Why Are Beijing's Electric Taxi Passengers Are Freezing?

Nice ride, but you wouldn't want to travel in one in the winter.

Beijing had the best of intentions when it started to promote all-electric taxis in 2011. Not only would the green cars reduce the city's choking pollution, but they'd highlight its commitment to becoming a center of innovation. There was just one problem: cold weather.

Electric cars lise their charge  quickly when temperatures drop, reducing their range, utility and -for taxi drivers- profitability. Just ask the unlucky souls driving them around Beijing this winter. According to local news media, they're shutting off battery-draining heaters and driving in warm clothing, thanks to fares lost while charging their batteries which they can't really afford.

With a laudable commitment to the environment, Beijing still plans to replace the city's entire fleet of 67,000 gas-powered taxis with greener ones. But as with so many of China's renewable-energy initiatives, this one prioritizes symbolism and publicity over planning and practicality. The results are likely to be disappointing.

Beijing's experiment started modestly enough, six years ago, with the introduction of 50 electric taxis in the suburbs. By the end of 2013, there were 1,000. But they didn't come cheap. In many areas, the favored vehicle was the Beiqi, made by state-owned Beijing Automotive Group Co., which cost as much as $35,000, compared to $10,000 cheaper for a comparable gas-powered car.

Another problem was that the number of charging stations around the city failed to keep up with demand. In 2014, there were 539 of them for 1,150 electric taxis. But thanks to the rapidly expanding number of private electric cars Beijing (51,000by 2016 alone) that soon proved inadequate. One result was that taxi fleets spent half their time charging, with a typical wait time of two to three hours.

That's a real hardship for drivers. According to China's Economic Observer newspaper, a fully charged Beijing electric taxi has a range of about 90 miles. That's not far in a city where a daily commute averages 23miles. And it gets worse with age: Drivers report that a year-old taxi's range drops to around 60 miles, and some older ones struggle to reach 30. A study last year found that the city's electric taxis average two charges, two trips and a mere 72 miles a day.

Unsurprisingly, many drivers want out. At Beijing Yinjian Taxi, the city's largest vendor, monthly rents for the cars have fallen from $1,000 in 2014 to as little as $300 today, as cabbies prove harder to attract. Although the city government is offering a $200 monthly subsidy to drivers who work a set number of hours in an electric taxi, there aren't many takers so far.

For a program with such admirable goals, that's disappointing -- but not unusual. In its impatient drive to become a leader in renewable energy and conservation, China often underinvests in the infrastructure needed to realize its ambitions. Much of the energy generated by China's wind-power turbines, for instance, never reaches consumers because the electric grid lacks the capacity to transmit it. In one province, fully 43 percent of generated wind power goes nowhere. The situation is similar in solar, where a significant amount of new capacity isnt even hooked up to the grid. In sunny, vast Xinjiang Province, more than half the solar power generated simply goes to waste.

If China continues to approach renewable energy this way, it isn't going to get very far. A better approach is to be, frankly, a little boring. Start by building up public works, such as power grids and charging stations, before imposing new-energy requirements and technologies. Amsterdam became a world leader in electric car use partly by installing charging stations on a large scale and shifting to electric public transit. It also established one of the world's few successful electric taxi fleets by giving drivers exclusive rights to pick up passengers from Schiphol Airport, where fast energy chargers are now waiting to cater to them.

But don't get excited over this as this won't be the case at Heathrow as no one wants to pay for the fast charge units

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TfL Board Members WorldPay, In New Deal With Uber....by Harry Wall.

Courtesy of Jamie Hawes we once more have news of alleged skulduggery and shady goings on at TFL. 

Jamie had uncovered an advertising campaign giving £16 off the first journey in an Uber car. The advert is for Worldpay Benefits Club, who's CEO Ron Kalifa is on the TFL Board of Directors. 

I'm no legal brain but this can't be right. 

A board member of a transport regulator advertising his credit card payment company, offering discounts to customers who use a transport provider unfairly competing with us, that he's supposed to (in part) regulate himself. 

Add the fact that the transport provider in question is Uber, and along with all the recent associated damaging press and media attention, I can't understand how this isn't unethical or illegal if not both.

Surely it's a breach of law, or at the very least a clear conflict of interest. 

He can't make clear, impartial decisions regarding our industry without obvious favoritism towards Uber knowing Worldpay benefit from board decisions.

