So You Thought She’d Be Safer In An Uber XL, Well, Think Again.

The other night, I spoke to a young man who had just put his beautiful girlfriend into an uber, outside Hakassan restaurant in Bruton Street, after standing about waiting in the freezing cold, even though there were five available Taxis on the rank.

I asked him if he though she would be safe, inlight of the 48 serious sexual assaults which occurred in Uber cars last year. One every eleven days.

He said:

"Don’t be silly man, I only use top end Uber service, Mercs and BMWs...shit ain't gonna happen in one of them, it only happens in Prius UberX cars".

Below is an article from the Islinton and Hackney Gazette last night.

Would you feel safe putting your loved one in Kareem's Silver Mercedes Uber?

A 24-year-old Uber driver stopped and searched by cops was found with a “lethal” lock knife “precariously clenched in between his buttocks”. 

Police recovered this knife from between a man's buttocks.

Police pulled over Kareem Worthington of Providence Court, Islington, after he was spotted driving his silver Mercedes “erratically” in New North Road yesterday afternoon. 

Worthington appeared “nervous and agitated”, and when cops saw some white powder which they believed could be a controlled substance, they took him to Stoke Newington Police Station. 

During a strip search officers noticed “something coming out of his backside”. 

“It was a knife,” said Det Insp Paul Ridley.

“I’ve come across knives concealed and stored everywhere, but never before stuck up someone’s backside, it’s ridiculous.”

Worthington told police he keeps the knife in his car all the time, and when cops pulled him over he decided to hide it.

He appeared before Thames Magistrates Court today and pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

He was immediately sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Worthington was convicted for possession of a bladed article in 2011 and 2012, and was imprisoned for affray in 2014.

Two other men were found with knives during stop and searches by police in Hackney yesterday.

“That’s the scale of what we are dealing with,” said Det Insp Ridley. 

“That’s why it’s so crucial we continue stopping and searching people. There are lots of people out there who are carrying knives.

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT :

I wounded if he also slammed her for misleading Europe by saying Uber had to be saved and not stopped at Davos?

from Taxi Leaks http://ift.tt/2slp38h
via IFTTT

Southwark launches new Anti-Engine Idling enforcement

Southwark Council is delighted to announce its latest step towards improving London’s air quality. Cllrs Maisie Anderson, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Social Regeneration, and Ian Wingfield, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Public Realm, joined head teacher Anita Asumadu at Oliver Goldsmith Primary School to mark the launch of the council’s new anti-engine idling enforcement from, 31 January.

Cllr Maisie Anderson said: “Needlessly keeping your engine running pollutes roads, schools and children’s lungs. Asking people to turn off their engine will help create a healthier environment for the children of the borough.

“Drivers will be warned before a fine is issued, but ultimately if they ignore the warning and signs, the parking wardens will have to take action.”

Idling vehicle exhausts choke the air with toxic chemicals like cyanide, NOx and PM2.5 which can lead to asthma, heart disease and lung disease.

From today, council parking enforcement officers will be issuing an £80 Penalty Charge Notice to parked up car, bus, taxi and HGV drivers, who refuse to switch off their engines when asked.

The council has led and encouraged many voluntary anti-idling patrols at known idling hot-spots, to raise driver awareness of the health risks associated with engine idling. They found that most drivers turned off their idling engines willingly, when they were made aware of the implications of keeping them running.

This is the latest measure from Southwark Council’s ambitious Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan, which is part of its longstanding commitment to improve air quality in the borough, with more to come throughout 2018.

The council has also just finished asking residents for their suggestions for locations for electric car charge points, and will begin installing them later this year.

Anita Asumadu, head teacher at Oliver Goldsmith School, said: “Clean air would improve the health of the children at our school and everyone can help.

“The best way to improve your health is to choose to cycle or walk, but another effective way to reduce pollution is by switching off idling engines.”

from Taxi Leaks http://ift.tt/2Biniva
via IFTTT

After The Ball Is Over....by Colin The Cabby.

       Brexiteer Julian Sturdy MP for York Outer.

I didn't know anything about the protest, but I was sitting in stationary traffic at Cromwell & Queensgate, wondering what the holdup was.

The phone rung, it was my friend Paul from 'Black Cab Now', asking "are you on the demo?"

"well I am now", I replied.

I stayed with the protesters for about an hour until we were told to go back to work.

After it finished, I picked up Julian Sturdy Mp and took him to Vauxhall. We had a chat about recent events and the Tories support of an illegal plying for hire app. But I must say I found him very naive. 

He talked about intelligent technology doing away with manual jobs of which I asked, "if the jobs are going to go...then what future have my grandchildren got?". 

I told him there's no way I wanted to revisit the 1800's because this will kick everything off....and, don't expect the police to maintain law and order. 

I have told my daughter who is in the police force, that by the time this is happening, you are no longer police.....you go home and protect your own family.

His face dropped dramatically and he offered no further convocation. 

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT :

Julian Sturdy wants ministers to prioritise easy migration after Brexit, but supports intelligent technology which will remove jobs???

You couldn't make it up!

How do these people get elected?

from Taxi Leaks http://ift.tt/2C5MnpU
via IFTTT

Social Media Proves To Be Big Success At Tory Fundraiser Ball Flash Demo

Although it was thought to be a bit late in the day, the London Taxi trade showed how powerful, social media is at getting out the message.

