TfL Admit They've Only Contacted 2,621 Out Of The 13,000 Uber Drivers With Fake DBS certificates.

In a reply made to an FOI TfL have admitted that they haven't bothered to contact all the 13,000 Uber drivers thought to have fake DBS certificates. 

They have admitted that they have written to just 2,621 private hire drivers, plus they have also written to 852 applicants applying for new Private Hire license, saying that they will need to obtain a new enhanced DBS check through GB group.

There has been no mention of any revocations, or suspensions while this process is ongoing. 

So much for Helen Chapman's claim that all 13,000 drivers would be given 28 days to reapply for enhanced certificates.

Now 56 days later, we find that TFL's promised action, hasn't been completed successfully. 

Also, we mustn't forget that TfL knew about the dodgy DBS certificates as long ago as January, yet decided to do nothing until after the issue was passed to the Sunday Times by a team from the London Cab Drivers Club.

In the FOI request, TfL were asked:

And they replied 

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MAYOR’S EARLY CLEAN AIR ANNOUNCEMENT, COULD HAVE DEVASTATING AFFECT ON LONDON’S SUPPLY CHAIN, SAYS FTA.

             LONDON'S OPEN ??? BUT THE SHOPS COULD BE EMPTY !!!

The Freight Transport Association (FTA), the UK’s largest membership association in the freight and logistics sector, has reacted with concern to last week’s announcement by the Mayor of London of the introduction of the capital’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), 17 months earlier than originally intended. 

According to FTA, the short timeframe to its introduction will leave operators with vehicles they cannot use, with massively reduced or no residual value for resale.

FTA’s Head of Policy for London, Natalie Chapman said: “We are all in favour of taking every step possible to clean up London’s air, but the Mayor of London has failed to take into account the time needed for businesses to comply with these new regulations, without incurring significant costs that could put real strain on overheads and business security. 

For HGV operators, there is also a distinct lack of clarity over which vehicles will comply with the new Direct Vision Standard, due to come into effect in 2020, which is holding back fleet replacement planning.

“In addition, by April 2019 there will only be two and a half years’ production of vans available for operators to purchase, with little or no compliant second-hand market which will put pressure on operators already working to fragile margins. 

Residents based within the ULEZ have been given a period of tolerance, and we would ask for the same consideration to be given to the freight operators who keep London’s businesses and consumers supplied and working.”

The ULEZ, to be introduced in April 2019, will require vehicle operators to pay a daily charge in addition to the Congestion Charge, if their vehicles do not meet emissions standards. The Mayor of London’s office has also announced that it will be consulting on extending the zone, widening to the North and South Circular Roads for light vehicles, and London-wide for heavy vehicles, including lorries, coaches and buses.

“This announcement fails to take into consideration the huge strides the freight industry has taken in meeting new emissions standards,” Ms Chapman continues. “London’s businesses and homes will still need to be supplied with products every day, if the city is to continue to trade efficiently in increasingly difficult economic circumstances, yet there is no allowance made for the freight operators that supply them. 

This is simply a tax on freight, which will have repercussions for business profitability and longevity across the capital at a time when we believe the sector deserves support to continue its efforts to achieve ever cleaner air for the city.” 

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TfL Double Crossed Over Oxford Street Consultations And Public Surveys.

Anyone read through the TFL's latest consultation?

It says "Other than Taxis, the only other vehicles that currently use Oxford Street are buses"

Do these people at TfL ever leave their warm offices and go out and check?

Do they not know the signage along Oxford Street was removed, switched off and not policed?

Dubious Consultation Policy:

In a previous consultation:

66% of local residents were opposed to this change

76% of local businesses also opposed this.

So they at going ahead with it anyway next year.

Did TfL acquire this 'it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission' attitude from their dealings with toxic Minicab Firm Uber???

In their on street survey, with 11,953 responses to the proposals from members of the public that regularly visit the street, they say '43 per cent saying they supported the transformation'. 

This would indicate that 57% of the general public were against!!!

In any board room, a vote of 57% against would see a plan vetoed. 

What's the point of taking a survey, or completing a TfL consultation, they don't take any notice of the results.

