Taxi #454

LTDA The newspaper of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA #454 15 October 2019

NISSAN: p5

DYNAMO ELECTRIC TAXI GETS LAUNCH DATE

DOUBLE COURT BLOW LOOMS FOR UBER

UK Councils to sue over border hopping drivers

Uber’s £1.5bn VAT bill edges ever nearer

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TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

@TheLTDA

Taxi Drivers Suffer Worst Pollution ENVIRONMENT Taxi drivers face the highest levels of harmful air pollution on a daily basis, according to a new study.

It means cabbies are at greater risk of suffering from a wide range of respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma than any other professional driver.

A separate study has also linked exposure to particulate matter (PM) with hair loss in men.

King’s College London studied the exposure of professional drivers, measuring the pollution levels experienced by 141 professionals from different sectors, including taxi, truck, waste removal and emergency services drivers, in London for a continuous 96hour period.

It found they were exposed to four times higher pollution levels when driving than when at home – 4.1 micrograms of black carbon per cubic metre of air (4.1 µg/m³).

While this amount may sound low, studies have found significant respiratory health effects, such as asthma and impaired lung function, with changes in black carbon exposure for values as small as 1 µg/m³.

The pollutant measured was black

carbon – or soot – which drivers were exposed to (4.1 µg/m³) was a third higher than measurements recorded at one of the busiest roads in London (3.1 µg/m³).

Shanon Lim, a PhD Candidate, King’s College London wrote about the study, saying, “this exposure is higher than if you worked at a desk that was literally sat on a road frequented by 90,000 vehicles each day.

“We also found that taxi drivers were exposed to the highest levels of pollution (6.5 µg/m³), which is twice the level of the

least-exposed drivers, those in emergency services vehicles. This is largely because taxi drivers spend the majority of their working day in central London, dropping off and picking up passengers in congested areas.”

Separately, South Korean researchers exposed cells from the human scalp at the base of hair follicles to various concentrations of PM10-like dust and diesel particulate, which showed the levels of three other proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E and CDK2), which are

responsible for hair growth and hair retention, were decreased by PM10-like dust and diesel particulate.

Pollution has more recently been linked to dementia, cognitive decline and delayed lung development in children.

The study found that the level of pollution inside vehicles often exceeds 100 µg/m³.

Our study also found that there are simple changes that could reduce exposure to emissions for professional drivers, such as keeping windows closed when driving, or changing routes to avoid tunnels. Having an air-tight vehicle cabin can also play an important part in reducing driver exposure. Technological fixes such as specialised in-vehicle cabin pollution filters may also be a shortterm solution to reduce exposure for professional drivers.

Studies have also found that using active modes of travel, such as cycling, can lower your exposure to pollutants and be more beneficial for your health. While this may be an option for people who drive to a fixed place of work, those that are required to drive as part their work don’t have this choice.

Lim said: “The best solution to reduce drivers’ black carbon exposure is to move away from diesel towards cleaner fuels and to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads.”

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15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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The failure to enact new taxi and PHV laws leaves passengers vulnerable and government must act

STEVE MCNAMARA

REGULATORY REFORM MUST TAKE PRIORITY

TOP TRADE STORY

I

n Westminster, long-time supporter of the trade and APPG on Taxis chair, Wes Streeting, successfully held an adjournment debate in the House of Commons at the start of the month, outlining the urgent need for taxi and PHV licensing reform. This debate was another step towards seeing legislation brought forward for new taxi and PHV licensing laws, which is vital for keeping dangerous firms like Uber in check on issues such as cross border hiring, plying for hire, and national minimum standards. As Wes said himself, “it is clear that the status quo whereby taxi and PHV licensing is inconsistent, ineffective and incompatible with the protection of vulnerable people must not be allowed to continue.”

With contributions from several Parliamentarians, including former taxis minister Sir John Hayes and APPG on Taxis member Daniel Zeichner, the House of Commons agrees, on this issue if nothing else, in its opinion that the Government cannot afford to delay on this any longer.

The responding Government minister twice hinted strongly that the legislation will be included in the Queen’s Speech, but the proof will be in the pudding and we cannot afford to rest on our laurels until we get the result we need.

Parliament had again been sitting due to the Supreme Court ruling that Boris Johnson’s initial prorogation of Parliament had been unlawful, but it was finally prorogued last week to enable a new parliamentary session and a Queen’s Speech, which was made as this edition of TAXI hit the streets. Whilst at the time of writing we don’t know what will be included in the speech, it is high time that vital new legislation is brought forward, and if the Government takes its responsibility for

See your advertisement here TAXI is the membership magazine for the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA).

It is circulated to 15,000 taxi drivers in London every fortnight.

The LTDA is the definitive voice of and for London cab drivers and is responsible for ensuring best practise in the trade, making sure its members’ voices are heard and serving members with the back up and support they need.

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“We will be keeping up the pressure on City Hall over the next six weeks...”

the safety of the public at all seriously, then it will have made sure taxi and PHV licensing is front and centre. It’s safe to say that if it isn’t, the trade and all our supporters in the House of Commons will be demanding to know why.

11-mile journey, and this is identical to the daylight robbery that Londoners have been suffering from Uber for quite a few of years. This kind of behaviour, which preys on vulnerable customers who often have no other choice due to failing public transport, is just one of the many reasons why Mayor Sadiq Wes Streeting Khan and TfL should not have granted Uber up to Uber a temporary licence last month. no good again We will be keeping up the pressure on City Hall Uber has continued to display its reprehensible over the next six weeks to ensure they make the attitude towards its own customers in recent right decision in November and ban Uber from weeks. Its immoral surge pricing has again hit London for good. u the headlines, with customers in Leeds being hit Steve McNamara is the with pricing that was four times the standard LTDA’s General Secretary rate. One customer was charged £140 for an

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TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

LTDA

plus

@TheLTDA

Don’t miss a trick and treat yourself with all the best Halloween deals From Halloween parties and experiences to stocking up on sweet treats for trick or treaters, LTDA Plus has you covered.

Take a look at these spine-tingling offers and deals for LTDA members.

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LTDA members can save on Halloween events throughout October at Merlin Entertainment’s Resort Theme Parks.

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Kids and families will have a frighteningly good time at the historic places this Halloween, with terrifying trails, spooky storytelling and creepy crafts at English Heritage castles, abbeys and houses. What’s more, with LTDA Plus you can get 25% off English Heritage annual memberships*.

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*Terms and conditions apply to all benefits. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice. Merlin Entertainments - © 2019 DreamWorks Animation LLC. LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2019 The LEGO Group. Saving based on individual walk up admission price. The offers are not available on the day, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, is subject to availability and tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of visit. All prices are dependent on the date of visit, prices and opening dates are subject to change without notice. Please check the attraction website for open and closed dates before you visit. Where available, 2 day tickets must be used on consecutive days. Proof of company, employment/membership may be requested on arrival. English Heritage - Offers not in conjunction with any other offer. The Cinema Society - Discounts vary between cinema venues. Please check when purchasing vouchers, registration to The Cinema Society required to access discount. Virgin Experience Days - Discount code cannot be used against their Excluded Range. LTDA Plus is managed and run on behalf of LTDA by Parliament Hill Ltd.

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

Uber Gamble Costs PayPal Dear BUSINESS The disastrous stock market flotation

by Uber has helped PayPal towards $228 million losses on investments before taxes in the third quarter.

The California-based payments company said its high profile bet on the minicab app firm at $500 million, at the initial public offering price, had declined 34%.

PayPal’s stake in the the firm was tied to what the companies described as a closer collaboration on payments technology.

PayPal, which supplies taxi payment services, was heavily criticised when it announced it would be investing Uber and some drivers are called for a tradewide boycott of the company.

PayPal said its investments have still generated unrealised gains for the company this year due to better performance in earlier quarters.

Another investment, in Latin American online retailer MercadoLibre Inc., had declined 10%, PayPal said.

The shares of insurer James River Group Holdings Ltd also tumbled 22% after it announced plans to cancel all policies issued to its biggest customer, Uber’s commercial auto business Raiser LLC.

“This account has not met our expectations for profitability, and we think it best to terminate the underwriting relationship as of year-end,” Chief Executive J. Adam Abram said.

Shares of Uber and its competitor Lyft fell to fresh lows at the end of September, posting their lowest close ever.

The ride-hailing firms joined a string of recently public companies facing fresh criticism from investors.

Uber closed down 4.3% to $29.15, falling below its previous low of $30.29 on September 27.

Earlier in the day, the shares hit an intraday all-time low of $28.65.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Pay to Dig Scheme Improved Plans to make works on the capital’s road network safer and less disruptive are being shaken up

by TfL. Changes are being made to the regulator’s Lane Rental scheme and a new Roadworks Charter for utility companies introduced.

The Lane Rental scheme, which TfL says has saved £100 million of lost travel time since its introduction in 2012, allows the transport regulator to charge utility companies a daily fee for digging up the busiest sections of London’s roads at the busiest times.

This encourages companies to plan the works they need to carry out outside of the most sensitive times. All money raised from the scheme is reinvested in initiatives and innovations designed to reduce disruption caused by roadworks across the capital.

In 2018/19, TfL invested £6.1m in London’s road network using funding raised through the scheme on a series of projects.

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Dynamo Electric Taxi Gets Launch Date TRADE The Nissan Dynamo electric taxi will officially be launched this month to coincide with the mayor’s latest clean air strategy.

The long-awaited cab is a modified e-NV200 and is the first fully electric taxi to be licensed to operate in London.

Pictures of the first Dynamo taxi to operate in London began appearing on social media at the start of the month.

But the 187-mile range five-seater will be officially unveiled at London City Hall, where a static Dynamo Electric Taxi will be on display along the Queen’s Walk.

The taxi was passed by Transport for London and will be built in Coventry.

It is smaller than the TXe with the space to carry five passengers rather than six but is expected to be cheaper, at £47,995, after government subsidies.

Dynamo says it will cost less than £30 per week to run on electricity.

The cab can be viewed and taken for a test drive at the London dealership in Colindale, NW9.

The first orders will start to be delivered early next year.

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TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

@TheLTDA

Tower Hamlets is going ahead with its bus gate taxi ban but there is a glimmer of hope

RICHARD MASSETT

THE FUTURE OF WAPPING BUS GATE

THE MASSETT FILE

“In terms of air quality and noise, we were able to point that our new ZEC vehicles produced little or no emissions and were almost silent...”

I

recently met the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, along with his colleagues Councillor Dan Tomlinson and the council officer in charge of the Wapping bus gate scheme. I was accompanied by a representative from the Unite the Union’s cab section and a member of staff from Newington, our public affairs consultants who had facilitated the meeting at our request.

