Taxi Newspaper #443

LTDA The newspaper of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA #443 14 May 2019

Lax Laws Undermine Cabbies, IDS says

SAVED: p2

UNJUSTLY ACCUSED? WHERE WOULD YOU TURN?

p5

The UK’s most crashed car is? p7

The Uber driver’s favourite, the Prius, named and shamed

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

Lax Laws Undermine Cabbies, IDS says POLITICS

Uber’s “business model allows it to operate on a completely different playing London’s black cab drivers face unfair field. It arrives in our towns offering competition and the Government must be unrealistically low prices that local taxi more ambitious in its reforms, the former and private hire drivers simply can’t pensions secretary has said. match.”

Iain Duncan Smith, the MP for He adds that Uber drivers are effectively Chingford and Woodford Green, has being allowed to ply for hire through the expressed his disappointment that app, while the current licensing system “sensible” recommendations made by the puts passengers in danger.

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis Mr Duncan Smith supports calls for were watered down. local Government to be given the power IDS praised the London taxi trade as to cap private hire numbers. possibly the most admired in the world He adds: “New legislation also needs but says it has been badly let down by the to finally set out in law who is allowed failure to update legislation to maintain a to ‘ply for hire’, and who is not. It must level playing field. define where drivers are allowed to work “Taxi and private hire laws need a complete rewrite” In a swipe at new technology to improve accountability and safety.” companies, such as Uber, the MP said that “I believe in strong competitive markets, some “new players” have “refused to play “Some of the laws governing taxis date Plans for national minimum licensing but competition must be fair. Taxi drivers by the rules to the detriment of customers back to before the invention of the motor standards and a national database are a and private hire operators must be able and drivers.” car, and while there were some reforms good start but the new legislation does not to compete on a level playing field with Mr Duncan Smith said that the UK’s made in the 2015 Deregulation Act, it’s go far enough, he said. companies like Uber. taxi and private hire vehicle regulations high time for a comprehensive update to The relatively recent growth of app“London’s black cab trade is arguably need a “comprehensive update to bring bring legislation into the 21st century. based private hire services has completely the most admired in the world; part of legislation into the 21st century.”

“This is why I and my colleagues on skewed the market – to the detriment of the fabric of our heritage and culture. I It follows the disappointing response to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on “the world-famous black taxi trade and hope that the Government realises the the report by the Professor Mohammad Taxis are very disappointed that the the livelihood of cab drivers,” with Uber extent of the consensus across all parties Abdel-Haq commissioned by the Government did not accept all of the playing “the most significant role.” in the House for those recommendations Department for Transport. recommendations made in Professor The company “has flooded towns and made by Professor Abdel-Haq and The MP said: “His final report made Abdel-Haq’s report. There is nothing cities across the country, undercutting rethinks its approach to reform. We need a number of sensible recommendations radical here. They are simply good, existing taxi and private hire vehicle to completely rewrite outdated taxi and for reform of how taxis and private hire common-sense suggestions for longoperators while flouting regulation and private hire laws and make them fit for the vehicles are licensed. overdue reform.” failing to provide a quality service.” future.”

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14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

3

LCDC, the truth about taxi age limits, diesel and who said what!

STEVE MCNAMARA

INFIGHTING, LIES AND AGE LIMITS

TOP TRADE STORY

T

he one thing this trade does not need is in fighting between the various trade groups, but I must respond to the current issue of the LCDC’s inhouse rag, the Badge, which attacks every other trade group, the UCG, RMT, Unite and especially the LTDA. Relationships between the various groups in recent years have grown increasingly fractious. Our alliance was hanging on a thread after the club’s chairman, Grant Davis, was accused by Unite and the RMT of sharing details of trade meetings with the PH trade; the current issue of the Badge won’t help.

The focus of the criticism of the LTDA is around the current proposals for a 12-year age limit. So, what is the truth about age limits and who did what? Here are the main points in the Badge...

The 9,000 Prediction

In 2015, we were facing a 10-year age limit. The LTDA with the assistance of specialist scientists, modelling of (then) projections of traffic flows and air quality assessments, submitted papers challenging TfL’s claims.

Based on TfL’s predictions of the trade having a choice of five ZEC vehicles, costing the same as diesel, and being available from the end of 2016 we were able to demonstrate that by leaving the age limit at 15 years the trade would have 9,000 new cabs by end of 2020. Make no mistake this paper and the predictions by the LTDA are what prevented the 10-year age limit being imposed on the trade: fact!

Secret Meetings with the Mayor/TfL

In December, TfL announced it would once again look at taxi age limits via a consultation. I immediately wrote to and called everyone who was anyone at City Hall, the GLA and in Westminster, detailing how this would decimate existing taxi values and stop drivers being able to afford to upgrade to cleaner cabs. As part of this, I submitted a detailed cost impact assessment showing how it would cost the trade over £50 million in lost equity.

I also asked repeatedly why the fund to help the trade had been dropped by £24 million. I then met the deputy

Mayor for Air Quality, Shirley Rodrigues, along with the air quality team. This meeting was extremely tense, as I lambasted her team for proposing the age limit change without having completed an impact assessment and repeatedly asked why it had been left to the LTDA to do it. As a result of this meeting, and letters and emails, I was asked to meet Mayor Sadiq Khan with our colleagues from Unite and present our case. This meeting, which can only be described as a frank exchange of views, resulted in the mayor reinstating the cab trade fund to its original £42 million. This in itself was a major victory.

It’s this money, which has funded the £10k delicensing scheme, which so many cabbies have taken advantage of.

The mayor then asked TfL to meet with us and Unite to discuss alternatives to the age limit. That’s it; there were no “secret meetings” in fact I emailed all our members and reported it in TAXI. I can only assume LCDC was not invited because it did not make the same level of noise that we did. In fact, at a joint trade meeting with TfL to discuss the age limits and air quality Grant, rather embarrassingly, had to ask TfL who Shirley Rodrigues was!

LTDA Agreed to ZEC Requirement

Back in 2015 the entire trade, including LCDC, was presented with a fait accompli in the new vehicle ZEC standards, which were to apply from 2018 for taxis and for minicabs from next January. In fact, this was the meeting where Grant took the opportunity for a selfie with Boris (see pic).

I would have thought the LCDC would want to use its

paper to tell the trade what they have done to combat the current age limit threat, rather than devote so much time to criticising our efforts, perhaps they have nothing much to report? The consultation closed having received only 4,000 responses, which is disappointing considering there are 23,000 cab drivers, their families, the fleets, garages, and everyone else, who make a living from our trade, all of whom will be impacted to some extent if the age limit is reduced. The various clean air, cycling and anti-car/ taxi groups will have been all over it, and with such a low response to the consultation will have skewed the figures to suggest massive support for reducing the age limit.

Since I presented TfL and Mayor Sadiq Khan with the LTDA’s alternative solution to the flawed proposal to cut the age limit, I’ve been working hard to get them to realise that it is the best way forward. Our proposal clearly demonstrates how using the extra funds we won from the mayor to convert all 4,600 Euro V cabs to a certified Euro VI standard would clean up the trade much quicker than the age limit. I’ve briefed a number of influential politicians on the association’s solution, including Chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon AM, and some of its members, along with the APPG Taxis Chair Wes Streeting MP, asking for their help in highlighting the detrimental impact of TfL’s proposal on cabbies. Both have taken an interest and want to go through the plan in forensic detail.

I was also reassured to hear TfL Commissioner Mike Brown tell the Transport Committee during recent questioning that the trade has raised its concerns with him “very directly and very coherently.” And that particularly “interesting views” have been expressed from one of the taxi trade groups (LTDA), “which we are exploring actively and positively.” This came in response to assembly members, highlighting the detrimental impact of TfL’s plans on the value of second-hand cabs.

Brown is obviously referencing my recent meeting with him. I’m pleased to hear that TfL is giving the LTDA’s solution some serious consideration, and I will keep pushing it forward as the key answer to reducing the trade’s emissions while safeguarding the livelihood of drivers. u

Steve McNamara is the LTDA’s General Secretary

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

LTDA

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@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

5

Toyota Prius Most Smashed Car ROADS

It will come as no surprise to London taxi drivers, but one brand of car has been found to be involved in more accidents than any other.

The vehicle is question is one that is extremely popular with Uber drivers and can often be found crashed into stationary objects across London or driving the wrong away along one-way streets.

The winner of the unwanted king of crashes crown is of course the Toyota Prius, according to figures released by insurers, Go Compare.

The losers are of course everybody else, especially Uber customers, who choose to risk injury or death by getting in one.

The Toyota Prius is involved in 111 crashes for every 10,000 on the road.

Around 71,000 Prius’ were registered in the UK in 2016, with 787 accidents in the same year involving the model.

Second place went to the Citroen Saxo, which had an accident rate of 106 out of every 10,000 examples. The BMW 330d was third with 102 out of every 10,000 being involved in a crash.

In terms of brands as a whole, Vauxhall was involved in the most accidents. There were around 3.6 million of the manufacturer’s models

registered in the UK in 2016, with 22,490 accidents that year involving them – a rate of 62 out of every 10,000 examples. Daewoo and SEAT were in joint second-place, each with an accident rate of 60 out of every 10,000 of their models.

GoCompare’s data also suggests that those aged between 26 and 35-yearsold are involved in the most crashes at

23.94% of all incidents in 2016.

London was the most dangerous region, with 101 of every 10,000 cars in the city being involved in a crash in 2016. The City of London was especially bad, with 1,200 of every 10,000 cars there having an accident that year.

As for roads, the A4 was the worst, with 705 crashes in 2016.

While you might expect higher speed limits to result in more accidents, that wasn’t the case. In 2016, there were 79,569 crashes in 30mph zones – nearly 10 times the number that occurred on roads with 70mph speed limits.

In fact, the closest runner-up to 30mph limits was 60mph zones, which saw 16,723 accidents in 2016.

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ROADS EXTRA An Uber driver was left stranded on top of a metal rail after a bizarre crash in the Cobham High Street.

The red-faced driver was widely mocked on social media after footage shared online showed the white Toyota Prius driving off the road and up a crash barrier.

The driver was uninjured in the incident which happened at around 12.15am on April 27, according to eyewitnesses at the time.

A spokesman for Surrey police said: “We attended following reports of an overturned car in Cobham High Street at 10.10am on April 27.

Damage caused to metal railings. The driver was uninjured, and recovery arranged.”

No other cars appear to be involved in the incident.

An Uber spokesman said: “We are currently looking into this incident.

The safety of riders, drivers who use the Uber app and the general public is a top priority for Uber.”'