Their's also the moral issue surrounding the ad campaign.

In the ad picture a young lady is seen smiling in the back of a car. How many rape and sexual assault allegations have been made against Uber drivers worldwide?

How many accidents, assaults, attacks, abusive outbursts?

The list goes on, yet a newly appointed member of the Transport for London Board of Directors is happy to advocate the use of this dreadful company in order to grow his business knowing the dangers attributed to it.

I wonder if Khan knows?

I wonder if Khan cares?

Jamie also discovered Kalifa apparently sold 1,858,000 Worldpay shares valued at a peak of £2.87p per share on the 17/10/2016 amounting to £5.4m, two weeks before mandatory acceptance. 

Once again I'm no legal brain but it seems strange to me, then again it could all be completely legal and common practice but the two together puts me on edge.

It makes me wonder who else on the board is "at it"?

Then their's the new mobile use rules that have come into effect this week.

Why now?

I question the timing of these new rules along with the structure of them. We all use mobiles or tablets to do our job so why now?

I love a good conspiracy and I'm wondering if this is all part of an elaborate ruse TFL and the Mayor have come up with to weasel out of getting rid of Uber themselves, having realised they messed up big time and are slowly heading for the cliff.

They can't refuse the second license for fear of litigation, they can't sit back and do nothing anymore because the shits finally hitting the fan so TFL have to be seen to do something.

At the same time they can't be seen to backtrack as that would be a sign of weakness and an admission of guilt, they got it wrong and Uber shouldn't have been licensed in the first place which would result in compensation claims from now until doomsday and in terms of TFLs bank balance, the cost probably would be. Not to mention claims for damages caused by malfeasance, misfeasance and possibly nonfeasance that could be filed against famous TfL staff such as Daniels, Emerson, Chapman, Blake and let's not forget the rogue brass bonking Peter Hendy.

The thought of that lot in prison makes me weak at the knees.

So I'm wondering if the Mayor has had a chat with his bitch Hogan and his heroes and between them constructed a cunning get out plan where everyone wins a bit. Starting in Essex and spreading nationwide it soon becomes clear Uber's operating model is not only at odds with the law it's also illegal which makes it unlawful therefore not able to fulfill the criteria for a second license. 

Doing it sneaky this way, it's the law that denies Uber the second license and not TFL which in turn stops any litigation in its tracks, stops any compensation claims firing into TFL from us and removes any chance of getting those slimy rat bastards into court, lined up next to each other like a Nuremberg trial, my constant day dream. We, however win because we get our livelihood back.

I doubt very much whether any of this is true but nothing would surprise me about Khan or TFL but at least it gives me hope.

No amount of devious, sneaky, underhanded moves would make me sit up in amazement with these leeches.

The hatred I feel for these parasites is beyond measure. 

What they've done to us is beyond forgiveness but I view their actions as a personal attack on my wife and kids. 

And for that I won't rest until I see justice done in court. Everything they do to us impacts on our families.

The extra hours in the cab for less money, the compulsory weekends needed to make ends meet, the constant money worries where they never existed, the strain on your health, home life, reduction in living standards, the depression etc,etc, all brought on by TFL for other people's financial gain.

I know I keep bashing on the same old line but somewhere along this road we have to draw a line and say ENOUGH!

Negotiations can only go so far before they become redundant and pointless. In my opinion they're entered into with trained negotiators who have complete control of them.

They make it very difficult to gain any ground at all, they make you fight tooth and nail for something they intended to give you all along and when they finally give in it seems like a victory, but it's not, it's negotiation management. 

Bank Junction is already ongoing so that must play out to its natural end but after that we must resume a course of direct action unseen before in London. 

I would also urge all the orgs to pursue any possibility of joining forces with trade associations from around the country to form a national movement in order to bring TFL and whoever else is responsible for this terrible period in our trades history to book.

Our collective lack of physical force and apathy that has given TFL the hold and grip over us they now have, I personally consider a stain on our great trade. 

It must be put right, it must be wiped off and must be done now.

The clocks still ticking but only we can decide if it's too late.

It doesn't have to be.

Credit to Jamie Hawes for his discovery.

Be lucky.

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First call Woodfield Road....by I'm Spartacus

So In the week that a long overdue crackdown on mobile phone and use of devices in the vehicle will attract 6 points and stiffer fines.

