TfL Have Lost Control... Should They Be Replace As Regulatory Body....Plus, Taxi Leaks Poll Results

Taxify have now been allowed by TfL to transfer an operators Licence in the face of legislation laid down by parliamentary act. 

They have also been allowed to ply for immediate hire using an app, under a name which also is against the PHV act 1998 and which has seen a number of TfLTPH notifications. 

TfL have shown that they are toothless an as a consequence, technology disrupters will walk all over the Taxi and Private Hire industries. 

If our regulators can't regulate, then they need to be replaced by an appointed body that can.

Transport for London London Taxi and Private Hire

Advertising - Private Hire Services

Despite repeated reminders and clear guidance and advice issued by Transport for London (TfL) we continue to receive a high level of complaints, information and evidence showing that some licensed London private hire operators continue to advertise their services using words ‘taxi’ or ‘cab’.

TfL will always take appropriate action against those licensed operators who commit such an offence but such activity is very time consuming, is not a cost effective use of our resources and has a direct adverse impact on the private hire licence fee.

Operators are therefore reminded that they are not permitted under any circumstances to use the terms ‘cab(s)’, ‘taxi(s)’ or any words closely resembling these terms in advertisements and that they must comply with section 31 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998.

Failure to do so can result in the revocation of your operator license and / or legal action.

I thank you for your co-operation with this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries regarding the above.

John Mason

7 September 2010 Director, Taxi and Private Hire

For previous notices visit tfl.gov.uk/tph

Again we would like to inform all operators that the advertising of their services in this manner is clearly not permitted under the conditions set out in section 31 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998.

This section clearly states that no private hire advertising can use the words ‘taxi’, ‘taxis’, ‘cab’ or ‘cabs’, or words closely resembling any of those words, and that any person who contravenes this is guilty of an offence.

Result of Taxi Leaks Twitter Poll

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Has Taxify Put TfL Between A Rock And A Hard Place ???

Between Scylla and Charybdis... 

By Lee Ward

That’s where Transport for London find themselves now Taxify has ‘launched’ in the Capital.

You see, Taxify are using the argument against Uber being illegal while promoting their own illegal activity, yes, I know, you couldn’t make this up could you.

This, puts TfL into a place that they were dreading to be put, because now another investor backed company is in the frame and these are putting a different spin on the debate.

Yes, we know the word Taxi cannot be used for Private Hire advertising, but to be honest, that argument is a no brainer and simply detracts from the rest of what is going on.

Let’s take a close look at the advert that Taxify have sent out first;

They are admitting here that they are not an operator, and that each driver must have their own Operators License, or be registered to work under the Operator’s License previously owned by City Drive Services.

Now I say previously owned because an Operator’s License is not transferable and Taxify have stated that they have a shortcut to operate in London by acquiring City Drive Services.

Shortcut, any self-respecting Taxi or Private Hire driver in the UK, if not the world, hates to hear that any company has taken a shortcut. A shortcut is what we drivers do to avoid traffic and assist the public, it’s not what companies should do to avoid legislation and assist illegal activity.

Illegal activity, from a company that has had plenty of money invested in it? 

Surely not!

Well, yes. Look again at the Taxify advert above, it clearly states that in its current form it is a Technology Company that ‘connects’ rider’s, oops, I mean the public with partners…oops again, I mean drivers. But I am sure you can see why I keep making that mistake, can’t you?

To remind Taxify of the regulations that they bypassed while buying City Drive, it states at the introduction of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 that;

(b)“operator” means a person who makes provision for the invitation or acceptance of, or who accepts, private hire bookings[F3; and

(c)operate”, in relation to a private hire vehicle, means to make provision for the invitation or acceptance of, or to accept, private hire bookings in relation to the vehicle.]

Therefore, Mr Villig, unlike the rest of the cities that you operate, London requires you to be a licensed Operator to enable you to ‘invite’ or ‘accept’ a booking. 

And before you say that you are only passing on this information to Taxify, oops, here I go again, City Drive, you must also be a Licensed Operator for them to be able to accept from you, honest, you do, it says so here.

(4)In this Act “private hire booking” means a booking for the hire of a private hire vehicle for the purpose of carrying one or more passengers (including a booking to carry out as sub-contractor a private hire booking accepted by another operator).

I Know it's that pesky legislation, but this is where the Scylla and Charybdis comes in you see, because is this not what Uber do also?

An Uber company, for ease of explanation we will call them Uber California, gives everyone a free App that allows them to request a driver to collect them, but the booking goes through the Licensed Operator which is Uber London Limited. We all know that it is back filled after the driver accepts, let’s be honest here, TfL know this too and do everything but admit it.

So, if they [TfL] allow Taxify to operate then they will be breaking the legislation by a company using the word Taxi in its name, and the fact that the same company is not a licensed Operator to invite bookings.

But that then means that Uber California are doing the same as Taxify and inviting bookings while not licensed to Operate. 

Now they can’t go back on that argument can they, unless new evidence came to light of course, like the evidence that has been there for 5 years but ignored and not acted upon.