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

The LTDA has launched a series of podcasts, with the first one being about the Knowledge

RICHARD MASSETT

LTDA PODCAST PROMOTES THE KOL

THE MASSETT FILE

T

he first of a series of podcasts promoting the London taxi trade has been launched by the LTDA. Episode one features a roundtable discussion about the Knowledge, chaired by the General Secretary Steve McNamara, starring students and examiners who chat about their studying experiences and working in the trade since.

The 25-minute show is available on Spotify and iTunes and looks at all aspects of the job: passing the Knowledge, adapting to change, the challenges of new regulations and, crucially, why being a taxi driver is still one of the best jobs around.

Everyone speaks positively, which is great to hear and offers an antidote to the doom and gloom that’s more commonly spread about.

Katie Chennells, the Chief Examiner, explains how the Knowledge has changed, with all examiners now being taxi drivers, unlike many years ago when drivers took their tests at Penton Street.

She says that despite their image as being stern and difficult, examiners want drivers to pass the test, but also to maintain the exacting standards.

The Chief examiner says: “We’re there to purely

maintain the standard – if people don’t reach that standard then it only hinders them. They’re the ones with the 30- or 40-year career ahead of them and they’re just going to be struggling every day. When you get that badge you become a member of the best club in the world, so we just want to make sure that everyone earns the right to get that badge.”

The show was created in collaboration with TfL, Knowledge Schools and examiners and contains useful advice for anyone considering joining the elite club that is the London taxi trade.

Examiner Mark Gunning says: “The Knowledge teaches you a lot more than about the road; it teaches you organisation, it teaches you discipline.

When you have to start coming up for appearances you realise you have to get there on time. All of these things, they help and when you’re studying and doing all this, when you come out as a cab driver, you have got it all organised.”

Knowledge students speak about their experiences working in numerous jobs and traveling into the city from far afield to commit the streets of London to memory for hours each evening.

Joe Young, speaking during the Podcast, says: “The system is a fair system. You’re there to be tested, you’re there to be examined; I think the harder it is to get through it, the better you are as a

cab driver, because there’s not much you don’t know as a cab driver when you go out on the street. It is a very lonely place when you get asked a point and you don’t know it, because there’s no one there to help you.”

Without new entrants into the trade, it will struggle in the future. The LTDA is promoting these podcasts across social media and to KOL schools and applicants. The schools and TfL will be doing the same.

All the recently graduated Knowledge students highlight the ability to work the hours they want and the life-changing affect the Knowledge has had on them and say they would still recommend the job to anybody with dedication and focus to complete it.

Mike said: “I would definitely recommend it.

I would also say, “approach with caution.” You can’t do it half-hearted, but if you’ve got the right character then you should go for it. If you can get through the Knowledge, then you will be a good cab driver.”

Listen and follow LTDA podcasts through Spotify, iTunes or on on our website at ltda.co.uk. u

Richard Massett, LTDA Chairman, and Chairman of the London Cab Ranks Committee

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14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

7

If you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, where would you turn to if you’re not an LTDA member?

CHARLOTTE COLLETT

SAVED BY THE LTDA

LEGALLY SPEAKING

I

magine the scenario; it’s 6am and you are woken by a loud banging on your front door. Opening the door, still only half awake, you are confronted by three burly police officers, one in uniform and the other two in plain clothes, waving warrant cards.

It’s an instant wake up call but before you have your brain fully engaged you are told to get dressed because you are under arrest for assault.

This is exactly what happened to one bemused cabbie. He was removed from his house in the suburbs in front of his wife and children and driven back to a central London police station. Like something out of a Kafkaesque nightmare he was gruffly told, “all will be explained back at the nick.”

At first, the cabbie, who wishes to remain anonymous, was completely shell-shocked. He could barely remember his own address and date of birth when he was booked in. Sitting in a cell awaiting the arrival of the duty solicitor, ahead of being interviewed, he could barely speak to say thanks when the custody officers brought him a muchneeded cup of tea. Fortunately, for him the custody officer, knowing he was a cab driver, asked him if he was a member of the LTDA and suggested he made

sure we were contacted.

Within two hours the duty solicitor had been cancelled and we were in attendance and gathering the facts surrounding the allegation from the police, and the truth about what had really happened. In this case our member was advised to give full and honest answers in the interview.

Our man was released on bail later in the afternoon, but even before he was back on the street,

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we were busy making enquiries. Within 24 hours we had managed to get hold of some vital CCTV footage, which totally supported the cabbie’s version of events.

We supplied the officer in the case with the CCTV within 48 hours of the arrest - long before the police had even begun their search for evidence.

It was six weeks of uncertainty before our very relieved member was formally advised that there would be No Further Action. Informally, the police had made it clear that he was totally innocent.

The anonymity and lack of detail is deliberate as the cabbie is currently seeking advice on the possibility of running a civil case as a result of the false accusations against him. He did ask that we make it crystal clear that if he had not been an LTDA member things could have ended very differently.

He wanted us to ask any cabbie reading this “what would you have done if it were you and you were not a member?”

If you want access to the best legal team in the business, along with a host of other benefits, for less than the price of a pint of beer a week, then simply call Taxi House and ask for a membership pack or fill out the application in this edition of TAXI and send it to us, or call 0207 286 1046 and ask to speak to Jenny. u

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

Free Zoo Visit for Cabbies ENTERTAINMENT

Taxiapp Defends PayPal Despite $500m Uber Stake MEDIA Taxiapp has been forced to defend using PayPal as its means of payment after the US giant was revealed to have pumped $500million into Uber.

The not-for-profit ride hailing service said that drivers could not be expected to boycott every company that had connections to the taxi trade’s biggest nemesis.

However, other companies, such as Tesco had been subjected to calls for a trade-wide boycott when it was revealed that they were supportive of a minicab company which skirted regulations and endangered passengers.

Another trade website, Taxi Leaks, which normally allows Taxiapp spokesman Sean Paul Day plenty of room to rant about the trade, also initially strongly suggested that drivers should consider ditching PayPal. In what it called a “message to all drivers taking CC payments using PayPal,” is asked “did you know you are actually funding a $500m investment in Uber?

“Will you carry on being turkeys

voting for Christmas, or will you switch to a new CC payment provider?”

Although, the website has since fallen silent on the issue.

PayPal’s $500m investment in Uber signalled its confidence the company’s public listing plans.

TaxiApp offers its drivers the option of installing and using the PayPal credit card system at a preferential rate.

The cooperative style app does not accept corporate financing but relies on driver investment, But the announcement posed awkward questions for Taxiapp, which has decided to press ahead with recommending PayPal, despite the criticisms.

Sean Paul Day, who was thrown out of the LTDA for spreading malicious lies and regularly criticises the association for perceived failings, has defended the decision, saying it is a complicated issue.

Sean has been accused of double standards because in the past he has criticised both Gett and MyTaxi for being “beholden to the investors and the shareholders.”

Writers on the TaxiPoint website, where the story first appeared, received

abuse and were heavily criticised for raising the issue.

A statement issued to them by Taxiapp said that the “world of card clearance is complex and involves many players that have inter-arrangements; none of which we have any control over.

We have limited choice as to whom which we can secure a best deal with.

“Considerable efforts and expense have been made to ensure our platform is compatible with PayPal. We have a significant number of drivers on PayPal’s system and have an existing obligation to them. It would take a major reinvestment to integrate a replacement, which would increase costs to Taxiapp and its drivers.”

The release went in to say: “Taxiapp regards its arrangement with PayPal as one of merchant services provider and customer; an arrangement that has secured a very favourable deal for its drivers, that together with our app offers a 0% commission on all Taxiapp jobs, that in turn provides a compelling alternative to the other apps.” LTDA will no longer accept advertising from PayPal, following its recent announcement.

East London Cycleway Plans Unveiled ENVIRONMENT Proposals for a cycle route connecting the 7.5km stretch between Hackney to the Isle of Dogs have been put out for consultation.

The blueprint includes a raft of changes that TfL believes will make the local area cleaner, safer, and more welcoming to pedestrians.

Neighbourhoods including Victoria Park, Mile End and Limehouse would see revamped public and green spaces, including new trees, with new pedestrian crossings.

The works include: Segregated cycle tracks on Burdett

Road and West India Dock Road, providing a dedicated space for people who want to cycle Safety improvements along the route including improvements at junctions, traffic calming and a new 20mph speed limit along Burdett Road Two new signal-controlled pedestrian crossings and upgrades to existing pedestrian crossings along the route, New and improved public and green spaces, including new paving, trees and planting Traffic reduction measures to improve cycle safety, including restricting Grove Road through Victoria Park to bikes, buses and taxis between 7am and 7pm

Links to existing cycling routes in Hackney and Tower Hamlets including CS2, CS3 and Q2 Changes to some bus stop layouts and locations, including introduction of new bus stop bypasses for people cycling Changing entry to and exit from some side roads along the route Road resurfacing providing improvements for people walking and cycling as well as for buses and general traffic Upgrading pavements to improve comfort for people walking The consultation is currently open for people to have their say on the project at tfl.gov.uk/cycleway until June 21.

Taxi drivers are once again being invited to visit ZSL London Zoo with their families completely free of charge.

For one weekend only, from Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23, cabbies can join concierges and tourist information centre staff can enjoy a free visit with their families to London’s wildest attraction.

London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and with over 650 amazing animal species to discover, as well as live shows and fantastic, immersive exhibits, it’s a great day out in the capital for all.

ZSL is all about getting up and close with the animals; In with the Spiders at the BUGS exhibit allows visitors to experience Europe’s only walk through spider enclosure.

Other amazing interactive exhibits include In with the Lemurs which takes visitors on a journey through the Madagascan forest where lemurs will be leaping, climbing and lounging all around them.

Visitors can also head down to England’s largest penguin pool at Penguin Beach and watch the Humboldt penguins dive, swim, frolic and feed, or step Into Africa and observe the elegance and grace of the giraffes from the viewing platform.

With a packed schedule of animal demonstrations and keeper talks there is something for everyone at ZSL London Zoo, so register your tickets today! *Please note: the Zoo will close at the earlier time of 5pm on Friday 21 June 2019 *Tickets will only be accepted at admissions when accompanied by proof of entitlement (concierge business card, black cab driver badge or TIC national pass). Failure to provide any proof of entitlement will automatically disqualify you from admission into ZSL London Zoo with these tickets. Tickets only valid on applicable dates. Maximum of two adult and two child tickets per registration. Tickets must be booked in advance.

This is a ZSL promotion and is not related to the LTDA. If you have a problem with the website or with getting tickets please contact the Zoo. Visit there www. zsl.org/zsl-londonzoo/whats-on/ voices-of-londonweekend

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

Uber and cyclists cause road rage TECHNOLOGY Cyclists and Uber drivers are some of the most annoying road users, according to a study into the causes of road rage.

