TfL BoardMeeting, 29th March....They Still Ain't Listening

The TfL board meeting today was attended by Leon Daniels and Peter Blake.

Item 13 on the agenda, review of taxi fares. No details discussed but Peter Blake said black cabs offer better value for daytime and short trips.... not so much for evening and longer trips.

Ben Story mentioned the recent media coverage only in as far of the cost of new electric cabs and asked if the taxi review was taking the added 'cost plus' into account. 

Blake said "not as this stage".

When asked how black cabs can compete against technology and Uber Blake said "TFL set the MAX fare to the meter and they are looking at ways for Taxis to offer fixed fares and prebooked cheaper fare".  

He went on to say the fare review hadn't taken into account the cost of the electric cab as part of their review, but over the next 12 months they will be looking at reducing operating costs against the capital cost of the vehicle. 

Not one word about the scandal concerning the illegal licensing of Uber, the Jamie Hawes court judgement, or the VAT crowdfunding case in the papers this week, they've  just ignored all this.  

THESE PEOPLE AIN'T LISTENING

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Thea Gaillard, 24, claims the driver was initially "really nice and polite" - but cancelled as soon as he saw her partner

It's Been A Long Time Coming, But Finally... The Tide Has Turned And The Rats Are Jumping Ship

Lots of good news coming out this week. 

After a slow start, the crowdfunding appeal for Uber's VAT case started to accelerated after two massive pledges. Cash strapped drivers who are truely struggling, have dug deep and the fund is now racing on. 

The escalation started with #Action4Cabbies initial pledge of £4,000, and a promise of more to come.

This was followed on Saturday evening by CabVision's promise to match pledges upto the value of £10,000.

#Action4Cabbies will today add another £6,030 to their initial pledge bringing their total to £10,030.

We have also been formed that new kids on the blog 'TaxiApp' have donate £500. 

As of 5o/c this morning, the crowdfunding total stands at £50,275, with 21 days left to go. 

If you care about the future of this trade, please pledge and help the fund reach its total. 

Use this link below to donate 

>http://ift.tt/2nLYD9i<

On top of the massive PR disaster currently coming out in the national news papers lead by the Daily Mail, publicising Downing Street's heavy handed involvement in the lobbying of previous Mayor Boris Johnson and TfL to "go easy on Uber".....we received news yesterday of the departure of Garret Emmerson from the TfL directorate.

Lobbying, corruption, conflict of interests and backhanded job offers, it's all coming out now.

One interesting case to hit the headlines in the past few days, was that of Jamie Hawes' court verdict against TfL. Judgement has been made that Mr Hawes is owed £18 a day for being forced -under conditions of vehicle fitness- to advertise TfL's stakeholders. Also the court has ordered TfL to repay Mr Hawes Licence fee because of the conflict of contract involving on of TfL's board members.

Yesterday, we are told on the LTDA Twitter account, at the APPG meeting in the House of Commons, Lord Blencathra stood up and said "Uber, the most vile form of capitalist company I've ever come across". 

It's been a long time coming, but it certainly looks like the tide has finally turned. This has been the best week our trade has seen in over 4 years.....and it's only Wednesday. 

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Downing Street spokesman insists any suggestion of a cover-up is "categorically untrue".... By Dave Davies

An Urgent Call For A Public Inquiry Into TfL... Every Driver Needs To Complete This Request.

On Friday 6th January 2017, a meeting took place with the Prime Minister Theresa May, asking for a public inquiry into Transport for London (TfL). With the help of the Taxi trade organisations, Mrs May was handed documents to back up the London Taxi drivers request.

As London Taxi drivers, we need to put pressure on the Prime Minister to grant a full public inquiry into TfL. You can help by completing a short form to send this pre-written and personalised email to your local MP. This has been written from your perspective as a London Taxi driver on how you have been affected by the governments and TfL's malfeasance.

In addition to this, we would highly recommend you request a visit to their constituents surgery to personally ask for assistance.

Please click on link below to be taken to the Point Cab Page. Submit postcode, then follow instructions (it only takes a minute to complete.

                      >>CLICK HERE<<

This email will be sent to your MP.

Dear MP Name

The iconic black cab is under threat and as one of your constituents, I am asking you to help avert this disaster.

It took me around 3 and half years of self-funded studying to earn the right to Ply 4 Hire as a licensed taxi driver. The licensed London Taxi trade gives people the opportunity to fulfil their hopes and aspirations. It is also a great equaliser that rewards endeavour over privilege.

I worked hard to attain my license, and to purchase the prescribed purpose built vehicle that TfL says I must use to work as a taxi driver, and I contribute to the UK economy as a self-sufficient sole trader. I didn't foresee fighting an unjust battle against a global multi-national corporation in Uber. More-so, I never imagined that the company would have close personal links with the (former) PM and TfL would bend over backwards to embed them into the system.

