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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BREAKING NEWS : Uber’s Brighton licence renewed – but only for six months

Brighton and Hove City Council has extended Uber’s licence to operate a taxi service in the city – but only for a further six months while it monitors the implications of the loss of its London licence.

The decision on the length of the extension, which was made yesterday by licensing officers, was taken to allow the council to monitor the outcome of the Transport for London Uber decision, and consider whether any of the information arising from the case had direct implications for the operation in the city.

It also allows the council more time to negotiate with Uber about a number of proposed conditions for operating in the city.

The taxi hailing app’s operating licence in London was not renewed in September after Transport for London said it showed “a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications”.

These including driver security checks, dealing with serious complaints and the possible use of software which bars public officials from using the app to monitor how the company complies the licence.

Brighton and Hove taxi drivers had urged the city council not to renew the lift-sharing company’s licence here either, partly on the basis it is breaking a verbal assurance made at the original licence hearing to use only drivers licensed in the city.

A council spokesman said: “In making this week’s decision, council officers studied reports and written submissions from interested parties. While there was no evidence to suggest that public safety had been compromised, there are a number of concerns and Uber are working with the council to address these and reassure residents and visitors about their safety.

“Under national law, licensed drivers can operate anywhere in the country, so drivers licensed elsewhere are allowed to operate in the city. Many authorities have fewer conditions attached to their licensing than is the case here.

“When licensing operators, Brighton and Hove City Council work with them to maintain and enhance standards of safety, which includes trying to ensure that drivers not licensed locally can be as accountable as possible.

“We’re working with Uber to ensure safety standards are maintained and address the challenges brought about by technological changes.

“All Brighton and Hove private hire and Hackney Carriage drivers in the city operate under the same licences and the same guidelines contained in the Blue Book, whichever company they drive for. Likewise, all drivers undergo the same background checks.

“Following the council’s standard procedure for renewing taxi operators’ license renewals, the decision was taken by officers under delegated authority.

“A decision on the process to look at the licence at the end of this six-month period will be taken in the new year.”

Councillor Lynda Hyde, the Conservatives’ lead member for licensing, was one of three councillors present as an observer when officers, advised by lawyers, reached their decision.

She said: “I wanted the decision to be made at a public meeting, not behind closed doors.

“The consensus seems to be coming round to my view that the next decision should be made openly and transparently in public.”

Much has changed since the council settled on its current process for licensing taxis and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators, including national laws and the entry of app-based operators into the market.

Some councillors believe in the light of those changes that it is appropriate to take a fresh look at when decisions should be taken by elected councillors and when they should be delegated to officials.

The initial decision to grant Uber a licence was taken in public by a licensing panel made up of three councillors.

The decision to renew Uber’s licence was taken by officials with lawyers in attendance and was observed by Councillor Hyde, the Greens lead member for licensing, Councillor Lizzie Deane and Jackie O’Quinn, the Labour councillor who chairs the Licensing Committee.

Source : Brighton and Hove News Org.

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Lost TradeMark Battle Could See London Taxi Market Open To Other Manufactures.

It was all over the trade news outlets yesterday that LTC (now calling themselves LEVC) have lost their embittered trademark battle with MetroCab. 

And yet when the eye watering news came out that LTC's parent company Geely would be making a zero emission electric vehicle with the intention of offering it to Uber.....not a word appeared in our trade media. 

But then again, I suppose it was only to be expected with all the advertising revenue flying about. 

Funny how a few quids worth of advertising can change values in the Taxi trade. 

Let's go back to 14th June 2016, and have a little look at what was published in the Automotive News China.

'London Taxi Co., a U.K. subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., 
showed the TX5 prototype in Paris last Thursday.

The rollout of the TX5 is part of a $400 million program that includes a new factory near Coventry, England. 

In addition to targeting traditional cabbies, London Taxi also plans to offer the car to ride-sharing apps such as Uber and its competitors.' 

Source Automotive News China. 14th June 2016.

I don't recall reading this in any of our Taxi trade publication. 

Now Coventry's London Taxi Company have lost the black cab trademark battle, we could see both MetroCab and Nissan undercutting LTC's retail pricing. 

The battle has only just started to warm up, with other manufacturers waiting in the wings.

Two Court of Appeal judges ruled that the shape of a traditional London black cab is not distinctive, which has now opened the doors for other manufactures to pitch for a slice of the London Taxi market. 

Lord Justice Kitchin and Lord Justice Floyd upheld a ruling on Wednesday that was made last year by a High Court judge.

The London Taxi Company, wanted to claim an exclusive right to the shape. But n January 2016 Mr Justice Arnold ruled that the shape was not a "valid registered trade mark" after a High Court hearing in London. 

He said the shape lacked "distinctive character".

Two appeal court judges have now dismissed the taxi company's challenge to Mr Justice Arnold's ruling, following a Court of Appeal hearing in London in July.

Sharon Daboul, a specialist in trademark disputes at law firm EIP, said the ruling would clear the road for the launch of a similar-shaped "eco-friendly" taxi.

At present we are looking at three definites who will be entering the London Taxi zero emissions race ...LEVC, MetroCab and Nissan. Waiting in the wings are Toyota and this little beauty below from Turkish manufacturer Karsan. 

London Taxi from Karsan 

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MPS Roads And Transport Police Have Had A Busy Start This Week.

After a follow up visit to the Minicab operators office by the Met Police from Richmond, a licensed PHV driver has been reported for lending his licensed Minicab to an unlicensed Minicab driver to pick up a booking in Euston Station. 

The driver was arrested and awaits court date for fraud and other offences. 

An hour later, central Traffic decision seized another Prius with no insurance, driven by a driver with no licence. 

This Prius in Camden ....no insurance and unfit to drive the vehicle was seized, put onto a low loader and taken away 

But my Favourite Of The Week

Stopped in Soho (on a licensed Taxi rank), captured by the Met's Cab Section, accompanied by TfL....vehicle owner had failed to remove unlawful livery. Vehicle was pronounced unfit to work as a private hire vehicle 

These ongoing instances of illegally signage, are a direct result of TfLTPH failure to deal with the Addison Lee Rugby World Cup livery. As far as we know (confirmed by TfL), no action was taken against Addison Lee who ignored TfLs order to remove signage until after the contract ended. 

Now every Tom dick and Minicab owner believes they can ignore TfL at will.

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