As expected TfL & the Met are silent on the matter but be sure other constabularies will do their duty, we expect them to give a special look at those interacting with a certain app outside their area of licensing.

Apps can be adjusted so they only work below 4 kph, it's probably safer that they only work when stationary.

So maybe back to the future voice despatch for Taxi's, who doesn't miss it? Swop shops, quizzes, banter, cheating, mad dispatchers, all part of the fun.

Somewhere in stores are a lot of old radio sets, rumour has it some are in the back of what's now the wine cellar at Woodfield Road.

So In the week that a long overdue crackdown on mobile phone and use of devices in the vehicle will attract 6 points and stiffer fines.

As expected TfL & the Met are silent on the matter but be sure other constabularies will do their duty, we expect them to give a special look at those interacting with a certain app outside their area of licensing.

Apps can be adjusted so they only work below 4 kph, it's probably safer that they only work when stationary.

So maybe back to the future voice despatch for Taxi's, who doesn't miss it? Swop shops, quizzes, banter, cheating, mad dispatchers, all part of the fun.

Somewhere in stores are a lot of old radio sets, rumour has it some are in the back of what's now the wine cellar at Woodfield Road.

How much longer can TfL defend the indefensible, no excuses not to act and pass regulations prohibiting in motion use.

'Can anyone offer a time?'

I'm Spartacus

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Drivers Are Being Cautioned By Police For Accepting AppBased Jobs On Mobiles In Cradles.

Are TfL purposely misleading drivers over the change to the legislation that governs using a mobile phone in a vehicle? 

Yesterday we asked our regulator if it is legal for a driver to accept a job booking through an app based platform whilst driving?

They replied as long as it was in a cradle... it was legal. When pointed out what the Surrey and Nottinghamshire police were advising they said " as long as common sense is used you should be ok" 

YOU SHOULD BE OK!!!!!

In fact what TfL are saying here is as long as you don't get caught, you'll be OK. 

They also insisted that the law hasn't been changed just the penalties. This would mean that TfL are aware that they have licensed app based systems such as Uber, Gett and Hailo, knowing full well that the systems require the driver to break the law laid out in the Act of 2003.

Is this why they are refusing to make a statement of any kind, in a notice to the trade?

Going by what Surrey police are saying on their Twitter page, using certain Credit Card phone based apps such as PayPal and iZettle etc requires the driver again to contravene the 2003 act. But TfL authorised these systems and insist the drivers use them.

Taxi leaks has spent two days asking  TfL if they would make a statement to the trade, to clarify the legality of mobile apps and using a phone to clear credit card transactions. 

TfL have flatly refused to make such a statement. 

The only trade org who have asked questions of TfL on behalf of their members is the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC). Their chairman, Grant Davis put this out on social media yesterday.....

"We have contacted Tfl today asking for clarification regarding the new mobile phone laws and the repercussions for taxi drivers using their apps:

Tfl did not have any impact assessment on any apps and I have stated as our Regulator, should any drivers be charged, I assume you will be representing them."

It's been left to Surrey police to make a statement which incidentally contradicts what TfLTPH have been putting out on their Twitter account. 

This is what Surrey police have said 

We've receiving lots of questions about using a mobile phone whilst driving.

The attached images below should answer most…

The burning question on every Taxi drivers lips is....

"How can an uber driver, currently undertaking an UberPool job -sanctioned by TfL- accept a second or subsequent  fare legally?

Again this is a complete mess from our licensing authority TfLTPH and again shows them to be woefully inadequate as a regulator. They have have many years to sort this out. By their actions, they should be held as complicit should any legal action be taken against a driver by the police.  

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Ilford North MP Wes Streeting Launches Inquiry Into London’s Black Cabs Today

Parliamentary inquiry into the future of London’s taxi trade, chaired by Ilford North MP Wes Streeting, is inviting black cab drivers to have their say.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Taxis, meeting for the first time today, will examine whether enough is being done to protect the public, and to determine whether an overhaul of current taxi regulations is necessary.

To do that most effectively, they are hoping black taxicab drivers across London will get involved with the group over the next month. 

Mr Streeting said: “The issues facing the taxi industry in London and right across the UK need serious action, and we hope that this inquiry will add to the debate about what the trade will look like in the future. 

“I know that in London the black cab is an icon that everyone would like to see continue to serve our capital.

