Leon Daniels Phoned Uber's Jo Bertram At Least 24 Times From TfL Registered Phone.

Following on from the "Ubergate incident", concerning embarrassing emails which were sent between TfL's managing Director of Surface Transport Leon Daniels and Uber's Jo Bertram, it has now been revealed in a Freedom of Information request, that Director Daniels contacted Jo Bertram personally no less than 24 times by phone between June 2014 and April 2015.

The request also shows a further 31 calls were registered from TfL mobile phones between 19th December 2014 and 9th April 2015. 

Telephone calls made between Daniels and Bertram:

11th x2, 13th, 18 June 2014

2nd, 25th x2 July 2014

19th August 2014

25th September 2014

13th October 2014

4th x2, 10th x2, 15th December 2014

19th, 20th January 2015

13th, 16th x3 March 2015

23rd April 2015

1st May 2015

6th June 2015.

Val Shawcross recently explained to collective from the Action4Cabbies group, in future the Taxi trade would only be dealing with three TfL personnel, that being Commissiner Mike Brown, Chief Operating Officer Garett Emmerson and General Manager T&PH Helen Chapman. 

Leon Daniels is no longer overseeing the running of Taxis and Private Hire. It's alleged he has been moved sideways to take on other projects. 

In the bold restructuring, anyone with a conflict of interest will no longer have a seat on the board of TfL. 

Val Shawcross announced to the A4C group that at least half the board including Bob Oddy, Steve Wright and Peter Anderson are to be replaced. 

Full details will be announced once the new board has been fully recruited.

 

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Uber Defeated In China, Sells Business To Rival Company Didi Chuxing

Minicab-booking app Uber has agreed to sell its business in China to rival Didi Chuxing.

The two firms have been fierce competitors, but Didi Chuxing dominates the Chinese market with an 87% share.

Uber China launched in 2014 but has failed to make any profit so far.

Cheng Wei, founder and chief executive of Didi Chuxing, said the two companies had "learned a great deal from each other over the past two years in China's burgeoning new economy".

He added that the deal would "set the mobile transportation industry on a healthier, more sustainable path of growth at a higher level".

As part of the deal, Mr Cheng will join the board of Uber, while Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick will join Didi's board.

Uber's China business will retain its separate branding while US-based Uber Technologies will hold a stake of about 17.5% in the combined company.

Didi Chuxing is backed by Chinese internet giants Tencent and Alibaba, and has also invested in Uber's rival US taxi-booking service Lyft.

Big losses

Uber has been struggling to break into the Chinese market despite having Chinese search engine Baidu as an investor.

In February, the company admitted it was losing more than $1bn a year in China, spending huge sums to subsidise discounted fares.

"Funding their China dreams was becoming too expensive for Uber," Duncan Clark, chairman of Beijing-based consultancy BDA, told the BBC. 

"Many saw it as an obstacle to their own IPO (Initial Public Offering)."

Uber chief Travis Kalanick said that "as an entrepreneur, I've learned that being successful is about listening to your head as well as following your heart".

"Getting to profitability is the only way to build a sustainable business that can best serve Chinese riders, drivers and cities over the long term."

The fierce rivalry had led both companies to heavily subsidise their journeys. The merger is likely to see fewer such subsidies.

"One thing to watch carefully is how quickly consumers feel the impact as subsidies are withdrawn," Mr Clark added.

Analysis: Karishma Vaswani, Asia business correspondent

If you can't beat them, join them - that may be what Uber's ultra ambitious Travis Kalanick was thinking. This deal may be Uber's best available option on the table.

Uber put up a good fight, there's no doubt about it. And it may not all be bad news.

If the departure from the Chinese market means a sizeable stake in the biggest ride-sharing player in the world's second largest economy, which currently has a potential customer base of some 750 million people, and that's only going to grow - then that's not too shabby.

Recognising this was one fight he wasn't going to win, may well turn out to be a sign of Mr Kalanick's maturity and business acumen in the future.

Didi Chuxing in brief:

• China's number one taxi-booking app. 
• Claims to have an almost 90% market share and some 14 million journeys every day.
• The company is the product of a merger: In February 2015, Didi Dache and Kuaidi Dache merged to form Didi Kuaidi, later renamed Didi Chuxing. 
• It is the driving force behind an alliance with India's Ola, South East Asia's Grab and US firm Lyft, allowing users to use their apps to hail from the partner services when abroad.

New rules

The deal with Didi Chuxing comes just days after China agreed to provide a legal framework for taxi-ordering apps.

Both Uber and Didi have welcomed the decision, having previously operated in a legal grey area in the country. 

While the apps are widely popular, they have undermined business for normal taxis and have been met with protests by cab drivers. 

The new rules will take effect on 1 November and will, among other things, forbid such platforms to operate below cost.

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Letter To Editor : You Can Only a Kick Someone So Many Times Before They Kick You Back

Soon we'll completely ignore their rules. let's face it, WTF are they going to do to our trade after kicking it in the testes for so long, it's on it's knees. Are they going to sack us, refuse to issue a licence?


