Think You Can Do A Better Job At Taxi And Private Hire?...Step Up And Be Counted.

Think you can do a better job at Palestra?

Well, here's your chance to prove it.

They are currently looking for an information manager, (must be all them formation we've been giving them lately that's piling up) and with the right skills and knowledge, they say the salary in flexible!!! 

Information Manager - Taxi & Private Hire.

Organisation

 - TfL, Taxi and Private Hire

Job

 - Communications

Position Type - Full Time

 

Information Manager -Taxi and Private Hire

Salary: circa £45,000pa however a degree of flexibility on the salary will be considered depending on skills, knowledge & experience.

Location: Southwark

Type: Permanent

London’s taxi and private hire industries play a vital role in our city’s transport network, providing crucial services by operating at times and places where other public transport modes are often unavailable.

Transport for London(TfL) is working hard to improve how it engages with London’s 25,000 taxi drivers and 93,000 private hire drivers and the trade bodies that represent them. 

So, TfL finally realise they desperately need to improve how they engage with us.

Are they now, admitting they have no one in their whole organisation who has the skills and knowledge to improve engagement and deal with the incompetence and inadequacies, currently smothering their systems.

We could have told them this years ago!

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RMT Taxi driver's protest causes more Friday night chaos

      Taxis driving slowly on London Road

Taxis caused further Friday night traffic chaos in Leicester as more than 80 took part in a go-slow protest around the city centre.

The cabs set off from Victoria Park on London Road at 4.30pm before heading down to the inner ring road and along Belgrave Gate and Charles Street.

They were protesting over a new Leicester City Council scheme that gives drivers points for offences like illegal parking and not wearing their name badges. The points can lead to them losing their licences.

While motorists stuck in traffic sounded their horns to express their feelings about the slow-moving taxis, few pedestrians had much love for the RMT union members either.

Clive Atkinson, 45, who was watching the cabs pass slowly by the Hind pub opposite Leicester Station, said: "They're causing mayhem for people who have homes to go to and children to pick up and it's not right.

"It's just causing misery."

His friend Paul Williams, 43, said: "It's ridiculous. It's the third time they've done it an it just causes chaos and achieves nothing."

Debbie Taylor, 53, of Clarendon Park, who was walking home up London Road as the protest began, said: "They're going to cause a lot of congestion and maybe make themselves feel better but I don't think it will have any affect in the long term."

Ahead of the protest, Umar Khan, Leicestershire and Rutland RMT branch secretary, said the cabbies had no choice.

He said: "At the end of the day we have to protest because our members livelihoods are being put at risk.

"The city council wants us to spend £6,000 on having new taxis but they won't provide the ranks for us all.

"Now they want to give us points for stopping where we shouldn't and for not wearing name badges."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby confirmed he would not back down and scrap the new scheme.

He said: "The taxi drivers seem determined to cause inconvenience to the people of Leicester and put their privileges at risk.

"It is interesting to note there were only 85 taxis participating - far fewer than the 275 limit set by the police.

"That demonstrates the majority of the hackney carriage drivers have got the message.

"I say again there is absolutely no chance of there being any negotiations with the RMT on this. None at all."

Sir Peter had threatened to strip the hackney drivers of privileges, such as use of bus lanes and restrictions on the number of licences issued, if they protested again.

However he said he had yet to decide whether he would enact that threat.

He said: "I will have to think about it on Monday.

"I need to find a balance between the majority of drivers who have got the message and are not protesting and my annoyance at those who are persisting with these futile protests."

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UNHAPPY DRIVERS SAY NO TO UBER POOL SERVICE...... by Jim Thomas

UberPool launched this afternoon, but not to the perceived fanfare the management expected. 

It appears from the drivers forum, that Uber's drivers are in no way happy about the responsibility attached to the apps new service. It appears company are forcing its drivers under the terms and conditions of their contracts to service the new option. But, many drivers are forming small protest groups which if link together, could cause the new service huge problems. 

Uber are counting on the fact that most drivers are too scared to speak out for fear of being slung off the platform after signing a leasing agreement for their vehicle.

The American minicab company's drivers, have become a victim of the smartphone app's apparent success. As the app became more attractive, not just to new drivers but to existing minicab drivers, who left their operators in droves. They leased/rented the more economical Prius' by the thousands, leaving smaller minicab firms struggling for manpower. The shortage of labour meant that many local suburban circuits have now closed down. 

    

Uber London may find they are skating on thin ice, as in Paris, disgruntled Uber drivers have now successfully started their own app called VTC.

(VTC is a French acronym for private chauffeur services that are not affiliated with taxi companies)

The app's founder, Mohammed Radi, says the aim is to provide a way for Uber drivers to do business on their terms. "We want to re-establish and regain our rights over Uber".

Riding high on the new wave of patriotism currently sweeping the capital, the big selling point of the new app is "Made in France".

But then, they couldn't really expect loyalty from a bunch of mercenary Taxi industry rejects.

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One Of The Last Bastions Of The Licensed Taxi Trade, Under Threat.... By Jim Thomas

The Taxi For Hire Light : Will Uber Circumvent Legislation ?

