Cyclist 38 Dies After Being Hit By A TfL Licensed MiniCab On Goswell Road

http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/cyclist-38-dies-days-after-goswell-road-crash-1-5602862

Cyclist, 38, dies days after Goswell Road crash.

A 38-year-old cyclist who was hit by a car in Goswell Road in the early hours of Friday has died today, police have said.

The man’s bike collided with the vehicle at the junction with Percival Street at 12.20am. He was left in critical condition and had spent the last five days in hospital.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene and has not been arrested.

Anyone who can help officers in their investigation can contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Alperton on 020 8991 9555and quote CAD 97/6Jul.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw the crash and has it on camera.

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Exclusive : Sean Paul Day's Complaint to Judicial Conducts Investigation Office

Below is Sean Paul Day's letter of complaint to the Judical Conducts Office.

Why is it that again, an ordinary rank and file working driver has had to do what drivers are paying their respective orgs to do. 

I’m writing amidst the growing concern over what appears to be a conflict of interest where certain political affiliations might be construed as showing favour in respect of a particular company,  undermining the Chief Magistrate’s impartiality in two cases.

 

Senior District Judge (chief magistrate) Emma Arbuthnot oversaw proceedings at Westminster Magistrates court on the 6th July 2018 and Reading Magistrates Court on the 10th July 2018. The first case was brought by Uber as a matter of  appeal under the Private Hire Vehicles Act 1998 and by Reading Council in a case to determine if a driver using the Uber ‘model’ on the dates given was Plying for Hire? Both cases can be found here 

 

Case 1

https://is.gd/mFN22t

 

Case 2

https://is.gd/UuR5mA

 

The conflict arises due to Magistrate Arbuthnot’s marriage to Baron James Arbuthnotand his friendship with the former PM David Cameron. Cameron’s close relationship with individuals working for Uber in marquee positions is well documented. This is further evidenced by Uber’s close links with  the previous administration at Number 10 & 11  who now enjoy financially rewarding positions with companies who invest heavily in Uber Technologies Inc. Cameron also nominated James Arbuthnot as a Life Peer in the Dissolution Peerages List 2015 of August 2015. The concern is that JamesArbuthnot’s closeness to the former PM might compromise Magistrate Arbuthnot’s ability to apply discernment in cases involving Uber. The concern is legitimately heightened on learning the same Magistrate has presided over a second trial involving Uber and both times Magistrate Arbuthnot has ruled in Uber’s favour. 

 

Without considering the merits of both cases in detail the conflict of interest was compounded on during the Reading verdict when Judge Emma Arbuthnot on Page 4, section 14 (how the app works)…in her summary stated that it was the driver who accepts the job and only then Uber makes the booking. This is illegal act that contravenes  legislation laid out as part of the 1998 PH Regulations.

 

TfL Operator License explicitly state in their terms that a Private Hire booking can only be accepted by a licensed operator at their registered operating centre.. There is a specific duty on private hire operators to keep certain records of their operation. These include booking records which must include ‘the main destination specified at the time of the booking’ (paragraph 4(d) of the PHV (London) (Operators’ Licence) Regulations. To disambiguate, the defining characteristic of a PHVs is that it must beaccepted through an operator. The Act also references  that no person other than a Private Hire Operator (PHO) shall make provision to accept a booking.  

 

No person shall in London make provision for the invitation or acceptance of  Private hire bookings unless he is the holder of a Private Hire Operators license for London (In this Act, referred to as London is PHV operators license

 

A  person who makes provision for the invitation or acceptance of Private hire bookings or who accept such a booking in contravention of his section is guilty offence and liable  on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level four or standard style.

 

The statutory structure/definition is referred to frequently by TfL and was referenced in the legislative provisions before Justice Ouseley. 

 

CITATION Number: [2015] EWHC 2918 Admin Case No: CO/1449/2015. 

 

Conversely, at the earlier trial on the 6th, Magistrate Arbuthnot was unhesitant in her acceptance of an explanation that Uber had altered its app, and was now equipped with a feature informing the user that the booking had been accepted by Uber London LTD (ULL). Only afterwards is the user linked with a driver. If this is the case, and as yet there is no evidence to suggest it has been altered,  the app would now comply with current legislation. 

 

This I starkly inconsistent with  ‘the driver accepts...then uber confirms the booking…‘nevertheless, Arbuthnot ruled that his actions did not constitute plying for hire. Itshould be noted also that Uber do not hold a PHO licence in Reading. 

 

The case holds gravitas as a ruling either-way could detrimentally impact on the lives of tens of thousands of sole traders and their families. It would also elevate a corporate entity to a position that resides above the law of the land. The concern here, is that a certain ruling will be used to determine future  Government policies which are relevant to both cases.

 

Whilst the complexity of the issue  – such as what constitutes a Hackney Carriage- cannot be understated and until such clarity can be addressed in the Courts, it would be easy for perspicacity to prevail and weight the trial in favour of vested interests. A seismic shift culturally, in the way we move about has implications that reach far beyond taxi and minicab rivalries, and a Magistrate influenced  by a conflict of interest could prove to be a very dangerous one

 

I trust the matter will be looked in to. 