They appear to live in that fantasy world, all those types do. In that they believe we'll all carry on as before, because they say so. yet they wouldn't get out of bed for less than £xxxxx salary, yet expect working preople to work for a pittance, whilst their profession is destroyed around them. Well TFL it's not going to happen.

They'll end up with the inferior service they already get from those app based suppliers. but, then they don't really give a fece do they. Didn't that flacid TFL sychophant say, "it's what Londoners want", whilst lieing his teeth off about land lines, & Insurance?

So WTF are TFL going to do to drivers who have no stakeholding or concern about TFL regs. Oh Yes, you're going to badge & bill us, along with hold up our license renewals, that'll impress us, won't it, not.

I forgot, TFL already have minicabs that don't abide by their regs, whilst TFL do sweet FA to them, except the odd road stop or similar.

It's merely the ability to earn a living, whilst having reasonable freedom, flexibility of the job, that made it worth while,& for us to obey the stupid, pathetic over burdensome, inflexible, unmovable rules imposed upon us and still doing so as they've destroyed those aspects of it, it's no longer viable, so why should i bother listening to their BS about rules. 

After all didn't TFL ride a coach & horses through all the rules to licence that app supplier? Which in doing so, raised the anger of the minicab fraternity who had obeyed those very rules. Now 98% of minicab business's have gone out of business, so why did they bother obeying any fece issued by a nasty, distainful, unlawful, dishonest, cheating, lieing, fraudulant, TFL? and why should we bother?

TFL needs to be the one that provides evidence of being fit & proper persons to conduct the business of the people, not London taxi drivers. So far taxi drivers have shown more commitment, honesty to their buniness than TFL have shown to the entire electorate of London. 

TFL total excrement & destroyers of the London licensed taxi (Black cab), destroying the livelyhoods of the independent individual traders of London on behalf of Corporate sector profitability!

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MANDATE ON CREDIT CARDS, Deadline Approaches And Its All Gone A Bit Quiet...by Jim Thomas.

Back in February this year, the chair of the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) Grant Davis made a very bold statement, which was published in their newspaper, "The Badge".

Mr Davis said:

Whilst the trade is united in accepting the need for us to take credit cards, there is some disunity as to how this strategy will be implemented.

The majority of taxi drivers who already take credit cards and the app companies, who already process cards, are very concerned with TfL proposals for fixed units tied to the metre.

Unfortunately, at the meetings the LTDA is the only Org in favour of this proposal (it's a done deal isn't it Steve-JT). 

Let me make it clear, the LCDC will in no way be dictated to by TfL, yet again, as to what we can and cannot do in this issue.

To implement more costs which include brackets, electrical work connecting the metre, etc. at a time when the trade is fighting for its life is utter madness.

If need be, the LCDC are prepared, with others, to instigate legal action if they try to go ahead and impose this on us.

Grant Davis 

Bold words then, but nothing since. 

On the London Taxi Drivers Forum, many drivers are giving their unqualified verdict that TfL can't do this, can't do that, well TfL are going to do this, and they're going to do that.

And no one is doing a thing to stop them.

We've been informed on Twitter (by TfL @TfLTPH) that the mandate is perfectly legal because Leon Daniels has signed off the following London Cab Order regarding the acceptance of Credit/debit cards.

>http://ift.tt/2awOOtx<

As the deadline approaches, not a word from the LCDC, RMT, Unite, UCG. 

The LTDA have gone on record saying nothing can be done as it is a "done deal".

• And it's not just this one issue !

• No landline for Uber bookings !

• No Uber bookings 

• We've had Leon Daniels' Ubergate Email's !

• Operation no one !

• Then Uber in court saying on oath, the company doesn't take bookings, bookings are taken by drivers in car !

• To top this, the sexual assaults and rape statistics were dumbed down on the LTDA AdVan, to appease TfL.

• And now one this below !

SOMEONE REMIND ME AGAIN, WHAT IS IT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE ORGS DO FOR THE MONEY YOU PAY THEM?

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MANDATE ON CREDIT CARDS, Deadline Approaches And Its All Gone A Bit Quiet...by Jim Thomas.

Back in February this year, the chair of the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) Grant Davis made a very bold statement, which was published in their in house newspaper, the Badge. 

Mr Davis said:

Whilst the trade is united in accepting the need for us to take credit cards, there is some disunity as to how this strategy will be implemented.

The majority of taxi drivers who already take credit cards and the app companies, who already process cards, are very concerned with TfL proposals for fixed units tied to the metre.

Unfortunately, at the meetings the LTDA is the only Org in favour of this proposal (it's a done deal isn't it Steve-JT). 

Let me make it clear, the LCDC will in no way be dictated to by TfL, yet again, as to what we can and cannot do in this issue.

To implement more costs which include brackets, electrical work connecting the metre, etc. at a time when the trade is fighting for its life is utter madness.

If need be, the LCDC are prepared, with others, to instigate legal action if they try to go ahead and impose this on us.

Grant Davis 

Bold words then, but nothing since. 

On the London Taxi Drivers Forum, many drivers are giving their unqualified verdict that TfL can't do this, can't do that, well TfL are going to do just that!

