Mar
10

Olympic Lanes for Sale!!!

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March 10, 2012

 

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Corporate Olympic ticket packages costing £20,000 will let fans use VIP lanes in violation of rules By Glen Owen Last updated at 12:46 AM on 12th February 2012 Comments (92) Share Rich businessmen are being offered the chance to ‘buy’ access to VIP road lanes during the London Olympics for £20,000 a head, an undercover investigation has revealed. Companies including High Street travel chain Thomas Cook stand accused of violating Olympic rules by secretly including use of the fast-track routes in corporate packages.

Customers are being warned to keep the offer ‘really quiet’ because ‘people will say you can buy your way on to the lanes’. Controversy: Two companies have been caught offering paid-for access to VIP lanes for travelling to the Olympics The revelations will increase the controversy over ticket allocations for this summer’s Games, amid claims ordinary people have little chance of securing the best seats – and will face travel chaos as VIPs sweep past on dedicated routes.

A total of 39 miles of roads in London will include a special lane that can only be used by 80,000 accredited members of the ‘Olympic family’, including 10,500 athletes. The Mail on Sunday revealed last year that high-tech sensors are buried in the lanes to ensure that red traffic lights will automatically turn green to speed dignitaries to the stadium.

Experts warn that the express routes will bring chaos to the capital’s roads as thousands are forced into clogged bus lanes. Now two companies have been caught apparently offering paid-for access to the VIP lanes

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/olympic-lanes-for-sale/

Mar
02

TfL Announce new IT system for Taxi and Private Hire

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March 2, 2012

Transport for London has confirmed a number of substantial improvements will be made to the licensing process for taxi and private hire vehicles, drivers and operators from next year.

NSL, the company contracted to run the new system will be responsible for providing the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing and inspection service, as well as an end to end IT system, which will be used by TfL staff for all other licensing and compliance activities.

When drawing up plans for the new service, TfL apparently listened to concerns and complaints from the taxi and private hire trade and has ‘worked hard ‘with NSL to identify significant improvements that will be delivered to customers.

These include computerisation of all driver and vehicle records, new and existing drivers and operators will be able to apply and renew online through a simple, quick and easy to use, account system that will also enable customers to track the progress of their application at any time.

Other benefits will be a simple, on-line booking for vehicle inspections; the ability for private hire operators to associate driver and vehicle information to their operator “account”; the supply of integrated hand held computer systems to TfL’s dedicated in-house Compliance Team so that they can use “real time” validation of licensee information whilst working on-street.

Helen Chapman, Deputy Director of Taxi and Private Hire, said: “We have made no secret of how the lack of good quality IT systems have hindered our ability and desire to provide our customers with the quality of service they deserve. Following a very thorough and comprehensive procurement exercise I am delighted to announce the great many improvements that will be delivered to our customers through this new contract.

“The delivery of the end to end IT system through this contract will enable us to significantly improve the quality of service we provide.
Throughout this process we have actively engaged with the taxi and private hire trades and the unions. We will continue to engage with them, particularly with regards to the location of new inspection centres.”

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), said: “The LTDA are pleased that Transport for London has listened to our concerns and is bringing the licensing of taxi drivers and vehicles into the 21st century with this new IT system. Our members rightly deserve the highest levels of customer service and we look forward to working with TfL to ensure that this is delivered through this contract.”

It is anticipated that the new vehicle licensing and inspections service, as well as the new system, will be up and running by early 2013. TfL will continue to hold the decision making powers on all licensing applications as well as be the key contact for all trade engagement and issue resolution.

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/tfl-announce-new-it-system-for-taxi-and-private-hire/

Jan
20

LTPH Lose Appeal against Diamond Cars

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January 20, 2012

On Tuesday, The Taxi Trade stood stunned, as the news emerged of the result from the appeal against the revocation of the satellite office license at Abacus in the City of London.

No reports or statements have been forthcoming from LTPH. The only news report of the case was an email we received from Diamond cars and a couple of lines on the LCDC Blog.

The LTDA had claimed the glory for the original revocation, was it again their fault again that the case collapsed?

We all remember the license fiasco a couple of years ago when the LTDA undercover team produced a DVD that bought about the revocation of 4 major clubs operator licenses. There was a blaze of glory posted all over the net and in the Taxi Trade magazines.