 

Yours Faithfully

Sean Paul Day

London Taxi Radio

 

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Press Release From London Taxi OR

London Taxi PR launches ‘The Knowledge’ campaign

 

 

London Taxi PR is delighted to announce that it is launching a new campaign this month (July), titled ‘The Knowledge’ – Become a London Taxi Driver, this will promote, signing up to The Knowledge, the infamous Test each applicant must pass to become a licensed London Taxi driver.

 

The campaign also highlights that ‘The Knowledge’ is in fact inclusive and open to all, regardless of their gender, religion or ethnicity.

All images used in the campaign have been provided by Terry Gibbins, a passionate & Proud London Taxi driver and Photographer, who has been photographing drivers for several months. He came to London Taxi PR with the idea for a campaign.

 

Once again London Taxi PR have teamed up with 8 outdoor media who will provide 29 large format digital billboards across Central London. The campaign which will run for a month, will feature London Taxi drivers of all genders and ethnic origin, which reflect the current diversity within the trade, with the headline “I did it, so can you”.

 

The aim of the campaign is to encourage more people to sign up to do ‘The Knowledge’ & become a London Taxi driver. We believe the job offers great opportunities for all who are prepared to put in the work and meet the high standards required of the profession to be a licensed London Taxi driver.

 

All previous campaigns have already achieved significant publicity, illustrating that licensed London Taxis are not only safe, distinctive, instantly recognisable, and incredibly easy to hail, either by hailing from the street or through an app, but that they also have a fantastic historic profile, dating all the way back to the 17th Century.

 

This new campaign also follows the recent culmination of London Taxi PR’s latest initiative, which involved street level advertisements at some 80 Bus Stop sites across Central London in conjunction with JCDecaux, together with a social media campaign, #lookforthelight, alongside the advertisements.

 

This latest launch also comes on the back of two success major award wins for London Taxi PR, most recently having been crowned Best Transport PR Agency 2018 – London, in the Business Excellence Awards organised by Acquisition International (AI) magazine. This followed London Taxi PR’s previous win earlier this year for The Best Public Transport Promotions Group – England, in the Air Transport Awards.

 

Both awards validate the significance and importance of the work that London Taxi PR are doing in promoting their trade through the media and other outlets.

 

Since their formation, London Taxi PR has undertaken a series of targeted media campaigns, which are being used by London Taxi PR to promote the benefits, advantages and safety of using the iconic London Taxi to a wide audience.

 

London Taxi PR was established in March 2015 by two licenced London Taxi drivers of many years standing - Lee Sheppard and fellow cabbie Gary Long, London Taxi PR is seeking to raise awareness to the public, tourists and visitors to the capital by illustrating the advantages that can be provided by using the iconic London Taxi’s. These Taxis are affectionately known as London’s Pride, and this has been used to significant effect as a catchphrase in their campaign material.

 

All the campaigns and publicity that has so far been generated by the company has been funded by fellow London Taxi drivers, many of whom have signed up to donate to the cause on a monthly basis, indicating how passionate they all are about their industry and the cause.

 

The campaigns have included; Digital Taxi rooftop advertisements that were provided by Verifone Media; an advertising campaign through JCDecaux on telephone kiosks situated around London’s West End; two campaigns with British Airways involving advertising in their High Life magazine and posters in Terminal 5 Business Lounge, followed by a full-page  advertisement again in High Life; a full-page advertising campaign in The London Magazine (high end property and residential title); a 3-month digital billboard campaign in conjunction with 8outdoor media, showcasing the London Taxi trade on three digital billboards in and around West London; and finally with Clear Channel UK which involved advertisements on phone boxes and digital pop up banners. There has also been a full-page advertisement and editorial campaign run within the leading Travel and lifestyle magazine, Inspired Travel.

 

Several distinctive tag lines have also been used in promotions, including; Take a ride in London’s Pride and #lookforthelight.

 

London Taxi PR. Passionate about promoting and preserving the iconic London Taxi trade and funded by London Taxi drivers who care about their industry.

 

 

For more information on London Taxi PR and their campaigns, please visit their website http://londontaxipr.com

 

 

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Shock For Drivers With Electric Taxis, Using Heathrow Feeder Park

With the news that a new £1.5m state of the art system is to be introduced to run the feeder park (Taxi Expert), the Trade also found out at the bi monthly Heathrow liaison meeting, that drivers with the new electric Taxi can’t charge their vehicles while going through the system. 

Drivers with the new LEVC will have to charge their vehicles before they enter the system in the same way drivers with diesel Taxis have to fill up before going through the FP. 

This will mean an extra wait of 45 minutes before they join the queue to go through the feeder. 

This is the statement published in this months copy of the Badge Taxi paper, authored by LCDC airport rep Jamie Hawes 

1. Electric Cabs: Protocol for Electric Taxis entering the Taxi Feeder Park:

HAL have informed the trade that before long there will be no waiting whilst charging at Heathrow. Drivers of electric taxis will have to charge up their cabs before entering the system in the same way that any other driver must operate when filling up with Diesel or LPG-that is charge/fuel before putting on. 

