johnson raise £9,554 to help fund the legal work around an employment tribunal. The driver needs to raise a total of £15,000 in the next 20 days on fundraising site Crowd Justice. There are some concerns from the taxi community that the case could have an adverse affect to the industry, especially around VAT exposure. Currently self-employed drivers are not liable for VAT, however if that status changes companies like mytaxi and Gett will be passed the VAT liability required on all journeys. Drivers fear the VAT will pass directly back to the cabbie with fee’s potentially rising from 10% of each fare to 30% to cover the additional cost. Chris Johnson added: “There has been some debate on social media that if I win a worker rights claim then MyTaxi will be exposed to VAT and our commission fees will be increased from the current 10% rate to 30% to cover that, I dispute this - what I’m claiming is that I’m a worker for all of the time the app is switched on and I’m available for work on it. “If a driver has the app switched on for 12 hours a day and is unavailable on the app because of other work for 2 hours in that 12 hour period then MyTaxis’ liability to the driver is for 10 hours at the national minimum wage (NMW) rate plus expenses (approx £8 per hour for cost of the taxi). Therefore in reality, if we are not receiving the NMW plus expenses at a 10% commission rate, how could we receive the NMW plus expenses if MyTaxi were to increase the commission rate up to 30%?” Sean Paul Day, one of the founders of rival ride-hailing app Taxiapp, supports the case by saying: “The trade has enjoyed a pretty good year, the street work has picked up and the apps have backed off from draconian fixed prices. Still, the Crowd Justice initiative is vital now more than ever. “The freedom that we are currently enjoying needs to be ring fenced, The upturn in work is due to natural fluctuations in workflows and a significantly reduced fleet. It isn’t because there has been a change in policy and there is no regulatory framework being prepared to deal with the rapidly changing face of tech. “On top of that is the influence of big business- even on our government bodies- now prevalent more than ever. All of this is what we should to prepare for, and that’s what the Crowd Justice Employment case is all about. If we want to continue enjoying the freedom that we have now, then we need that freedom ring fenced. There might come a time when we are more reliant on the apps or the trade is weakened by political interference, if so we will be mightily glad we took the time to have conditions set in place that protects our working practices. Preparing for the future begins now.” At this moment in time a spokesperson from mytaxi said: "We are unable to comment on the legal case as it is ongoing."

November 09, 2018 at 12:27PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Councillor says he has no sympathy for Taxi drivers who are cold while sitting on ranks and calls for a ban on idling

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According to Councillor Normal Briggs of Oldham, taxi drivers should invest in overcoats for during the winter months rather than leaving their cabs running to keep warm while waiting on ranks. In a bid to tackle air pollution, Briggs has proposed a new condition that would stop taxis from idling on ranks while they wait for jobs. Briggs said that it was ‘tough’ if drivers were cold and it was not right to leave your engine running to generate heat during the winter months. According to the Manchester Evening News, he told members of Oldham’s licensing committee that drivers who were cold get no sympathy from him. He simply said “get an overcoat.” During the meeting, Councillor Briggs said: “I went outside this morning and there was three taxis on the rank, all with the engines running. “They’re not getting any sympathy from me on that one. I worked outside for years and years when I was in contracting on building sites, they’re getting no sympathy from me.” John Garforth, the council’s trading standards and licensing manager, said it would be possible to introduce the new policy of ‘no idling while waiting’ and even joked that that the council could ‘buy them all a coat or a pair of gloves’.

November 08, 2018 at 11:32PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT