National Taxi Association

CONTROVERSIAL plans to make all new taxis wheelchair accessible have been delayed following concerns about the cost to cabbies.

Castle Point Council wants all drivers applying for a hackney carriage licence to be able to carry wheelchair users, which requires specially fitted vehicles with wider doors, more headroom and ramps.

However, some cab firms fear the changes would stop drivers applying for the licence due to the cost of the vehicles, estimated to be between £20,000 and £30,000.

Castle Point Council’s licensing committee voted to delay the changes because of the concerns raised by taxi drivers.

A meeting between councillors and representatives of the borough’s cabbies will be held within the next month to discuss the plans.

Steve Wilson, manager of Steve’s Radio Cars, said: “We’re pleased to have this meeting.

“I believe the rules are not about getting more disabled taxis, but limiting the number of hackney carriages in the borough by making it too expensive for new drivers.”

Only 4 per cent of hackney carriages in Castle Point are currently wheelchair accessible.

This figure is less than neighbouring boroughs, where the figure is 35 per cent in Southend, 16 per cent in Rochford, 63 per cent in Basildon and 20 per cent in Thurrock.

source: http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/

A PLAN to cut some of North Devon’s higher-than-average taxi fares has been rejected after cabbies complained.

The new tariff would have reduced fares for journeys with more than two passengers in the district, which has some of the highest rates in the country.

The proposal would have added 10p to the cost of journeys with one or two passengers.

But it would also have scrapped an unusual rule which adds an extra 25 per cent of the fare for every additional passenger if more than two are travelling.

Instead the 25 per cent rule would only have affected journeys with more than four passengers.

The change would have meant a 10-mile daytime journey for four people would have cost £25.85 instead of £38.63 — a cut of £12.78.

A report to councillors said the unusual tariff meant North Devon was more expensive than most other districts for journeys involving more than two passengers.

And with two passengers, charges are high compared with other areas.

The national average for a five-mile daytime journey is £10.13. In North Devon it is £13.25.

For a 10-mile daytime journey the national average is £18.64. In North Devon it’s £25.75.

After midnight the identical journey would cost £51.25 in North Devon against a national average of £24.40.

The report to councillors highlighted “particularly negative” comments about taxi prices on the Journal’s website in January 2009.

Hackney carriage and private hire drivers were told about the proposed tariff change and four wrote to complain.

Ian Bridges, from Woolacombe, claimed North Devon had the “highest fuel prices” in the country and was “dismayed” about the proposed change.

John Greenwood, from Barnstaple, described the plan as a pay cut.

And Rob Lethbridge, from Fremington, and Gordon Guest, from Barnstaple, also objected.

Fuel prices have increased from 90.9p for a litre of unleaded petrol in February 2009 to £120.5p in April this year, the committee was told.

After hearing the drivers’ representations, the committee agreed to keep the existing tariff.

Licensing committee chairman John Mathews said councillors had weighed up the need for drivers to make a living with the costs incurred by passengers and it had not been an easy decision.

The committee’s recommendation not to change the tariff will be considered by the council’s executive committee on July 13.

source: http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/

Press Release from the NTA For immediate release and publication

National Taxi Association goes GREEN!

The NTA have tied up a deal with the worlds only ISO certified fuel additive – MotorSilk™

Their members can now save money on fuel whilst also reducing their carbon footprint!

There are around 250,000 taxis in the UK so the associations aim is for

£125M in fuel saving and 750,000 tonnes Co2e

MotorSilk™ is the only fuel additive and engine treatment that is recognised by ISO and the Kyoto Accord because it does what is claimed and reduces fuel consumption by 10-15% plus it reduces harmful gas emissions by a similar amount.

The Chairman of the NTA, Paul Brent has been involved with trialling MotorSilk™ and reports ‘After a lifetime in the automotive industry I was aware that at some time major and verifiable advances in lubrication technology would come along and it has’

‘I was sceptical of the extent of the claims to start with but amazed by the results that I have now obtained – MotorSilk™ really does work’

Andrew Hind Sales Director of Trading Resources the UK distributor of MotorSilk™ added ‘We are delighted to offer this opportunity for individual taxi operators and owners to save money in these hard times whilst permitting the National Taxi Association to lead by example and dramatically reduce its member’s carbon footprint.’

The NTA believe that their members will save an average of £500 net per vehicle per year! On top of this they will reduce each vehicles carbon emissions by around 3 tonnes of Co2 and can rightfully be proud of being a leading UK Association in meeting its CSR targets.

For Further Information contact:

Paul Brent Chairman NTA 0161 748 8112

Press enquires [email protected]

Rod Stevens Managing Director Trading Resources 07966 464942

Andrew Hind Sales Director Trading Resources 07854 855043

A cabbie who refused to carry a guide dog and who told its blind owner to “take me to court” has been taken up on his offer - and fined £200 pounds for breaking disability laws.