The objectives of the meeting were to: u Convince the council of the need to provide access through the bus gate to taxis u To prevent taxis from being affected by future anti rat running schemes which the borough may be considering u To discuss the council’s plans to provide enough electric vehicle charging points and to stress the importance of an adequate number of taxi-only rapid chargers. u To discuss possible changes to the East-West Cycle Superhighway, which has had the effect of increased congestion in Tower Hamlets and particularly in the Wapping area. u To open communication channels for future dialogue on wider issues in Tower Hamlets, which may affect the taxi trade in the future.

Mayor Sadiq Khan explained that the decision had been taken to implement the bus gate in Wapping High Street at Pier Head between Sampson and Knighton Streets. It will operate from 5.30am – 10.30am and from 4pm – 7pm, Monday to Friday. Only buses and cycles will be able to pass through it. The reasons behind this are to improve the environment for its residents in terms of relief from congestion and from air and noise pollution. It was pointed out that vehicles use the route to avoid congestion on The Highway.

For our part we made it clear that while taxis may also be rat-running, they are also plying for hire, which provides a useful service to residents who frequently go onto the street to hail a taxi

to take them to work in the City. We also made clear our role in helping the less able to get around and that the local station is not one that is designated as being accessible. Excluding taxis from using the bus gate would mean that much fewer taxis would be available for hire during the morning peak. During the evening peak it would be a little different, in that taxis would have to use longer and more congested routes to get people back to their homes.

We also strongly made the point that, under the public consultation that took place, 75% of all the respondents wanted taxis to travel through the bus gate. Also, of those living in Should taxis be allowed?

(All answers)

(Consultation area) 6%

0%

26%

26% 74%

Yes

No

Don’t know

NEWS IN BRIEF

Martin Cordell & Co at Heathrow BUSINESS Taxi accounts specialists Martin Cordell & Co have been holding surgeries at Heathrow for several months. The company says feedback from drivers has been fantastic, which means they will continue offering the drop-in service.

Cordell’s representative Ian Jacobs will be there once a month, but this could increase should the demand be there. Ian’s next two visits will be Thursday, October 17, and November 21, 2019. He is based in the Unite Office (not the Portacabin) by the canteen.

The company’s existing customers and taxi drivers that are not with them are welcome to pop in to see Ian, either for a general chat, or for some specific accountancy or tax advice. If you wish to have your accounts prepared, make an appointment to see him. If you are not a client, why not take advantage of this free visit to find out more?

68%

Yes

No

Don’t know

the consultation area, 68% supported taxis.

Quite remarkable figures when you consider that the cycle lobby had been heavily lobbying against the inclusion of taxis.

It’s fair to say the council officials did not contest much of what we were saying, but they did say they had concerns about whether allowing taxis and not PHV’s would be equitable. They were also concerned that the Mayor of London had been challenged in court on equality grounds over his plans to charge PHVs to enter the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ. The answer to these questions was that all wheelchair accessible vehicles could be permitted and that the taxi trade these days is also very diverse.

In terms of air quality and noise, we were able to point that our new ZEC vehicles produced little or no emissions and were almost silent.

At this point the mayor had to leave the meeting for another engagement but as he was putting his coat on, he asked: “what if it was ZEC-taxis only?” This prompted a discussion on the mayor’s suggestion where we continued to make the case for the inclusion of all taxis.

The scheme will go ahead as proposed in early November, but the mayor has invited us to go back to see him in three months’ time when there will be information on how the scheme has been operating. u

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

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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Bus speeds slashed after accident surge ROADS

Uber Eyes Office Move Uber is shrugging off concerns around its future in London and is looking for a bigger base in the capital.

Despite only being given a eightweek licence extension last month and ordered to improve passenger safety, the app firm is eyeing up a move to the City of London, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Uber is currently located in the Aldgate, just east of the financial district.

TfL said the new two-month licence retains the same conditions that Uber has been subject to over the last 15 months, along with new conditions covering ride sharing, appropriate insurance and driver document checks by Uber.

The regulator is requesting additional material from Uber and this information will help inform any future licensing decision.

Bus speeds in Tottenham Court Road have been restricted to 10mph after a series of accidents.

The move comes little more than five months after the street was controversially changed from one-way to two-way traffic.

Police are investigating the latest incident, which is the fourth time a pedestrian has been hospitalised after being hit by southbound buses on the new pedestrian crossing.

The woman, who has not been named, was struck by a route 29 bus, operated by Arriva, driven southbound on the street on October 26.

In a statement, TfL appeared to suggest that there was no problem with the new layout only that people needed to get used to it.

Tom Cunnington, TfL’s bus business development head, said: “We are sorry that a woman was injured after a collision involving a route 29 bus, operated by Arriva, on Tottenham Court Road last Thursday evening.

“Following the changes that have been made to Tottenham Court Road there have been a number of collisions between buses and pedestrians.

“While speed has not been a common factor, we are introducing this temporary measure as a precaution prior to Camden

Council completing the project and pedestrians becoming used to the new layout.”

An ambulance crew treated a woman at the scene for a facial injury and took her to hospital.

Three previous collisions appear to have happened in almost identical circumstances.

A man in his 30s was struck on June 11 by a southbound number 24 bus operated

by Metroline.

A week later on June 18, another pedestrian was injured by an Arriva bus. On Monday, September 2, a female student from SOAS University of London was knocked unconscious by a southbound bus, also operated by Arriva.

All the collisions occurred on the pedestrian crossing on the southbound carriageway just south of the junction with Torrington Place.

The Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association has called on Camden Council and Transport for London to review the layout of the new junction.

TfL has instructed all bus drivers not to exceed 10mph on Tottenham Court Road until further notice.

Tottenham Court Road switched to two-way traffic on April 20, 2019 as part of Camden’s West End Project, which is part-funded by TfL. Only cycles and buses can currently travel southbound on Tottenham Court Road.

When the project is completed in spring 2020 cars, lorries and taxis will be barred from parts of Tottenham Court Road at certain times under the £35 million transformation of the street.

By March 2020, Gower Street will also switch to two-way traffic, with protected cycle lanes along its length.

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TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

@TheLTDA

The lunatics have taken over the asylum and the powers-that-be are giving them a free pass

ANTHONY STREET

THE END OF THE WORLD? BRING IT ON

STREETS AHEAD

T

he woke protesters taking over London would be funny if they weren’t so infuriating. The comical attempt to spray paint the walls of the Treasury which ended with them losing control of the hose, like something from a long forgotten comedy such as the Keystone Cops, made me chuckle at least.

One video I saw involved a grown man bursting into tears while looking at a picture of his children and being asked about the future of the planet. Presumably he could only conjure up a vision of a Mad Max-like wasteland, where barely a shrub could survive and there was a shortage of avocados.

Since well before the tree hugging days of Swampy and co, “uncooperative crusties” have provided us norms with a rich vein of comedy.

Everyone of a certain age will remember the protein man, Stanley Green, who marched up and down Oxford Street wearing a dramatic sandwich board,

Extinction Rebellion’s food colouring fail at the Treasury this month

selling pamphlets predicting doom and warning against the dangers of protein.

Green travelled from his home in Ealing every day with his placard promising Less Lust from Less Protein, and recommending the banning of fish, bird, meat, cheese, egg, beans, peas, nuts and sitting, from 1968 to 1993.

Green sold his home-printed pamphlet warning that an excess of protein was responsible for uncontrollable passions, causing much of what was wrong with the world.

There was also the sinner not a winner man, Phil Howard [below]. He was a Scouser who hung around Oxford Circus from 2000 yelling “be a winner, not a sinner,” while predicting we would all go to hell. He was given an ASBO by Westminster Council. That wouldn’t happen today, he would be given his own bridge to sit on, with a tent and a petrol generator to keep him well nourished.

It’s as if nutters from Hyde Park have been given the keys to the city. They have their own soapboxes in a willing media and a cowed police force, too frightened to act, with a mayor who is too desperate to appear down with the kids to do anything but give a tacit thumbs up.

But when it comes to stopping people earning a crust and potentially paying their mortgage it makes the red mist descend.

Yes, I understand there are problems that need urgent action. You only have to look at the horrific pictures of plastic swamped oceans and the ever-shrinking rainforest to realise that something needs to be done. The Government and the mayor are trying to clean up the air, amongst other things, and perhaps they aren’t doing enough.

But you could never be doing enough for most of the people involved in Extinction Rebellion. After all, the Treasury was targeted with blood after it had the temerity to suggest that Britain is doing quite a lot to tackle climate change.

Stanley Green

These protesters who keep shutting down London, so they can do a spot of yoga and munch lettuce leaves are not progressive, they want to turn us all into Fred Flintstone.

They won’t be happy until we are back toiling in the fields, turning the earth, decrepit by 30, with nothing more than Dock leaves for pain relief because the drugs companies would have been closed down, and having turned up our toes by 40.

These “end of the world” predictions are neither new nor even that helpful.

Reasoned debate is good, but someone screaming “we’re all going to die tomorrow,” in your face is not.

One hysterical attendee told reporters that it was no good complaining about the affect the protest was having on business, because, if we didn’t act now there wouldn’t be any businesses to worry about.

Doomsayers have been around for millennia.

We have enough of them in the cab trade; the shouts of “the trade’s dead” have been going on for hundreds of years. The quack Nostradamus was once hailed as a prophet, instead of the madman scribbling nonsensical rubbish he clearly was.

Lots of normally reasonable people seem to be buying into the idea that the end of the world is coming, but not me, not yet anyway. But when I’m stuck in traffic, and all I can see is a group of over-privileged and unproductive clowns on a bridge doing yoga, I can only think that it can’t come soon enough. u

Anthony Street is an LTDA Executive Support Officer

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

#REASONSTOBELIEVE

#08

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L E VC . C O M / TA X I O F F E R | 0 2 0 3 9 1 2 6 2 1 4 *Terrms and conditions apply. Free 5yrs warranty and 3yrs servicing offer applies only to new TX Comfort Plus vehicles ordered before 31st December 2019. The LEVC service promotion covers the parts and labour costs associated with scheduled routine maintenance items, including inspection and adjustment, fluid and filter renewal and replacement of service components based on mileage and time-based service intervals up to 75,000 miles or 3 years (whichever comes first), maintaining your TX for the duration of the plan. Please note this excludes wear and tear items. The warranty offer is an extension of the standard 3 year vehicle warranty, covering your 4th and 5th year motoring, up to 150,000 miles only.

This is a dealer promotion redeemable only at LEVC Brewery Road. This is not a finance agreement. This promotion is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. LEVC reserves the right to terminate offers at any time.

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TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

LETTERS “CHAMPION OUR ICONIC TRADE”

STAR LETTER

T

here is no point ranting anymore. The closures, construction and chaos are enough to make you want to melt down your badge into a silver bullet and hunt down the head werewolf.