On the day Uber launch UberPool, a service that former commissioner of TfL, Sir Peter Hendy said would be illegal, they now announce plans to (again) circumvent the Taxi "For Hire" Signage legislation. 

Last year, Uber cars were photographed displaying illuminate signage in the front windscreen, in the form of a blue neon U.

Licensing authorities up and down the country ordered Uber to cease and desist, over a number of issues. Not only were they contravening the terms of their licence in regards of displaying an illuminate "For Hire" sign, but also, only certain emergency services are allowed under current law to display blue lights. 

See list below: 

But now Uber believe they have found a way round the "For Hire" light restriction . 

Below is a short article that has just started to appear on line.

Problem: Passengers getting in the wrong car!

Yesterday, Uber announced that it has come up with a solution, something a little easier than scanning the street for license plates. 

SPOT helps riders find their drivers by displaying a neon light on the driver’s windshield. Users can simply look at their app, pick what color they want their driver to display, and follow the appropriate green, blue, pink, yellow or whatever color glow. 

Actually they haven't learnt from previous experience. As we've said its illegal to display a blue light, but hey, this is Uber...they can do what they like, as TfL, with most of there licensing contraventions, just turn a blind eye. 

Below is a letter from Manchester's compliance team, sent when the blue U first materialised in their city:

Dear Mr xxxxx

I am now in a position to update you on the concerns you raised. I am aware that you have recently written to the Executive Member, Cllr Chappell to express concerns that this matter was not being dealt with, I can assure you that this was not the case.

Our initial enquiries into this matter were centred around identifying the device that was installed into private hire vehicles, examining the device and determining its purpose.  Uber were then informed of our views and compliance with relevant legislation was requested.  Uber have given instructions to all their drivers to remove the illuminated sign from their vehicles.  We are now monitoring the situation to ensure compliance.

 

Andy Scragg

Senior Compliance Officer

Licensing Unit

Let's hope that TfL compliance are as quick to respond to this issue, should Uber London decide to equip it's vehicles with for hire lights in the capital.

Let's also hope our representative orgs take a preemptive approach to this rather than wait till its becomes an established practise.

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A Footnote For Marc Turner's post....by Semtex.

 A great report from our friend and colleague Marc Turner. Certainly, there is a genuine amount of heart warmth and sympathy that can reach out to Kizzy, the Uber driver looking to improve his life style, fleeing from the third world poverty of Togo, West Africa.

His desperate attempt to relinquish the psychological chains of the unforgiven slavery trade, are as fresh today as his forefathers would no doubt have experienced all those years ago.
 
I am a compassionate man. I am a loving family man too. I have a loving wife who is currently quiet ill, and four wonderful adult children, whom both my wife and myself adore.

I have served our country within the Military and our Security Services with exemption. I have lost a  grandfather in the Great War, who gave his life, for the life myself and my family enjoy today. My mother's two Uncles too, perished and were never recovered, somewhere amongst the blood soaked poppies in Flanders Fields. No doubt, there will be many of my London Cab colleagues who can relate to my pain.

 
For almost twenty years, I have suffered terribly from the crippling effects of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I have been hospitalised four times and receive constant psychiatric help. For those with experience of this serious condition, I need explain nothing more. For those who do not understand it......don't try to. It is harrowing.

However, there are many London Cabbies who have been hit hard with PTSD, either themselves, or from a close loved one. I know personally of five of our colleagues, who are either receiving help for themselves, or on behalf of a seriously affected family member.

When I experienced my worst memories, PTSD wasn't even recognised ! Neither was Counselling ! You were de-briefed and sent back out onto front line Operational Combat, and told not to be a prick ! I have been beaten, stabbed, burnt, and hung up by my feet. I have had car battery acid put in my eyes and mouth. As a young man, it is water off a duck's back of course. It gets you a bit of barrack room street cred ! And then you get older, and you get scared about a pain that has long since healed. 

Or so you thought !

Today, and as we know, the effects of this serious illness is far more recognised, and fortunately, investment and study are being made to assist the huge amount of sufferers.
 
For the last two weeks, embarrassingly, I have once again been unable to get out of bed. My depression and cynical state of mind have robbed me of even washing or shaving. My eldest daughter has had to move in with us, God willing, only temporary. She isn't only helping my poor wife, her loving Mum, but I am embarrassed to admit, myself too. Usually a cornerstone of strength, both physical and mentally, when the old black dog strikes, I am utterly useless and a milestone around the neck's of my loving family.

I try to fight it. I think positive, like I have been told to do. I think of good things, not bad, just as the experts have advised me. I honestly do try to help myself. 
And yet..........I am paralysed onto the mattress, like a cocooned fly tangled in the web of an approaching spider. 

Of course, I know it makes sense to get out of the bed. I know I have to move on. I know my wife and family need me. I know my dog's have to be trained. I know I am stinking like a tramp. I know I am intolerable. I know this behaviour is unacceptable. I know I'm a wimp.  And I know I must break the cycle of past experience depression bouts, before it eventually eats me up and kills me. But I cant !  I cant get out the bed !
 