This may come as a little bit of a shock to those drivers who have signed up to a hefty financial agreement to own the LEVC taxi with the encouragement of TfL and HAL by way of free charge points, only to now find that they must waste 45 min before entering the feeder park rather than be able to charge up whilst waiting. 

It was pointed out that this being the case the positioning of the chargers in the North Park was a complete waste of time in that it only leaves less space for drivers entering or leaving. 

No Matter, what HAL wants, HAL gets.

See whole article in this months Badge, download here:

http://lcdc.uk/2018/07/12/the-badge-july-edition-2/

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT : 

Information staff at Heathrow caught bang to rights touting on behalf of Uber. Staff are actively directing passengers away from the Taxi rank to an Uber booking facility.

See this video from our man at Heathrow.

   

Where is the Union that seems to have the most power at Heathrow, Unite. 

Why haven't their reps stopped this blatant touting???

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Another Open Letter From Taxi Leaks...Asking More Important Questions.

Let's get one thing straight from the start, Taxi Leaks is an impartial Taxi news website. We carry no paid adverts and do not carry advertorials for any Org, Union or company for monetary gain. The links we do have are there strictly through merit. 

Most of all, we are not an org, we do not represent the trade....all we do, is inform the trade. 

Having said that, we have found ourselves having to ask TFL's commissioner and directors questions because will feel these important questions are not being asked by our trade representative bodies. 

So today, we put these questions to TfLTPH:

1. After last weeks case, can London's Taxi drivers have an apology from TfL who’s COs we’re removing copies of Taxi paper from Taxis, saying the “headline was wrong”? We have video of drivers being harassed.

   

TfL COs Protecting Uber From Rape Headlines In The Press!

Will TfL now issue an apology to Taxi drivers who were harassed by COs?

2. Could you please tell my under what circumstances, Grayhound Cars have been given an exemption to allow them to display their name on liveried front doors ? Also, I'm told Otto cars is being allowed to advertise on its cars rear body work. Please explain why?

WHAT MAKES GREYHOUND CARS DIFFERENT TO ANY OTHER PH PRIUS???

3. In the Reading verdict yesterday judge Emma Arbuthnot on Page 4, section 14 (how the app works)...said it was the driver who accepts the job and only then Uber makes the booking. This is illegal under current legislation laid down by Parliament....Will you therefore revoke Uber’s licence ASAP ???

Judge Emma Arbuthnot, in summing up :

IF THE DRIVER ACCEPTS...THEN UBER COMFIRMS THE BOOKING!!!

We also asked the LTDA the third question adding the caveat 'will you be at Palestra today demanding Uber's immediate revocation?'

As of yet, we've received no answer from any one!

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Labour Caught Up In Cash For Voter Data Scandal

Facebook has already paid off the fine handed to it by the UK data regulator for its role in the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

But while most of Wednesday was taken up with chatter largely criticising the paltry sum - the maximum the Information Commissioner could under previous laws - another company had also been handed a penalty for allegedly illegal data practices.

During the regulator’s investigation into how data is being used for political purposes, the Information Commissioner found that the owner of a popular parenting website, Emma’s Diary, had illegally sold on the data of one million Britons to the Labour Party ahead of the 2017 general election.

WHAT DATA?

The 1.065.200 records included pregnant women, new parents and even their children.

Details included the name of the parent who joined the website, their home address, whether they had young children and the birth dates of the mother and children.

The parent company of Emma’s Diary, Lifecycle Marketing, has been fined £140,000 but denies any wrongdoing.

DOES IT MATTER?

Amid the Facebook probe findings, the Information Commissioner also revealed its concerns about the legality of political consultancy groups using data to target people with adverts ahead of the European referendum, including the Vote Leave campaign, it alleged.

The official Remain campaign - trading as Britain Stronger in Europe - may also face a penalty because it used a third party data broker that did not have adequate consent and “similar issues as we have explored on the Leave and wider political parties side of our investigation”.

As more details on the use marketing and digital data played in politics ahead of landmark votes comes out, it appears that the Cambridge Analytica debacle was just the tip of the iceberg. Whether serious ramifications will follow is in the hands of the data regulator and the Electoral Commission

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Reading Verdict, No Consistency From Judge Emma Arbuthnot

You just couldn’t make it up 

Judge Emma Arbuthnot finds Uber Driver in Reading not guilty 

There’s a surprise...not 

Last week, in the Transport for London Case, judge Arbuthnot agreed with the defence that Uber drivers now do not accept jobs directly in their vehicle... she agreed they are accepted first by Uber LL before being passed to the driver. 

Unbelievably in the Reading case, she accepts the case that it is the driver who accepts the bookings first 

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

where is our largest org with its million pound war chest?

Where are the legal objections and appeals? 

What are the members paying subscription for?

Will this be another case if “lets wait and see what happens in 15 months” .....???

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/2b5c2564-a91f-4c47-ba2a-ea6402b1d06f

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