Instead, I thought I’d reiterate something positive.

Work has picked up for a number of reasons.

Having the card machine is a huge factor in keeping

“NICEST ACT OF HUMAN KINDNESS”

the trade alive: I have seen the percentage of people paying by card rocket in the past year, and with all the apps now available, no other firms have an unfair advantage with modern technology. But another main reason for more steady work is the fact that people will always recognise quality.

Uber’s original PR trick of making the cab trade

wanted to alert drivers to a pair of young lads with Irish accents palming off dud Scottish notes. I took them to Stoke Newington Church Street recently. I heard from another cabbie whose story was very similar, so it appears they might be Paul Howe making this a regular pastime!

to get out of the house. He has a Taxi Card but we need help from a driver who is happy to wheel him out of the house, into a cab and to get him out of the house over two steps. We do have a small ramp for one of the steps, and a longer ramp into the drive.

However, I would need the driver to put the ramp into position, as it is just a little too large for me to manage.

We only want to make very occasional journeys but would appreciate assistance.

We live in Kingsbury, NW9. Email editor@ ltda.co.uk.

Angela L. Kravit

CAFFE CONCERTO FOR CABBIES

CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE

TAXI DRIVER WANTED

M

y husband, Alan Kravit, is a retired cab driver, having hung up his badge at the age of 80 after working for over 44 years.

He is now disabled and has to use a wheelchair

Danny Cheesewright

I

I

T

look like a bloated old monster laying dead in the water only fooled people for a certain amount of time.

Everything has its premium and budget version, and after trying the cheaper option a lot of people eventually want a bit more for their money and are happy to pay extra to get quality. Also, the taxi industry is balanced with age, gender and ethnicity - not the reactionary one-dimensional image Uber tried to portray - so it is progressive and modern in every way. And with smart e-taxis now on the road, what’s not to like?

So, take the diehard stickers out of the cab and let’s champion our iconic trade. Have that, werewolves! u

FORGED BANKNOTES

wanted to take a moment and email TAXI about a recent experience with an incredible black cab driver, Alan.

I have a daughter who was taken to Great Ormond Street hospital at three days old to have major surgery; we have been back and forth since. The easiest way for me to take her to her appointments is via train to London Victoria and then get a black cab straight to the hospital.

I have met many drivers, some talk, some don’t. But Alan took a real interest in myself and Darcy. I told him all about her condition, and how she needs further surgery very soon.

Alan wouldn’t take payment from me, he refused. It was the nicest act of human kindness I have received in a long time. I donated £25 to the hospital charity as soon as I got there.

I just wanted to thank Alan by emailing the letters page, hoping he can get some recognition through the pages of TAXI. Hayley and Darcy (now aged one)

he Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund would like to inform drivers of a wonderful offer from Caffe Concerto.

Early bird breakfast diners visiting any of the restaurants before 9am, will receive 15% off your meals. You must have your badge with you.

At other times dining cabbies receive 20% off when they dine with a party of four or more.

So, enjoy yourselves and a big thank you to Caffe Concerto.

I would also like to let everyone know that TDYCF have a few tickets left for the dinner dance on November 30, 2019. Anyone interested should email me for the booking form here: info@taxifund.co.uk Russell Poluck M.B.E, Hon. Chairman

@TheLTDA

I

thought I’d relate my licence renewal experience recently in case it helps anyone.

Three years ago, I joined the DBS update service hoping it might help with my recent renewal and decided to risk doing it online.

Being a technophobe, I could not have done it without my son’s help. Within six and half days of applying (which included a weekend), I received a phone call and email confirming my renewal had been approved. The licence arrived two days later; staggering. Credit where it’s due. It was a pity I had a lot of trouble making contact for my cab inspection though.

Alasdair Kay

EASY RUN

HARD RUN

u Queen’s Park Station to Liverpool Street Station

u St Charles Hospital to Royal Hill

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

SUPER PUMPED ABOUT UBER BOOK

M

y friend Jamie Hawes and I have just bought Super Pumped by Mike Isaac, which is subtitled the appalling true story of the rise of Uber. The book is fascinating, and I will inform Helen Chapman, of Transport for London, of its contents and I recommend it to all cabbies. Jamie and I have written Ubergate X and are we writing Ubergate XY? and Ubergate: The Death of the Black Cab. We are looking for worldwide representation for the trilogy.

We are both London cabbies, but I also publish Charles Griffin, the Daily Express/Mirror cartoonist who illustrates our book. He has now retired where we are working 40% longer hours for 30% less. I am 73.

Stuart Wilder, www.stucartoons.co.uk

@TheLTDA

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15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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@TheLTDA

At last you can find out how long your cab is affected by the taxi age limit changes

PAUL BRENNAN

THE TAXI AGE LIMIT EXPLAINED TAXI FIRST REGISTERED

TOP RANK

I

don’t know about you but whenever I read something written by accountants, IT people or lawyers I have to read it through several times before I can even begin to have an inkling of what it’s saying. These three professions seem to have a language all of their own and one that only they can understand.

They don’t need to use complicated language though. Subjects can be explained much more simply than they are. Quite often the solutions to problems are better explained somewhere else. For example, if I have an IT issue, even a simple one, you can go to somewhere like Microsoft help and type in your issue. The IT people will find a solution that will be several pages long and involve complex codes that give me a nosebleed just reading them. Or you can go to YouTube – the modern equivalent to a Haynes manual – and watch a two-minute video where someone has a simple solution that involves a few clicks of the mouse and, hey presto, your issue has been resolved.

It now seems I must add the people who write TfL’s notices to the list of people who can’t seem to manage to spell out a message in plain English.

When it released notice 05-19 explaining the future age limit reduction, we were flooded with calls at Taxi House from drivers asking us to unravel its cryptic message.

The calls would almost always start with the driver saying, “I’m sure I’m just being thick, but…” They weren’t being thick they were just victims of a poorly worded notice.

My Woodfield Road colleagues and I couldn’t even agree what it means, and we deal with these issues on a daily basis. The high number of calls prompted me to contact TfL asking for clarification. My first queries were met with the responses that seemed to

suggest we are silly cabbies. We were directed back to the notice and told “it’s all very simple, it’s all in the notice.” This was clearly a sign that they themselves couldn’t work it out.

This was further proven when we started asking drivers to contact TfL and ask for the final date that they could get their cab plated and were given conflicting dates from different TfL staff members. So, again I contacted TfL and highlighted this fact and told them this so-called “simple notice” was anything but and needed some urgent clarification.

I also highlighted the fact that the first October 31 deadline was fast approaching and that drivers could lose out several months of a potential licence if the matter wasn’t resolved ASAP. Finally, after weeks of continuously demanding action from TfL, officials have now given us an age calculator that I’ve used to complete the table, right, so drivers can have the clear, simple and precise answer they need and deserved all along.

It seems crazy that in a world where care must now be taken on how any action will affect people with mobility issues, or those from a BAME background, and many other considerations besides, that TfL thinks it’s acceptable to write a notice like 05-19 that needs to be read by many who have English as a second or third language. Especially when it’s a subject matter such as the lifespan of a working cab which has such important consequences for the intended recipients.

When looking up your last permitted plate date you must bear in mind that you will need to have your cab passed and plated before it reaches its birthday in that month, so give yourselves some wriggle room when booking your inspections just in case. u

Paul Brennan, LTDA Executive

“It now seems I must add the people who write TfL’s notices to the list of people who can’t seem to manage to spell out a message in plain English...”

Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr-06 May-06 Jun-06 Jul-06 Aug-06 Sep-06 Oct-06 Nov-06 Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 May-07 Jun-07 Jul-07 Aug-07 Sep-07 Oct-07 Nov-07 Dec-07 Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Apr-08 May-08 Jun-08 Jul-08 Aug-08 Sep-08 Oct-08 Nov-08 Dec-08 Jan-09 Feb-09 Mar-09 Apr-09 May-09 Jun-09 Jul-09 Aug-09 Sep-09 Oct-09 Nov-09 Dec-09 Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 Apr-10 May-10

LAST PERMITTED PLATE DATE Oct-19 Oct-19 Oct-19 Nov-19 Dec-19 Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 Jul-20 Aug-20 Sep-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Oct-20 Nov-20 Dec-20 Jan-21 Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 May-21 Jun-21 Jul-21 Aug-21 Sep-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Jan-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Oct-21 Nov-21 Dec-21 Jan-22 Feb-22 Mar-22 Apr-22 May-22

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@TheLTDA

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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15

Double Court Blow Looms for Uber Uber’s £1bn VAT bill edges closer

has done, when it thinks it has a more than 50/50 prospect of having to pay it.

So, Uber thinks it has a more than 50/50 prospect of having to charge VAT – and hand over unpaid VAT.” LEGAL HMRC announced in May that Lawyers fighting to make Uber pay it is now investigating whether the more than £1 billion in VAT believe the minicab company owes more than £1bn case could be tilting in their favour after in unpaid UK tax and is looking at the company admitted the bill would whether the company is a transportation cripple its business. provider, which Uber says it is not.

The Good Law Project argues that However, in its recently published as an employment tribunal held that UK accounts, Uber stated: “The Uber Uber was supplying transportation Group is involved in an ongoing dialog services, it should be charging 20% with HMRC, which is seeking to classify VAT on all its fares and paying that the Uber Group as a transportation money over to HMRC. provider. Being classified as a The annual bill could run into tens or transportation provider would result in a VAT (20%) on gross bookings or hundreds of millions of pounds every year, with unpaid back duties estimated on the service fee that the company charges drivers, both retroactively to be around £15bn. and prospectively.”

Jo Maugham QC, of the project, It is thought that Uber may be now believes that following “years of attempting to strike a deal over back pressure from us, funded by you, Uber now accepts it is likely to have to charge payments ahead of its challenge to the employment tribunal ruling, which VAT to its customers and hand over is due to be heard in the Supreme unpaid VAT to HMRC.” Court this year.

In a message posted on a crowdThe Good Law project, whose cases funding site, he added: “We know this are funded through donations, has because it has told us that under its US suffered some setbacks to its case, but accounts it will recognise a contingent it’s pressing on with its judicial review liability. And as I understand matters proceedings, with the next hearing (I am not a US accountant) a company recognises a contingent liability, as Uber scheduled for November 6.

UK Council to Sue Over Border Bandits REGIONAL UK councils are poised to join forces and support a lawsuit against Uber for “illegally” allowing its drivers to operate in areas where they are not licensed.

Medway Council will lead the action following a crucial vote on the crossborder issue hiring prompted by a campaign by Gillingham cabbies who were fed up with Uber drivers, primarily licensed in London, working across the Medway towns.