Where are the orgs on this....I supposed it's another done deal !!!

With the area we are allowed to ply our trade in being taken away from us one street at a time and after joining the New United Trade Group, our more militant orgs appear to have become benign. Saying they no longer want to be outside the tent pissing in, they want to be on the inside pissing out.

No more Churchillian speeches, they now leave the tent covered in piss. 

Seems We Were Right All Along About Buses!

TfL say they are reducing the number of bus routes to two....is this an admission that the area has been saturating with an excessive amount of unused, empty and unnecessary buses for years, causing massive congestion, pumping out pollution ...... Who was responsible for this?

In another slap in the face to local residents and businesses, they will be moving the congestion and pollution to surrounding streets.

The plans are intended (note they say intended) to address air quality concerns (much of which they've created!), the high frequency of collisions - around 60 a year (we take it they mean buses mowing down pedestrians, as well as cyclists ploughing into shoppers), severe overcrowding during the busiest parts of the day (presently caused by the massive road works and the over saturation of private hire vehicles, currently running at around 125,000).

 

The original intention of having just busses and taxis using Oxford Street dissipated at a rate of knots extremely early on when the scheme was first introduced. 

Here is the most significant factor and the reason they are ignoring the previous consultation!

The introduction of the Elizabeth Line is expected to significantly increase visitor numbers in the area, according to 'Transport for London'.

If their observation that only busses and Taxis currently use Oxford street is anything to go by, then this new projection is surely questionable!!!

However, having spent 17 billion on a new tube line, they now want to encourage people to use it. 

So they are about to created gridlock in the surrounding areas and make it as hard as possible to get to Europe's busiest shopping street other than on the new tube line.

Ironically the construction of the Elizabeth line, is another constituent of today's congestion around the West End. 

Three things that seem to fit together very nicely; 

Irony, Hypocracy and Transport For London.

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MetroCab Join The Market For London's New Generation Of Taxi Cab. But What About Driver Health Issues?

After their appeal was upheld by the court against Geely, MetroCab are back in the running to supply the next generation of Taxis for London. 

MetroCab is an electric vehicle with an internal combustion engine (range extender) powering a matched generator, charging the battery pack, also providing energy directly to the electric motors.

Although Metrocab is fully self-charging while in normal operation, a Portable Electric Vehicle Supply Extension (EVSE) is also available for ‘home’ charging from a domestic mains socket.

A ‘Digital Differential’ replaces the mechanical differential and eliminates the mechanical losses associated with conventional internal combustion and hybrid drive trains, giving improved motor control, traction and performance - with zero maintenance.

http://metrocab.com/#FB

Hybrid & Electric Cars: Electromagnetic Radiation Risks

However will still haven’t had any comprehensive report from the manufacturers, TfL or the Mayor, to put our minds at rest over driver health issues, in regards to radiation emissions from the electro magnetic field produced by the bank of lithium batteries that power electric vehicles. 

Hybrid and electric cars may be cancer-causing as they emit extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or magnetic fields. Recent studies of the levels of EMR emitted by these automobiles have claimed either that they pose a cancer risk for the vehicles' occupants or they are safe. 

Unfortunately, the little research conducted on this issue has been industry-funded by companies with vested interests on one side of the issue or the other which makes it difficult to know which studies are trustworthy. 

Meanwhile, numerous peer-reviewed laboratory studies conducted over several decades have found biologic effects from very limited exposures to ELF EMR. These studies suggest that the EMR guidelines established by the self-appointed, International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are inadequate to protect our health. Thus, even if EMR measurements do not exceed the ICNIRP guidelines, occupants of hybrid and electric automobiles may be at increased risk for cancer and other health problems.

Given that magnetic fields have been considered "possibly carcinogenic" in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization since 2001, the precautionary principle dictates that we should design consumer products to minimize consumers’ exposure to ELF EMR. This especially applies to hybrid and electric automobiles as drivers and passengers spend considerable amounts of time in these vehicles and health risks increase with the duration of exposure.

