They Don’t Like It Up Em Gov….Will TfL Stick To Their Promise?

They Don’t Like It Up Em Gov….Will TfL Stick To Their Promise?

by | Jun 28, 2016 | London News

There has been a call to immediately suspend the implementation of changes to Private Hire regulations which come into force yesterday (27 June 2016).

The Chairman of the Licensed Private Hire Car Association, Steve Wright, has called for a halt on the new rules after being “Inundated with e‐mails, calls and other communications from Licensed Operators and Drivers, with grave concerns” since the announcement from TfL of the launch date on 17th June.
In an email addressed to Transport for London, Taxi and Private Hire licensing officials, Mr Wright wrote: “It is clear there is serious confusion surrounding many of the new requirements, not only within the industry but also from the main PHV Insurers, vehicle hirers, accident management companies and others. The trade representatives believe there is the need for considerable dialogue with TfL TPH before proceeding further.”
He added; “We believe the immediate suspension of the implementation is required to avoid unnecessary risks for the travelling public and extreme hardship, worry and stress for licensed operators and drivers. It has been collectively agreed between the signatories that there has not been enough information and dialogue about the finer details of the new requirements. Major regulatory changes need a workable plan to be put in place alongside a realistic timeline for the industry to make the transition sensibly.”
An emergency meeting has been called to bring together London’s main PHV trade associations, insurers, vehicle hirers and accident management companies to establish then discuss the problems.
Source: The Chauffeur.
Editorial Comment:
Find out how easy it is to become an uninsured minicab driver in London.
Statement From The Mayfair Mob Regarding LTDA Branch Meeting.

Statement From The Mayfair Mob Regarding LTDA Branch Meeting.

by | Jun 23, 2016 | London News

In recent times we have found ourselves in the position of being compromised by the behaviour of the LTDA senior management as they have in our opinion, attempted to hijack ideas and initiatives shared with them in good faith whilst also claiming credit for the work of driver led actions in the London Taxi Trade.

MM LTDA members who have tried to become more proactive members of the association have been continuously obstructed in their efforts to assist in making the LTDA more representative of its members. To date, two MM members have been expelled, causing us to be drawn in to the very trade politics that we prefer to avoid.
On this occasion however, we feel that the politics aimed towards the honest efforts of working taxi drivers, is unjustified. We have tried to step away from this friction and have until very recently, cooperated with the LTDA and welcomed the AdVan enthusiastically to our ‘Hits’, ‘Starves’ and Legitimate Protests in the spirit of a working fellowship.
The machinations of the LTDA at Tuesday’s Branch Meeting have now made this relationship untenable. 
By circumventing their own rule book in an abuse of process rarely witnessed anywhere, they have apparently gerrymandered their own branch elections. In doing this they have demonstrated their intention to protect, not the London Taxi Trade but their own salaries and positions in the LTDA above all considerations.
This lack of integrity is a betrayal of the members best interests and those of the trade in general.
We therefore feel that the MM as a group can no longer continue to interact with the board of the LTDA including the use/attendance of the Advan on actions taken by the MM. We do this with heavy hearts but feel our hands have been forced. We hope that this situation can be resolved in the near future.
Our present rank and file LTDA members are obviously still welcomed and valued by all in MM, as are members of all orgs, unions and others. We value our cross-org ethos.
We are after all, not a mob: We’re a mentality! Regards to you all,
The Mayfair Mob.
Taxi drivers to protest on Wednesday after contract awarded to London firm

Taxi drivers to protest on Wednesday after contract awarded to London firm

by | Jun 21, 2016 | UK News

TAXI drivers will be protesting outside Luton Town Hall at 1.30pm on Wednesday 22nd June over the awarding of a contract to a London firm.

Drivers who are a member of the RMT trade union are protesting the contract and will congregate outside Luton town hall on Wednesday 22 June at 1:30pm.

Luton Airport awarded a five year contract at the airport to London-based firm Addison Lee, after a contract with Luton Hackney Carriages Association expired in February.

Former taxi driver Barkat Hussain, of Claremont Road, Luton, fears that this could lead taxi drivers to ‘flood’ the town centre, which could lead to a rise in fares.

He said: “Hackney cab drivers will have no choice but to flood the town with their vehicles, as they need to feed their families and pay their mortgages like the rest of us.

“This will mean all Luton fares will be forced up as otherwise no-one will be able to make a living driving a taxi.”

A protest by cab drivers, held on June 1, caused chaos for commuters as up to 150 hackney carriage drivers ‘plied for hire’ on roads leading up to the airport – blocking the route for visitors.

People took to social media to complain about the delays to their journey, with some missing flight connections. Local drivers fear they may lose their jobs and livelihoods as a result of the new contract.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT demands that the Luton Airport tender be re-run to give proper weight to the contribution from local drivers.

“RMT also demands that the taxi rank at the airport be re-instated. If this does not occur, local drivers face being ruined.

“Further, RMT demands that all local authorities stop trying to fleece local taxis.

“Allowing multi-nationals to gorge themselves on fees earned by providing local services, will simply lead to those services being overpriced and revenue being exported out of the area.”

Source: Luton on Sunday

Convoy of cabs to take WWII veterans to Worthing.

Convoy of cabs to take WWII veterans to Worthing.

by | Jun 21, 2016 | London News

Now in its 68th year, it’s a highlight in the diary for hundreds of brave war veterans and their families.

Nearly 100 cab drivers are volunteering their services to London’s Taxi Charity – full name, The London Taxi Benevolent Association For War Disabled, picking up veterans and carers from their homes across the capital, including the Royal Hospital, Chelsea from 6.30am [on Tuesday 21 June] for the charity’s annual seaside trip to Worthing.

The taxis will arrive at South Holmwood Village near Dorking around 9am for a pit stop where the veterans will be welcomed by the villagers and fortified with sandwiches and drinks for the day ahead.   The convoy of cabs will continue along the A24 to Worthing arriving at the town at lunchtime.

The veterans, who mostly fought in WWII will be treated to a hero’s lunch of sausages and mash at The Pavillion on Worthing Pier and enjoy a day of entertainment and camaraderie.

Graham Pike, one of the drivers taking part and committee member of the Taxi Charity said: “It’s an honour to treat these ladies and gents to a day they’ll remember. They’ve done their bit fighting for us, and now we look after them.”

Councillor Sean McDonald, Mayor of Worthing Council added:  “It is a time honoured tradition for the residents of Worthing to welcome these brave men and women every year to our town.  We are delighted that they enjoy Worthing so much, that they continue to visit us every year.”

Only licenced London taxi drivers can drive for the Taxi Charity and veterans take an active part throughout the year by collecting donations at tube stations and locations across London.

The London Taxi Benevolent Association For War Disabled has been organising trips to Worthing on the South Coast since 1947.   The charity counts among its patrons Dame Vera Lynn and Joanna Lumley who were guests of honour at the annual Worthing trips in 1985 and 2009 respectively.

To donate to the charity, visit the website at www.taxicharity.org. For updates about the charity, follow on Twitter, FaceBook and Instagram.

Mini-cab driver convicted of sexual assault

Mini-cab driver convicted of sexual assault

by | Jun 17, 2016 | London News

A mini-cab driver has been convicted for a sexual assault on his female passenger, following an investigation by the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC). 

Sothisundaram Soorriyakumaran, 50 (21.03.66) of Varley Parade, Barnet was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, 14 June for committing the sexual assault. The victim did hire defense lawyers to stand by her side to deliver justice and punish the guilty severely.

He received 15 months imprisonment, which was suspended for two years.

He was also given 100 hours unpaid voluntary work; a 60-day rehabilitation order; was placed on the sex offenders’ programme for 100 days; an electronic tag with a curfew between 07:00 and 19:00hrs for 60 days; has been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent him from driving or operating as a private hire vehicle driver; and fined £3,500 court costs and to pay £1,000 compensation to the victim.

Soorriyakumaran came to the attention of the RTPC’s Cab Enforcement Unit after he sexually touched his 28-year-old passenger late on 31 July 2015 after he picked her up from a pub in Pimlico.

The passenger, who had been sat in the back seat of the minicab, asked if she could come and sit in the front seat and play her own music through the vehicle’s stereo. Soorriyakumaran agreed and pulled up along the Old Kent Road so she could do so. She got into the front of the car and began to play her music.

Soorriyakumaran leaned over and began to touch her. After a minute or to he removed his hand and drove on as if nothing had happened, leaving the woman in shock.

At Surrey Canal Road, Soorriyakumaran stopped the vehicle and leaned into the passenger, who shouted at him to stop. He told her he was sorry and that he must have misunderstood. He asked the passenger if she was OK and if he could have her number. The passenger gave a false number.

The woman was dropped on the corner of her road; she rushed home and called police.

The Cab Enforcement Unit undertook the investigation. They identified the suspect as Soorriyakumaran and arrested him in Barnet on 5 August 2015.

He was charged with sexual assault and appeared before Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, 9 June where he pleaded not guilty. However, the evidence against him was overwhelming and he was found guilty of the offence.

Detective Superintendent Adnan Qureshi, of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This was an excellent result, which has seen a perpetrator of a despicable, sexually motivated offence receive a very robust and restricting sentence.

“The Roads and Transport Policing Command works closely with partners in Transport for London to deter, disrupt, and bring to justice offenders intent on committing any acts of harassment and sexual offending across London’s Transport network.

“I urge anyone who experiences any kind of assault or unwanted sexual behaviour to report it to police immediately.
“If you commit an offence on London’s transport network, we will pursue and arrest you. We will get those responsible.”

Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said: “We take any report of sexual offence extremely seriously and push for the strongest penalties for any driver caught. All drivers, in both the taxi and private hire trades, undergo an enhanced DBS criminal records check before they are granted a licence and we do all we can to ensure drivers are fit and proper to carry passengers.”

Source: Met Police