The campaign by the Medway Licence Taxi Drivers’ Association (MLTDA) was taken up by Cllr Dan McDonald who asked the council to “proceed with the appropriate legal action against Uber” and work with MLTDA. The motion won cross party support at a full council meeting in the town on Thursday, October 10, and is expected to pave the way for national action against the operator as other licensing authorities suffering similar problems with Uber operating in their districts, either without ever applying for a local licence or after being refused one, join the action. Some of these authorities affected include

Basildon, Brentwood, Watford, Bristol, Slough and York.

Cllr Dan McDonald [pictured, left], of Medway Council, said after the meeting: “We achieved a real victory against Uber with my motion receiving cross party support to assist the MLTDA with legal action. “(It was) a significant decision that will send a message to other councils across the UK. Medway is standing by its drivers, Uber we are coming for you.”

Councillors discussed whether Uber has a case to answer in court for operating illegally in the Medway Towns.

Uber hides beneath the cloak of a “Greater London” licence issued by Transport for London but the MLTDA and the council believes this is unlawful.

The influx of ride share drivers to the Medway area has caused great hardship for many local drivers.

During the debate, Cllr Harinder Singh added “Uber your time is up, you’ve had your chance, we’re coming for you.”

Local drivers were delighted with the backing of the council and took to social media with one posting, “the support and understanding by Medway council has been astonishing!

“It has put ALL other councils to shame, and I thank you for it.”

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To join, call Paula today on 020 7286 1046 or email paula@ltda.co.uk Alternatively, call in at Taxi House and pick up an application form or download it from: www.ltda.co.uk POLICY CONDITIONS: Claims for Back/Depression related illnesses have a reduced benefit of £90 per week. 14 day deferment period before claim payments start. Maximum period for which weekly benefit is payable to 26 weeks. The age limit for joining Platinum is 49 years and for the Gold is 54 years. You are covered up to your 65th Birthday. (subject to terms & conditions).

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15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

17

Wim Faber meets the author of a book laying bare Uber’s attempt to bully its way to the top

WIM FABER

SUPER PUMPED; A CAUTIONARY TALE

INTERNATIONAL

bike solution, even offered to share data, the ‘gold’ Uber dangles in front of city managers.

Previously they had had to beg Uber for data.

“Regulators see how cities have changed under Uber”, warns Isaac. “In such profound ways, which were never foreseen. And they’re not dealing with the consequences. People drive for an hour, two hours to work in the city.

There are so many that the streets get clogged.

They sleep in their cars, park on the streets and use them as toilets. Is this progress?”

The promise ‘to work with the city’ sounds familiar to Isaac: “They’re forever talking about the last mile, from the last underground stations. In New York Uber claims to help areas underserved by public transport. At the same time people take an Uber instead of the metro.

Why hop on a train and then take an Uber?

You might as well go the whole hog. In London Uber offers a pooling-option, trying to supplant public transport. I don’t really buy it.”

‘‘P

erhaps Uber needs a new Kalanick”, a major financial newspaper recently stated on the recent poor performance by Uber and Lyft’s stocks, after they hit their lowest level ever.

The recently adopted AB5-law in California, which aims to turn gig workers into employees with rights, and the problems with New York City and London regulation hit Uber hard. Just the right moment for Mike Isaac’s [pictured, right] book Super Pumped – The battle for Uber to hit the bookshelves – and headlines. On a whirlwind tour Isaac just visited London, where he declared “I love your black cabs”, Brussels and Rotterdam to promote the book I managed to catch up with him and speak about Uber and its methods.

The New York Times technology reporter named the book after one of Uber-founder Travis Kalanick’s 14 maxims: “Being super pumped gives us super powers, turning the hardest problems into amazing opportunities to do something great.” On the same page Isaac mentions Machiavelli’s “two ways of contesting, the one by the law, the other by force; the first method is proper to men, the second to beasts.”

Kalanick usually used both in his war-like zeal, in what he saw as a political campaign with Uber as the pristine candidate to “defeat the asshole taxi.” He also says, “nobody likes him, he’s not a nice character, but he’s so woven into the political machinery and fabric that a lot of people owe him favours.”

All Out War

For Kalanick, charm, disruption and all-out war were just a few items in his tool cabinet. At a regulators’ conference in Toronto in 2011, I witnessed how a smooth-talking Kalanick (at the far end of a small room – alone) tried to mesmerise big regulators (at the other end of the room – there was a large gap in the middle, with me in it) to open their doors to Uber.

Uber had refused to speak at the actual conference but hired a room next to the conference and offered the regulators an open bar.

His bellicose behavior over the next four years didn’t do Uber’s reputation any good: the brutal business model – in which drivers are called ‘supply’ and rules and regulators are a mere nuisance – remains unchanged: raise large amounts of money, spend like crazy on incentives, drop fares for drivers or increase prices, refresh the driver pool continuously and repeat. And

Apologist in chief

essentially make no money in the process.

Super Pumped details the steep rise of Uber from 2009 until 2017 with Kalanick at the centre and in total control, burning billions of dollars buying up market share.

It describes the ‘bro-culture,’ many cases of MeToo abuse, misogyny, the disregard of local laws, Kalanick’s fear of Apple’s app-store rules, a culture of misleading regulators with the infamous Greyball programme, disregarding advice from advisors, cheating investors and spying on employees, journalists and politicians. “As long as Uber’s private valuation climbed and Kalanick continued to make money for investors, even the more critical directors were willing to look past his misbehaviour,” Isaac observes.

One of the most hilarious stories in the book is how Uber never got the measure of drivers in China who bilked the company for millions. Uber gave up in the end, as it did in Russia, sharing the spoils with local app Yandex.

“Uberworkers are bending over backwards to paint a good Uber 2.0 impression These days Uber-workers are bending over backwards to paint a good impression of their of their company. “Forget the time of Kalanick, we’re company.

Uber 2.0”, two Uber policy advisors, trying to schmooze EU officials, recently told me.

‘Forget And at a transport conference in Brussels last the time week, Uber’s Benelux-CEO was openly angling of Kalanick, for peer-acceptance, by describing Uber as a reliable partner of cities and their public we’re transport systems. The CEO, who mainly Uber 2.0’...” pushed sharing of vehicles and the Uber-

For some people the primary criticism of Uber was the crazy misogyny and the excessive million-dollar Beyonce parties.

They well and truly had their asses kicked over that. Uber 2.0 claims it is trying to do the right thing, but then you have to buy into their business and employment model and think it’s OK,” Isaac noted. “Labour protection was set back years by Uber.”

“For the two years under Dara Khosrowshahi Uber’s been very quiet”, Isaac says. “They call him the ‘apologist in chief.’ (laughs). He’s forever saying, ‘we’re not bad anymore.’ And some people have started accepting that. But that also means that there is a weird nebulous feel around Uber.

“But is a business model in which you spend two dollars to gain one dollar really working? Dara is a money guy. He knows he either has to raise fares or lower driver income. I ask you: ‘Is Uber ever going to be a profitable company?’”

Talking about finances, for a technology reporter Isaac pinned his story less on tech structures and innovations, but much more on people to illustrate separate developments. To begin he focusses on Travis Kalanick, who started UberCab in 2009 together with Gareth Camp, barely a year after Georgian immigrant George Arison sketched the blueprint of an Uber-like service ordering cabs via the tap of a button on a mobile phone. This was initially called RideCharge, then Taxi Magic and now Curb. Flaws in the business model (it was too closely aligned to expense reporting tool Concur and the booking system was flawed) helped it lose the battle with Uber, which boomed because of the iPhone and more importantly the investors.

To be continued... u

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@TheLTDA

Running a cab is expensive but there are people who can help you if get into trouble

CHRIS ACKRILL

ON THE ROAD

KEEPING YOUR HEAD ABOVE WATER

N

ew York City yellow cab drivers have been having it tough for a while. Like many taxi groups around the world, their trade has been hit by unfair competition from organisations like Uber. The situation in New York is particularly bad because in the past, drivers paid huge amounts of money to buy access into a trade where numbers are restricted. Each taxi needs a licence medallion. The medallion system restricts numbers, and by 2014 they cost up to one million dollars to buy. Drivers can lease a medallion for $100 per shift, but in the past drivers took out loans to buy medallions when times were better and are now finding it hard to make the loan repayments. The arrival of Uber, Lyft, &. have greatly reduced trade and taxi drivers aren’t making enough money to cover their loans. Some drivers have committed suicide over the worry.

Debt isn’t something you hear discussed in the cab cafés, but many of us have been

affected by it at points in our lives. I’m managing to keep my head above water, but there have been some grim times.

London drivers don’t have to buy medallions, but a cab loan, or the weekly rental, takes a big chunk out of our pay. I was soon in trouble when I joined TfL as a Knowledge examiner in 2011. I was on a decent wage, but I was only a few months

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into a finance deal on a new cab and I had to find £768 every month. That was the basic cab loan; my fuel bill driving in from Northampton every day was colossal. I had to work one or two days on the cab at weekends after five days at TfL just to pay the loan. And although TfL paid my train season ticket from Northampton – yes, very generous – I had to wait four weeks for my first pay packet. I was also shocked how much I was deducted for tax, National Insurance and pension.

I dug myself into a hole. It isn’t always easy to admit you have a problem, but I eventually sought help from a debt charity.

They consolidated my various debts and loans into one agreed monthly payment.

Even with a large debt, it can be spread out and managed. They helped explain things with the banks. My main bank put my account on “Control”. All that really meant was that I couldn’t get an overdraft. Just as well really, as that helped me get into difficulty in the first place.

I eventually recovered, but I faced another financial meltdown when the cab’s engine and gearbox needed replacing in October 2018. Before I could get straight, the cab failed its licensing inspection in March 2019. I had to spend a king’s ransom on bodywork. It would have ruined me had I not been able to cash in a small pension I took out when I started out in the late 1980s. I only take a week each year on a proper going-away holiday, but problems with the cab forced me to have several weeks off. I’m sure some

drivers have been ruined by similar events.

Having enforced holidays costs us dearly.

Having a bad credit rating makes it difficult to get further credit, but once you get straight and start making payments on time you credit rating improves quickly.