In order to protest against Theresa Mays Uber support speech at Davos, in front of many world leaders, (a speech which could be interpreted as sub judice as Uber’s appeal is ongoing) drivers were asked to attend a mass “ply for hire” flash demo at the National History Museum, where the Tory big hitters including May, were holding a fundraising ball.

The idea was to get there just as they were leaving around 11, and stop the Uber car users from getting picked up. The ones already there, would be blocked in 

Although no TfL or Police suspension of the Taxi rank had been posted, the official rank had been cordoned off by yellow plastic no waiting cones. But after a few minutes drivers just ignored the cones and formed a rolling rank.

Taxi numbers attending were thought would be low, so the idea was to slowly drive around in an oval outside the entrance. But enough Taxis turned up to cover 2 of the 3 exits. And they kept coming!

One of the leavers told London Taxi Radio live on Periscope, that Boris had been severely heckled as he tried to leave quietly in a car by a side entrance (so much for the Boris bike). He was spotted by a driver who just happened to be in very fine fettle.

   

Guests leaving the £15,000 a table (10settings) fundraiser, who required Taxis were politely shown to cabs by impromptu marshals but phone gazers were left to roast. 

The demo lasted for about an hour and the drivers melted back into the normal traffic around midnight. 

It was thought that over a hundred Taxis turned up to protest. Not bad for an on the spur of the moment call out.

Well done to all the drivers who gave up their time. 

Big thank yous to Joe Cartwright and John Cox Of London Taxi Radio

And also to TAXIAPP for their support last night.

from Taxi Leaks http://ift.tt/2EcAz7u
via IFTTT

TfL Senior Managers Like Rats Abandoning A Sinking Ship As They Face Losses of £968.

Last week, TfL announced they were facing a possible £400m shortfall in their finances. 

It now appears that TfL haven’t been completely truthful about their budget deficit. (There’s a surprise)

This week an internal email has been leaked to the media which shows that the deficit TfL are facing is well over double the amount stated last week. 

The leaked email given to the BBC, describes the finances of TfL, “like a household budget that couldn’t  afford to pay the mortgage”.

Insiders at TfL have voiced considerable anger at the scale of the cuts they face.

The email says TfL "will make a loss next year of £968m".

Many senior managers have already left, new Tube trains have been cut and bus services will be reduced by 7%.

Commentators say the organisation is facing a perfect storm financially.

TfL, Totally failing London.....again 

from Taxi Leaks http://ift.tt/2BfQtis
via IFTTT

Didn't Take Uber's Competitors Long To Find Themselves In Court! (Wheely Quickly)

Well, it didn't take new boys on the block Wheely long to go and get themselves dragged into court. 

This is quite serious and could affect their operators licence as they have been summonsed to appear at Thanes Magistrates court (Bow Street) on the 22nd of February 2018.

A complaint has been filed that on the 17/01/2018 they failed to accept a booking for a vehicle, required by and on behalf of a Mr Doug Paulley, who wished to be accompanied by a disabled person. 

The reason for the failure to accept the booking being that the disabled person would be accompanied by an assistance dog.

This (apparently) is in contravention of section-70(1) and (4) of the Equality Act 2010. 

As this company is a competitor of Uber, one wonders if the Tories will now mount an on-line petition an door to door canvas, in support of this disabled person.....

Perhaps the Prime Minister would like to show her support (and that of her husband's) at the next PMQT  for this disabled person and his dog. 

Anyway, for all there big flashy cars and smart suits, apparently if your disabled....forget it. 

from Taxi Leaks http://ift.tt/2EpCE3e
via IFTTT

TFL TO OUTSOURCE DRIVER MEDICALS for BITH TAXI AND PH DRIVERS

On Monday Grant Davis represented the London Cab Drivers Club at a meeting with Tfl, in regards to the on going situation with Driver medicals. 

This all stems from the expose in The Sun Newspaper where certain PH drivers were actually “buying” their medicals without undertaking the proper medical tests. In some cases, it was alleged that medical checks were being carried out on-line. 

Tfl are now looking to outsource the medicals to as of yet a “unknown” private medical provider and thus bring parity with both sides of the industry where we all would have to take the exact same medical examination. 

At present, the cost of these medicals will be in the region (they say) of between £100 – 150 and the provider must have locations around London and also provide parking facilities. As we’ve seen with TfL regarding PH Licence costs, this price could change dramatically once established. 

At Monday’s meeting, Tfl went on to say that the return of unsatisfactory medical forms is at 60% and they hope by outsourcing, this will be cut?

It was revealed in the Sin last year that many private hire drivers had submitted unsatisfactory medical firms but it is our belief, that as with the 13,000 fake DBS criminal record checks TfLTPH took no action in regards to the medicals. 

Grant Davis said the LCDC, are not comfortable with this! The majority of taxi drivers have a properly registered GP and again this appears to be the result of a knee jerk reaction to the amount of abuse by PH drivers who have lived in the U.K. for such a short space of time. These drivers may not even have a GP, but they want to get a PH licence in London and having a medical is a requisite to do so.

Grant went on to say, the Club feels there is a lot more work to be done on this issue. 

from Taxi Leaks http://ift.tt/2E7fawg
via IFTTT