Both came just behind van drivers as the people who enraged drivers the most with their cavalier attitude to the rules of the road.

The survey asked 1,000 drivers aged between 18 and 65 about their views and responses to the causes of road rage.

It found 23% of respondents thought van drivers were the most infuriating, followed by 19% who thought cyclists were, and 11% who pointed at private hire and Uber drivers; 8% complained about careless pedestrians.

Some 22% of drivers admitted having stepped out of their car to argue with another motorist, while 19% had followed another vehicle to its destination in order to confront the person behind the wheel, data gathered by Automotive data company HPI reveals.

Men are the worst offenders when it comes to leaving their vehicle to argue with another driver (with 23% of them having done it, compared with 21% of women), 20% of females have knowingly followed another driver as a

@TheLTDA

NEWS IN BRIEF Protests Cost Met Millions CLIMATE CHANGE

result of road rage, while only 18% of men have done the same.

The study found 39% of people found it easier to get angry after having a bad day.

But, 3% admitted to “always being furious” when behind the wheel.

The biggest frustration for 28% of respondents was dangerous overtaking by other motorists, while 20% found impatient tailgaters to be the most aggravating.

Roadworks, traffic jams, the lack of parking spaces and potholes were all

cited as anger inducing issues.

Just 8% of drivers said that roadrelated problems did not make them angry at all.

The most commonly cited in-car causes for road rage, meanwhile, were back-seat drivers (27%), squabbling children (17%), passengers who interfere with the stereo (11%) and incessant chatterboxes (10%).

Road rage has affected 39% of drivers more than once, with 23% having reported another motorist for dangerous driving.

The climate change protests which brought London to a standstill for more than a week cost the Met an extra £7 million to police.

The Extinction Rebellion demonstrations were said to have a put a “huge strain” on the force, despite criticisms they failed to act and let the protesters run amok.

Activists staged two weeks of action throughout central London and while more than 1,000 arrests were made, major disruption across the city, at one stage closing Waterloo Bridge and Oxford Circus.

Extinction Rebellion were calling for urgent action from the Government to address the catastrophe that is around the corner if climate change is not taken seriously.

The protests are said to have left businesses in London millions of pounds out of pocket.

An independent committee that advises the British government on climate change said the UK should eliminate almost all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It recommends

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

Can you light up a cigarette in your cab? This and other common questions answered

LLOYD BALDWIN

ON POINT

P

NO FINES WITHOUT SMOKE

eople believe funny things sometimes and here at TAXI House we often hear all manner of stories, which prompted to me to think about trying to clear up some of the common myths.

This was partly inspired by a few cases I dealt with recently from drivers fined for smoking in their cabs. Not because it’s unreasonable to think you can have a puff in the privacy of your cab when no one’s watching – but because of how quickly rules change.

Quite simply, smoking in your cab is an offence because it is a designated public space, as nanny statelike as it may seem to some people out there. I’m a smoker myself and I remember with fondness being able to puff away on buses and trains, as well as in cinemas, pubs and restaurants, but those days are gone, so here are the dos and don’ts.

1. Is it illegal to smoke and drive?

Taxis are designated as a public space. You must not smoke or vape inside the cab, even if you are not carrying a passenger and are parked up. It is an offence punishable

by TfL compliance and by the police – so you can be issued a £100 on-the-spot PCN. Smoking while driving a private car is not illegal, but if it is causing you a distraction you could face a careless

driving charge.

It is illegal to smoke in a car if you are travelling with passengers aged under 18.

2. Is it illegal to eat or drink and drive?

No, it’s not illegal to eat while driving. Although again, if you are deemed to be distracted and not in proper control of the vehicle, you can get a £100 onthe-spot fine and three penalty points.

4. Is it illegal to have open alcohol in a car?

No. In the UK it’s not illegal for a passenger to be drinking alcohol while being driven, so by default it’s not illegal to have open alcohol containers in the car, unless you are supervising a learner driver.

5. Is it illegal to drive with headphones on?

There is no specific law around this but driving wearing headphones is inadvisable and could see you prosecuted for dangerous driving. It can stop you hearing emergency vehicle sirens, level crossing warnings, other road users and pedestrians approaching your vehicle.

6. Is it OK to make a phone call using a handsfree system?

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal and punishable by six points on your licence and a £200 fine.

Fully hands-free phones can be used but you are not allowed to interact with it in any way, which

includes picking it up or even momentarily operating it. The laws around this are currently being scrutinised by senior judges.

7. Can you use a satnav whilst driving?

Satnavs, whether a separate device or smartphone app, should be fixed in position, either on your windscreen or dashboard. Don’t interfere with your phone when you’re using it as a satnav while driving because that will lead to six penalty points and a £200 fine.

8. Are you allowed to drive 10% over the speed limit?

No. While many vehicles’ speedometers allow a 10% error in overestimation (but not underestimation) built-in, this 10% allowance doesn’t exist. You can’t drive at 33mph in a 30mph zone, for example.

Simply put, if a police officer catches you with a mobile radar speed gun exceeding the limit, you are liable for prosecution even at 1mph over the limit, although this is rare.

9. How many drinks can I have and still drive?

It’s a common myth that men can have ‘a pint or two’ or women a large glass of wine and still be safe to drive afterwards. Many factors affect blood alcohol levels, including food, exercise and tiredness.

Alcohol is best avoided if you are going to drive. u

Lloyd Baldwin is an LTDA Executive Support Officer

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

15

Meet the LTDA legal team Driving a taxi for many hours of the day in one of the world’s most congested cities is a challenging task. Cabbies often fall victim to complaints and false accusations from police, passengers and other road users (especially cyclists and PHV drivers). When these events arise it’s comforting for LTDA members to know that they have the immediate support of the best specialist in-house legal team in the business. The success rate of the LTDA Legal Team is second to none. In fact, according to Criminal Justice Statistics, LTDA members defended by our team are FOUR times more likely than the national average to be acquitted of allegations made against them.

John Luckhurst Senior Partner

Charlotte Collet Solicitor Advocate

Tom Poulson

I joined the LTDA when I first got my badge and it turned out to be the best thing I ever did. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances I ended up getting my licence revoked by TfL. I turned to John Luckhurst, one of the LTDA’s legal eagles, for assistance. John went to great lengths to prepare a detailed appeal against TfL’s decision and briefed a brilliant barrister to represent me in court. The appeal was successful and saved my livelihood. LTDA subscriptions are only four quid a week, which is less than a pint, and three pounds can be claimed against tax. I can’t believe that every cabbie in town is not a member.

“FOUR times more likely than the NATIONAL average to get an acquittal” Ken Jackson The LTDA’s solicitors and support team, could not have been more helpful when I first informed them that an allegation had been made against me. The LTDA was quick to check all the CCTV cameras in the area and arrange for plans of the location to be drawn up.

Witness statements were also obtained and Mr Demidecki was successful in getting the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the case against me. Thanks LTDA - an all-round brilliant service!

Farouk Merdjane

I was involved in an accident whilst driving my cab in Shepherd’s Bush. I wasn’t too worried about it because I was confident that it wasn’t my fault and the insurance would sort it out.

A short while later I received a summons for driving without due care and attention. I had no witnesses to help me, but the other driver had produced “independent” witnesses out of thin air! I quickly contacted the LTDA’s legal department and they immediately visited the scene of the incident and arranged for professional photographs to be recorded. I later appeared before magistrates at Lavender Hill Court, where the LTDA barrister tied the witnesses up in knots and demonstrated they could not have seen what they said they had.

Thank you, LTDA legal department; you gave me an excellent service.

Paul Baxter I was filled with confidence the very first time I contacted the LTDA’s legal team and as it turned out, I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

They did a great job in sorting out my problem with TfL. They’ve got to be the best in the business!

“LTDA subscriptions cost less than four quid a week”

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

APPLICATION FORM Name Address Postcode Telephone

Mobile

Email

Twitter

Date of Birth

Badge No.

Badge colour (Please state whether green or yellow)

Year badge obtained

Suburban badge sector numbers Have you ever been a member of the LTDA before? (please tick)

Yes

No

Do you currently have points on your DVLA driving license? (please tick)

Yes

No

If Yes how many points do you have?

Please tick if you DO NOT wish to receive information from the LTDA and other related organisations in the future?  I understand that my application for membership of the Association must be approved by the Council of Management and that until this is confirmed I am not eligible to vote in relation to any form of Association matters. I agree that all benefits prior to approval of membership shall be at the discretion of the Council of Management.

Please note: We do not provide assistance for any matters that have occurred prior to you joining LTDA. Signed

Date

LTDA Basic Direct Debit Instructions Instructions to your Bank/Building Society to pay Direct Debits: Please complete parts 1 to 5 to instruct your branch to make direct payments from your account. Then return the form to the LTDA, FREEPOST, (PAM 2005), London W9 2BR

Originator’s Identification No. 9 1 4 4 2 8

For Office use only 1 Please write the name and full postal address of your branch in the box (left) 2 Name of account holder

To the Manager of

3 Account number 4 Bank Sort Code

Address

Banks/Building Societies may not accept instructions to pay Direct Debit from some types of account.

5 Signature(s) Date This guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer

The Direct Debit Guarantee • This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.

• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit LTDA will notify you (10 working days) in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request LTDA to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.

• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by LTDA, or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.

- If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when LTDA asks you to.

• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

LETTERS YOU’RE SAFER IN A BLACK CAB

I

felt compelled to write to you with a story which shows why everyone should catch black cabs!

A couple of weeks ago I was visiting London for the day from the south coast on England and I hailed a black cab in Bishopsgate, heading to London Bridge station.

Unfortunately, when I got out of the cab my purse slipped off my lap onto the floor of the vehicle (unbeknownst to me at the time).

When I realised what I’d done, I went to see if I

A CABBIE 100%

I

would like to thank all the wonderful people at the LTDA, especially Jenny for looking after my membership. As a taxi driver, I always kept myself to myself and formed my own opinions. I got the support of the LTDA legal team a few times (too many points on my licence), but I was never banned. It’s been a great career, with ups and downs and I found out that to enjoy the job you must be a cab driver 100%. Once again, thank you so much for your support.

K Woodham, Collier Row

STAR LETTER could see the driver but of course he was long on his way with his next passengers.

Over the next few days the driver, Dave Howard, did all he could to track me down so that he could get my purse back to me.

A few days later having cancelled all my cards and

giving up all hope of ever seeing my purse (which had quite a bit of money in it) a letter arrived in the post from the driver, saying he had tried to find me on the night. He had searched social media to locate me so that he could tell me he had my purse but to no avail. He realised my driving licence was in my purse enabling him to contact me by post.

