Our demand for a Statutory Public Inquiry into TfL is defined in these articles.
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Thursday, 13 July 2017
Key Uber Employee Leaves the Embattled Tech Company In Yet Another Sex Scandal
The Uber manager who headed Susan Fowler’s department has departed
AG Gangadhar ran the engineering unit where the former female engineer — whose blog post on sexism sparked recent investigations — worked.
AG Gangadhar, was the director of the department buffeted by an allegation of sexual harassment and discrimination.
Five months ago, ex-Uber engineer Susan J. Fowler published a blog post, in which she said she had repeatedly complained about sexual harassment and discrimination at the ride-sharing company, but was ignored or punished. In the post,
Fowler also said she had requested to transfer out of her department but, “according to my manager, his manager, and the director, my transfer was being blocked” due to undocumented performance problems.
In reality, she claims she had a perfect performance score and there hadn’t been any complaints about her performance.
In addition, emails obtained indicate that engineers within Fowler’s department complained to higher-ups that Gangadhar and a subordinate manager were ignoring Fowler’s issues with another manager who had allegedly sexually harassed her.
“Multiple people are pissed off about this stuff being swept under the rug and not being taken more seriously that a new [lady engineer] was sexually harassed by a former manager,” read one email sent to Uber CTO Thuan Pham’s former executive assistant. That person later responded that Pham was aware of the situation and would discuss it with human resources.
That manager who Fowler claimed harassed her was fired five months after she first complained about him to human resources.
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Wednesday, 12 July 2017
The APPG On Taxis Report, Lessons From London : The Future Of The UK Taxi Trade
You can read the report here
The APPG on Taxis today launched their comprehensive report Lessons from London: the future of the UK taxi trade after a three month investigation led by its Chair Wes Streeting MP. It calls on the Government to give the Mayor of London the power to cap the number of Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) on London’s streets, stop cross border hiring, and set out a robust set of minimum licensing standards for taxis and PHVs across the country.
The pollution and congestion on London’s streets is no long sustainable, with nearly 9,500 deaths each year caused by long term exposure to air pollution and congestion on the rise due to the massive increase in PHVs on London’s streets – now standing at 120,000 according to Transport for London. To limit the increasing numbers of PHVs and improve congestion and air quality, the Mayor of London has asked Government for the power to cap PHVs as part of his recently launched Mayor’s Transport Strategy.
This cap in London will be ineffective without the Government acting to stop ‘cross border hiring’, as PHV drivers could simply avoid it by being licensed in neighbouring authorities such as Watford. Councils across the country are currently unable to effectively regulate who operates in their area due to the Deregulation Act 2015. When Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council tried to institute tough new licensing regulations last year in the aftermath of the child grooming scandal, they found that taxi and PHV drivers could avoid them by being licenced in neighbouring authorities and then legally operating in Rotherham.
The report makes a number of recommendations, including calling on the Government to:
- Grant the Mayor of London and any other Mayors or combined authorities who request it, the power to cap the number of PHVs;
- Create a statutory definition of cross border hiring whereby a journey must “begin or end in the licensing authority where the licence was issued”;
- Consult on statutory guidance for taxi and PHV licensing and set out a robust set of minimum licensing standards for all licensing authorities.
You can read the report by clicking here
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Back in 2014, clause 10 was dropped from the deregulation bill that went through parliament.
This would reflect the view that all over the UK, (except in London according to TfL) there is a massive public safety issue, and that only licensed private hire drivers should be driving licensed private hire vehicles.
Unfortunately for the traveling public in, TfL say that anyone can currently drive a private hire minicab around the capital, whether they are licensed or not.
This includes people who just want to avoid paying the congestion charge, but also (and even more worrying) dangerous sexual predators looking for fresh prey can purchase a TfL licensed minicab without holding a PH drivers licence.
Even though the Taxi trade have to have a purpose built vehicle, carrying both a registration number plate from the DVLA and also a TfL Hackney Carriage plate, plus we are also required to have our badge number emblazoned on the ID card identifying the driver.
And yet, the most favoured method of a sexual predictor (namely a licensed minicab driven by an unlicensed driver) is only required to have an unreadable yellow disc, in most cases obscured by blacked out or tinted glass.
Considering the security status we currently find ourselves in, it should be imperative that only TfL registered drivers should be allowed to drive minicabs.
The PH drivers themselves should also be identifiable and should be matchable to a particular vehicle by means of their badge number, clearly displayed on front and rear windows.
If it's good enough for Taxis...then it's good enough for PH.
TfL recently announced that PH driver numbers currently exceeded 117,000. A recent FOI request has shown that Sexual assaults including rapes in just Uber cars has increased by a record 50% on the previous year.
And yet our licensing authority seem more concerned with Taxi drivers, over ranking at main line stations.