After a few years I managed to obtain a credit card, and my credit limit has been raised a few times. I try to pay the full amount every month to avoid exorbitant interest payments. I used to dread officiallooking envelopes arriving from companies I didn’t recognise. I still do, but mostly because I think it might contain a photo of my cab on a yellow box junction and a demand for payment – as it did only last week when a photo arrived showing my cab touching a yellow box junction on Cricklewood Broadway. I don’t open letters straight away if I think they might contain something nasty. I wait until I’ve finished work for the week. I recently received a letter from Huddersfield. I don’t know anyone in Huddersfield, or knowingly have any business dealings with anyone in Huddersfield. When I eventually found the courage to open the letter I saw it was from my bank offering me a credit card. Times have certainly changed for me, though I’m not complacent. I also know where to find help if I need help. Unforeseen things happen, particularly when you’re self-employed and are dependent on an expensive vehicle for your livelihood. It’s important not to overreach yourself with cab loans, and to be realistic about your earning capability. You need to base your financial projections on your worst day rather than your best day, and sometimes that figure needs to be reviewed.

You need to be honest with yourself if you are getting into difficulties. Admitting you are in trouble is difficult. It affects your pride; but it’s usually best to speak to your family about any problems and have them on your side too.

If anyone reading this gets into financial difficulties, I can recommend a free service from the organisation that helped me get back on the straight and narrow, Step Change. u

Chris Ackrill is a taxi driver and former Knowledge examiner

“You need to be honest with yourself if you are getting into difficulties.

Admitting you are in trouble is difficult.

It affects your pride; but it’s usually best to speak to your family...”

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

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15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

21

TAXI favourite, Dean Richardson has knocked out yet another opponent, how far can he go?

LLOYD BALDWIN

BOXING CABBIE LANDS PRO TITLE

ON POINT

I

want to pass on my congratulations to London taxi driver and professional boxer Dean Richardson, who has become the new super welterweight southern area champion with a tworound demolition of Nathan Graham.

We have followed the 24-year-old’s exploits in these pages and I’m over the moon to see his hard work pay off. I’m delighted for both Dean and his family, for whom it was a nail-biting night, even if it was a bit shorter than expected.

Richardson, of Ruislip, who is now 11-0 with eight knockouts, finished the fight with a single right hook at close range early into the second round.

Dean was superb and you can watch the fight on YouTube by simply typing in the names of the two boxers.

The family, of course, are delighted and said it was a fantastic night, with amazing support.

The first round was cagey with both fighters feeling their way into the fight,

but a few bursts of combinations from Dean saw him edge the round.

Both men came out for the second and Richardson took the centre of the ring. Graham lunged in with a right hand to the body and as he wound up for an uppercut, Richardson landed his own right hook. Graham landed face first on the canvas but managed to get to his feet at the count of six. His legs were unsteady and as he wobbled backwards towards the ropes the referee waved it off, just 27 seconds into the round.

It was the 24-year-old’s first title as a professional and with the English belt being contested for on the same night, Richardson hopes to defend his southern area title or have his own crack at the English title early next year.

I will continue to keep tabs on his career as he bids to pick up more titles in the future.

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Quite a few drivers have been contacting the LTDA after getting a PCN for turning right from London Wall to Moorgate. This is a banned turn. There is new signage in place, which will make it much harder for us to overturn any fines on appeal. Without wishing to keep repeating myself, over-ranking at Harrods is still a big money spinner for TfL. I have no idea why drivers continue to do this – surely, there aren’t that many jobs from there that will cover the cost of a fine? Either way, TfL will quite happily send you a PCN for stopping on the zig zags while queuing to get on the rank. These are nigh on impossible to challenge too.

The school restrictions in Islington are still catching out too many drivers. The signage is not that clear and you need to be careful to check the times. Basically, most of the schools have vehicle bans surrounding them for an hour or more around the time of the first and last bell.

Drivers are also being caught out in the 20mph zone at Dalston Junction along Stoke Newington High Street – so beware! u

Lloyd Baldwin is an LTDA Executive Support Officer

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TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

Uber “surge-pricing is illegal” INTERNATIONAL Uber’s surge pricing model is illegal and should be stopped, a trial in the US will hear this month.

A passenger accuses the company of price-fixing and will put their arguments in a case that could disrupt one of the crucial elements of the ride-share model.

In 2015, Spencer Meyer sued Uber co-founder and then-CEO Travis Kalanick, alleging that the firm was engaging in price-fixing.

The allegation arises from Uber’s claim that it acts as an intermediary, introducing riders and drivers, which suggests they are competing businesses and not employees.

When a group of businesses agree to charge the same price for goods or service it becomes price-fixing.

“This has always been a simple case,” said Andy Schmidt, the lawyer who filed the original federal district court action back in late 2015. “Uber wants to have it both ways.”

Schmidt means it wants to claim it matches drivers to their clients while setting the prices for rides.

He adds: “Uber says its drivers are independent actors. But Uber drivers do not compete against each other on price. When they surge prices, they do

so in unison, something that could not happen without Uber’s coordination.

Is that price-fixing? We think the answer is yes.”

Surge pricing is a key feature of the app, one that is controversial because it often means people are paying a premium at the time of their greatest need, such as in the aftermath of a disaster.

Uber claims surge pricing increases driver supply, but critics say the feature serves to redistribute existing supply while pricing out some customers and prolonging driver shifts.

If surge pricing is found to be illegal, Uber could lose its ability to control the pricing of rides, the distribution of driver supply, and

the consumption patterns of riders.

The case was initially assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, who dismissed Kalanick’s denial of price-fixing and agreed the plausibility of Meyer’s allegation.

An arbitration clause hidden in Uber’s Terms of Services, which forces users to waive their right to sue and settle disputes privately, delayed the process. The case is now due to be heard this month.

The result could cause ripples to the Uber’s setup whatever way the ruling goes. If the company doesn’t, as it claims, control pricing, power could shift to drivers, which could open up other workplace opportunities.

California’s recently introduced AB 5 law threatens to reclassify Uber’s drivers as employees and is likely to be adopted in other states and could cost hundreds of millions of dollars in labour costs.

If its drivers are independent contractors, not employees, then Uber exposes itself even further to a legal argument that the company is engaged in price-fixing.

Uber said: “We are confident the law is on our side and look forward to the hearing in this case so that we can put plaintiff’s unsupported theory to rest once and for all.”

@TheLTDA

NEWS IN BRIEF New Cycle Lane Work to Begin Construction work on a major new Cycleway in east London will get underway this winter, Transport for London (TfL) says. The segregated route will transform neighbourhoods between Hackney and Westferry and encourage more journeys by bike, the regulator claims. The changes will include: Segregated cycle tracks on Burdett Road and West India Dock Road 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 crossings along the route New and improved public and green spaces, including new paving, trees and planting Links to existing cycling routes in Hackney and Tower Hamlets including Cycleways 2 and 3 Changes to some bus stop layouts and locations Changing entry to and exit from some side roads along the route Road resurfacing Upgrading pavements.

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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Learn to Save Lives with the LTDA HEALTH LTDA members are once again invited to sign up to our popular first aid course to learn some life-saving skills.

Dozens of drivers have already grabbed the opportunity to attend the training and get a first aid certificate for their efforts. The association has teamed up with Paul Tippett and Abbey First Aid Solutions to offer the free course which takes place over a morning or afternoon at Taxi House.

Paul, an Essex-based London taxi driver and qualified first aid teacher, believes passionately that the skills he teaches are invaluable.

Paul said: “I really believe that it is vital for people to have first aid training – it could be the difference between someone living or dying.

“The first courses seem to go down very well, and I think the drivers have learned a lot. I’m looking forward to the next sessions.”

Drivers learn how to administer vital chest compressions to heart

attack victims, to use the correct recovery position and learn how to save a choking child or adult. The course has been widely praised by in the past by its participants.

All the drivers were issued with a certification of Basic First Aid and an AFAS-LTDA window sticker to show their competence in first aid.

If you are an LTDA member and could commit two hours of your time on Friday, January 17, then call Taxi House on 0207 286 1046 to register your interest.

London Bus Sex Attacker Appeal A manhunt has been launched by police in connection with nine sexual assaults against women travelling on London buses. A CCTV image of a man officers want to speak to in connection with the incidents, in east and north London between July 4 and September 25, has been released.

The assaults are said to have involved sexual touching and took place between 7pm and 11pm on the 38, 48, 279, 149, and 253 bus routes. The women are between 23 and 62 years old, with the majority of them in their 20s.

DC Teresa Moore, said: “We need to find whoever is responsible for these assaults.”

She added: “Each incident has left the women targeted feeling very upset and shocked, and they are being supported by my team. “We have carried out extensive enquiries to try and identify this man, and we are now asking the public to contact us if they recognise him.”

Anyone who recognises the man in the image, or has related information to share, is asked to call detectives via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

27

Passing the Knowledge and getting a shiny new badge is a day no driver ever forgets

ALF TOWNSEND

TAXI TALK

THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE EARLY 60S

M

y first appearance at the old PCO in Lambeth Road turned out to be an absolute shambles and a total waste of time, as I stated in my recent article about the Knowledge in the 60s. I spent about seven hours on a wooden form, sitting up wind to the foul smelling toilet in ‘the Snake Pit,’ before an authoritative voice shouted down the stairs saying, “that’s the lot for today lads, sign the book if you can come tomorrow!” I was furious.

Luckily, the grey-haired examiner with the book was friendly and sympathetic. He said “right, Mr Townsend,” looking in the book, “you come and see me tomorrow and we’ll try and make you a good cabbie’. I’ve never forgotten that kindness after some 56 years on the cab!

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a fairy-tale ending the following day either. I didn’t answer one single question, so it was back again after 56 days!

But something rather strange happened towards the end of the next 56 days. In cab parlance, it was known as ‘holding it,’ as opposed to ‘dropping it.’ The vast amount of knowledge that my brain was accumulating suddenly started to register in sequence and I could shut my eyes and actually see the colour of the doors at some of the gentlemen’s clubs in Pall Mall! The Knowledge is basically a process of elimination, almost like a giant jigsaw puzzle, and the work rate involved is comparable to a three-year university degree. So, the further you ploughed your way through the Blue Book, doing external call-overs every evening of course, the more your brain tuned in, like a modern computer, and stored everything on file!

But unfortunately, with possible questions being asked on more than 400 runs, it was obvious that the process of elimination would take quite a few months. And so it proved with me. I didn’t answer a single question on my second appearance, or a single question on my third. So, in effect, I had been beavering away on the Knowledge for around six hard months and all I had come up with was, “I’m sorry sir, I’m afraid I don’t know that one!” Nowadays I believe you don’t get an Appearance until you’ve completed the Blue Book, about a year I think. This helps to streamline the Knowledge and cuts out most of the time wasted with guys and gals like me saying, “sorry sir, I haven’t done that run yet.”

