CMT Problem Sorted, Try This Configuration Check Or Change To Landscape Unit.

Wednesday night, something weird happened to my CTM tablet...As I past Half Moon Street on Piccadilly, the unit switched to 'signed out' mode. I rebooted and it appeared to be OK. 

But later that night, as I again past Half Moon Street, it signed off for a second time. I asked on Twitter if anyone else had trouble in this location but no one replied. 

On Thursday the United became very unstable and kept crashing. This time after asking on Twitter, I received quite a few replies from drivers saying they were experiencing similar problems. 

So when I git up on Friday, I took myself over to Kendal Avenue, to report the problems I was experiencing.

I spoke to Jason who told me there was a problem with the older portrait style tablets, as Google had recently made an update to their maps which was memory hungry. This was causing problems with the older units. He asked me if a wanted a different mapping system loaded or....a landscape Unit which comes without maps. I opted to the latter as I have an iPhone and can access Google maps on that. 

The problem is now sorted but I must say I was very impressed at the service from CTM, who couldn't do enough to get me back on the road again. The fitters in the work shop even worked through their lunch brake (although I did say I didn't mind waiting).

If you are experiencing similar problems, before you make your way to CMT,  there is a fix you can try yourself:

I have been asked to post this config check below, to see if that helps...it might just save you a trip to the work shop!

 

• Menu>configuration>about>config check in bottom right hand corner. It should now say "refreshing". 

CMT are trying a different mapping version to see if that stops the unit crashing. 

Please let them know at @cmt_uk_ltd if this has helped. 

Thanks!

While I was their, I asked Jason for an update on the Arro app that works with the unit. He said they have had to concentrated on updating the tip option software on all their units, so had delayed the launch. He said at present about 12 jobs a day are being dispatched and everything is running smoothly. They intend to do a large media launch within the next few weeks. 

The ARRO app extremley popular in the USA and Canada.

Apparently, there are still quite a few drivers who haven't had the software update, if you are one of these drivers, you should try to get it done as soon as possible. 

Jason also told me that the new units have a tracker system embedded, and they have recently been able to trace and return a stolen taxi to a very happy owner driver.

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2le0rYo
via IFTTT

TfLTPH Says You Can Fly Your Flag During The World Cup.

There’s been a lot of news, most hyped up PR or fake, about whether or not we can fly the fag of any particular country, (including the St George Cross) on our Taxis during the World Cup. 

This was the headline in yesterday’s Daily Mail. 

"Now taxi drivers are told they can't display England flags during World Cup as council joins Royal Mail in banning them amid fears they could distract other motorists".

We asked TfL for an update on this issue and have now received clear and concise information.

We asked @TfLTPH:

can I fly the England flag on my taxi during the World Cup 

And they replied :

You can. Just make sure that it is secure, doesn't obstruct the windscreen or windows and is not in the passenger area.

They were also asked this by another driver:

as u allow all kinds of marches with all kinds of flags every weekend..can I put a st George's cross in my back window to support my team in the world cup.thanks in advance

And they gave this advice:

Flags must be secure, and not obstruct the windscreen or windows. They must not be in the passenger area.

So... as long as it’s secure and doesn’t obstruct the windows and is not physically in the passenger compartment, you can display the flag of St George on your Taxi. 

But we must stress this is London's regulator TfL. There are one or two councils around the UK that have banned the flag of St George on Taxis and Private Hire vehicles. 

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2JDJfKJ
via IFTTT

Safety In Black Cabs

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2HM3vUG
via IFTTT

The TfL/Gett Email Paradox. They Can't Answer, Otherwise They Compromise Uber's 5 Year Operation.

    Gareth a Thomas MP.                   Caroline Pidgeon AM 

Approximately four weeks ago, on the 18/05/2018, I sent an email to Graham Roberts (TfL) asking two questions. I believed at that time as I do no, there was no way he could give a truthful answer, as it would incriminate TfL in a conspiracy of bias against the London Taxi trade. 

My suspicion has now come to be fruition, as I have had no reply, even after resending the email twice (29/05/2018... 07/06/2018). In all three emails, I also copied in my MP Gareth Thomas and London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon.

The email, to TfL suggested:

According to the abstract of law, all Private Hire work must be dispatched by a private Hire operator and cannot be dispatched by an unlicensed operation. We know as fact that Gett do not hold a PH licence for their Gett a Taxi app although they have another company One Transport that does. Gett have had a recent promotion, where Privat hire vehicles could be booked by customers on the Gett Taxi app.

I went on to ask the question:

By dispatching work through their Black Taxi only smart phone app, directly to Private Hire drivers, driving TfL licensed Private Hire Vehicles (Porsches), are they in contravention of the Private Hire Vehicles Act 1998?

If Graham Robinson answered in the affirmative, then all jobs dispatched in this manner are/were illegal, then this surely compromised the Porsche drivers PH hire and reward insurance, making every journey undertaken, illegal. 

Many complaints have been made to his department, so I asked Mr Robinson why had TfL allowed this operation to continue knowing full well that the jobs being undertaken were in contravention of the 1998 Act....but Graham hasn't answered and to be fair he can't answer!!!

TfL couldn't stop Gett dispatching Private Hire work without a licence because that's exactly what Uber have been doing for the five years (2012-2017) and are still doing today....with TfL's full blessing!!!

     Italy Showing London The Way Forwad 

Under Peter Hendy and now Mike Brown TfL have knowingly let Uber dispatch illegal jobs through an unlicensed Dutch company, for five years. The public have been using a service that is in contravention of any H&R insurance, yet TfL's directors have covered Uber's back (and on multiple occasions).