Compliance teams turn a blind eye to PH while in many cases are regularly overstepping their authority.
Taxi Leaks have received recent complaints from drivers who say they have been told by COs at Euston, they are going to be reported for wearing their badges on lanyards that are too long.
Many COs are refusing to show drivers their authorisation ID cards, after show the driver just their sherif style badge (they are legally obliged to show their ID).
Driver have also been asked to unscrew their insurance cover notes so COs can examine more closely.
This is totally ridiculous behaviour from COs and totally unacceptable.
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Oxford city council targets it's 107 licensed taxis to cut emissions
Oxford city council plans to phase out older taxis from operating within the city, and will look to invest over £500,000 for the installation of dedicated electric car charging points, it has announced today (11 July).
The investment forms part of a wider plan to reduce air pollutant emissions within the city, after it was revealed that air quality improvements in Oxford have begun to slow down after improvements made following the introduction of a Low Emission Zone in 2014 (see airqualitynews.com story).
Changes to licensing requirements for taxis operating in Oxford are expected to come into effect from 2018
The city council is working with the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association (COLTA) on the scheme, which will see 19 electric vehicle charging points installed for the exclusive use of hackney and private hire taxis. The council’s aim is to install the first seven in 2018, and the remaining 12 in 2019.
The council has also announced its intention to set an age limit on all hackney carriages operating in Oxford of 18 years and require all newly-licenced hackney carriages to be ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) – with licensing changes expected to come into effect from the end of 2018.
Public health
Councillor John Tanner, executive board member for a clean and green Oxford, said: “Oxford has illegal levels of air pollution in some parts of the city, which is affecting the health of residents. Every vehicle in Oxford is contributing to this major public health emergency.
“We are working with the county council on plans to introduce a Zero Emission Zone from 2020, which will restrict access to Oxford city centre for emitting vehicles, and will go a long way to getting air pollution below legal limits. This new scheme will provide the electric vehicle charging infrastructure to help get Oxford’s hackney cabs ready for 2020.”
The charging points will be ‘rapid’ and ‘fast’ chargers to enable drivers to quickly charge batteries during breaks, according to the council.
Charging points
The locations will be finalised following consultation with drivers, but potential locations include Oxford Rail Station, Gloucester Green, London Road, Cowley Road, St Giles, Summertown car park, and Redbridge and Seacourt park and rides.
The city council was awarded £370,000 of funding from the Government’s Office for Low Emissions Vehicles for the project. It will also seek to secure the remaining funding from private investment.
It is hoped that the infrastructure and licensing changes will see nitrogen dioxide emissions from Oxford’s 107 licenced hackney carriages reduce by 50% by 2020.
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Tuesday, 11 July 2017
TX5 Launches In London : As Another Electric Car, Left Trickle-Charging Overnight Bursts Into Flames.
The Taxi the trade doesn't want and can't afford, officially launched in London today. The TX5 is powered by a battery electric powertrain with a 1.3-litre petrol generator, a system which its maker calls eCity. It can charge from empty to 80% in 20 minutes on a rapid charger. But you won't find many rapid chargers in London, so it's more like two hours, on a fast charger, or overnight it's eight to 10 hours on a trickle charge.
News also in today of another electric car completely destroyed by fire, left charging over night. Lucky for the owner that this time, the car was not housed in an adjoining garage, or this could have been even more of a tragedy
The 2017 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive car had been left charging overnight outside an office, which was damaged by smoke from the fire, at the Rettendon Turnpike junction in Wickford, Essex.
Two fire crews fought to extinguish the blaze, which hit temperatures of 300 degrees Celsius, in the early hours of this morning.
Destroyed: The 2017 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive car had been left charging overnight outside an office, which was damaged by smoke, at the Rettendon Turnpike junction in Wickford, Essex
Officers also had to ventilate the office block to bring the situation under control.
Pictures of the car, which has a 17.6kWh battery, show its gutted body and the melted remains of the lithium ion battery pack.
A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: 'An electric car which was left on charge outside an office building has been 100 per cent destroyed and caused smoke damage to a building after catching alight.
Back in April, a Tesla owner demanded $1million after the Falcon Wing doors of her Model X 'wouldn't open' during a crash.
Owner Lee Tada claimed she and her boyfriend were sitting in the back and had to escape out of the front doors moments before the car burst into flames.
But representatives of the electric car makers in China said the company would not pay out and that the couple's lives were not in danger.
Almost 50,000 electric or hybrid cars were sold in Britain last year, and one in every 30 cars sold is now powered by electricity.
Many are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are also one of the most popular types of rechargeable batteries and used in many mobile phones.
But they can sometimes explode and catch fire when overheated – as was the case for Samsung’s notorious Galaxy Note 7 phone, which was banned by airlines and which the company was eventually forced to recall at a cost of billions of pounds.
