and then there were newspaper of the licensed taxi drivers’ association @theltda #415 4 april 2018...

The newspaper of the Licensed

Taxi Drivers’ Association

www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA

#4154 April 2018

TXE TESTED & REVIEWED: p5

WHAT’S THE NEW CAB REALLY LIKE?

p2

And then there were...

Arizona fatal crash: “Shut Down Uber,” Crash Victim’s Friends say

p7

2 TAXI |||| 4 April 2018 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

EXCLUSIVE

The new range extended Metrocab could be back on track and be rolling off a production line in Coventry by the end of the year.

The taxi will join the electric TXe, which is already plying for hire on the city’s streets, and the Nissan Dynamo, which is scheduled to go on sale in the summer.

The Metrocab will be built by a company called CAD CAM Automotive (CCA) at its plant in the Midlands.

CCA’s Chinese backers, Red Sun Group, have announced £100m of funding. The firm also works with the likes of Jaguar Land Rover.

The company invested £300m into the Coventry business in 2015 in a move that created 1,000 jobs.

Red Sun wants facilities for the new breed of commercial vehicles powered by hybrid Ecotive Vehicle Platform, starting with full production of the Metrocab.

The new complex will be developed at a different site in the city.

Yang Shou Hai, president of Red Sun Group, said: “This is another strong step in Red Sun’s stated

ambition to becoming China and the world’s pioneer in new technology, independent innovation and industrial models.”

The Metrocab was unveiled several years ago and was due to go into production last year but became embroiled in a legal dispute with LEVC.

It was alleged that the Metrocab breached the copyright design of the TX range – a claim that was dismissed by the High Court.

The taxi is driven by two electric motors, with a one-litre petrol engine range extender, coupled with an optimised generator to recharge the battery pack (which

takes 10 minutes while driving).By the time the Metrocab hits the

road, the Nissan Dynamo taxi should be on sale in London, giving drivers the choice of three zero emission capable cabs.

CCA, which was founded in 1999, currently employs 220 staff at its Holbrooks Lane plant.

Martyn Wheeler, CCA managing director, said the investment was “further proof that the automotive production business is thriving in the Midlands and especially in Coventry.”

Red Sun Group employs more than 10,000 people and has a turnover in the region of £2.6bn and assets of more than £5.6bn.

Electric Metrocab Rises Again!Victims “Thrilled” at Decision on Worboys ReleaseCOURT

The serial rapist John Worboys will remain in jail after his victims won a landmark case to overturn the decision to free him.

One woman, who can only be identified as DSD, said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the High Court’s ruling.

The LTDA supported the battle to keep him locked up following the Parole Board’s shocking decision to free him after just nine years.

Judges ordered the board to review its “flawed” decision, meaning the 60-year-old, who now calls himself John Radford, will remain behind bars for now.

Victims, their families and their supporters reacted with disgust when it was announced that the beast who raped 12 women had been cleared for release in November. A crowdfunding appeal was launched to raise funds to fight the decision.

Moments before the judgement was read out, the chairman of the Parole Board, Professor Nick Hardwick, quit in response to the scandal.

NEWS IN BRIEF

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TOP TRADE STORY

D uring the last few weeks we’ve been out and about showing off the new electric taxi. I took the cab down to Parliament

and it was a big hit with MPs. London MPs, Eleanor Laing, Zac Goldsmith, Clive Efford, James Cleverly, Ruth Cadbury and Andrew Rosindell, all came to have a look and some even took it for a spin around Parliament Square! Over at City Hall, London Assembly Member Florence Eshalomi also got behind the wheel and we took out some local councillors in Richmond and Ealing.

I used the meetings as a chance to chat to them about why it’s so important to have enough rapid charging points in London for cabbies. Every minute a driver is off the road charging their cab they are losing potential income, and all the politicians seemed to get that.

Some of you will have seen that the mayor has recently made a lot of noise about the fact that there are now 100 rapid charging points installed in London. This is definitely a big step forward compared to how things were last year but still only 51 of these are exclusively for cabbies. The mayor is now promising us 150 rapid charge points by the end of 2018 and 300 by the end of 2020. I will keep pushing him on this and making sure that he not only meets these targets but goes even further.

After testing out the cab Zac Goldsmith MP stood up in Parliament the very same day to champion the trade. He asked MPs to join him in celebrating the “100% electric, fully British-made black cab… that we will see flooding our streets in the years to come.” Neil Parish MP, who chairs the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, also said in the debate that the fact it is “100% electric and 100% British is a very good thing”.

It’s great that MPs are seeing all the benefits of the new cab; not only how it will help tackle London’s air pollution, but also the benefits to

“It’s so important to have enough rapid charging points in London for cabbies. Every minute a driver is o� the road charging their cab they are losing potential income...”

STEVE MCNAMARA

MPs are getting behind the new hybrid TXe but we need their full support to be able to make the switch

LEADING THE CHARGE

MPs, Andrew Rosindell [TOP], Eleanor Laing, [CENTRE] and Zac Goldsmith [BOTTOM], go for a spin in the TXe

the UK that it is being manufactured here. I’m using the new taxi to show that we are a 21st century industry, but that we need political support and legislative changes if we are to be able to afford to buy these cabs, help clean up London’s air, and continue providing the world’s greatest city with the world’s best cab service.