Dave totally restored my faith in mankind! Dave went out of his way, and at his own cost, to send my purse back to me via recorded delivery with everything still inside it.

They say you are in safe hands with a black cab driver – I couldn’t agree more. This story is the perfect endorsement of that. I have also contacted TfL to tell them the same story. u Claire Finch Mitchell

“Kwasi was on the case and had written an email to TfL on my behalf...”

BILKER BEWARE

I

picked up a passenger [right] called Ali Ary Mohamed (as seen on his ‘Leave to Remain’ card) from Brompton Road going to Reform Street on the April 26 at around 3 am. Once we got to destination he could not pay his fare, saying his Santander bank account was not working and he’d lost his cash in a casino. I drove around the corner to Lavender Hill police station and reported him while he happily stayed in the back of my cab, saying that this will end up nowhere and I wouldn’t get my money. I got a case number from the police. He gave me and the police the address of Montperliano Restaurant and the police told me this is his registered address. I tried calling Montperliano restaurant and they said they know him, he keeps going there, but he doesn’t own or work in the place. They kept laughing on the phone as if it was a big joke to them. I think he keeps doing this sort thing to taxi drivers – so beware.

Marc Yahchouchi

EASY RUN

HARD RUN

u Euston Station to Gore Hotel

u Grenadier Pub to Shepherd’s Restaurant

Do you have a gripe or praise? Contact us at 0207 121 0523 or email editor@ltda.co.uk

17

that they could not respond to an unrecognised email that was not already on their mailing list.

However, Kwasi, it would appear, was on the case, and had written an email to TfL on my behalf the very next day. I would recommend anyone having difficulties with LTPH not properly processing licences, whether for a driver or for a vehicle, or not answering the phone, to do the same thing. The more MPs are aware of what we are up against in our inept regulator, the better chance of sympathy for our causes, and the quicker, it would seem, LTPH administrative issues get resolved.

Matthew Skeaping

MY NSL NIGHTMARE

F

or the second year in a row, I was unable to book my TX4 in for a vehicle inspection due to being repeatedly kept on hold on the NSL booking line for more than an hour. Last year, in desperation, I had to go in person to my local NSL testing station at Heston just to book a slot. This morning, once again, I was preparing to schlep over to Heston, when the phone rang and a polite lady from TfL asked if there was anything she could help me with as apparently I was having a frustrating time making a booking.

It took me a second to realise the cause of this unexpected turn of events. Two days ago, I wrote a disgruntled email to TfL complaining of my inability to get through by telephone, using such words as “incompetent” and attaching a photograph of my landline which clearly shows the NSL booking line number and the waiting time of 55 minutes [above] and CC’d in the LTDA, my local MP for Spelthorne constituency, Kwasi Kwarting, and the email address for enquiries at NSL Head Office. The email to NSL came back with an automatic response saying

CHEAP IS CHEAP FOR A REASON

U

ber, since their conception, have been enormously successful in avoiding regulation. In London, the English test has once again been put on hold, while TfL decide which type of test would be applicable for a driver. A cap on the number of drivers in London is also on hold! To say there is a staggering number of drivers now descending on London is an understatement! Many of them now working on the breadline, with poverty wages, indebted to this appallingly unethical company. Uber have been able to change the political process by a combination of PR advertisements, influential allies like Google and Goldman Sachs, voting campaigns among its users and so forth. It now seems that sadly the regulators have caved in to Londoners that just want a cheap service and don’t care about safety and regulation. Cheap will not be cheap in the long run.

David Heath

NO CHARGING FOR ME

W

ith regard to Joe Francis’ letter about the problems and expense of charging an electric cab; sitting around waiting for the cab to charge up sounds to me like a waste of time. Even if it’s the dire time of day on the streets (usually the 24 hours after sunrise), you’d probably be on £10 an hour, so where’s the incentive? In September, when I have to bin my 53 plate, I think I’ll just be sticking the nozzle in and getting on with it.

Les Hammond

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

Chris’s attempt to get his cab through its MOT and annual inspection turns into an epic odyssey

CHRIS ACKRILL

WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE

ON THE ROAD

T

hose of us who run our own cabs know the stress of the annual licensing inspection. If you’re the worrying type, like me, you’ll feel the tension building from a good month away: do my tyres need changing? Will those paint blisters and rust spots cause any problems with the inspectors? If I blow a bulb on the way to the inspection centre will I be able to change it? There’ll be the trip to the meter supplier to get that checked and certified; then the strategy of planning a service and MOT, followed by the licensing inspection itself. There’s the worry of how to pay for it all, and the nightmare scenario if the cab doesn’t pass. Well, this year the nightmare came to pass.

Years ago I used to leave a gap between the MOT and the licensing inspection.

This would give me time to fix any problems should the cab fail the MOT. It made me nervous though as I always

expected something bad to happen in the following week or so.

So, last time I settled on a short gap of about three days. I decided that this was the optimum period, as it gives you enough time to get work done on the cab if it fails its MOT, but not so much as a gap to worry you that a lot more can go wrong in the run up to the big day.

This year I played a dangerous game. I scheduled the inspection for the day after the MOT. What could possibly go wrong?

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phone. The tester came back and spent some time typing. I still had hope in my heart.

He came over and handed me a sheet. I needed a new front bumper and I needed some rust removal and re-painting. There were three items on the failure sheet related to bodywork.

I drove up to Luton from Staples Corner. I ordered a new bumper, but the body shop attached to the garage was rammed and wouldn’t even be able to start work for at least two weeks.

Apparently the place was full of London The cab had a new engine and gearbox taxis that had suffered a similar fate at fitted in October, so I had confidence in Staples Corner. Back home I found a local the mechanics. I knew the handbrake garage that would try to fit my cab in needed doing, and there was the creaky around their scheduled work. I’d bring it steering, but these were minor issues that in as soon as I got the new bumper.

I reckoned could be sorted in an hour or When my bumper was ready for two. I drove to my usual garage in Luton collection a few days later in Luton I didn’t for its 9.15 service and MOT. stop for any sightseeing. I dropped the cab I was on my third unlimited coffee at off at my local body shop, not knowing Wetherspoons when the garage phoned. when I’d see it again.

The creaky steering was caused by a Bolam’s body shop did a great job. I broken power steering pipe and all the immediately re-booked the cab inspection fluid had drained away. It failed the (it’s free if you do it within a month). The MOT and they had to order a new pipe. best I could get was Friday, April 26 – a I therefore couldn’t make tomorrow’s calendar month after the first inspection licensing inspection. After a pint from was booked for.

Spoon’s beer festival selection and a plate Between getting the cab back on the of nachos, I made the grimly familiar April 18 and the inspection date, I drove bus journey from Luton Interchange to very carefully around town. I went to Leighton Buzzard and home.

Morrison’s, but was too nervous to go I was charged £66 to change the date much further in case something else went of the inspection to Monday. I got the wrong. My finances had flat-lined; things cab back from Luton on Thursday, but would be really serious if the cab didn’t I couldn’t work as the plate had now pass. expired. The garage told me that the cab At the inspection centre they didn’t probably wouldn’t pass its inspection put my cab on the ramp. I guess they anyway because of bodywork. The split in just wanted to look at the bodywork in the bumper didn’t trouble the inspectors relation to the points on the failure sheet. last year, but the word was that they’ve It was a huge relief when the man walked toughened up recently. When I treated the over to me with my new licence (he even cab to its annual soapy hand wash I also screwed the plates on for me). didn’t like the look of all those patches In the past month I’d spent a small of rust and paint blisters. It was too late fortune on keeping my cab on the road – to do anything about it at this late stage more than I would have got through TfL’s though. I’d take it up on Monday and delicensing scheme, which gave me pause hope for the best. for thought. Until next year… u It’s a scary experience watching them Visit Chris’s website here: pubcat.co put your cab on the ramp at the inspection centre: it’s as stressful as awaiting a job Chris Ackrill is a interview, or a Knowledge appearance taxi driver and with the smiling assassin. I was too former Knowledge examiner nervous to read so I just fiddled with my

“I guess they just wanted to look at the bodywork in relation to the points on the failure sheet. It was a huge relief when the man walked over to me with my new licence...”

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

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@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

21

Minicab drivers are finding out what it is like to have less choice and they are not happy

THE CAB YOU DRIVE

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

WORD ON THE STREET

I

got invited to a motor trade launch by a new company entering the electric car charging market. To be honest, I only went because it was central and the time suited perfectly!

I was a bit surprised to see how many people there were in attendance from the minicab trade: fleet managers, buyers and the traders that lease and sell minicabs. I know a few of them to speak to and after chatting to them separately and in small groups I quickly learned that all is not good in minicab world!

They are all desperately worried about the fact that every new minicab sold must be ZEC from January. Their biggest concern is they can’t get them. The waiting lists for anything practical is a minimum of six months, with some pure EV and plug-in cars having a lead time of over a year.

The next biggest concern is the cost. Medium to large size firms are used to buying cars in bulk and negotiating massive discounts with the manufacturers by playing them off against each other. This often manages to get them 30% or more off list prices. But the new world is

different. Not only is it impossible to get the cars they want, but the high demand means no one is offering discounts and they are having to pay list price just to join the queue.

Manufacturers, faced with more demand than supply, are choosing to deliver to consumers first, leaving the high mileage and high warranty claims minicab market to last; what a turnaround!

A quick bit of research quickly confirmed all I was told. Also, that manufacturers have been caught out by the speed with which the public has turned away from diesel in favour of hybrids and electric. They are desperately playing catch up in terms of availability and supply of the new technology. This would also explain why we are still waiting for the arrival of the new Nissan electric cab almost a year after it was first expected.

The final concern from the minicab companies was the lack of charging infrastructure because, unlike the cab trade, there will be no dedicated chargers for them. They will have to use the public network, which as any TXe driver will tell you, is already massively oversubscribed.

“Waiting lists for anything practical is a minimum of six months...”

One minicab fleet buyer told me that it was “unfair” because all cabbies lived in the suburbs and had access to home charging, whereas most minicab drivers live in flats in London and won’t able to charge at home. Whilst such a sweeping stereotypical statement is blatantly inaccurate, there is a bit of truth in it and because he was so angry, I just nodded and agreed.

The more I think about it, the funnier it becomes. In the 35 years, I have been in this business we have never had any, or very little choice of two very expensive vehicles, whereas private hire drivers could drive virtually any old rust bucket they wanted. Today, we have a choice of one cab, which is more expensive than its predecessor. Admittedly, the current cab is light years ahead of what we had previously. The minicab trade (from January) will have a much smaller choice of vehicles and all of them will be much more expensive than their existing cars, but without any real improvement and they will still have to stump up the Congestion Charge.