Which leads me to my point, which is Kizzy, in Marc's interview, our persecuted Uber driving host , and I quote his words :
 
“The UK is the mother of democracy; everyone wants to be here for its liberty, tolerance and safety. Uber welcomes migrants and refugees with open arms, allowing us to get a foothold – at least so far as work is concerned and where 'good' English isn't a necessity. Most drivers’ partners have other jobs as it is impossible to make a decent living on Uber unless you work around the clock.”
 
 
Kizzy, I genuinely appreciate and share your desires,. But as you can see, the Democracy, Liberty, Tolerance and Safety that you so badly want to be part of and see in our great country, wasn't granted by default my friend. It had to be fought for, from committed, steadfast and brave troops, many, like some of my own family, who never did return, from the poppy laden slaughter fields of Northern France and way beyond.  Even today, and probably more than ever, our UK Military, National Security and Police, put themselves in constant grave positions of peril, to protect and retain the very same legacy and protection, that our loved ones in the past fought tirelessly to preserve. Much blood was lost and spilled, to achieve what you see today.
 
You are right of course that everyone seems to want to be here. The reasons for such are obvious. However, Democracy, Liberty, Tolerance and Safety in the UK, are a priority of UK Nationals, and sadly, we simply cannot accommodate everyone.

Notwithstanding, the legal rights to pick up travelling passengers on London's streets wasn't given to London Taxi Drivers either. The professional accolade to wear our hard earned badge, also required a hard fight and long winded process to gain too.

It takes years to become proficient enough, professionally trained enough and knowledgeable enough to be able to navigate a fully laden cab around the vast network web of London's streets and roads.
 
As it would be fool hardy and errant to allow the hard fought legacy of the UK's Democracy, Liberty, Tolerance and Safety to be abused by foreign nationals or home bred haters to destroy, it would be equally as unjustifiable, to allow Uber and TFL to systematically dismantle a legitimate and professionally required platinum service like The London Black Cab, to perish.
 
Uber have absolutely no damn right, to " welcomes migrants and refugees with open arms, allowing us to get a foothold "
This is London ! Uber are from bloody California ! Who gives them the right to "Welcome "  ANYBODY HERE  " with open arms"

Who the eff do Uber think they are then ? 

How have a techno firm from California been able to make it possible for an open arm welcome to migrants coming into the UK ? Is this a joke ? If not, it must be corruption, surely ? Or are Uber so big that they are now in charge of UK Immigration Control ?
 
And it is to that end, that although I can sympathise with Uber's Kizzy for his ongoing plight and sleeping in his car, my main concerns are to ensure that the only people who put in.........are the only one's who take something out !
 
The moral of my post of course, should be clear.    Surely, what a person, a club, a nation, a family, a profession, a company, or a team put in............then they should be the only one's allowed by the rules of the game......to take out........shouldn't they ?
 
On a more positive note, I managed to get out of my stinking pit of self pity, make believe comfort and safety, yesterday. After a shave, a bath, fish and chips and a cup of tea, I feel at last able to take my post as the husband, Dad, advisor, family provider and family Field Marshall I have always enjoyed being.
 
Until the next time........................
 
Be lucky all. Stay safe and during these precarious time particularly...... be vigilant.
 
8829 Semtex
 

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Taxi app "Cab:App", To Takes On Uber In The UK

A new app that enables users to hail black cabs and licensed taxis has launched in the UK and Ireland in a bid to combat increased competition from car-sharing services such as Uber.

  

Cab:app works in a similar fashion to Uber, allowing customers to hail a cab to their current location using an in-app map, but it also lets passengers pre-book journeys and decide before travelling whether to pay by cash or card and track driver location when they are en-route.

Since launching in the UK, services such as Uber have been criticised as being unfair competition, with black cab drivers in London and around Europe accusing the service of side-stepping some licensing rules.

The app was co-founded by London taxi driver Peter Schive, who said: “Cab:app draws on the heritage and expertise of the black cab industry and translates it for the digital world. It connects communities through a business model that is driven by rewards where drivers, passengers and charities all share in its success.”

“Cab:miles” are collected on each journey taken using the service, and these can then be used to pay for future journeys, or their monetary value can be donated to charity. Journey prices are also fixed for travel over eight miles, the firm says.

“Cabs are integral to the transport infrastructure, connecting the community with road, rail and air,” added Mr Schive.

“Cab:app ensures the public can now enjoy the convenience, safety and accessibility associated with the iconic black cab from one national app.

“Black cabbies offer unparalleled local knowledge and service with the assurance that passengers are getting a fully licensed, vetted and insured cab that can use bus lanes and take the most direct route.”

The app has taxi coverage in more than 90 locations around the UK and Ireland, and can be downloaded for free on both iOS and Android-powered smartphones.

Please use this link to get involved and show support for Cab:App : >Click Here<

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Artemis & Cher talk to the Gentleman Cabbie about Save Taxi

Artemis & Cher chat to "The Gentleman Cabbie" about how Save Taxi was started and all the great work they've been doing to promote & support the Black Cab trade in London

 

      

  

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