Well, what do you guys think, is a company that calls itself a Technology Company breaking the legislation by inviting someone to request a Private Hire Vehicle through an App?

Can an unlicensed Operator give a Licensed Operator a booking request?

Can TfL get out of this one?

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Brave Builder From Harrow, Tackles Armed Moped Thug.

Brave builder, 24, tackles a moped thug to the ground after bikers armed with crowbars, tried to rob an elderly couple, before handing him to the police.

The builder says he is happy that the couple are OK and that he did what anyone would have done.

Alan Bujar 24, was on site when he saw bikers with crowbars trying to rod a couple in their 80s

He grabbed a shovel and hit one of the helmet-wearing pair twice.

Alan floored the man and clung to him until cops arrived in Mitcham, South West London, on Saturday.

The other rider fled.

Alan said yesterday: “I was doing my job when I saw these guys attacking this Asian couple.

“The two had crowbars and were hitting the man and trying to snatch the jewellery the woman was wearing. She and her husband were screaming and shouting for help, so I just went in. If you see anyone in trouble then you should help out.

“I hit one with a shovel a couple of times and I think he must have been shocked. The guy who was with him escaped on the scooter so I threw myself on the other one.”

The Romanian-born labourer, of Harrow, North West London, added: ''It was only later that I thought they could have had acid or knives and that made me shiver. 

I did what anyone would have done. 

I’m just glad the couple are OK.”

Delon Reason, 30, is due before Camberwell Green JPs Monday accused of attempted robbery, assault by beating and possession of an offensive weapon.

Source : The Sun 

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Japan's Degrading Electric Taxis Falling Out Of Favor With Taxi Drivers

Six years ago,  in February 2011, the city of Osaka introduced a fleet of fifty Nissan Leaf taxis. The deal was a cooperative arrangement between Nissan, 30 taxi firms, and the government--each was being subsidized to the tune of 1,780,000 Yen--over $21,000 at the time.

The car's would clean up Japan's clogged streets, an improvement on the ubiquitous, square-jawed Toyota Crown taxis used throughout Japanese cities.

Like many countries, the incumbent taxis are often chosen for their reliability and simplicity, rather than their comfort or driving characteristics. That's why New York is full of hardy Crown Vics, London's streets are crowded with diesel black cabs, and Mexico only recently relinquished the ubiquitous VW Bug.

Would an electric Nissan really feel like the future to the average taxi driver.

Turning tide?

However, major problems begun to emerge.

The first came in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, following 2011's earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

As we reported at the time, many people were worried that electric cars would be giving off the wrong image--conspicuous consumption of electricity at a time when power was in high demand and very short supply. Electricity is no longer seen as the "clean, safe" option it once was.

There are other issues too--the cars themselves.

While reliable, comfortable and smooth as ever, high-mileage drivers are finding degredation of the battery packs to be an issue.

Where a 60-mile range was once common in regular use, some are finding that cut to as low as 30 miles--and to save energy as much as possible, some drivers are shunning the car's heater in favor of chemical pocket warmers, and even blankets.

Degredation of the battery pack has also had an effect on the battery's ability to take a quick charge. A 15-minute charge has turned into a 40-minute one for many drivers. They can't travel as far, and they can't spend as much time on the road--and it's ruining business, for some. Customers requesting longer trips are even being turned down.

There's no get-out for the drivers, either. To qualify for the government's subsidy, the electric cars must be run for a minimum of three years. That's a year too long for some--“I’m getting out of this business,” said one driver, “This is no way to earn a living.”

Perspective

Osaka's electric taxi drivers aren't facing unheard-of problems, but nor can their experiences be considered the norm--either for electric car owners, or electric taxi drivers.

Climate, driving routes and charging habits all make a difference to how well a car lasts, and the life of a taxi is never an easy one.

The main issue for Leaf batteries is still excessive heat, rather than cold (though cold climates do reduce the car's range). And as a recent survey showed, frequency of quick charging seems to have little bearing on a battery's life or health.

What it does suggest is that in some localities, electric vehicles aren't yet ready for heavy-duty tasks like taxi work.

While that's no consolation to the drivers losing business through degrading vehicles, progress can only be made by analysing these kind of trials--and it'll make electric taxis of the future much better suited to the task at hand. 

But at present the technology isn't there for electric vehicle Taxi use and the once thriving Taxi trade in Osaka has been devastated to the point of collapse. 

A question to ask Sadiq Khan:

If electric transport is the answer to cleaner sir quality, why are London's hybrid buses running around on just diesel ? 

Source: https://is.gd/A1Iikw

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Charge Rage Fears Of Electric Car Drivers Battling With Electric Taxi Drivers For Insufficient Charging Points

London could face “charge rage” as drivers of electric cars struggle to find charging points, it was claimed today.

A report by City Hall Tories reveals a potential dramatic shortage of charging points — with just one available for every 15 cars by 2031.

A Tory spokesman said: “Drivers in London could face bouts of ‘charge rage’ if the predicted demand for electric car charging points is not met. 