This really is a case of “welcome to our world;” and they really don’t like it. u

22

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

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|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

23

Swerve the overpriced snacks, poor exchange rates and tiny toiletries as you leave for your holidays

EMMA LUNN

AVOIDING THE AIRPORT RIP OFFS

MONEY MATTERS

H

olidaymakers are routinely fleeced before they fly from UK airports, with extortionate charges for drop-offs, food and drink, and travel-size toiletries. So it pays to plan ahead if you want to avoid a large dent in your holiday budget before you jet off.

Here are five rip-offs – and how to avoid them.

Getting there

Watch out for drop-off fees if a friend or relative drives you to the airport. A five-minute drop-off is free at a handful of airports, including Southend, London City and Newquay, but costs £3.50 at Stansted and £3 at Manchester, Luton and Liverpool. If it takes you longer to say goodbye, be prepared to fork out £10 for a 15-minutes stop in Edinburgh or £7 or East Midlands.

If you want to leave your own car at the airport, make sure you book airport parking ahead of time. Booking a spot using Topcashback’s deal with Holiday Extras will save you up to 38% on drive-up prices at selected airports.

If you’re taking the Heathrow Express from Paddington, the buy on-board single fare is an eye-watering £27. But if you book 90 days in advance you can reduce this to £5.50 if you travel on a weekend, or £12.10 for weekday travel.

Travel-sized toiletries

If you’ve booked a cheap hand luggage only flight, you’ll be limited to taking liquids in bottles of no more than 100ml.

But buying shower gel, shampoo, and sun cream in small quantities works out eye-wateringly expensive – especially if you do it at the airport. For example, Boots sells 50ml of Lynx Black shower gel for £1.25 – that’s £2.50 per 100ml. But you can buy a 250ml bottle of the same gel for £2.50, which works out at £1 per 100ml. To save cash, invest in some 100ml plastic bottles, and decant lotions and potions from big bottles before you leave home.

between carriers and ticket types regarding the number, weight and dimensions of bags they are allowed to check-on or carry on board. Make sure you read your ticket terms and conditions, and then pack accordingly. Exceeding the weight limit can cost you dear. For example, Norwegian Air charges £11 per kg, per leg of the journey, and Easyjet £12 per kg.

Savvy travellers might want to invest in a set of portable digital luggage scales – these cost just a few pounds on Amazon. These gadgets can be useful to take with you if you plan to do some shopping on holiday, and so are at risk of exceeding the weight limit on the return journey.

Poor foreign exchange rates

Food and drink

Don’t leave it until you’re at the airport to think about the cash you’ll need for your trip – airside foreign exchange kiosks offer the worst rates on the market. They will try and trick you with “zero commission” signs – but you’ll be ripped off by unfavourable rates, and you could end up paying up to 10% more than necessary for your foreign currency. Instead, shop around online for the best currency rates and arrange to pick up your cash before you fly. As well as taking physical cash, make sure you pack a card which doesn’t charge you extra for overseas use. Revolut, Transferwise and Monzo all offer fee-free spending abroad.

Excess baggage fees

Travellers are often caught out due to the huge variation

If you’ll need a meal at the airport or on board a no-frills flight, bear in mind that airside cafes and bars tend to cost more than their high street counterparts – and they definitely cost more than making a sandwich at home. If you’re likely to be really hungry, paying for access to an airport lounge offering unlimited food and drink can be cost effective – plus you’ll get decent Wi-Fi, newspapers and magazines too.

Airport lounges are different from airline lounges in that they’re open to customers of any airline. Prices vary but it’s generally cheaper to book a spot in advance using Lounge Buddy or a cashback site. Frequent flyers should consider joining an airport lounge scheme such as Priority Pass.

Standard Plus membership costs £151 a year and includes 10 lounge visits.

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

News and views for yellow badge drivers from in and around Greater London

STEVE HOWARD

BLURB FROM THE BURBS

SUBURBAN ROUNDUP

away. Finally, a driver in a black 55 plate TX2 drove down the wrong side of the road to try and beat me to a customer.

Let’s get my moans and groans out However, I managed to block him this of the way first. When I passed out time. I know the work is scarce but at Penton Street in 1972 (yes I’m that cutting up your colleagues? It’s not on old), one of the major points that and reflects badly on the trade. was drummed into me was about the Moving on, I attended the All driver etiquette that existed in the England Lawn Tennis Club transport trade. I have always continued in that meeting for the 2019 tournament. mode, being polite and following the Generally, the trade came off quite unwritten code that sets us apart from well, with only one major complaint. the rest. Unfortunately, I’m not sure It was basically that drivers knowingly that guidance is currently being given quote ridiculous prices for work going to new drivers when they pass out. If it into town. This was passed back to TfL is, then it’s not being practised by a lot compliance to sort, along with their of them. I was working at Twickenham attendance this year. The good news is during the rugby tournament the other that on Sunday, May 19, there will be weekend and I was turned over three match play, along with live music to times in two hours by newish drivers. test the new roof on court one. We will First of all, a driver in a liveried 54 plate be supplying nearly all the ranks and TX2 drove down the wrong side of the facilities, as per normal match days, road to beat me to a customer. Secondly, from both Wimbledon and Southfields. a driver in a 17 plate Merc picked up So, watch this space for more details. directly opposite me whilst I was sitting on a rank in Richmond, just a few feet

Sector 1

Enfield

1

Barnet Harrow

2 Redbridge

Waltham Forest

Havering

Brent

Hillingdon

8

9

Haringey

Newham

Barking & Dagenham

Ealing

Greenwich

3

Hounslow Work on the 7 lower rank in Richmond upon Thames Selborn Road at Kingston upon Walthamstow Central Thames station has completed.

A taxi only rapid charge point will be installed. Work has now begun on the upper rank and officials are trying to complete it in sections, in order to keep the rank working. This came about because we have good relations with the borough and its contractors. I have attended many meetings with representatives there over the last five years, with TfL and the LTDA supporting from day one. The rank was blocked with work vehicles on one occasion late one night and a driver called me. I phoned one of my contacts on the work force and the rank was cleared and drivers were back working there within 45 minutes.

Therefore, if you have a rep in your area, I urge you to use them by keeping us up to date with anything that may affect your ability to operate in your sector, so we can assist.

Finally, it is coming up to festival season and sector one has quite a few events coming up starting in May. If you are not on the what’s app group I suggest you join. All info will be posted on it and marshals will post live updates telling you drop off and pick up points, including whether people are waiting for cabs and where to find them. To join, send your badge, sector & mobile number to 07710567040.

—Declan Eagar

king died, has retired. Well done Danny! You will go down in the history books with other notorious characters, such as Jimmy Marmont and Kenny Mills. Drivers now have a new but old face delivering the papers; you might recognise him (me). One other point, the notice board which has been at East Croydon rank has been vandalised for the last time. The LTDA will be purchasing a new one but it will be placed in plain view, so hopefully no one will be able to abuse or deface it.

If you want to place any information on the board just contact me, Ronnie Ward, the sector five rep.

—Ronnie Ward

Sector 3

Sector 6

Firstly, I would like to congratulate Vick on starting his 60th year as a cab driver, congratulations and well-done mate, from us all (SH).

Over the last few weeks I have met with the new TfL and ranks official to discuss some of the issues in the sector.

We also met members of Greenwich Council to discuss Crossrail ranks in all the areas in this sector. Also, the need for ranks in Kidbrooke Park and Plumstead stations has been highlighted. We are monitoring all the progress in the area with regard to Crossrail; fingers crossed we can get something out of it. Although when this line is due to open is anybody’s guess.

—Vick Moore

Sector 5

Danny Hawkins, who has been delivering the TAXI magazines in the southwest and Southeast since the old

Bexley Lewisham Merton

6 Sutton

5 Bromley Croydon

1. Haringey, Enfield & Waltham Forest Declan Egar 2. Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham and Redbridge Andrew Kavanagh (Branch Chairman) 3. Bexley, Lewisham & Greenwich Vic Moore & Tony Ellis 4. Bromley Tony Manzi

4

5. Croydon Ronnie Ward 6. Sutton & Merton Kieran Brady 7. Hounslow, Richmond & Kingston-onThames Steve Howard 8. Ealing & Hillingdon Gary Scrannel 9. Brent, Harrow & Barnet Kevin Annand

As I mentioned earlier, I attended the Wimbledon Championships transport meeting for this year’s tournament.

There was just one important change, there is now a new corporate entertainment area in the main grounds of the club. It’s called the Rosewater Pavillion. The entrance is at gate 10.

Anyone who knows the area will be aware that this entrance is new. It’s directly on the corner of Somerset and Church roads. There will be “NO” set down at that gate. If, and only if, your passenger has a pass, you will you be allowed to set down at gate nine in Church Road. Tournament dates for this year are Monday, July 1, to Sunday, July 14 (see Wimbledon Championships map, left). u —Steve Howard and Kieran Brady

Steve Howard Suburban Branch Secretary and COM member

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF RAC launches mobile car-charger A mobile electric car-charging service is to be launched by the RAC next month. Lightweight charging systems will be fitted to a fleet of the roadside rescue firm’s transit vans.

The technology will be able to provide a broken-down vehicle with enough electricity to allow the driver to reach the nearest charging point. The system is to be rolled out across Birmingham, London and Manchester in June.

The portable charger was developed by the RAC in conjunction with the engineering firm Original Ltd. The portable system operates via a Euro 6 diesel van and will charge type 1 and type 2 electric car batteries, virtually all electric vehicles currently on the market in the UK. One of the major problems with electric cars, taxis and vans is that many of them can’t be towed without damaging the electric motor. If an electric car runs out of range it can only be moved by being lifted onto a truck, frequently causing long days.

The UK has more than 5,000 public car charging points – most of which take more than four hours to charge a battery. Only 220 of these, however, are fast chargers, which can fully recharge a battery in about 20 minutes.

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

25

Uber adds TfL info to app TECHNOLOGY Uber has relaunched its London app with the inclusion of public transport information listed by Transport for London.

Users will be able to compare journeys on other services, as well as its private hire cars.

Critics have said it is a transparent attempt to legitimise the service in the eyes of the public and investors in the run up its stock market launch.

The ride-hailing firm said the change, integrating publicly available Transport for London (TfL) live data, would allow its users to make the best choice of journey based on price and time.

Live tube and bus information will be available as well as rail, tram and river boat services across the capital.

The scandal dogged company vowed to be a “better partner” in London, when it won back its licence after being refused in September 2017.