Lithium-ion batteries contain two electrodes – one made from lithium and one from carbon – submerged in a liquid called an electrolyte that lets electrical charges flow between the electrodes.
If a battery is charged too quickly, it can cause metal-like whiskers called dendrites to form and pass through the liquid electrolytes, resulting in a short circuit that can lead to explosions and fires.
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Mini-cab Driver Who Sexually Attacked Lone Women Has Been Sentence To 12 years
A mini-cab driver who sexually attacked lone women has been sentence to 12 years' imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court today, Monday 10 July.
Jahir Hussain, 37 (24/03/1980) of Morris Road, E14 had previously pleaded guilty, on 15 May after one day of his trial at the same court, to Two counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, one count of assault by penetration, as well as two other linked offences.
The conviction and sentencing follows an investigation by the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Command.
Hussain attacked three women, one on 21 October 2016, and two in the early hours on 2 December 2016. Whilst he was registered to work as a mini-cab driver, he was not actually working when he picked his victims up and attacked them.
On 21 October 2016 Hussain picked up his first victim in the Old Street area as she made her way home. Hussain attacked her after she fell asleep in the back of his car. His victim woke to find Hussain in the back of the car with her, and that he had cut off her clothing. Hussain then repeatedly attacked his victim before driving her home.
On 2 December 2016, at around 02:00hrs, Hussain was again in the Old Street area when he asked by his second victim if he was the mini-cab she had ordered. He wasn't, but he lied and told his victim he was. His victim got in the car, fell asleep, and again awoke to find Hussain in the back of the car with her. The victim waking up seemed to stop Hussain from carrying out any further attacks. Under the pretence of actually taking his victim home Hussain instead drove to an abandoned industrial estate. His victim managed to escape the car, and Hussain fled the scene in his car, abandoning his victim there.
From that attack Hussain went back to the Old Street area and picked up a third victim at around 0400hrs, acting a as a mini-cab driver despite the victim not having booked one. Again Hussain's victim woke to find him in the back of the car, having cut her clothing off and attacking her. Hussain again drove his victim home.
In both incidents in December led to the identification of Hussain's number plate and he was arrested at his home on 3 December 2016. He was charged in the early hours of the next day.
Forensic evidence then linked Hussain to the October attack and he was further charged.
DC Samantha Dart, the officer in the case, said:
"Hussain is a predator who exploited his employment as a mini-cab driver to seriously sexually assault vulnerable females. Women should be able to go out and enjoy themselves without fear of assault.
"We are grateful to all three women for having the courage to report these matters to police, and for their continued support throughout the investigations.
"The strength of evidence against Hussain was overwhelming which led to him entering guilty pleas and the sentence handed to him reflects the gravity of his offending."
Acting Detective Inspector Steve Birchall, the supervising officer in the case, said:
"Hussain is a predatory sex offender who has taken advantage of his position by targeting vulnerable women he has picked up while acting as a mini-cab driver. Travelling home by mini-cab should be a safe method of transportation and Hussain is in no way reflective of the numerous taxi drivers who offer this service every night in London. He has been identified and now convicted through the presence of mind and strength of the three women in this case who have had the courage to report what happened to them to the police."
Full breakdown of offences and sentencing:
1. Rape (contrary to section 1 Sexual Offences Act 2003);
2. Rape (contrary to section 1 Sexual Offences Act 2003);
3. Sexual assault (contrary to section 3 Sexual Offences Act 2003);
4. Assault by penetration (contrary to section 2 Sexual Offences Act 2003).
All against the 23-year-old woman on 21 October 2016
5. Sexual assault (contrary to section 3 Sexual Offences Act 2003); 6. False Representation to make gain for self (contrary to sections 1 & 2 Fraud Act 2006).
Both against the 31-year-old woman on 2 December 2016
7. Sexual assault (contrary to section 3 Sexual Offences Act 2003);
8. Battery with intent to commit a sexual offence (contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 62 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003). sentenced to 2.5 yrs to run concurrent
Both against a 29-year-old woman on 2 December 2016
Hussain was sentenced to 11 years for counts 1,2 and 4; two years for count 3 - sentences for counts 1-4 are concurrent; two years for count 5; no separated penalty for count 6; one year for count 7; and two and a half years for count 8 - sentences for counts 7 & 8 are concurrent.
All con current sentences are to run consecutively - 15 and a half years - reduced to 12 years (with a minimum of eioght) for guilty plea, with an extended license of six years on release.
Hussain was ordered to be on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and is subject to a an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order preventing him from working or posing as a taxi, minicab or other driver, and preventing him from being alone in a private vehicle with a lone female (other than a family member) or unless the lone female has been notified of his conviction.
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Photo Red Anad
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