David Cameron and George Osborne are named in these two stories from the Daily Mail, detailing their extremely close links to Uber. This has led to many calling the situation corrupt and malfeasance by 10 Downing Street.

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Uber Technologies Inc. has a rapacious predatory pricing policy intended solely to annihilate the lives of individuals who, like me, fulfil every one of TfL’s licensing requirements. Amidst all of this, and despite Uber Technologies Inc. being valued at $64B, they choose to domicile their tax affairs in the Bahamas via the Netherlands.

I find it outrageous that hard working tax payers are shouldering the burden of a company that disregards our democratic constitution. I am further outraged that our government, policy-makers and regulators continue to facilitate nefarious practices that are injurious to law abiding citizens. This is nothing short of malfeasance. It matters not if their service is favoured, no one should advocate covert political agendas engineered to displace a legitimate workforce using an illegally licensed one.

I am perpetually reminded that I should welcome a free market, after all, it's the customers right to choose? However, what we are experiencing is the antithesis of a free market. In short, it is a state enabled take-over of a regulated trade.

Effectively, TfL continue to facilitate Uber to flood the streets of London despite unsustainable congestion and pollution recorded at 5 X the EU limit. Even though my vehicle conforms to the EU 5 emissions strategy, from next year, I'm expected to help clean the air quality by purchasing the new Zero Emissions Capable Taxi costing in excess of £45,000. How can this be considered as anything other than a stealth drive into Bankruptcy.

The Mayor of London is ultimately accountable for TfL’s performance and conduct, and is answerable to the London assembly. The London Assembly are able to carry out investigations into TfL’s activities and there are a number of recorded cases where this just isn’t working.

• TfL is documented lying to the GLA regarding public hire insurance and licensing requirements.
• TfL management versed Uber on ‘terminology’ to avoid regulatory implications, via email, telephone and ‘coffee shop’ meetings.
• TfL state assisted Uber in the high court by robustly defending their modus operandi when seeking a ruling to define what constitutes a taxi meter?
• TfL Senior management are aware that Uber’s business model never satisfied the 1998 PH regulations.
• TfL Senior management have moulded secondary legislation to accommodate Uber’s business model.
• The GLA’s Future Proof (Taxi and Private Hire Services in London) noted cross party support for 19 recommendations. None of which have been addressed.

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• An undercover report by The Sun newspaper found PH drivers were obtaining fraudulent medicals.

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• A report carried out by Theo Usherwood highlighted how easy it is to obtain a PHV license without the correct paperwork.

http://ift.tt/2o8DlGv

Please treat this letter with appropriation and the uppermost seriousness by writing to the Prime Minister, Theresa May with my request for a genuine and transparent public inquiry into Transport for London.

Please can I have copies of their reply.

Yours sincerely

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Ex-Prime MinistDavid Cameron to stand down as MP

Former Prime Minister David Cameron is standing down as an MP, triggering a by-election in his Witney seat.

Mr Cameron, who quit as Prime Minister shortly after the EU referendum, said he had "thought about (his future as an MP) long and hard over the summer", deciding it was now "the right thing to do to stand down" from his constituency in Oxfordshire.

He added: "In my view, in modern politics, with the circumstances of my resignation, it isn't really possible to be a proper backbench MP as a former Prime Minister.

"I think everything you do will become a big distraction and a big diversion from what the Government needs to do for our country."

>FULL STORY CLICK HERE<

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As The House Of Cards Collapses .... Garret Emmerson First To Leave The Sinking Ship

Garret Emmerson has decided to quit his £184,999 job as Cheif Operating Officer For Surface Transport just days after he #Ubetgate scandal broke in the daily mail.

News broke last night that one of TfL's top staff had resigned and a crisis meeting of the directors was called. Garrett departure was confirmed this morning by TfLTPH General Manager Helen Chapman. 

An internal memo had been circulated to TfL staff his morning from Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport, announcing the departure of Garrett Emmerson and confirmation was made around midday.

Memo from Leon Daniels said:

I am sad to announce that Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport, will be leaving us.

After nearly eight years in the role of Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport (and before that, as TfL’s Director of Strategy & Policy), I am sad to announce that Garrett Emmerson has decided the time is right for him to move on from TfL and seek new career opportunities and challenges elsewhere.....

Meanwhile on a train to Brussels Mayor Sadiq Khan was interviewed by LBC, in the light of the story which has been breaking in the Daily Mail and Financial Times, concerning Downing Street leaning on the previous Mayor Boris Johnson, to go easy on the San Francisco based minicab booking app, even though they didn't meet the strict regulations other minicab operators have had to meet.

The saga continues and is far from over as rumours abound that a second high profile member of TfL has also resigned....more news as and when it becomes confirmed. 

   

Who will be next ?

Below Peter Blake being interviewed by Nick Ferrari

 

    

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