We've been informed on Twitter (by TfL @TfLTPH) that the mandate is perfectly legal because Leon Daniels has signed off the following London Cab Order regarding the acceptance of Credit/debit cards.

>http://ift.tt/2awOOtx<

As the deadline approaches, not a word from the LCDC, RMT, Unite, UCG. 

The LTDA have gone on record saying nothing can be done as it is a "done deal".

• And it's not just this one issue !

• No landline for Uber bookings !

• No Uber bookings 

• We've had Leon Daniels' Ubergate Email's !

• Operation no one !

• Then Uber in court saying on oath, the company doesn't take bookings, bookings are taken by drivers in car !

• To top this, the sexual assaults and rape statistics were dumbed down on the LTDA AdVan, to appease TfL.

• And now one this below !

SOMEONE REMIND ME AGAIN, WHAT IS IT. OUR REPRESENTATIVE ORGS DO FOR HE MONEY WE PAY THEM?

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Autogas To Start Trial With Converted Diesel Taxi To New Petrol/Gas In London.

  The Autogas Taxi- cleaner, cheaper solution 

Autogas is shortly to commence a trial in London of a traditional black London taxi running on LPG.

The company, which has the largest network of automotive LPG refuelling pumps in the UK, hopes the cab will be approved by Transport for London for use later this year.

The vehicle, which has had its diesel engine replaced by a petrol engine converted to run on LPG, will be run 24 hours a day in order to speed up the process, which includes a 10,000 mile durability test.

Autogas believes the LPG re-powering solution will prove attractive to black cab owners who want to extend the working life of their vehicle in London rather than invest immediately in a brand-new one.

Paul Oxford, business development manager of Autogas, said: “Not everyone is going to rush out and buy a new vehicle straightaway. If someone is coming up to retirement, for example, why buy a new cab?

“By converting with an approved LPG system they can get another five years of service from the vehicle, as well as dramatically reducing air pollution and making substantial savings on fuel costs."

Currently London imposes an age limit of 15 years on black cabs with diesel engines. In contrast, approved LPG conversions can be exempted and allowed to run for another five years, up to 20 years old.

This provision is important in the run-up to 2018, when all new hackney carriages in London will have to be zero emission capable as part of the city’s drive to reduce air pollution. Taxis which are already licensed won’t be affected.

Birmingham City Council has already backed LPG as an alternative fuel which will help reduce air pollution in the city. Sixty-three of the city’s taxi fleet are being 'repowered' from diesel engines to petrol engines running on autogas LPG.

Initial emission testing at MIllbrook has shown the LPG technology produces 80% fewer NOx emissions compared with a normal diesel powered version, as well as a 99% reduction in sooty particulate matter.

At around 55p a litre, LPG is also cheaper than conventional fuels. Repowering of a taxi costs around £8,000 and takes around three days.

It's surprising that both the new Mayor and former Mayor made no attempt to look at the benifits of LPG in the London a Taxi fleet. Instead they are expecting drivers to invest in an untried technology with suspect health issues to the drivers (and regular users).

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Range Extended Taxis, Are We Being Sold Another Lie By The Greenies? .....by Jim Thomas

TAXI DRIVERS LIVES MATTER

Still no reports from TfL or the Mayors office on the affect of sitting over batteries, strung together, emitting Gamma B radiation, generated by a strong electro magnetic forcefield. 
Does no one care about the health issues of the driver?

Don't forget, people were told asbestos was a perfectly safe substance to build prefabs with after the war, even though they knew full well (from as early as 1920) that it had carcinogenic properties. 

My father's sister and her husband, were housed in just such a prefab by the local council, on Carlton Hill/Marlborough Hill in St Johns Wood just after the war. 

Both died from cancer in the early sixties. 

Not one representative org or union has questioned or investigated driver health issues in connection to this new technology.
No one has questioned the mayor, TfL, LTI or Frazer Nash over this.
This is an untried technology and we Taxi drivers are being used as Guinea pigs.

Gamma B is the radiation used in dentistry to take X-rays of the mouth. 
The dentist and his assistants stand behind a lead shield when fired up to take the X-ray.
Taxi drivers will be expected to sit over this EMF for 6-8-10 hours at a time with absolutely no protection.

We know that in everyday life, we are surrounded by different strength EMF's and there is a small one emitted by normal car batteries. But with a bank of batteries connected together, the force field is magnified producing stronger emmisions. 

Fazer Nash and LTI won't comment on the subject....I wonder why....they are not the ones sitting over this time bomb for extended periods of time.

Why have TfL and the Mayor put all their eggs in the one basket?

Why no exploration of different technologies?

Below are two videos explaining a cheap and safe alternative that would produce almost zero emmisions.

What all the big oil companies don't want you to know how to save 60% on fuel

   

Answers to the many thousands of questions asked since the original video got over 30 Million views in 48 hours. It was shared over 750,000 times. 

In this follow-up video Grant talks to the inventor of my hydrogen conversion system. 

Straight answers directly from the expert himself.

   

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