Forty-nine-year-old Nader Rohbani-Eivazi was handed the fine by Cardiff magistrates after he refused to accept Janice Powers’ Labrador, Wayne, at a taxi rank in the Cardiff Bay area of the city.

Ironically, Powers had been attending the launch of an equality and diversity initiative at the National Assembly buildings,

She said: “It was late and we were cold and wanted to get home, but when approached the lead hackney carriage for a lift the driver just said: ‘Four people but no dog’.

“We were flabbergasted, especially as he had disabled stickers on display.

“But when we pointed out that he would be breaking the law if he refused to take my guide dog he just said: ‘Take me to court’.”

Luckily, Powers - who was travelling with three other women - found another driver who was amenable to ferrying guide dogs, and the party made its train.

After she contacted

Cardiff Council, the authority took enforcement action against Rohbani-Eivazi.

He was handed the fine, with costs of £415, for breaking the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

The action was supported by several blind charities, including RNIB Cymru, which works on behalf of the 100,000 people in Wales with serious sight loss.

Director Sarah Rochira said that the outcome provided “a clear message to people providing services - that they must treat people with respect and dignity”.

the BBC reports, and was trying to get back to the station in time to make the final train home to Carmarthen, in west Wales.

source: http://www.elephant.co.uk/

They are also ‘insulted’ about plans for a rank at the planned Queen’s Head pub site development, which if plans go ahead in their existing format will see just four taxi spaces provided for cabbies on Quaker Lane - with a bin collection area point in the middle of the taxi queue.

John Norman, of Norman’s Taxis, says Nottinghamshire County Council bosses are taking a ‘retrograde step’ in developing a new bus station at Station Road - and money would be better spent developing the existing Rosemary Street site.

“There are around 100 taxis in Mansfield and we are getting four spaces next to the bins - it’s an insult,” he said. “Well, at least they are finally spelling out what they really think of us.”

WISBECH taxi driver Karen Chapman has won an appeal to keep her hackney carriage driver’s licence.

Ms Chapman - who has been driving taxis for 12 years - was refused a new licence when Fenland District Council discovered she had failed to declare points put on her driving record by a court last year.

When she applied for her licence to be renewed, Ms Chapman had circled the word “No” when asked if she had any criminal convictions - but she did submit her driving licence that clearly showed she had six points.

Appearing before District Judge Ken Sheraton sitting at Wisbech Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Ms Chapman, of Outwell admitted she had made a false declaration on the application form.

At the time she made the application, Ms Chapman’s son was in hospital; she was looking after her disabled mother and her other children, and was working.

She said: “I really didn’t do any of this intentionally.” The points were put on her licence for an offence of failing to name a driver who committed a speeding offence.

Solicitor Steve McGregor said: “My client has been careless in the way she dealt with the paperwork. But I submit that carelessness should not disqualify her from holding a hackney carriage drivers licence, because that would be a disproportionate penalty for what she has done. She filled the form in wrongly, rather intending to deceive.”

Licensing officer Kim Winterton said there had been no problems with Ms Chapman’s driving; but her original licence had required her to disclose any court convictions.

The Judge said: “It was a serious case of carelessness, bearing in mind that she should have told the licensing committee back in March 2009 when she got an endorsement, and again failed to notify the authority when she completed her application.

“I then look to the proportionality of withholding a licence and livelihood from someone with previously no problems. It would not be proportionate to withhold the licence.

source: http://www.cambstimes.co.uk/

He has now been deported after his illegal status was discovered.

The council is now working with the UK Border Agency to check the immigration status of every worker who holds or applies for a taxi driving licence.

Previously it had carried out only its own ‘fit and proper persons’ test and left the immigration checks to employers.

The checks will be applied to all non-EU passport holders and are part of new national standards being brought in across the country.

David Jago, the council’s environmental services manager said: ‘Our policy was the same as the rest of the country.

‘And now we are checking all of our taxi-driving non-English nationals with the UK Border Agency.

‘I am more than confident that we won’t have any within the space of a couple of months.’

The council said it had not previously been advised to do the checks by the UK Border Agency.

Mark Hook, leader of Gosport Borough Council, added: ‘The local authority only checked the licensing application - our role was to see if they were a fit and proper person.

‘But now it’s the role of the council to check if they are an illegal immigrant or not. We have to do more stringent tests and checks.

‘It’s right that we try and clamp down where we can.’

Dave Elsey, who runs Gosport-based firm Dave’s taxis, said he had been shocked to discover the driver had not been checked.

‘I think it’s absolutely disgusting,’ he said.

‘It’s not only our safety, it’s our families’ safety, and the members of the public. We don’t know what his background is.

‘We all do find it a bit of a shock.’