“We welcome submissions from Taxi drivers across the UK alongside the expert witnesses we will have contributing to the inquiry.”

The APPG will hear three evidence sessions – today’s on public safety before taking a look at the effectiveness of current regulation on March 14.

They will then reconvene on March 28 for their final session on the future of the taxi trade.

Written contributions to the inquiry can be sent to: APPGTaxi@newingtoncomms.co.uk

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Unbooked, Unlicensed Minicab Warning After Woman Was Sexually Assaulted.

Wrexham County Borough Council’s Licensing Section is reminding people of the dangers of using unbooked private hire vehicles following a recent sexual assault of a woman. 

The woman was sexually assaulted last weekend by a man who approached her and posed as a taxi driver.

Reports have also been received from other parts of the country where people suffered injuries after travelling in unbooked minicabs and were unable to claim compensation because the vehicles were uninsured.

Wrexham Council’s Licensing Section are now reminding people to take extra precautions and check the vehicle is licensed before using it.

Cllr David Griffiths, Chair of the Council’s Licensing Committee said: “The only way that a private hire vehicle is legitimate is if it is licensed by the Council and is pre-booked through a private hire company. 

Uber cars licensed by TfL are not licensed to work in Wrexham 

“It is illegal for a private hire vehicle to accept custom after being hailed down in the street. Only Wrexham licensed Hackney Carriages (‘Black cabs’) are allowed to ‘ply for hire’ for business in the street.

“The Licensing Section, in partnership with North Wales Police, work actively to combat unlicensed cars picking up passengers and any report of such activity should be reported to them immediately.”

A licensed private hire vehicle will display licence plates on the vehicle and the driver will wear an ID badge and display a copy in the windscreen. All private hire vehicles in Wrexham display distinctive yellow stickers on the rear passenger windows.

All licensed drivers will have been DBS Checked for Criminal Records and DVLA motoring convictions.

A licensed Hackney Carriage will display a rear plate and an illuminated roof sign displaying the word ‘TAXI’.

To enjoy a safe journey, Wrexham County Borough Council’s Licensing Section have issued the following tips:

• PRE BOOK– Plan ahead and always pre-book through a licensed operator, alternatively use one of the Hackney ranks in the town centre.
• CHECK THE DETAILS – Ask for details of the car when making the booking and make sure that the driver knows the destination and the name it was booked under, when it arrives.
• CHECK THE PLATES – Make sure that the vehicle is plated with private hire licence plates on the front and rear of the vehicle. Private hire plates are white, Hackney plates are purple and on the rear only.
• ASK FOR ID – Ask to see the driver’s ID badge. He or she is obliged to wear this badge in such a manner as to be distinctly visible. There is no reason a driver should refuse to show this to the customer and they must have it in their possession to carry out licensed journeys.
• DO NOT give any personal details to the driver, other than what is needed to get to the destination.

What they are saying on social media today :

 

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It Could Only Happen In An Uber, Passenger Taken To Croydon Via Bristol...Then Charged £440

Uber passenger in London taken home via BRISTOL on £440, 240-mile trip that should have cost just £20

A MAN hoping to nip home to Croydon from Brixton ended up travelling via Bristol and was charged £440.

In a journey which should take about 30 minutes and cost about £20, Aaron Wray was in an Uber for five hours and 21 minutes after falling asleep.

Aaron Wray was shocked to wake up and discover he had been taken to Bristol

The journey took more than five hours and cost more than £400

Boozed Aaron Wray, 18, fell asleep and woke as he was heading back to the capital on the M4.

He said: “My phone was dead so I just had to sit there. I tried to ask the driver but he couldn’t really speak English. I have no memory of it stopping and I didn’t get out of the car.”

He went on a round trip of 240 miles in a journey which is only just under eight miles – and he insists he didn’t enter the wrong address into the app.

The computer science student insists the driver confirmed their postcode when he got in and believes a Bristol address was then mistakenly added. However Uber claimed the original destination was input as Bristol — where Aaron goes to university — and the driver eventually turned round after arriving at the wrong address.

Aaron only realised he had been to Bristol and back when he got his £467 receipt, which a pal later posted online. He said: “I got home at about 8am or 9am. It was all my money for a month gone. I was furious.”

The pal shared a conversation she had with him following the adventure in which he said he had woken up with two hours left of the journey.

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