Strangely enough, I was quite happy and confident. I had known the runs on my three appearances but couldn’t remember the points to start me off. Around that time I happened to have a win on the football pools, so I decided to have a break, take the family to Malta and blow the money! As bad luck would have it, while I was away sunning myself, the Earl’s Court one-way system came into force. I just knew that questions on the new one-way system would be top of the examiner’s list and that I

would need to check it out before my next appearance. But I didn’t. My dear wife convinced me that it wasn’t the end of the world, but it almost was for me! As I suspected, half of the questions were about the new one-way system. I managed to guess most of them though and I answered all the others. Then the examiner said the magic words, “well done lad, you’ve been working hard, so I’m going to give you a reduction, so come back in 28 days!” All the hard work had been worth it because once you had got a reduction you were on your way, but still needing to graft hard.

I was really buzzing now and both of my 28s were magic, with me answering every question.

Then my 21s and my 14s were rattled off spot on and the examiner said, “come back in seven days lad!” Finally, it was down to doing the suburbs by map-reading. Many of the guys found the suburbs very difficult and some of them took three months or more to hack it, but not an old coach driver like me. I used my London knowledge to take me to the North or South Circular and just buzzed around them to places like Cheam, Sutton, Crystal Palace, Croydon and Edmonton. The examiner noticed it as well saying, “you must be a coach or lorry driver laddie!”

Now it was time for my driving test, or ‘the drive’ as the guys called it. As I stated in my previous piece on the Knowledge, I was lucky enough to get the very same little Welsh examiner for my ‘drive’ who passed me for my PSV licence to drive a coach – just the year before! We both knew that he couldn’t possibly fail me on a five-seater taxi, when he had passed me to drive a monstrous 49-seater coach!

“I used my London knowledge to take me to the North or South Circular and just buzzed around them to places like Cheam, Sutton, and Crystal Palace. The examiner noticed it as well saying, “you must be a coach or lorry driver laddie!...”

So I took him on a Christmas shopping tour!

When we eventually returned to Lambeth Road he said, “you’ll do boyo, but you’re a bit heavy on the brakes!”

So, finally back to the suburbs. I had made one appearance and was asked to return for a second the following day. Imagine my utter surprise and delight when, after rattling off a couple of questions, still using the North and South Circulars, the examiner said to me, with a genuine smile on his face. “I think that will do lad. Go out to the office while I complete this form. When that’s done, you can come and collect your badge!”

That sentence was like music to my ears. It was coming up to Christmas and I had been pounding the streets of London in the day and driving a coach up to Ipswich and Felixstowe five nights a week for some 10 months. Now it was finished – I was a fully-fledged, London cabbie and issued with my brand-new, shiny badge, number 5642. I’ve still got the same badge, but it’s not so shiny now.

Afterwards, it was time for the ritual in Marcantonio’s café next door and it was time for the other guys to feel envious. I had sat in that café for what seemed like an eternity, watching the guys come in and proudly show off their shiny new badges. Now it was my moment of triumph. The guys were all crowding around looking at my shiny new badge with envy. The tea was flowing like wine and even the guvnor came over to wish me luck. His luck didn’t last too long, because when the old PCO moved to Penton Street a few years later, the café went skint and closed down!

Truly a day that I will never forget – even after 56 years! u

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@TheLTDA

What to do do if you were affected by the collapse of the British holiday company last month

EMMA LUNN

MONEY MATTERS

S

HOW TO GET A REFUND FROM THOMAS COOK

eptember saw the collapse of the UK’s biggest holiday firm Thomas Cook. The company had been in financial difficulty for some time and was on the verge of being bought out by a Chinese investor. But last ditch attempts to save the company failed and it was put into liquidation on September 23.

Thomas Cook’s collapse meant all future flights and holidays provided by the company were cancelled, and its retail shops closed. Thousands of holidaymakers already abroad on Thomas Cook holidays were repatriated back to the UK by the Civil Aviation Authority because the firm could no longer run return flights.

About 600,000 people have future holidays booked with the travel company. Although these trips will no longer go ahead, there is some good news – package holidays are protected by ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence).

ATOL is a scheme which aims to protect customers flying from the UK if a travel firm they have booked a trip with goes out of business, ensuring they do not lose money or get left stranded.

When you book a holiday, you’ll be given a ATOL certificate. If you have a Thomas Cook holiday

booked you can make a claim to ATOL, via the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and get your money back.

The CAA Thomas Cook refund scheme began on October 7. Run online, it aims to pay out refunds within 60 days of receiving a valid claims form. This means many people may not get their money back until December.

The CAA has confirmed that ATOL refunds will be for the full cost of your booking – including any extras you paid for, such as seat reservations or in-flight meals.

If you booked with a gift card and your holiday is ATOL-protected, your refund will be paid in cash.

You’ll get your money back quicker if you were paying Thomas Cook by direct debit. The CAA says it’ll refund direct debit bookings covered by ATOL within 14 days – these will be processed automatically, so you don’t need to do anything.

However, you may have more difficulty getting your money back if you just booked a flight with Thomas Cook, not a whole package. Many flight-only bookings with Thomas Cook, including those made directly with Thomas Cook Airlines, don’t have ATOL protection.

If your flight was ATOL-protected, you would have received an ATOL certificate at the time of booking.

If you bought a flight and it’s not protected by ATOL there are a couple of other options to get your money back. Your travel insurance should pay up if it includes

“scheduled airline failure insurance” or “end supplier failure”. However, not all travel insurance policies include this clause.

Alternatively, if you booked the flights on your credit card, they cost more than £100, and you paid Thomas Cook directly, you’ll be covered by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This means you can claim the money back from your credit card provider.

If you paid by debit card, you might be able to claim money back from your card provider through the chargeback scheme instead.

If you are in possession of Thomas Cook gift vouchers, you’re out of luck. The vouchers are worthless and all you can do is add you name to the list of creditors – but you’d be lucky to get even a fraction of your money back.

Thomas Cook won’t be the last travel firm to fail and its collapse has highlighted how useful ATOLprotection is. All package holidays sold by UK-based holiday firms have ATOL protection but some DIY trips do too if you book flights and hotels together from agents such as Expedia or Lastminute.com.

It’s always a good idea to have travel insurance if you go abroad. A policy with “scheduled airline failure” will protect you if your airline goes bust. “End supplier failure” should also cover things like accommodation, tours, and car hire, as well as flights. u

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF Tiredness Alerts Prompted by Road Death New electronic warning signs are being trialled in Scotland following a series of fatal crashes.

The new technology involves a flashing lights system and no entry symbols which illuminates when it detects drivers who have taken a wrong turning onto a slip road. The possible lifesaving tech-nology – a UK-first – is being tested at junctions on the M9 in West Lothian and the A1 in East Lothian, where there have been fatal crashes.

John Nisbet had just completed a 13-hour shift when he drove into oncoming traffic on the A1 near Wallyford in November 2016.

The 72-year-old from Edinburgh smashed head-on into a Peugeot Boxer vehicle between the Old Craighall and Wallyford junctions of the A1.

An investigation found that Mr Nisbet had become disorientated due to tiredness.

If the trial of the new technology is successful it could be rolled out across the UK.

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Fuel Ban Could Move Closer POLITICS

Grant Shapps

A ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars could be brought forward by five years to accelerate the take-up of electric vehicles, the Conservative Party conference was told.

The Government’s target to ensure all new cars sold are zero-emission capable models by 2040 could be moved to 2035, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.

The current deadline has been criticised by environmental campaigners as lacking ambition.

But the latest announcement is likely to prove controversial with vehicle manufacturers who are opposed to an all-out ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

Mr Shapps backed the idea of a 2035 target without fully committing the government to the move. “The government’s own advisory committee on climate change said 2035 is a date for which we should aim. We need to test these arguments and work in partnership with industry to examine how to proceed.”

Hybrid and electric cars still only make up a fraction of the sales in the UK, with many people put off by the high price tag of the vehicles and the lack of charging infrastructure.

Hybrid vehicles, which combine petrol and electric motors such as

Black Taxi

rentals

the TXe, will not be included in the sales ban.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Industry is committed to zero-emission transport for all. However, low and zero-emission vehicles still only make up a fraction of the market underscoring the huge challenge of

fast-tracking a shift to zero-emission transport. Ambition must be matched by measures that support industry allowing manufacturers time to invest, innovate and sell competitively. This includes long-term government commitment to incentives and investment in infrastructure to accelerate the uptake of these new technologies.”

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15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

“Driverless” Cars Arriving 2020 TECHNOLOGY Driverless cars have been tested on the streets of London before a proposed roll-out next year.

Passengers got to ride in the selfdriving cars, at the culmination of a two-year project by technology company Driven, backed by Transport for London.

The demonstration was led

by Oxbotica, an Oxford-based autonomous vehicle company working with the minicab company Addison Lee. However, the cars will still need to have a driver on board who can take control at any time.

During the test in Stratford it was reported that a supervisor had to step in when a pedestrian suddenly walked across the road.

Paul Newman, founder of Oxbotica and professor of engineering at Oxford, admitted that unsupervised cars were years away but said having autonomous cars in London was a significant step.

He said: “We had trialled in Oxford, but . . . being able to show these cars working in a mega-city is about confirming that they can operate smoothly, safely and legally in complex real-life situations.

“In a major city there are all sorts of unexpected things that can happen, so at the moment we still need a human to take over in those scenarios.”

The £13.6 million project was funded partly by the Government and the Department for Transport has said that autonomous cars will be able to run on the roads by the end of 2021.

Transport for London published guidelines this year on trials of selfdriving cars in expectance of their arrival.

Michael Hurwitz, director of innovation at TfL, said: “Autonomous

vehicle technology has the potential to significantly change travel and that’s why the mayor’s transport strategy commits us to engaging with innovative companies, both now and in the future, at the earliest available opportunity.”

George Freeman, the transport minister, said: “Self-driving technology has the scope to revolutionise the way people travel with potentially profound benefits for road safety, accessibility and convenience. We want to drive the roll-out of self-driving vehicles and continue to support innovators.”

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Air Clean Up Has Stalled At least four in five urban areas have illegal levels of air pollution despite Government promises to tackle the problem, an official report has found.

Hardly any progress was made in 2018 in cutting the number of areas that breach the limit for nitrogen dioxide. The level of NO2 in London last year was more than twice the legal limit, which is 40mcg of NO2 per cubic metre of air.

The next most polluted area was South Wales which was 1.6 times the limit, while Glasgow and Birmingham were 1.5 times, Southampton 1.4 and Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Sheffield 1.3.

The figures are contained in the annual submission the Government makes to the European Commission under the EU’s ambient air quality directive.

It covers 43 large urban areas, 36 of which had illegal NO2 levels last year, one fewer than 2017.

Client Earth, which won three High Court rulings ordering the Government to produce stronger plans to improve air quality, said ministers were “passing the buck” to local authorities.