Now that Uber have confessed they were acting illegally all along and after making sweeping changes to their modus operandi, they are begging to be forgiven (in their usual manner of its easier to ask forgiveness than permission). 

By answering the email, TFL's Graham Robinson would have compromised TFL's past performance, also confirming the bias and lies from their senior employees.

I have now written to my MP and various London Assembly Members asking them to take up this issue with TFL's Mike Brown.

 

I will post updates as and when I get replies back.  

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2JAzwVy
via IFTTT

Uber Apply For Patent To AI System That Could Be Used To Source Victims For Driver Predators

It’s been alleged that Uber may soon be patenting a system of artificial intelligence (AI) with facial recognition, which will distinguish whether the passenger is a regular rider or a licensing compliance office....a bit like their previous GreyBall system. 

They hope to get this under the radar by announcing the system will  identifying drunk passengers with artificial intelligence, according to information published on Thursday. 

They are saying with the technology, Uber could better tailor its ride options for customers, but opponents believe it’s another system to deceive the regulators. 

The patent application describes a system that learns how you typically use the Uber app, (as did GreyBall) so that it can identify unusual behaviour (like compliance perhaps)  

The system relies on an algorithm to weigh a variety of factors, including typos, how precisely a user clicks on links and buttons, walking speed, and how long it takes to request a ride. The time of day, and where a ride is requested may also be considered. In other words Uber will be spying on and collecting masses of data from its users. 

For example, it's a good bet that a person walking down a street at 1 a.m. Saturday in a nightlife district while clumsily typing probably isn't sober.

Uber driver have a history of serious sexual assault on drunk passengers. Will predators working for Uber who haven’t had proper DBS checks be using this system to source new victims? 

The patent also says that the service Uber provides to the user could change, as a result. More secrecy !!!

Uber states: Drivers may be warned of their passenger's state and riders in an especially unusual state may only be matched with drivers with relevant experience or training,.... but it’s generally felt that the system could well be used by  drivers with unsafe previous!!!

At best victims could be sourced by unscrupulous Uber drivers, to be charged unnecessary cleaning fees of up to £100. Uber has recent from for this practise used by drivers to inflate their earnings.

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT 

Uber’s Panic Button Wont Stop The Sexual Assaults.  Click link below!

https://qz.com/1298182/why-ola-and-ubers-measures-for-womens-safety-is-just-not-working/

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2MbLjHh
via IFTTT

Uber Apply For Patent To AI System That Could Be Used To Source Victims For Driver Predators

It’s been alleged that Uber may soon be patenting a system of facial recognition which will distinguish whether the passenger is a regular rider or a licensing regulation office.... but like their previous GreyBall system. 

They hope to get this under the radar by announcing the system will  identifying drunk passengers with artificial intelligence, according to information published on Thursday. 

They are saying with the technology, Uber could better tailor its ride options for customers, but opponents believe it’s another system to deceive the regulators. 

The patent application describes a system that learns how you typically use the Uber app, (as did GreyBall) so that it can identify unusual behaviour (like compliance perhaps)  

The system relies on an algorithm to weigh a variety of factors, including typos, how precisely a user clicks on links and buttons, walking speed, and how long it takes to request a ride. The time of day, and where a ride is requested may also be considered. In other words Uber will be spying on and collecting masses of data from its users. 

For example, it's a good bet that a person walking down a street at 1 a.m. Saturday in a nightlife district while clumsily typing probably isn't sober.

Uber driver have a history of serious sexual assault on drunk passengers. Will predators working for Uber who haven’t had proper DBS checks be using this system to source new victims? 

The patent also says that the service Uber provides to the user could change, as a result. More secrecy !!!

Uber states: Drivers may be warned of their passenger's state and riders in an especially unusual state may only be matched with drivers with relevant experience or training,.... but it’s generally felt that the system could well be used by  drivers with unsafe previous!!!

At best victims could be sourced by unscrupulous Uber drivers, to be charged unnecessary cleaning fees of up to £100. Uber has recent from for this practise used by drivers to inflate their earnings.

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2JqcqRy
via IFTTT

Totally Failing London Part 2 ..... Special Announcement From TfLTPH to clear Uber's Name.

TfL have said on a number of occasions that they've never shown grace or favour towards Uber, the eHail Minicab app that were last year refused a new licence on the grounds the were not fit and proper to hold a Private Hire operators licence.

This week we heard news of a really nasty attack on a woman and baby. The name of the alleged The checker was published by the police who wanted to interview the suspect. 

A few posts appeared on social media linking the name of the suspect with TFL's private hire licence checker web page. 

But the agency who say they have shown no grace or favour to a certain currently unlicensed Minicab firm, have put out this statement first thing this morning. 

Their statement reads :

Police have confirmed that the accused involved in this alleged offence is not a licensed private hire driver in London.

Keeping this in mind.....when have TfLTPH ever contacted the media (TV, Radio or printed press) with a statement saying that the driver in a particular scenario was not a licensed London 'Taxi' driver. Virtually all TV new channels and almost every news agency have mistakenly called rapists, murders, terrorist 'Taxi Drivers', yet not a peep from Mike Brown's merry men at TfLTPH.

Can we now expect this type of statement the next time an alleged Minicab rapist is called a Taxi driver by the BBC!

Can we expect this type of statement the next time the Standard refers to an Uber driver saying:- Taxi Driver ploughs into pedestrians on Exhibition Road??

from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2HrOLdn
via IFTTT