In January, 2014, SINTEF, the largest independent research organization in Scandinavia, proposed manufacturing design guidelines that could reduce the magnetic fields in electric vehicles (see below).  All automobile manufacturers should follow these guidelines to ensure their customers' safety.  

The public should demand that governments adequately fund high-quality research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation that is independent of industry to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest. In the U.S., a major national research and education initiative could be funded with as little as a 5 cents a month fee on mobile phone subscribers.

Following are summaries and links to several studies and news articles on this topic. 

Note that many experts believe the ICNIRP guidelines for maximum general public exposure to electromagnetic fields do not adequately protect the public from health risks

Statement from MetroCab, Wednesday 1st November  

Green light for production of world leading tech in Metrocab following case dismissal  Bid to block production of the Zero-Emissions Capable Metrocab, designed & manufactured in the UK, fails again after original High Court decision is upheld  Ecotive’s Metrocab is now in a position to bring their tried and tested world-leading British innovation into production following the Court of Appeal decision to uphold the original verdict made in 2016. 

Mr Justice Arnold, from the London High Court, dismissed the case, in January 2016 which claimed the design of Metrocab copied the shape of “iconic” polluting diesel black cabs on the road. 

The judge concluded that there was little similarity between the new Metrocab and conventional TX4 and earlier TX model taxis made by London Electric Vehicle Company (formerly London Taxi Company), owned by the Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely. 

The Court of Appeal upheld Mr Justice Arnold judgment in full, determining that the London Taxi Company trademarks should never have been registered because they were not inherently distinctive and rejecting the passing off claim. 

The Metrocab electric vehicle, which will be manufactured in Coventry, will help improve air quality by tackling emissions of diesel fumes, allowing cities like London to meet international air quality standards.  

The Metrocab became London’s first licensed zero-emissions capable taxi in 2014 and took part in a two-year Trial in London, covering hundreds of thousands of miles with 75% zero-emissions operation, substantially enhancing air quality, reducing emissions, and delivering significant fuel savings to drivers. 

The Metrocab is fully ready for the introduction of London’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone and in 2014 introduced a host of new features never before seen on a London taxi, including all-LED lighting; 

the London taxi market’s first panoramic glass roof for the passengers; 

USB charging; and zero-emissions capable operation. 

Following the success of the trial, Metrocab can proceed with production which will bring enormous environmental benefits to London.  

Speaking on behalf of Metrocab, a spokesman said: “Metrocab are delighted that the Court of Appeal have upheld Mr Justice Arnold’s original decision. 

It is a great pity that unnecessary time has been wasted on a false accusation, especially when we could have been contributing to the improvement of air quality for Londoners, with our innovative and game-changing technology.

 We have continued to trial, improve and develop our technology over the last three years with taxi drivers in active service and are extremely proud of our decision to design and develop the entirety of the Metrocab here in the UK. 

We are looking forward to getting production up and running in Coventry following the court’s decision.”   

The Court of Appeal awarded the following terms for the order: 

 The Appellant is refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court  

 The stay of paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Order of the Honourable Mr Justice Arnold dated Tuesday 9th February 2016, which stay was continued by Order of this Court date 7th February 

2017, is extended until disposal of the said appeal to the Supreme Court/disposal of the Appellant’s application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court;

  The Appellant shall pay the Respondents’ costs of and occasioned by the said appeal, to be assessed by way of detailed assessment if not agreed; and 

  The Appellant is to pay to the Respondents the sum of £125,000 on account of costs such sum to be paid within 14 days. 

For further information please contact:  Newgate Communications 020 7680 6550 

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT : 

Let's just remind ourselves that the Cornish Tin Mines were closed down decades ago because of the risk to miners health, as lithium is to be found next to the Tin. 

Believe it or not, they are actually considering reopening the mines again to harvest he lithium, using miners wearing lead lined spacesuits.

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Denying Cabs Access To Bank Junction, Is An attack on our jobs.

Denying Cabs part of TFL's transport infrastructure access to Bank Junction, is an attack on our jobs. 

Please complete this simple survey.

Click this link below to take survey:

http://ift.tt/2xYjzPf

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What Is It That Mayor Khan Has Been Telling The World.... London’s Open !!! Lol...