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|||| www.ltda.co.uk

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The only other year so many new cabs hit the streets was at the turn of the century

THE CAB YOU DRIVE

ANOTHER RECORD MONTH FOR THE TXE

WORD ON THE STREET

S

250 200

eptember saw 232 TXes sold and registered in London, which is not just another record broken, it’s a record smashed! That is almost double the figure that previously would have constituted a good September, and would have seen around 120 or 130 cabs sold.

With only nine months of sales LEVC has already recorded the highest annual sales figures ever seen.

If this keeps up, we could see close to 3,000 TXes on the street by the end of the year. And if it continues next year we will start 2021 with 25% of the fleet being electric. This pace of change has a precedent which was set back in the early 1900s, when the trade went from 100% horse drawn to 95% motor cabs. That switch over happened within seven years, at the current rate of sales, we will achieve the same result in five years; now there’s a thought!

Soaring demand has prompted the company to increase its regional presence across the UK by opening three new dealerships.

New retails outlets have been opened in Nottingham, Slough and Southampton, supporting LEVC’s existing retail network which is spread across

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UK cities including Coventry, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The number of licensed taxis of all types has started to go back up, as we reach the tail end of the decommissioning scheme. While this has not affected second-hand prices yet, they must start to fall soon, as supply will exceed demand. Some traders are already beginning to talk about the demise of diesel altogether and speculating as to when they will buy or sell their last diesel cab. Personally, I think it’s all a bit premature, as most of us have yet to buy or sell a pre-owned TXe, as the very few that have come onto the market have been bought by LEVC franchisees. Over the past few years we have seen a roller coaster of supply and demand, high and low prices and constant change. The last few months have been very stable, but how long can it last?

Sherbet London has been shortlisted for the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 Companies listing, which recognises innovative businesses across all industry sectors.

The league table ranks Britain’s 100 private companies with the fastest-growing sales over their latest three years. It is compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times each December, with an awards event the following May, and alumni dinners during the year.

The league tables are set to be published on December, 1, 2019.

Sherbet London is bringing into service 125 new electric taxis, as part of the company’s contribution to driving better air quality in London.

Sherbet London announced in August the purchase of 125 new electric taxis from the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).

The first 50 cabs, all manufactured in the UK were delivered earlier in August, with the remaining 75 entering the service over September and October.

This takes the size of Sherbet’s fleet up to 225 taxis, and takes them closer towards their aim of expanding their fleet to more than 1,000 vehicles over the next three years. The company also has its own app, Sherbet Ride.

STAY IN THE KNOW 15 year reminder

The London taxi 15 year age limit refers to the cab’s ‘birthday’ (in the log book) not its plate date.

For example: A cab passed when it is 14 years and 11 months old WILL be granted a further 12 months of life.

Cabs may be booked in for testing in the normal way when the plate has 28 days or less to run.

The cab can then work up to the test date. If the plates are taken off with more than 28 days to run, both the plates and the paper licence must be surrendered to one of the six NSL inspection centres in and around London.

The ‘unplated’ cab must then not be worked, and at least one week should be allowed before attempting to book the next NSL test, to allow the computerised booking system to recognise that the plates have been registered.

Lost/stolen identifier If your identifier is lost or stolen

you must notify LTPH immediately (0343 222 4444 / tph.enquiries @tfl.gov.uk) You may then continue working. A letter of confirmation will be sent out to you by Transport for London, prior to a replacement identifier being processed.

Shop a tout

Anyone who sees touting or any other form of illegal cab-related activity is urged to contact TfL with the details.

Take down the registration number and make a note of the date, time and location where incident took place.

Type “cab enforcement” into your internet search engine and follow the links to the ‘report illegal activity’ section of the TfL website.

DVLA reminder

The photo card part of the driving licence lasts for 10 years and must renewed after that period. The licence becomes invalid if it is not renewed with a current picture.

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15 October 2019

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35

Meg loses her voice and discovers that many people talk too much, especially Mr Meg

SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN

MUSHER MEG

LICENSED TO CHAT

M

r Meg thinks Christmas, his birthday, his retirement day and the day he wins the lottery have all come at once because I am unable to speak. My voice has vanished; headed for the hills; disappeared. For two days I have been sounding a bit like Minnie Mouse, getting higher and squeakier with each passing hour. I was concerned that if it went much higher that I would be breaking glass all around Meg Towers. And this morning I stopped being Soprano Meg and turned into Mute Meg. Not speaking, just listening, has taught me a profound truth about life, love and the universe.

It is that people mostly talk too much. I have decided that the world needs less chat and more action. Take Mr Meg (please!) over tea and toast this morning I had to listen to his ongoing sunflower seed saga – again! He repeated what he would like to do to the squirrels who have feasted on all the sunflower seeds he was saving, under cover, for planting next year. Let’s just say he thinks that roasting would be too good for them. The squirrels, not the seeds.

Part 2 of Seedless not in Seattle was the tale of

how he had popped along to a neighbour who had several giant seed-loaded sunflower heads in his front garden. The conversation went like this, “all right mate? What you going to do with them there sunflower heads?”The neighbour had shrugged and said, “chuck ‘em in the green bin like last year. Why, what’s it to you?” Mr Meg made his big play, “I’ll give you a fiver for one.” Maybe it’s Alan Sugar that lives in Number 27 because the bloke shot back, “to you it’ll be £20 for one or £30 for 2. That’s my best and final offer.”

Mr Meg and his money are not easily parted.

A deal was not struck. And there were no friendly handshakes, either. Mr Meg finished his re-telling of this story with hating some more on squirrels and greedy neighbours. But I raised my hand to stop him and went to the drawer and took out a giant pair or big scissors and did chop-chop motions with one hand and pointed at the scissors with the other as Mr Meg looked on in horror. “Violence is never the answer, Meg” he said before flicking the page of the Autumn/ Winter 2017 Wickes catalogue he was reading.

Keeping up my Marcel Marceau act I took a gladioli out of the vase on the kitchen table and mimed cutting through the stem of the

“‘Violence is never the answer, Meg’ he said before flicking the page of the Autumn/ Winter 2017 Wickes catalogue he was reading...”

flower. Mr Meg cottoned on, and warned, “don’t be ridiculous Meg. Help myself to one of his flowers? That’s stealing.”

I nodded enthusiastically. There has been a new development in Sunflower seed-gate. This morning Mr Meg found a sunflower head in the porch and he thinks I am a prime suspect in its appearance. As the Shaggy song goes, it wasn’t me. But, if it had been me I would have gone in after midnight wearing a rain cape with the hood up and a baseball hat and sunglasses.

Secateurs would have been my implement of choice and I would have used them to snip a flower in the middle that wouldn’t be too obvious it had been scalped.

And I wouldn’t feel guilty because it would only have ended up in the green bin instead of making beautiful flowers for next year.

But, I have no voice and have nothing further to say on the matter. u

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TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

@TheLTDA

DIARY PRIZE

T

ALL 4 ONE BONUS FOR LTDA MEMBERS

he gloomy weather doesn’t stop our diary spotters hitting the streets in search of cabbies to give free £150 gift cards.

Our spotters head to all areas of London, so it could be your turn to get an All 4 One gift card, as long as you are an LTDA member and have your orange diary on display on your dashboard.

This week they caught up with Tom Lloyd, who

Tom: “Fantastic.”

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

was delighted when our spotters surprised him with a gift card.

All 4 One cards can be spent on a huge array of items in dozens of stores, including Debenhams, Argos, River Island and Marks and Spencer.

Tom said: “That’s fantastic – what a stroke of luck. This will come in very handy.”

A short while later our spotters managed to catch up with Martin Cox, who was pleased as punch when

Martin: “Great.”

he was handed a £150 gift card simply for having his diary on display.

Martin said: “That’s great – I will enjoy spending this. Fingers crossed I win the LTDA lottery next time. ” Each year we give away almost £8,000 to LTDA members, so the odds of coming up trumps are pretty good. Just make sure you have your LTDA membership diary on display and let us do the rest.

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019

|||| TAXI

37

CRICKLEWOOD CARRIERS CAB COMPANY LTD.

Is ab ou t to g o elec tric ...

Elec tric Blac k Cab s to ren t f rom Sep temb er 2019

SH8LDN

WE ARE TAKING ON NEW DRIV ERS

REG ISTER YOU R INTEREST TODAY

Call Today 0208 452 5461 London‘s finest, oldest established black cab rental and repair garage Midland Arches, Edgware Road, London, NW2 6NJ.

- Lu x u ry Driver Seat - In teg rated Sat Nav - Fron t Park in g Sen sors - Pan oramic Roof - Driver’ s U n der Seat Loc k ab le Draw - Reversin g Camera

38

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

@TheLTDA

The world’s leading Taxi drivers deserve the best insurance partner.

London Taxi drivers have been voted the world’s leading taxi drivers by a survey of 2600 world travellers carried out by hotels.com

Visit Us:

On site at Ascotts

Quotax Insurance Services

Call Us: 0208 691 9691

Blackhorse Road

Mon to Fri: 09:00 – 17:00

London

Sat & Sun: Closed

SE8 5HY

www.quotax.net

To see how much you could save call

020 8127 8419 www.quotax.net

Quotax_LTDA_226x288_28-01-19.indd 1

28/01/2019 22:31

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019

|||| TAXI

39

PUZZLER

C

PRIZE CROSSWORD omplete our crossword puzzle and be in with a chance to win £50! Send your entry to: Crossword 454, Taxi, Taxi House, 11 Woodfield Road, W9 2BA before November 19. The first name out of the proverbial hat wins the cash! u

ACROSS:

DOWN:

7 Believe (6)

1 Occupant (6)

8 Beginner (6)

2 Similar (4)

9 Yearling (4)

3 Dirty (7)

10 Ebb tide (3, 5)

4 Recognised (5)

11 Upholstered box seat (7)

5 Flight (8)

13 Gadget (5)

6 Shriek (6)

15 Hurry 95)

12 Exceed (8)

17 Monstrous (7)

14 Seasoning (3, 4)

20 Laziness (8)

16 Zeal 96)

21 Wind (44)

18 Raise up (6)

22 Martial art (4, 2)

19 First performance (5)

23 Irresolvable situation (6)

21 Prison (4)

PUZZLER SUDOKU Just for fun...