Portsmouth City Council and Fareham Borough Council said they had already been working with the UK Border Agency for several months to ensure drivers were in the country legally. Havant Borough Council said it had been operating the scheme for two years.

All councils now receive advice from the agency to ensure drivers are legally allowed to work.

source: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/

A TAXI driver who answered his mobile phone while driving has been stripped of his licence.

Kevin Gamble said he took the call to hear test results for his sick son.

But Cheltenham councillors refused to be persuaded and chose to revoke his right to drive a Hackney carriage.

He was hauled in front of the borough council’s licensing committee after he was stopped by police on Gold Cup day in March.

Mr Gamble asked for clemency but councillors said they had to take into account the fact he was also banned from the roads in 2008.

The committee heard that the taxi driver usually wore a hands-free phone kit while behind the wheel, but discovered it was broken the day before the Gold Cup.

With the town packed with tourists, he delayed getting a new one until after the climax to the Cheltenham Festival.

Mr Gamble said his son, who has now been diagnosed with asthma, went to hospital on the morning of race day and he was anxiously waiting to hear the doctors’ verdict.

“I was expecting a phone call from my ex-partner,” he said.

“The phone rang and I answered. It was Gold Cup day so it was busy and the traffic wasn’t flowing, although I know that isn’t an excuse.

“I was trying to find somewhere to pull over and within 200 yards I saw the lights and the police pulled me over.”

Mr Gamble told councillors he loved his job.

“I need it because I have got a holiday booked next month for me and my children,” he said.

“It is the first one we have had in four years, but if I lose my licence I will not be able to afford it.

“I will never make this mistake again.”

At the committee meeting, chairman Diggory Seacombe said: “I’m afraid it is not your day, Mr Gamble.

“We’ve heard what you have told us, but unfortunately the vote has gone against you.”

Although Mr Gamble was only called before the committee because of the phone offence, councillors were obliged to take into account his previous misdemeanours.

In 2006, he was stopped twice for ignoring traffic signals and was then caught speeding in a 30mph zone in 2007 and 2008.

He was disqualified from driving for six months in 2008 after speeding again.

Councillors voted by six to one to revoke his licence.

source: http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/cheltenham/

Still under LTI warranty till 04/11, 10 months MOT and 4 months Tax, plated and passed Test April 10. Only covered 36,000 miles, only used day shift and weddings. This TX4 drives even better than it looks amazing it has every extra available.

On the exterior

Fully Gold Badged

Chrome Alloy wheels (Very special made by Lamborghini in Italy)

Chrome door handle communication

Chrome door mouldings

Chrome mirror caps

Chrome fuel cap

Chrome washer jets

Genuine chrome front and rear wiper blades and wiper arms

Fully colour coded bumpers

4 wind reflectors

Also original steel wheels and tyres with Chrome trims

Interior

Integrated Sat Nav /stereo unit

Adjustable weight suspension driver’s seat

Built in hands free Bluetooth for phone

Cygnus 400 Series taximeter

Speed control for intermittant wash wipe

Power point and cigarette lighter

front ashtray /storage point

all doors carpeted

Fully carpeted in rear and boot

Walnut dash surround

Walnut/ Leather steering wheel

For Sale at £27,000

Telephone; 07809 707535

RELIEVED: Nigel Webb

AN ABERGAVENNY taxi driver yesterday won a battle with Monmouthshire County Council to allow him to keep a camera in his vehicle.

Nigel Webb, 59, from Llanfoist, runs Nigel’s Taxis with his wife Lynn.

He said the couple bought and fitted the camera to the vehicle after suffering vandalism over a five-year period, including damaged paintwork and slashed tyres.

But following a routine inspection by council officers, Mr Webb was told he had to remove the camera or he could face having the vehicle’s taxi licence suspended or even revoked because it constituted a mechanical alteration to the vehicle under the council’s licensing conditions.

He said: “Monmouthshire County Council demanded we take it out and then said if we didn’t it could result in them revoking or suspending our licence but it’s our sole means of livelihood.

“It made me angry because as far as I was concerned it was paid for by us and it’s not a mechanical alteration.”

He said the battery-operated camera was fitted in the same way a satellite navigation system is, with pads on the dashboard. There are also stickers on the rear doors warning people about the camera and any passengers who do not want it on while they are in the taxi can request it is switched it off.

But the Webbs have now received a letter from the council stating they can keep the camera.

Mrs Webb said: “It’s great news. It’s a relief as we weren’t willing to take it out. But the council should have known it wasn’t a mechanical alteration to the vehicle.”

A council spokesman said this was the first time a camera had been fitted in a taxi in Monmouthshire and a review was carried out by council officers.

He confirmed the review concluded the Webbs could keep the camera and any other taxi firms wanting to fit cameras would have their cases reviewed by the council.

source: http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/