Are London Cabbies Sowing The Seeds Of Their Own Obsolescence ?

Article below from the Auto Express paper suggests that Black Cabs on eHailing apps such as Gett and MyTaxi, will be the architects of their own demise.

• Will you allow them to fit the kit in your cab???

• Will you allow them to make you part of this experiment ???

• Perhaps they won't tell you what they intend to do!!!

Virtual maps created by London taxis will pave way for future self-driving cars on the streets of the Capital.

London cabbies will soon be taking to the capital’s streets with state-of-the-art data-logging systems, creating a dynamic and high-definition virtual map for future autonomous vehicles.

The announcement comes following a series of agreements between tech and ride-hailing companies as well as government authorities, and will see around 500 black cabs in London kitted out with mapping equipment.

By using cutting-edge advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) fitted to London taxis, a network of “high definition crowd sourced maps” will be created, detailing streets and key infrastructure in the capital for autonomous cars to use, while also helping London itself become ‘autonomous ready’.

The mapping hardware and software, developed by Intel-owned tech company Mobileye, can be fitted to any vehicle, and comprises a single windscreen-mounted camera. As well as building up a dynamic data picture of city streets, the company’s equipment could bring extra safety features, thanks to its collision prevention features.

The project, due to start in early 2019, will also see Uber drivers in New York and cabbies in Düsseldorf help shape the self-driving future while, in the US, up to 2,000 trucks are expected to be kitted out with the necessary equipment.

Is this a case of London cabbies sowing the seeds of their own obsolescence ?

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How Come Our Orgs Aren't Demanding Uber's Full Suspension Under Section 26 (2), PHV Act 1998

What exactly have our trade orgs and unions been doing ?

They seem to have accepted that Uber have the right, under the act of 1998 to carry on regardless!

Have they (the orgs and Unions) not read the act?

Where are these fantastic lawyers we've been promised ? 

What is their very expensive opinion?

It doesn't take a genius to read through the act, and find section 26 (2).

Let me lay it up for you, section 26 org the act reads:

 Effect of appeal on decision appealed against.

(1)If any decision of the [F1licensing authority] against which a right of appeal is conferred by this Act—

(a)involves the execution of any work or the taking of any action;

(b)makes it unlawful for any person to carry on a business which he was lawfully carrying on at the time of the decision,

the decision shall not take effect until the time for appealing has expired or (where an appeal is brought) until the appeal is disposed of or withdrawn.

This is what we've been led to believe is the legislation laid down by the act and we've been told there's nothing we can do.....but there is a caveat.... It's in subsection (2).

Effect of appeal on decision appealed against.

(2)This section does not apply in relation to a decision to suspend, vary or revoke a licence if the notice of suspension, variation or revocation directs that, in the interests of public safety, the decision is to have immediate effect.

IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Isn't this the reason TfL have given for not renewing Uber's operating licence....or are we not being told the full story here?

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Taxi Drivers To Sky Dive With Red Devils, In Aid Of The Taxi Charity For Military Veterans.

On 26 July 2018, 'Team Be Lucky', made up of four London cabbies, a war veteran and a Taxi Charity committee member, will be undertaking tandem skydives with the Red Devils to raise much needed funds for the Taxi Charity.

In aid of TAXI CHARITY FOR MILITARY VETERANS

Team Be Lucky to skydive for the Taxi Charity

On 26 July 2018, Team Be Lucky, made up of four London cabbies, a war veteran and a Taxi Charity committee member, will be undertaking tandem skydives with the Red Devils to raise much needed funds for the Taxi Charity.

Team Be Lucky is made up of cabbies Michael Calvey, Dean Euesden, Jon Southcott and Brian Heffernan; veteran of the Korean War, Bill Parr; and Taxi Charity committee member and vice president, Frances Wyhowska.

Donated Total raised so far

£100.00

Target total:

£3,000.00

If you would like to sponsor 'Team Be Lucky' by making a donation, please click on the link below:

http://ift.tt/2mjF88a

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Lewis Norton Branch Secretary of RMT London Taxi Branch has resigned tonight:

*RMT London Taxi Drivers 0930 Branch*

Notice of resignation:

Unfortunately due to 

both personal & professional reasons I have decided to stand down from the post of branch secretary. 

This has been a very difficult decsion to make but one I believe that is right for me. 

Please may I take this opportunity to thank you all for the support and for giving me the opportunity to represent the RMT within the licensed taxi trade. 

An election will be held on;

*Tuesday 13th February*

*7 - 9pm*

*Savoy Tup*

*2 Savoy St, WC2R 0BA*

For nominations please email assistant branch Secretary Andy Nicholls;

vitoandy1@yahoo.co.uk

Please copy in regional organiser John Leach

j.leach@rmt.org.uk 

In Solidarity 

Lewis Norton

Branch Secretary 

RMT London Taxi Drivers

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Ubers Defence Lawyer Quits As ‘24-hour London’ Commissioner

A lawyer appointed by Sadiq Khan to help save London’s 24-hour economy has stepped down, accusing City Hall of failing to deliver on its promises.