It claimed the public transport information provision was central to its “efforts to reduce private car ownership, clean up London’s air and make the city a healthier place to live”.

Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional

Black Taxi

rentals

general manager, said: “Over time, it’s our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options – whether cars, bikes or public transport – all in the Uber app.”

The app has been modified to include public transport information

without input from TfL, and regulator has said it will not affect its next renewal application, which is due in September.

TfL said: “Our data is open to everyone, with more than 675 mobile phone and online apps already powered by our feeds.”

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

27

Adventures from the frontline as one of the early sign ups to the TXe way of life

JOE THE TXE

CHARGING INTO THE FUTURE

ELECTRIC DREAMS

M

y wife has changed the ringtone on her phone to Joe le Taxi, which for those too young to remember is an old Vanessa Paradis hit from the 80s. A song about a teen obsessed with a taxi driver which might cause more than a few raised eyebrows these days. I took it as a tribute to my new found fame writing this column, but my wife said it meant something else entirely – the mind boggles.

Either the cab is now run in or I am just getting better at the art of EV driving, because I now get over 50 miles out of the battery every shift. I’ve taken to being in competition with myself and my record is 61 miles out of a single charge! I’m aware I won’t be troubling the Guinness records books, but it keeps me happy.

There is still a shortage of chargers, rapid chargers that is. There seems to be quite a few of the standard ones cropping up, especially those that are installed in lampposts. But if you want to work, they are useless. I have written to my local council about the shortage of rapid chargers. If you drive a TXe and suffer with the same issue, I urge you to write to your council

too. Sheer weight of numbers is the only way you can make officials take notice sometimes.

Having said that, I have now found a few chargers that I can usually access during my shift. The term ‘charging break’ has now entered my vocabulary. I put the cab on charge, use the loo and have a bite to eat – not at the same time though obviously – and hey presto, 30 minutes later I am back at work. This system has seen my fuel bill plummet to almost nothing as I am running on pure EV mode most of the time.

Depending on where I charge, and what I pay for a KW, I’m now saving £25 a day on my running costs, or a minimum of £100 per week or half of what the cab is costing me to lease and run (I put down a good deposit).

My biggest gripe though is with other TXe drivers who hog chargers. They put the cab on charge, knowing it’s going to take 35 minutes, but disappear for an hour anyway and then look surprised when they come back, and someone is waiting to use the charger. It has only happened to me twice, both times at a Q park (the free access is great) but I can already see its going to lead to rows and arguments. Sooner or later the car parks or charger owners will start issuing penalty tickets. As with everything in this

LTDA LOTTERY

Andrew collects his cheque at Taxi House

What a Lotto Dough!

MEMBERSHIP LTDA member Andrew Harriss was over the moon when he was told he had scooped £5,000 in our monthly lottery.

A cash windfall can go a long way, especially if you fancy jetting off on holiday or doing up your home.

All you need to do to join this month’s lucky winner is pick up the phone and ask to sign up - it costs just £5 each month.

Andrew, of Enfield, who collected his cheque from Richard Massett at Taxi House, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call – it was a total shock. I might put some of it towards a holiday.”

One lucky LTDA member’s name is pulled out of the hat every month and scoops the jackpot.

To join, telephone 0207 286 1046 and ask for Jenny.

“My biggest gripe though is with other TXe drivers who hog chargers”

trade, it will be down to the few who spoil it for everyone else.

The crap hire light is still bugging me – mainly because it looks like it’s permanently on and I feel uncomfortable driving past people in the street who think I should be pulling over.

Usually, they see that I have a passenger onboard as I pass by, but it does seem to create a mixture of befuddlement, disappointment and mild annoyance in people’s faces.

I narrowly managed to avoid someone who was so keen to flag down my cab recently, that he stepped into the road thinking I would stop because the hire light appeared to be on.

Luckily, I managed to avoid him and give him an embarrassed shrug while nodding towards the person in the back. I hope they get this sorted one day soon.

The bulky steering wheel sometimes bugs me and I’m yet to find anyone that supplies window rain shields or a phone holder bracket, but for the latter I have designed my own improvement, a stick-on hook so I can hang my jacket or fleece in the front! When I think back to the first taxis I drove, it shows how far advanced this cab is when all I can think to moan about is there’s no hook supplied!

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@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

29

After six tense days, the SAS brought the siege to a bloody end in just 15 short minutes

ROBERT LORDAN

IRANIAN EMBASSY SIEGE – PART 3

CRUEL LONDON

D

uring the early hours of May 1, 1980, the two SAS teams who’d rendezvoused at Regent’s Park Barracks made their way to South Kensington where, at around 3.30am, they quietly moved in to what was then the Royal College of General Practitioners; the building directly next to the Iranian Embassy in Prince’s Gate.

As the day progressed, technicians in the other neighbouring building – this one occupied by the Ethiopian embassy – gingerly started drilling holes through the walls in order to install tiny listening devices. By the evening, the squeaking this created was seriously agitating the gunmen’s leader, Salim who demanded hostage, PC Trevor Lock explain what it was. Trevor said the noise was due to mice, but when the Government heard of Salim’s suspicions, they ordered planes approaching Heathrow to fly lower and instructed British Gas to feign a pipeline repair nearby in order to mask the incriminating sounds.

Whilst this was going on, the SAS drew up a quick plan, should their expertise be required immediately. Once this was in place, they could take time to forge a more detailed strategy and liaised with the embassy’s caretaker who provided them with an in-depth description of the building’s layout. On May 3, the elite troops crept onto the embassy’s roof to conduct a reconnaissance, during which they located and stealthily unlocked a skylight and lashed abseiling ropes to the chimneys.

As the days passed, the terrorists became increasingly frustrated; apart from having their statement read out on the BBC, they appeared to be getting nowhere. On May 5 – six days into the siege – Salim demanded he be put in touch with an Arab ambassador within 45 minutes or they would kill a hostage.

Ready to make good on the threat, the gunmen dragged a young man named Abbas Lavasani down to the lobby in preparation for an execution.

A devout supporter of the new Iranian regime, which Salim and his men were against, Abbas had irritated the terrorists from day one. Things came to a head

SAS officers storm the embassy from Princes Gate, Kensington

when Salim daubed graffiti on one of the embassy’s walls – a message slandering the Ayatollah Khomeini, which prompted Abbas to react with fury and declare he was willing to be martyred there and then. From that moment he’d been a marked man.

In desperation, an Imam from a nearby mosque was put in phone contact shortly after 6pm, but as he tried to calm Salim, shots could be heard ringing out. Abbas had been killed in cold blood and his body was unceremoniously dumped outside. Salim announced they would shortly begin killing a hostage every 30 minutes unless their demands were met. The time for a peaceful resolution was over.

So, at 7.23pm, Operation Nimrod was unleashed in front of the world’s media. Shadowy figures – an estimated 30 SAS troops – clad in respirators and black uniforms appeared from nowhere, abseiling down walls, climbing over balconies, blasting windows and hurling stun grenades into the besieged building.

Once inside they moved through the smoke with lethal speed, slaying the terrorists with devastating accuracy.

During the commotion, PC Trevor Lock managed to launch himself at Salim, leading to a tussle which enabled one of the SAS troops to end the gunman’s life in seconds. Elsewhere, another of the group – who was hiding amongst the hostages as they were being bundled downstairs out of the building – was spotted clutching a hand grenade. He was promptly shoved by one of the soldiers and as he tumbled down the stairs, a

“As the days passed, the terrorists became increasingly frustrated; apart from having their statement read out on the BBC, they appeared to be getting nowhere...”

burst of rapid gunfire ended his life before his fingers could pull the pin.

The raid was over in just 17 minutes.

Of the 18 remaining hostages, 17 were rescued – sadly the terrorists managed to kill an employee named Ali Akbar Samadzadeh during the assault. Of the terrorists, all but one was killed – the sole survivor was Fowzi Nejad, who

successfully managed to pass himself off as one of the hostages. For his involvement, Nejad spent 27 years in prison. Now in his 60s, he was recently reported to be living in Peckham.

As for his dead comrades, their bodies were buried in an unmarked grave, somewhere in Forest Gate’s Woodgrange Park Cemetery. u

COLTS CABS LTD 020 7613 0684

●

020 7613 0630

100-102 DUNBRIDGE STREET LONDON E2 6JG

30

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

THE BIG 40 ONE!

The membership of the LTDA is times greater than some other driver organisations!

HERE’S WHY...

CAUTION

The LTDA legal service is the only trade scheme which defends members for ALL alleged offences (traffic, hackney or criminal), anytime, anywhere in the UK. Non members are advised to check carefully the exceptions and exclusions contained or imposed by other legal protection schemes circulating in our trade.

BADGESAFE SCHEME The LTDA retains experienced barristers with specialist knowledge of the London cab trade. Normally when drivers accumulate 12 points on their licence they receive an automatic 6 month ban, but in the case of LTDA members over 90% of those represented by our barristers receive a ban of just 1 month or in most cases no ban whatsoever.

EXPERTISE = SUCCESS The LTDA’s in-house lawyers are proud of their unrivalled record of court triumphs; in fact the rate of acquittals for members defended in court by the LTDA is 4 times higher than the national average. This unparalleled level of success is due entirely to the expertise acquired by the LTDA over many years of specialising in cab related legal matters.

YOUR FUTURE The LTDA remains the only trade body resolutely opposed to the computerisation of the Knowledge of London testing system.

(No to the quickie Knowledge campaign).

INLAND REVENUE ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE Many drivers and accountants refer to the LTDA for specialist advice on Inland Revenue investigations.

(Free to members).

SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT PROTECTION When trouble strikes it’s comforting to know that you’ve got the strength of the LTDA around you. (Additional subscription payable).

LTDA HOLIDAY CLUB Many members have saved thousands of pounds by taking advantage of special offers and prices (members only).

WIN £5,000 EVERY MONTH IN THE LTDA LOTTERY 12 big prizes every year, but you have to be in it to win it (members only £5 per entry).

ACCESS TO ‘SIMPLY HEALTH’ Great value health care from the LTDA. The Association pioneered this scheme in the taxi trade and it still offers the cheapest rates. (Special rates for LTDA members only).

HEATHROW OFFICE AND REPRESENTATION Call in to the LTDA office at Heathrow, first door on the right in the canteen block. The LTDA’s representatives will give you a warm welcome. (Open to all).

WELFARE DEPARTMENT LTDA officers make home visits to members who are in severe distress or with special needs and authorise contingency payments where appropriate.

RANKS AND HIGHWAYS REPRESENTATION The LTDA has negotiated taxi access to most bus lanes and leads the way negotiating on issues that affect you, the licensed taxi driver.