But within days, the clubs minicab services were back up and running again. Since then not one word has been published in the Taxi or other trade media, about the operation or the appeal that followed. We must assume then, after all this time, the cases were lost by the LTDA/LTPH.

An Offer to John Mason Director of LTPH:

So, I offer the Director of LTPH John Mason, the chance to explain what went wrong with this important case (Abacus) by posting the full story on this blog.  We will allow the post to be completely unedited and their will be no “narrow-minded” editorial comment.

We will then throw open the comment box, to the ordinary taxi drivers for discussion. Only insults and profanity will be moderated.

The ball is in your court John Mason.


Article by Jim Thomas AKA Thomas the Taxi.

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/ltph-lose-appeal-against-diamond-cars/

Jan
20

Rapist Minicab Driver is Jailed 16 Years After Attack

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January 20, 2012

THORNTON HEATH, SOUTH LONDON; ERITH, KENT
A pensioner who raped a drunken passenger 16 years ago was jailed for just five years today (Tues).

Cypriot Mustafa Hassan, now 68, attacked the woman as he drove her home following a night out celebrating her 29th birthday in central London, the Old Bailey heard.

His victim, who had earlier been separated from her husband, woke up in the reclined front seat of Hassan’s minicab the following morning to find herself being raped.

Hassan was caught by a DNA match after being arrested for driving an unlicensed cab in 2005

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/rapist-minicab-driver-is-jailed-16-years-after-attack/

Jan
20

Enhanced CRB Checks to be Reinstated

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January 20, 2012

By Thomas The Taxi

Taxi drivers are to be subject to enhanced background checks under new proposals announced yesterday.

Proposals will allow taxi licensing authorities to carry out enhanced criminal records checks on their drivers before they are issued with a licence. Current drivers will get additional checks when they renew their licence.

Under the current regime, only drivers who pick up children or vulnerable adults are automatically eligible for enhanced checks, although some firms do choose to get these extra checks for drivers as a matter of course.

Protecting the public

These proposals standardise the practice and simplify the system giving additional reassurance to women travelling alone and other vulnerable customers using taxi services.

The proposed changes are part of plans to simplify and reform the system of criminal records checks, while ensuring adequate protections are in place where they are needed most.

Licensing authorities will make the final decision on whether to grant a licence based on the information available to them. Criminal records checks play a vital role in recruitment practices, providing employers with the information they need to employ the right person for the role.

Respecting civil liberties

Criminal Information Minister Lynne Featherstone said: ‘We are determined to ensure the criminal records scheme is balanced to respect civil liberties and protect the public.

‘Taxi drivers provide a valuable service transporting children to school and lone women home after a night out so it is only right that the public should have confidence proper checks have been carried out.

‘These proposals will ensure that licensing authorities have all the information they need to make informed decisions before granting licences to drivers.’

Editorial Comment: This press release direct from the home office mentions Taxi Drivers, there is no mention of Private hire drivers. We have asked LTPH for a statement about this, but so far they have not replied.

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/enhanced-crb-checks-to-be-reinstated/

Jan
20

Press Release from Helen Chapman

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January 20, 2012

Helen Chapman, Deputy Director of London Taxi & Private Hire, said:

“Touting in London is a significant issue. As far as we are concerned there was clear evidence that this company did not operate this private hire service in line with their clear legal obligations and we are naturally disappointed with the outcome. We will not sit by and watch such operators work outside of the legal framework that they are required to work within. Working with the Police, TfL will continue to fully investigate any reports of illegal activity and together we will pursue perpetrators with the full force of the law.

Touting puts the travelling public at risk and undermines the legitimate and law abiding taxi and private hire trades.”

Additional information

· Licensed private hire operators within shared or late night venues are only permitted to take bookings inside the premises. Bookings taken on-street, even in a roped off area are illegal.

· In 2010 TfL undertook a consultation on a range of private hire matters. As a result, a number of new policies are being introduced, with particular focus on additional measures to ensure tighter control on private hire operators within shared or late night venues.