Philip Kolvin QC, a licensing specialist credited with saving Fabric nightclub, claimed the Mayor’s team had not given his Night Time Commission the independence it required.

He also said City Hall had failed to publicise the body’s work or provide sufficient administrative support. In a letter to members of the commission seen by the Standard, Mr Kolvin said that as a result he had “no option” but to leave the role. His contract ended this week but he has decided not to carry on.

Mr Kolvin’s departure will come as a blow to the Mayor, who appointed him just over a year ago to help deliver his vision of a 24-hour London. City Hall said the work of the commission would carry on. The post was created after the Mayor’s night czar, Amy Lamé, was criticised for her lack of business experience.

The commission was tasked with consulting Londoners on how to make the capital better for all at night. It was supposed to report back later this year with recommendations.

Mr Kolvin, an expert on licensing — including for nightclubs and sex shops — was paid £17,500 for his 65 day-a-year role. He is respected by industry insiders and licensing authorities, and played a key role in securing a deal between Fabric and Islington council to regain its licence and reopen, with new conditions to keep clubbers safe.

In his letter, he said that originally City Hall had agreed the commission’s independence was “fundamental”, but “sadly” no longer appeared to do so.

“I regret that I cannot allow my professional independence to be compromised. Nor can I serve on a commission which lacks independence,” he said.

Administrative support from City Hall had been “found wanting” and it “remains unclear” whether the mayoralty would meet reasonable requests in future, which would “frustrate” the body’s progress. “Minimal” work had been done on building public awareness, which was key to the commission’s success, and he had “insufficient assurance” this would change. 

He concluded: “I have also offered my services for free to take the project forward, if only these issues can be resolved. Sadly, they have not. In these circumstances, I have no option but to permit my contract to expire.”

Westminster council leader Nickie Aiken said: “If the Mayor and GLA are going to meet their promise of growing a vibrant but responsible night-time economy they must rethink this whole project and reinstate Philip.”

Tory London Assembly member Susan Hall said: “Sadiq Khan has been more interested in gimmicks and cheap headlines than in genuinely delivering an improvement for Londoners.”

City Hall said: “Philip Kolvin QC was appointed chair of the Night Time Commission on a 12-month contract. Over the past year the commission has made great progress under Philip’s leadership. The important work of the commission will continue and a new chair will be appointed in due course.”

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT

It hasn’t gone unnoticed that Mr Kolvin has spent quite a bit of time defending Uber on licensing hearings and also defending their drivers from prosecution. 

Perhaps it was better for him to stand down as he obviously has a conflict of interest after being in the employ of Uber. 

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Lenny Etheridge, In Reply To Taxi Leaks Post On Uber Credit Cars Fraud

Why is fraud being dealt with by Uber and not the Met Police  or UKSFO?

If someone is being charged for a journey on a different continent, why are Uber not informing the police?

Why are the police not dealing with this?

Is it because the card fraud crime figures would go through the roof?

Have the Met police been told not to get involved by Number 10 or the Mayor of London, to keep these embarrassing escalating crime stats down?

If this were any company other than Uber, they would be investigated.

Uber have form for keeping criminal offences secret from the police....are they doing again?

Make no mistake, credit card fraud is a crime

If you have been the victim of fraud, don't allow the instigator to deal with it, inform the proper authorities.

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It's a crime every time a card is cloned, or used fraudulently.

But Barclays won’t be investigating this, they don't want you reporting it either.

Because Uber are their partners.

The banks as a whole don't want you knowing how easy it is to steal your money, because banks are meant to be safe.

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Uber Are Complaining Pam's PSA Advertisement Is Continuing To Mislead.

They went on to say Uber has a responsibility to contribute to safety, help fight tough issues and mitigate any incidents. That's why we focus on safety before, during, and after every ride through technology and stand with top organizations in the fight against harassment and assault of women.

Unfortunately the facts appear not to back up this statement. In London sexual assaults by Uber Customers who have experienced problems with driver advances say complaints have not been passed on to authorities. Uber London has no landline for customer feedback. 

"Pamela Anderson is back to taking aim at ride-hail apps and the drivers she believes aren't properly vetted ... now tying them to the #MeToo movement.

This observation is backed up by the fact that in London alone, 13,000 of their drivers submitted fake enhanced criminal record check certificates, along with many drivers submitting fake medical passes. 

   

Pam stars in a new ad/PSA in which she's surrounded by headlines about sexual misconduct in Hollywood and the #MeToo movement, when a rideshare app driver pulls up.

The tension rises as the driver ominously stares at Pam through the rear view mirror and locks the doors -- all while #MeToo flashes on her phone. 

Pam released a similar PSA last year, but this one definitely ups the ante, and has certainly upset Uber bosses and drivers alike.

Pam has released a statement about her new ad, saying in part ... "Ride-hail apps are a haven for predators. It’s scary how many #metoo tweets are linked to ride-hailing."

Again her claims are backed up by the sexual assault statistics of Uber driver attacks on customers in London, up 50% on last years stats, equating to one attack a week.

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