Drivers in the US have already been involved in heated disputes as they compete over a shortage of points.”

The same could happen here, with Department for Transport figures predicting electric car sales rising by 172 per cent every five years.

The report, Clearing The Air,  urges Mayor Sadiq Khan to invest £30 million in rapid-charging points  which can provide an 80 per cent top-up in 30 minutes.

Under current plans TfL intends to install just 300 rapid charging points by 2020. Many current points take up to eight hours for a vehicle to be fully charged.

The report also says the mayor should scrap plans to expand the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone, and drop the £10-a-time extra Toxicity Charge in the central zone from next  month for vehicles that fail to meet emission standards

Source : Standard News 

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Press Release : Met Police To Trial Hydrogen Power Scooter To Reduce Harmful Emissions.

The Metropolitan Police Service is helping reduce harmful emissions in London’s air by launching a trial to test hydrogen powered scooters.

In line with the Mayor of London’s work to tackle London’s toxic air, the Met’s Fleet Services will, from Monday, 4 September, trial seven Suzuki 'Burgman Fuel Cell', zero emission hydrogen scooters as part of our operational capability.

The trial will last for 18 months and will enable us to assess their suitability for the various roles the scooters could perform. On a broader scale, it will help us to understand where this clean technology could be adopted across the fleet in the future. 

The hydrogen fuel cell scooters will be used by Police Community Support Officers within the Roads and Transport Policing Command and will be based at Alperton Deployment Centre. 

The trial is being run at no cost to the Met, with the loan of the vehicles from Suzuki Motor Corporation. The maintenance and fuel costs will be met by a collaborative project which is being part-funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). Lead partner of this project is the British fuel cell technology company Intelligent Energy in association with Suzuki GB and Cenex.

Commander Neil Jerome, for Territorial Policing, said: “Being the UK’s largest police service we constantly have vehicles on the roads and therefore it is our aim to make our fleet as clean as we can, whilst maintaining operational capability. 

“We are thankful to Suzuki and our partners and look forward with optimism about this innovative and groundbreaking trial. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative testing such as this, we can gain real-life experience of how we can progress our ambition and create a cleaner fleet that will benefit London and the service we provide.”

Suzuki GB Managing Director, Nobuo Suyama, expressed his gratitude to the fleet trial partners, saying: “Suzuki are extremely honoured to be able to showcase the Burgman Fuel Cell and gain valuable feedback from this important trial with the Met. 

“Operational data from the trial will be gathered and used to support Suzuki zero emission vehicle development programmes.

“Deploying these vehicles into service with the Met marks a significant milestone in the extensive development of this ground-breaking technology. Being able to release the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell to the Met has only been made possible by the support of a number of technology partners; including Intelligent Energy Ltd, with whom Suzuki has jointly developed the Fuel Cell unit for the scooter.”

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It Gets Much Worse...TfLTPH Knew About The Fake DBS Certificates As Long Ago As January, But Did Nothing.

How do these people sleep at night?

knowing that their decision not to suspend the licenses of 13,000 plus PH drivers with fake DBS criminal record checks, last January, just over 7 months ago, could have resulted in as many as 30 young lives being shattered at the hands of rapists. 

We knew there had been fake DBS results, we were told after the news broke in the national press that the drivers with suspect DBS results would be given another 28 days grace to resubmit genuine DBS results. 

But why have these drivers not had their TfL licence suspended already?

TfL would never had stood for Licensed Taxi drivers using a third party that changed results at will. 

They won't even issue temporary relicenses to driver caught up in delays. Many Taxi drivers have been thrown out of work because of TfL incompetence. 

And yet 13,000 PH drivers have been driving around, putting the public at risk for the past 7 months....and if this hadn't been publicised in the national press, this would have gone un-dealt with for 3 years until all suspect licenses were renewed. 

When asked by ex UCG chairman Len Martin, if a driver stuck at stage 4 of the renewal process could be issued a temporary licence, Helen Chapman said: "I couldn't live with myself if anyone had came to harm because I issued a license without being sure the driver was fit and proper".

Helen Chapman stated many times that all PH drivers are subjected to the same enhanced background checks as Taxi drivers. 

Yet she knew as long ago as January this year that some PH drivers were using a company that was producing fake DBS results. 

She even issued a statement telling the trade on the 23rd of January that TfL had stopped accepting certificates processed by third parties. But then did nothing about it.

By doing nothing about drivers using a suspect company, TfLTPH have become complicit in allowing the public to be put in grave danger from sexual predators. 

Brown, Daniels, Blake and Chapman,

are not fit to carry out the responsibility of protecting the public as regulators or arbiters and should be replaced as soon as possible. 

Let's hope that the victims of any rape that occurred as a direct result of a fake DBS check, take these people to court, for knowingly putting them at risk.

We've been informed by the LCDC that Mke Brown will be meeting Taxi Trade orgs on Wednesday to discuss this issue, but to be honest, this should be on th agenda for the first thing this morning, as any delay could see more rapist victims with shattered lives.

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