GENERAL ADVICE If you are new to the trade and you don’t know your `roader’ from your `legal’, give us a call. We’re always here to help. (Tel: 020 7286 1046 - non members are welcome to call).

24 HOUR TOUT LINE Seen a tout in action? Take the details and phone them in, we will do the rest.

(Tel: 020 7266 4769).

VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS Continually representing members’ interests in disputes with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.

AUTHORITIES AND MEDIA The LTDA is the largest and most respected driver organisation in the trade. We lead the way when negotiating with the Government, GLA, TfL, Police, Mayor’s Office, Heathrow, Rail Authorities, Local Councils and when dealing with all sections of the media.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Many cab drivers are discovering to their cost that their licences are at risk due to the TfL’s interpretation of the new DVLA Group 2 Medical Standards. The LTDA has successfully challenged many decisions by the TfL to revoke members’ licences on medical grounds.

FANTASTIC VALUE LTDA subscriptions have not increased for 14 years! It costs just 4 quid a week to join the trade’s biggest organisation and 3 quid of that is tax deductible!

(Payable monthly).

HEALTH AND SPORTS PROMOTION We regularly run promotions with leading health and sports companies resulting in big savings to members.

LEISURE DISCOUNTS Huge savings on weekend breaks at fine hotels and holiday centres. You will not believe these prices! (Members only).

To learn more about LTDA benefits and current joining offers

call: 020 7286 1046 or visit www.ltda.co.uk

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

Jaguar to pounce on Addison Lee? BUSINESS Jaguar Land Rover has emerged as a contender to buy the private hire firm Addison Lee, which has been put up for sale by its American owners.

The interest has been spurred by the future growth prospects for driverless vehicles and shared ownership.

The private equity firm the Carlyle Group has put Addison Lee on the market for around £300m.

The minicab cab firm has been embroiled in a dispute with its drivers who work at Luton airport, who went on strike over pay for a day earlier this month.

The average hourly wage for Addison Lee drivers working from the airport has fallen to £4.72, a union has said.

Many drivers are working 70 hours a week but also faced a hike vehicle in their rental costs last autumn.

JLR is one of several prospective bidders, including car manufacturers, technological companies and private equity firms.

The manufacturer has axed jobs and suffered heavy losses while wrestles with a drop in the sale of diesel vehicles, significant decline in demand for cars in China as well as Brexit uncertainty.

JLR posted its biggest quarterly loss

of £3.4bn in February, writing down the value of its investments as Chinese demand slumped.

JLR, which is owned by India’s Tata Group, announced this year it would shed about 4,500 jobs, a tenth of its staff, as part of an overhaul to face major shifts in the automotive sector.

The company has been criticised as slow to adapt to the evolving market

for electric vehicles – a shift driven in part by swingeing EU penalties for manufacturers that fail to curb average fleet emissions – despite the launch of its electric I-Pace cars.

However, it has been part of a consortium giving trials to connected and autonomous cars, along with Addison Lee. The industry anticipates a growth in ride-sharing as electric and driverless cars – which are much more expensive to produce – replace fossil-fuel fleets, potentially spelling fewer traditional sales to individual car owners.

Carlyle Group is seeking to sell its majority stake in Addison Lee, which it bought in 2013 in a deal that valued the company at about £300 million.

Carlyle went on to invest a further £100 million in Addison Lee, so the private equity group could make a small loss on its investment.

Addison Lee has signed a deal with the driverless pioneers Oxbotica to bring some self-driving car services into London by 2021.

Its dominance in the London minicab market was upset by Uber but Addison Lee still has 5,000 cars in the capital and has extended its services. Through its app it claims to provide hire services in 350 cities around the world.

31

NEWS IN BRIEF

Crossrail delay “to cost £1bn” The delay to the opening of Crossrail will cost Transport for London (TfL) £1bn in lost revenue, according to a top ratings agency.

The Elizabeth Line, which will connect Reading to Shenfield via central London, was first slated to open in December 2018 but has been hit by a series of problems None of the nine new stations are complete and testing of the £1 billion fleet of trains was halted after technical issues came to light.

Project bosses have said that the line could start running by March 2021, but the London Assembly has expressed fears that even this date is optimistic.

Moody’s said that a two-year delay would “exert significant pressure” on TfL’s operating budget between 2020 and 2022, in a research note.

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

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@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019

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33

City Hall and the Met surrender to Extinction Rebellion – but the kindness of London’s finest endures

ALF TOWNSEND

HYPOCRISY OVER CLIMATE PROTESTS

TAXI TALK

A

ll the cabbies that I’ve spoken to were flabbergasted as to why the Ol’ Bill allowed the Extinction Rebellion climate change protests to bring utter chaos to the West End for some 10 days! The general opinion was that the word came from high up because the demo consisted of mainly middle-class yuppies, with a fair sprinkling of wellknown people including scientists, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the head luvvie, actress Emma Thompson. It was reported that Thompson purchased a first-class air fare from LA to London to appear on TV to support campaign against climate change.

Whether she pulled up the three or four grand for the fare, or it was a donation from one of the money men, is not known and, she didn’t seem too bothered when questioned about the pollution caused by her flight!

I hark back to all the many taxi demos I’ve been on over the years, when the Old Bill used to say to us in no uncertain terms: “We want you off here in a couple of hours or else!” Yet, the protestors were given carte blanche to bring London to a standstill for 10 days, affecting many people’s livelihoods in the process. They started blocking bridges for starters. Then camped in the middle of Oxford Circus, which was followed by an invasion of Parliament Square and finally Marble Arch! The actions of the protesters only added further pollution to the problem by gridlocking traffic for miles around.

And, it alienated most of the working class who took hours to reach their destinations. As for the London cabbies’ viewpoint, my editor wouldn’t allow me to print their expletives!

paying the guy who stood in for him while he did a ride. Nick [above, right] would like me to say well done, and thanks to all those kind cabbies, who dug deep for this year’s collection.

The treatment of Breast Cancer has greatly improved over the past 20 years, which is in part down to donors. I would like to advise all the ladies out there to book a scan, especially if there’s a family history of the disease. It’s always better to catch these things early.

PPI Claims

I know that PPI mis-selling scandal saga has been long-running, but I’ve finally been talked into making a claim.

Back in the eighties the banks introduced PPI, which means Payment Protection Insurance. It was supposed to ensure that both parties involved in any loan would get paid if the person taking the loan loses their job or can’t work through ill-health – or worse! The bosses at the banks were so impressed with the profits from the policies that they instructed their staff to sell PPI to Heathrow Cabbies all their customers! It is estimated that a Still Giving massive 64m policies were sold until midAs regular TAXI readers will probably 2005, worth £45bn to the banks. After know, my son Nick is a regular at a court ruling, the FCA, the Financial Heathrow and undertakes an annual Conduct Authority deemed that PPI was collection for Breast Cancer Research. illegal and was backed up by two judges He’s been doing this for many years in following court cases! So, the banks in memory of his elder sister Jenny, were forced to repay PPI profits and some who sadly succumbed to this terrible £30bn has been repaid since 2011 – and disease at Christmas 1999 after a fivethat’s only on 7.2m policies. The experts year fight. Thanks to the generous say that the banks are still holding onto Heathrow cabbies, it’s estimated he’s a sum of £40bn – or more. Lloyds paid donated something like £15,000 into £8bn, Barclays £9bn and RBS around the coffers of the charity over the years. £5bn. The FCA is under pressure to The latest collection yielded exactly increase the time bar for claiming PPI £1,000 – plus a five-dollar bill, after refunds that they had agreed with the

banks; because of a recent court ruling allowing PPI holders to appeal against the bank’s refusal to pay them. So, August 29, 2019 might have to be changed to a later date. As a result of this ruling, one of the experts said. The extra amount that could be paid out by the banks could be as high as £30bn!

I’d never even heard of PPI until some of our golf gang started talking about

various cabbies, they knew who had copped thousands from PPI. Then, one of my neighbours said he had copped £7,000 from one company and £3,000 from another. So, I thought, let’s give it a try, because I’ve had many loans over the past 30 years. There were hordes of claims management companies advertising their no win-no fee services and I was quite happy for one of them to do the graft. And I was quite happy to pay their charges – plus VAT, because I wasn’t expecting any dough and, if they got me some, then they could take their cut.

I selected a company based in Cornwall, only because I had been evacuated there in WW2, and I thought it might bring me a bit of luck! They were certainly on the ball because I received instructions within hours of my e-mail, and that was at the weekend!

They instructed me to give all the names of where I had loans, banks, credit cards, shop cards, catalogues, car and taxi deals and mortgages. I duly filled in the info and sent it off on line. Whether I get a few quid, who knows: nothing ventured, nothing gained! Watch this space! u

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34

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

GET NOTICED WITH YOUR ADVERT HERE!

Get in touch To see your advertisement in the leading magazine for London taxi drivers, contact us today: Jack Green jack@centuryonepublishing.uk 01727 739 196

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019

|||| TAXI

35

Murder and intrigue offers some light relief from the Brexit chaos but not everybody gets it

LOSING THE PLOT

MUSHER MEG

LICENSED TO CHAT

a letter of it, because there were a recordbreaking number of… drum roll… here’s my new word of the week – initialisms. r Meg and I have been married for In Line of Duty Language you’d call a taxi years and years and years and years. cab a TC. I’d be MM. Fish and chips would And some more years. And we be FAC. Geddit? disagree about everything. It’s never dull, or In the week before the finale, ‘Line of quiet, here in Meg Towers.

Duty’ fever was getting out of hand. Every One always reliable way to rise a row is for the fare had a theory about who did what to who two of us to sit down and watch TV together.

– and they were funny, bonkers and some There is always a battle royale for ownership of just plain daft. the remote control. I like to watch re-runs of ER One woman on a trip from Trafalgar and Say Yes to the Dress and he is hooked on Shed Square to Euston station took 40 minutes to TV and anything with a motorbike in it. tell me But Line of Duty brought us together. We all about who (or what, no spoilers here) watched every episode and he faked that he ‘H’ was… and it all sounded very plausible. knew what the heck was going on. I tried to test Then she trashed Kate Beckinsale’s acting in it. him with a question at the end of each episode, Kate Beckinsale? usually, “so what just happened?” He’d leap off I broke the news that Kate Beckinsale wasn’t the sofa off to fetch the tea and Jaffa Cakes and in Line of Duty. It turned out the Line of Duty reply, “No Meg, I’m not spoiling it for you.” expert sat on the back seat had never even Ha. So why did the search history on his seen the programme. She had been watching computer always lead with ‘explain plot in Line of The Widow on ITV. And to prove how I have Duty’? And he asked Alexa, too. He whispered, literally lost the plot; I thought her theory but I heard him. Alexa didn’t know, by the way. made perfect sense. I am an SM. That stands I’m sad the series is over. Not just because I for silly moo. didn’t understand a single word of it. Make that The main reason I really miss the Line of

M

“Lately, it’s been like Speaker’s Corner in the back of my cab....”