Puzzles © 2018 Puzzler Media Ltd.www.puzzler.com

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

CROSSWORD #454

WINNER: ISSUE 452 — Mrs R Dixon, Surrey ACROSS:

DOWN:

x T7 Lament, 8 Renter, 9 Lily, 10

x 1 Facile, 2 Rely, 3 Etching, 4 Froze,

Hazelnut, 11 Methane, 13 Laser, 15

5 Uncloaks, 6 Peruse, 12 Howitzer,

Grown, 17 Oarsman, 20 End-to-end,

14 Eardrum, 16 Renown, 18 Amulet,

21 Shun, 22 Sweets, 23 Unused

19 Tense, 21 Sour

OVERHEARD

they come out with new ones. A dress designer only has to make a mistake and women all over the world rush to buy it. Apparently, fashion trends started the day Adam’s Eve turned over he modern woman wears her hair short a new leaf. My wife tries to be a slave to fashion. and her skirts even shorter. I saw one She has six embroidered evening handbags. I skirt so short it could pass as a belt. once asked her what she could possibly want It’s the mini skirt come back into fashion. with six handbags. She said, “shoes and gloves Designed to show everything but good taste. If, to match.” She’s vain like most women and as Shakespeare said, brevity is the soul of wit, boasts she has the same measurements as women’s clothes could not be funnier.

Marylin Monroe. True, they’re not in You never know whether the the same order. They say figures wearer’s out to catch a don’t lie. My wife’s figure husband or a cold. I’ve does. In an attempt to been interested in look more sexy, she women’s clothes for pads her bras and years, on and off. her hips. When we Especially their go out, she’s not so beachwear. Some much dressed as of those Bikinis are upholstered. She so small you could bought a pair of wash them with one jeans which were a soapsud. Nobody perfect fit. But not knows who makes on her. I keep telling them. There isn’t room her, women who put on for a label. Women tend to weight shouldn’t put on wear swimsuits the way they trousers. The last dress she treat their tax returns. They take bought was a size 16 and that did off as much as the law will allow. While fit her like a glove. An oven glove. Lately, hemlines are going up, necklines are coming she’s taken to wearing tight sweaters and down. I saw one so low I’m surprised the corsets. She thinks they accentuate her positives woman didn’t trip over it. It’s said that many and eliminate her negatives. She’ll never admit a Hollywood starlet got to the top because the it, but with her figure the only thing a tight dress she wore didn’t. Their dresses reached sweater does is make her itch. I guess I ought extremes, but not extremities. Recently, Paris to be thankful about how her clothes make her had its fashion week and I’ve never seen fashions look. Come Halloween, I don’t need to buy her weaker. The best thing about women’s fashions anything new. u —Brad Ashton is they don’t last. As soon as women buy them,

T

40

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 15 October 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

15 October 2019

|||| TAXI

41

THE LONDON & GENERAL MOTOR CAB COMPANY

0208 208 3600

An n u a l R e n t F o r 50.00 ONLY! S ep t T o D ecem b er O nly !

NEW VIKING 5 TAXI METER FULL EEC ISO 9001 MID APPROVED £50.00 for the year all inclusive Taking Pre-Bookings From August

WHILE

STOCKS LAST!

Compa�ble with all radio circuits Works with all card charge systems opera�ng Informa�on Highly Regarded for its RELIABILITY Fully approved by the PcO/TFL European approved(MID) VCA approved (EC)

info@thelondonandgeneralmotorcabs.co.uk

42

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 15 October 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 Advertising Sales Executive Jack Green T: 01727 739 196 E: jack@centuryonepublishing.uk Art Editor Alan Booth 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

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.

g t ng atitin rea T Tre

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

s ers answer

It cannot replace talking to your GP or hospital doctor.

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

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

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

43

ARTWORK FOR YOUR APPROVAL 44

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

Century One Publishing Ltd. Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road, St. Albans, AL3 4DG T. 01727 893 894 F. 01727 893 895 www.centuryonepublishing.ltd.uk

CLASSIFIED

ACCOUNTANTS

@TheLTDA

CABS FOR RENT

Please note that the image below is not necessarily actual size. The final press ready version will be emailed to you for your records and future use on approval of artwork.

Tax Returns

07957 465423

e16-taxirentals.co.uk

• Qualified Accountants specialising in the taxi trade • Yearly accounts and tax returns • Online submission to Inland Revenue • Based in Kingston Upon Thames

TX4s TO RENT

From

£216 From +VAT

£199

Ascott's maintained.

Pay by cash/bank/online.

Mercs also available

Tel: 0208 5499 541 8A Endeavour House 2 Cambridge Road Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 3JU

G&H_Eighth_366.qxp_Layout 1 11/04/2016 15:02 Page 1 CABS FORNEWRENT

G&H TAXIS FLEET RENTAL Established 1993 Est

25

years

518 KING STREET, OFF BRUCE GROVE, TOTTENHAM N17 8AW

BEAT THE RECESSION! TX4's for HIRE Fuel-Saving LPG Taxis from £185 per week

OVERHAULS SERVICING BODYWORK PAY IN AT ANY BARCLAYS BANK 24 HOUR RAC BACKUP

CALL US NOW 07946 110815 / 020 8885 1844 WEB: www.gandhtaxis.comEMAIL: gandhtaxisfleet@aol.com

CABS FOR RENT Should you require any amendments to the artwork above please indicate them clearly on this page and return this form by email or fax (in the first instance) within 2 working days. Failure to return this form will signal acceptance.

You will receive a single round of amends and a further proof to sign off for print. If further changes are required this may incurr an additional production charge of £20 for each additional proof sent.

GAP INSURANCE

MAGAZINE: LTDA Taxi ISSUE: 231

PURCHASED A NEW TAXI?

SIZE: Sixteenth AVOID ANY POTENTIALpage SHORTFALL

IN YOUR FINANCE FOLLOWING ARTWORK CHARGE: n/a A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM

0208 597 2622 SECTION: Classified

TAXI

AD FREENAME:

REGULATED BY THE

INANCIAL

ONDUCT

UTHORITY

Get your valuation at www.levc.com/valuemytaxi

cabs also wanted to buy with or without finance

07738 162 518 DATE:

EMAIL: copy@centuryonepublishing.ltd.uk PHONE: 01727 739 189

Get up to £3,500 more on part ex values for certain TX4 models*

LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY?

CABSURANCE CALL: DESIGNER: Astington A & F Sarah C A UTHORISED

WE WANT YOUR USED CAB

TX4 & NEW TX4 SIGNATURE: EURO 6’S FOR RENT

*Terms and conditions apply, please see levc.com for full details

APPROVED FOR PRINT

Please tick one box thank you

TO BE MADE CENTURYAMENDS ONE PUBLISHING

IS THE UK’S BRIGHTEST

AWARD-WINNING CONTRACT PUBLISHING

AND ADVERTISING SALES AGENCY. To plan your ad campaign in Taxi magazine contact:

Jack Green

t: 01727 739 196 e: jack@centuryonepublishing.uk w: www.centuryonepublishing.uk

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019 |||| TAXI

45

CLASSIFIED

CABS FOR RENT

DRIVER APPS

HEALTH

Brown’s Taxis CABS TO RENT

(Mitcham Based)

PAIN / DISCOMFORT? BACK ACHE?

53 plate to 19 plate

24-Hour AA Recovery • Spare cab available • Electric Cabs Available

E14 Osteopath

Call Danny on

10% off initial visit: Quote ‘TAXI’

0203 673 4819

Glenn Sontag MSc 07816 108812

or (M) 07956 463040

SERVICES & REPAIRS

Arin Garage a

e R M R

epa S

o e a o

e

a

Cabs Available Now

epa d pe a

TX4 Reconditioned Engine £1,900 (fitted) (1 YEARS WARRANTY) all genuine parts

Mercedes Vito reconditioned Engine £2,500 (fitted) (1 YEARS WARRANTY) all genuine parts

Unit L7, Kemp Road RM8 1SL,

8

7 7

7

46

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 15 October 2019

@TheLTDA

LINAGE ACCOUNTANTS ● CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS specialising in the taxi trade.

Accounts and tax returns £312inc VAT. Call 0208 360 1446

AIR CONDITIONING ● MOBILE AUTO AIR conditioning service and repair for taxis, Telephone Nick on 07785 900006 7 days

CABS FOR RENT ● A TX4 FROM £200PW. BASED in Kingsbury. NW London. RAC Backup. Spare Cab. 0208 200 8488.

07956 422658

● TX4s/TXEs EAST LONDON/ Essex Based From £200pw. 24hr Back-up. Own garage/bodyshop.

07715 512263 & 01708 347288 ● TX4s & TXEs AVAILABLE to rent. Location: Loughton/ Brentwood/Ongar areas. Andrew 07930 473170

CABS WANTED ● CABS URGENTLY WANTED, Any condition, cash same day, sell and rent back. Call Roy 07305 160361 ● ALL DE-COMMISSIONED good quality TX4s wanted. Instant decision, cash paid. We come to you. 07973 335739 or 01253 407500

● ALL CABS WANTED, WE come to you, top prices paid, cash/ bank transfer, instant decision, finance settled, non-runners or sell & rent back, Taxi’s available to rent. call 07956 317300 ● ALL LONDON TX4s WANTED, Euro 4, 5, & 6. Immediate payment.

Finance, Lease, and HP settled. We collect. No fuss. 07428 545400 ● DE-COMMISSIONED EURO 5 and TX4s wanted. Top prices paid.

Cash or transfer. We collect. John 07702 554934 & Tony 07919 401622

CABS FOR SALE

● TX4 FOR SALE. 14 REG. ● ALL CABS WANTED. WE COME TO Charcoal Grey. 125,000miles.

Immaculate condition. Main Dealer you. Any condition quick decision.

FSH. £21,500ono. 07957 465423 Instant cash paid. 07763 699767.

● TX4 61 PLATE. JUST PLATED, Serviced & MOT’d. 1 owner. 4 new tyres. Lovely Cab. Owner driver.

FSH. 200,000miles. 5 plates left. £14,000. 07940 700051 ● 2015 TX4 FOR SALE. 107,000miles. Fully serviced. £22,000. 07921 465498 ● 2015/15 EURO 5 TX4 Elegance, Finished in black. 126,000 miles with full service history. 1 owner from new, 12 months plate, Excellent condition. £24,000.

07811 777888

DRIVERS WANTED ● EARLY MORNING DAYMAN required. Woodford Green. For a 67 Vito. Call John 07803 558146

PLACE YOUR LINAGE BY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23RD FOR TAXI 455 UP TO 15 WORDS: £35

UP TO 25 WORDS: £45 UP TO 35 WORDS: £55

CALL JACK ON 01727 739 196

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

15 October 2019

|||| TAXI

CRICKLEWOOD CARRIERS CAB COMPANY LTD.

TAXI

TAXI

SH8LDN

CR IIC KW

First Come First Served

Call Today 0 2 0 8 4 5 2 5 4 6 1

47

Ce Taxi Hire LTD

N EW TAXI

RENTAL

BONANZA!

We have just placed the

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TX Electric Taxis

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For details and to add yourself to the waiting list please get in touch Office: 020 7613 4442 Mobile: 07714821482 Email: cs.taxis@yahoo.co.uk

First come first served!