· Since 2003 the Cab Enforcement Unit has made more than 7,000 arrests for touting and cab-related offences;

· Cab Enforcement operations are carried out on a regular basis in line with current intelligence on touting and illegal activity. They also cooperate with clubs to crackdown on the touts who operate in the area and ensure compliance with regulations and importantly enhance the safety of the travelling public;

· Licensed and law abiding taxi and private hire drivers and members of the public often have valuable intelligence that is used to inform both the Safer Transport Command’s and TfL’s enforcement activities to deal with touting and other illegal cab activity. It is for this reason, that we have recently developed an online reporting form to make it easier to report issues and we would encourage members of the public and drivers to report issues to us.

· For more information on cab enforcement activities or to report touting issues using the new online form visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/cabenforcement

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/press-release-from-helen-chapman/

Dec
29

London Taxi Drivers strip naked for Charity Calendar

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December 29, 2011

GetTaxi has teamed up with 12 of London’s finest black cab drivers to launch its very own 2012 calendar

Called the Cabbie Calendar, it has been launched to help raise money for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the pioneers of personal safety which links perfectly with our philosophy. We care about the safety of our passengers so when you order a taxi you will only ever get a licensed London black cab to take you home plus real-time maps with updates on where your cab is and who’s picking you up. Click here to experience our App for yourself.

The Cabbie Calendar is the first calendar starring London Black Cab drivers in the buff and the street signs they are holding have been nominated by the cab drivers as their favourite streets in London. You can read more about each of the cab drivers and why they nominated their street by visiting our Facebook page www.facebook.com/gettaxi

Buy your copy now

Priced at just £3.00, all profits raised from the sale of the Cabbie Calendar will be donated to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

To get your copy of the calendar please click here

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/london-taxi-drivers-strip-naked-for-charity-calendar/

Dec
23

Three Years for Addison Lee Driver Convicted of Manslaughter

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December 23, 2011

A minicab driver who left his passengers screaming in terror after running over a homeless man in the West End was convicted of manslaughter today.

Imran Raja, 37, was ferrying a married couple and two friends to a bar in November last year when Robert Scott, 58, splashed drink over his car and banged on the windscreen. Raja knocked down Mr Scott and drove over the body, the Old Bailey heard.

The driver, who worked for London’s largest minicab firm Addison Lee, insisted he was unaware he had hit the victim until he was alerted by his passengers.

Raja, from Ilford, was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder on the basis he did not intend to cause serious harm. He was jailed for three years and nine months.

Prosecutor David Fisher QC said: “The passengers could hear and feel the bump as the tyres of the minicab went over Robert Scott.” They got out to see Mr Scott lying in the road with severe head injuries.

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/three-years-for-addison-lee-driver-convicted-of-manslaughter/

Dec
19

Government Review on Enhanced CRB Checks for Taxi & Private Hire Drivers

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December 19, 2011

Lord Henley, Minister for Crime Prevention, has announced that the Government will reconsider its view that enhanced criminal records checks are not needed for taxi and minicab drivers. The Criminal Records Bureau informed councils earlier this year that it was ending the 10-year practise of checking drivers through the enhanced check.
Lord Henley made the announcement during the Lords debate of the Protection of Freedoms Bill following a proposed amendment to reintroduce the checks by Baroness Doocey.
Baroness Doocey stated that, in London alone, 10% of all licence applications were refused as a result of discoveries made through an enhanced check, demonstrating the check’s clear contribution to passenger safety.
Both Transport for London and the LGA have been lobbying for Government, along side with an increasing number of local licensing districts, to reconsider its position and welcome the announcement.
TFL worked closely with Baroness Doocey over the tabling of the amendment. The amendment was withdrawn, but Government committed to taking this forward through other methods. The changes can be made using an amendment through the 1997 Police Act and could come into force as early as February 2012.

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/government-review-on-enhanced-crb-checks-for-taxi-private-hire-drivers/

Dec
19

PMR Radio, an interesting thought

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December 19, 2011

A colleague of mine came up with an interesting idea today, he said that if every Taxi was fitted with a PMR Radio or every driver carried a handheld PMR radio it could make driving a Taxi in London a lot easier which when you think could be quite a good idea. It would mean that drivers could relay information to each other about when taxis are required a certain ranks or any other location and due to the short range of PMR only the drivers in the local vicinity would receive the message. This idea could also help doorman at hotels that are off of the beaten track to locate taxis with ease without even walking out onto the street, this is such a simple idea that I am surprised that no one has thought of it before.

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Permanent link to this article: http://london-taxi.co.uk/pmr-radio-an-interesting-thought-2/

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