Duty chit-chat is because it stopped people moaning, groaning and swearing about BREXIT, or NEXIT or SHUTTHEFEXITUP. It’s a funny thing BREXIT, as soon as my punters get in and settled every single fare kicks off about it, sharing their (often loud) opinions. Those would be the same opinions that I didn’t ask for. Lately, it’s been like Speaker’s Corner in the back of my cab.

This week I’ve had a lord of the realm in the back shouting about how the whole thing should be “breversed.”

And a well-known MP who whinged that he feels like a cat tied in a bag that’s filled with stones and been chucked in the canal. Almost poetic, that.

As a cabbie I am Switzerland on the subject of Brexit, and no matter who gets in and rants about it, what I always reply, “brever mind, mate.”

In ‘Line of Duty’ speak that’s BMM. u

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36

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

Uber Rider “Blackmailed” Tragic Baby’s Parents INTERNATIONAL A cruel Uber Eats cyclist is alleged to have blackmailed a couple after finding a phone containing pictures of their dying baby.

Jay and Dee Windross are still to be reunited with their phone with the precious pictures of baby Amiyah, who died at 11 months from an undiagnosed neurological disorder.

The couple left the the phone in shopping centre toilets in Melbourne, Australia, five days before Amiyah’s death.

They made a series of appeals for the return of the Samsung phone on social media.

A woman claimed to have found the phone but instead of returning it, she allegedly attempted to blackmail the grieving couple for £545.

Jay said the person who contacted them allegedly demanded the money be “deposited into their account for the return of the phone.”

Police have now charged Siti Nurhidayah, 24, an Uber Eats cyclist, with one count of blackmail.

The couple said that their phone has still not been found and wrote on social

media that some people had been in contact with fake reports they had found it.

Dee wrote online last week: “I have not had my phone handed back and am still looking for it and the memories it holds.

“We have also tried multiple ways of back-ups to retrieve the photos, none have worked.”

TX4 10 plates to TX4 65 plates from £210 to £275 Euro 6 from £270 £275 m o fr s o it v te la p 7 1

Jay said: “All the photos of Amiyah during the day, doing things, it’s all on Dee’s phone. ‘We can get another phone, but it is not about that. It’s all about the photos. ‘We beg you as grieving parents not to wipe the phone.”

Nurhidayah was denied bail at her first court hearing.

@TheLTDA

NEWS IN BRIEF

Latest TfL Cycle Route Blueprint Unveiled New plans for a segregated cycle route from Wood Lane to Notting Hill Gate have been unveiled by Transport for London.

The 3.8-kilometre segregated route will connect a planned route from Acton in the west to a location close to the end of the existing Cycle Superhighway 3, which runs from Lancaster Gate to Tower Hill.

The regulator had planned for CS3 to extend along the Westway towards Acton, but was forced to scrap the idea after objections from Westminster Council and has had to come up with an alternative.

The plans include a two-way segregated cycle route from Acton to Notting Hill Gate as well as new pedestrian crossings and improved public spaces.

Comments are invited here consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ wood-lane-notting-hill until June 16.

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019

|||| TAXI

37

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14 May 2019

PUZZLER

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PRIZE CROSSWORD omplete our crossword puzzle and be in with a chance to win £50! Send your entry to: Crossword 443, Taxi, Taxi House, 11 Woodfield Road, W9 2BA before June 3. The first name out of the proverbial hat wins the cash! u

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Have a go at this medium level Sudoku puzzle.

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9 just once

OVERHEARD

T

hey say crime doesn’t pay, but there are a lot of lawyers and judges earning a fortune. And the criminals aren’t doing too bad either. I heard of one bank robber doing so well he hires a secretary to write his holdup notes. And muggers are modernising too.

If victims don’t have money on them, they’re accepting credit cards. We’re living in a violent society. As the mugger with a gun said to his victim, “think of me as your financial advisor. And I advise you to hand over all your money.” A milkman was robbed three times this week. The poor fellow can’t keep a float. There’s far too much gratuitous anger now.

Yesterday a man actually shot another just for changing lanes. They were in a bowling alley at the time. Bank robbers are becoming brazen. One actually phoned the police asking when his pictures would be ready. The trouble with the crime business is there doesn’t seem to be arrest for the wicked. It’s a trying time for us, but not for them. The real crime is the failure of judges to give proper sentences. A female shoplifter stole lingerie in Selfridges, but the judge let her off because it was her first slip. The mime artist who refused to enter a plea was allowed to remain silent. And the streaker running around naked escaped a conviction because the police couldn’t pin anything on him. Today, if you find accommodation that has no vacancies, it’s

DOWN: 1 Slob 2 Dweebs 3 Crumble 4 Padre 5 Itself 6 Funereal 12 Employee 14 Peckish 16 Iconic 18 Stitch 19 Jelly 22 Agar

probably a prison. I’m told Wandsworth is so overcrowded they have four sharing a cell. And that’s just in solitary confinement. Prison’s the place where, on a convict’s birthday, they all sing “for he’s a jolly good felon.” Most of them feel hard-done-by, because when they reach 60, they don’t get a freedom Pass. Many have successfully escaped from prison. As they say, give a convict enough rope and he’ll skip. They did recapture one escapee who came up with a great excuse.

He said “I heard it was visiting day, so I went out visiting. My wife’s brother, George, is a police reporter. Once a week he has to report to the police. His last arrest was for compulsive kleptomania. He can’t help helping himself. George started life as an unwanted child. Now he’s wanted in 15 different countries. He claims it’s his wife that drives him to crime. And when he’s finished, she drives him home again. He’s known to occasionally work with an accomplice. Last week they were seen sharing a cab. He took the satnav and his partner took the radio. Lately he’s been doing a lot of work for the community. By order of the judge. My wife claims to have answer to muggers ordering her to “stick ‘em up!” She overpowers them by not using a deodorant. Somehow, we assume most criminals are men, but women can be just as ruthless. Lucretia Borge for instance; she buried three husbands. And two of them were only napping. I know we’re never going to win the war on crime. But right now, I’d settle for a cease fire. u —Brad Ashton

40

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

CAREER SAVED

BY £4.00!

“I joined the LTDA when I first got my badge and it turned out to be the best thing I ever did.”

“Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances I ended up getting my licence revoked by TfL. I turned to John Luckhurst, one of the LTDA’s legal eagles, for assistance. John went to great lengths to prepare a detailed appeal against TfL’s decision

and briefed a brilliant barrister to represent me in court. The appeal was successful and saved my livelihood. LTDA subscriptions are only four quid a week, which is less than a pint, and three pounds can be claimed against tax.”

Join the LTDA today. We’ve got your back.

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|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019

|||| TAXI

41

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www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

LTDA

A selection of our numerous

Distribution Points

u A1 Taxis, Melody Lane, Highbury, N5 u Abacus Accounts, Southbrook Road, Lee, SE12 u Astral CafĂŠ, Regency Place, SW1 u Bubbles Car Wash, E2 u C & S Taxis, Dunbridge Street, E2 u Cabsurance, Seven Kings u Camberfield Taxi Services u Computer Cab, Mitre Way, W12 u Coney Allen, Dunbridge Street, E1 u CP Beehive Service Station, Beehive Lane, Gants Hill u Cricklewood Carriers, Cricklewood u Dial A Cab, City Road, N1 u Edgware Station Rank u Euston Station Rank u G & L Taxis, Crayford Road, N7 u Globe Transmissions, Cudworth Street, E1 u The Ham, Brentford u Heathrow Airport Canteen u Hexagon Garage, Lukin Street, E1 u Jet Garage, Clipstone Street, W1 u Knowledge Centre, Caledonian Road u KPM, Hemming Street, E1 u London City Airport Canteen u LP Motors, Dunbridge Street, E2 u Martin Cordell, E3 and Stanmore u Paddington Station Rank u Putney Bridge Taxis, The Arches, Putney Bridge Station, SW6 u Richmond Road Taxi Centre, E8 u Safewise Supermarket, Harrow u South Bank Service Station, Great Suffolk Street, SE1 u TAXI HOUSE, W9 u Taxi & Private Hire, Blackfriars Rd, SE1 u Temple Place Shelter u Tent Street Taxi Centre, E2 u Turbo Accessories, Three Colts Lane, E2 u Waterloo Station u Wimbledon Station Rank u WizAnn Knowledge School, Watts Grove, E3

Published by LTDA Taxi House 11 Woodfield Road, London W9 2BA T: 020 7286 1046 | www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA Managing Editor Steve Still T: 0207 121 0523 E: editor@ltda.co.uk The Massett File Richard Massett International News Wim Faber Two Fingers Al Fresco Taxi Talk Alf Townsend Overheard Brad Ashton Licensed to Chat Musher Meg Produced by Century One Publishing Ltd Alban Row,27-31 Verulam Road St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4DG. T: 01727 893 894, F: 01727 893 895 E: enquiries@centuryonepublishing.uk www.centuryonepublishing.uk

Prostate Quarter Page 111mmx 141mm:Prostate A4 ad 15/10/2012 16:22 Page 1

TREATING PROSTATE CANCER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

For a FREE copy of this booklet please contact us at the address below.

This booklet has two aims: • to help you become better informed about prostate cancer and its treatment. • to guide you in the decisions you will make about your care with your doctor.

Advertising Sales Executive Jack Green T: 01727 739 196 E: jack@centuryonepublishing.uk

It cannot replace talking to your GP or hospital doctor.

Art Editor Alan Booth

If you can help us by raising funds for our research or to make a donation please contact us at the address below.

Advert Coordinator Caitlyn Hobbs Printed by Manson Group, St Albans

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means electronic, mechanical or by photocopying without prior permission of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the publishers. Please note that the last day for inclusion of Classified lineage advertisements is five working days prior to publication.

No liability is accepted by the publisher should advertisements not appear in the requested issue(s). While the publisher will take every care to ensure accuracy, no liability can be accepted for loss or damage resulting from errors.

@TheLTDA

g t ng atitin rea T Tre

e t te prosta r e c n ca s ers nd answer and Questions an

Your support is vital!

Prostate Cancer Research Centre • 67 Riding House Street • London • W1W 7EJ Tel: 020 7679 9366 • email info@prostate-cancer-research.org.uk • www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

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44

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

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14 May 2019 |||| TAXI

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TAXI |||| 14 May 2019

@TheLTDA

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14 May 2019

|||| TAXI

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