Westminster
From 12:00 until 16:30 on Saturday 4 November, there will be closures between Mayfair and Parliament Square including Grosvenor Square, Oxford Street, New Bond Street, Old Bond Street, Piccadilly, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square and approaches, and Whitehall. This is for a march.

Westminster
From 11:45 until 23:59 on Sunday 5 November, there may be closures in the Central London area including roads within St James's Park, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. Further road closures in the vicinity may also be in place. This is due to a demonstration.

Wembley
From 09:00 until 16:00 on Saturday 4 November, roads around the stadium will be busier than usual, including A406, Harrow Road and Wembley High Road. This is due to an event.

Oxford Street
On Tuesday 7 November, between 00:01 and 23:00, there will be phased road closures on Oxford Street. This is due to an event.

Central London
From 08:00 until 18:30 on Saturday 4 November, Regent Street will be closed between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus. This is due to an event

Central London
Until 05:00 on 3 November Tower Bridge will be closed in both directions to enable overnight maintenance work. There will be lane closures from Monday 6 until Friday 10 November, between 22:00 and 05:00. 

Source : TfL 

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Private Hire Driver Jailed After Sexual Assaults On 4 Female Passengers

A private hire driver who groped four female passengers in three incidents over a four year period has been jailed for 24 months.

Hussain Rahman, who is said to be religious with a ‘deep faith’, abused his position as a Minicab driver to prey on drunk women as he drove them home in his car at night.

And on the final occasion the 51-year-old picked on a woman who was not drunk, making obscene, suggestive, comments to her as he stroked her leg.

Rahman, of Lansbury Drive, Upper Stratton, pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault but was convicted by a jury following a trial at Swindon Crown Court.

He first targeted one of his fares after picking up three friends who had been out on the town in November 2012.

The 18-year-old victim, who he had seen being sick, got in the front while her two drunken pals were arguing in the back, leaving them unaware of what he was up to.

Rahman put his hand on her chest, squeezing her breast over her clothing, leaving the teenager traumatised for years.

Just over two years later, in January 2015, he was driving two women home after they had also been drinking heavily, one so much so that she could recall nothing.

The defendant put his hand inside her trousers and touched her friend’s breast under her clothing as the victims were trapped in the cab.

His final victim, who has worked in the past as a carer, was picked up in the early hours of Saturday August 6 last year from a friend’s house.

Soon after pulling away he said ‘You need a man with a big penis’ as he rubbed her thigh close to her groin area.

The woman, who had only had a couple of beers, said she was repeatedly pushing him away and would have told him to stop the car and let her out were it not the early hours of the morning.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said all four of the women had suffered as a result of the ordeals they had been put through.

Referring to their victim personal statements he said one told how she could not use public transport, let alone Minicabs, as a result of her ordeal.

Another said she had been a victim of a sex attack in the past and feared he was going to be taken away and raped.

A third spoke of how she was horrified to have been accused by him of being racist and damaging his car, when in reality she was the victim.

James Tucker, defending, said that his client had been regarded as a low risk of reoffending and would never be able to work as a private hire driver again.

Although the case passed the custody threshold he urged any jail term to be suspended saying he has diabetes and had done a good job raising his family.

Jailing him for two years Judge Robert Pawson said “You are now 51 years old. You are a religious man with a strong faith.

“Over the course of four years or so when you were working as a Minicab driver, you used your position and the vulnerability of drunk women out late at night to sexually assault them.

“You as a Minicab driver driving members of the public around at night are in a relationship, an ad hoc relationship it may be, of trust to your fares whether there is one of them, two of them or three of them: but particularly when one.

“I have considered you case very, very, carefully but it seems to me given all the circumstances it would be quite wrong of me to suspend the sentence.”

As a result of the two year jail term he will have to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

Source : Swindon Advertiser. 

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT : 

It appears there has been a misprint in the recent copy of the LTDA's Taxi paper, in regards to the next LTDA branch meeting. 

The meeting will take place at the Horse Shoe, 24 Clerkenwell Close, EC1R OAG at 7pm on the 8th November. 

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