I will be showing off the cab again in Parliament later this month and will make sure everyone knows what a game changer this vehicle is for us, and what support cabbies need to make the switch.

Worboys Result!The High Court made the right call last week and overturned the Parole Board’s decision to release Worboys: he is a vile predator and should not be allowed back on our streets. The LTDA donated £5,000 to the funding campaign led by two of his victims who launched the Judicial Review, and I’m so glad all their efforts paid off. u

Steve McNamara is the LTDA’s General Secretary


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THE CAB YOU DRIVE

As is usual within our trade, lots of people who have never driven the new TXe have an opinion on what it’s like to drive and, more importantly, what it costs to run. The LTDA secured one of the first production run models and gave it to a cross section of drivers, who work a variety of shifts, and live in different locations, some with access to home charging and some not. The sole objective of the test was to uncover the truth, as opposed to the myths about the new taxi. Each driver had a sheet to fill in at the start and end of each shift to record the total mileage covered, in battery only mode and in battery save mode, along with the weather conditions, whether it was night or day, and the temperature etc.

So, what did we learn? Firstly, every driver, with one exception, absolutely loved it and reported that it was nothing like driving a taxi and was more akin to a high-end quality car. Every single driver commented on the silence and the general feel-good factor of driving an Electric Vehicle (EV). The touch screen panel that controls the climate, radio, wiper speeds etc took some drivers a while to get the hang of, but they all praised the rear-view reversing camera. On handover, we were not told how to fold the rear centre flip seat and consequently some drivers reported access to the payment tray was awkward, although once we figured out how to fold the seat that was resolved.

Every passenger, without exception, praised the smooth ride and the quietness. The only negative comment from one passenger was about the seats, which he said were a bit too firm. Most praise was reserved for the panoramic roof and the passenger compartment USB charging points, which were used by around 25% of fares. It was surprising that several passengers were aware it was electric before getting in and even more surprising how many were aware of the cost. Several people said how positive it was for us, and London, to be leading the way with cutting edge technology.

The biggest surprise was the difference in battery range achieved by the different drivers and how much their driving style affected what the cab could achieve. Our very own, Lewis Hamilton, only managed 40 miles out of a full charge, whereas our Driving Miss Daisy got 63 miles driving a similar shift in identical weather. The majority of drivers got between 45 and 55 miles from a full charge, although most got more on their second shift, once they had adapted their driving style. If you are going to buy a TXe, always put it in double regeneration mode. We suspect some of our drivers didn’t do this and lost the recharge effect of slowing down and coasting on downward inclines, which can eek out another four to eight miles out of the battery. Don’t drive up to a red light, coast, and watch the battery top up; accelerate smoothly and progressively and the difference could be as much as 10 miles per shift; substantial savings over a week.

In generator mode, either with the battery “locked” to save it for later, or when the battery was depleted, the MPG figures on petrol were slightly less varied than those on the battery. Our drivers achieved between 33 and 41 miles per gallon across the range of shifts. The best-case scenarios were for drivers living in the suburbs, charging at home, driving in to town on battery save mode, switching to battery or “smart” mode as they hit the traffic, running until the battery depleted, before finishing their shift and then heading home again on the generator. Several drivers stopped and used a rapid charger – the one in Southwark Street opposite Frank’s Café was favourite. They were able to do a full shift running only on battery, which works out at around £2.50-£3.50 for a home charge, dependant on your

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The TXe–What’s it really Like?u We got our hands on a brand new TXe and gave it a thorough run out in the real world

electricity tariff, and around £4.50 (we paid £4 and £5.20 on the two rapid charge tests) for a 30-minute rapid charge. This worked out to a total of £10 for a shift in total silence, and 100% environmentally friendly!

If you cannot charge at home, the cheapest option is use a rapid charger – which will be easier as the number of taxi only charge points increase. The current scheme that gives TXe

drivers two hours free access to the Q parks with rapid chargers is proving successful and the rapid chargers at the Heathrow Feeder park are to stay free until the summer.

To sum up: how much you could save is dependent on where you live, if you can charge at home, how you drive, and if you are prepared to change your style slightly. Even in the worst-case scenario – running only on the generator, which is still much quieter and smoother than any diesel, you could still save a third on fuel against a TX2 or an early TX4. But with chargers popping up everywhere why would you? The best-case scenario – home charging, smooth driving and a rapid charge – could see a 50% plus saving on fuel. Either way, the benefit of a silent, modern 21st century vehicle is there. All our testers, and their passengers agreed, the only major problem with this cab is the price; £55k is a shed load of money, but compared with the only alternative at the moment, a new but pre-registered diesel Vito at £47k, the running costs make it a realistic option for many.

“Passengers loved the smooth ride and the quietness”


Several streets, including major roads like Park Lane and Edgware Road, will see significant increases in journey time – with some trips lasting six minutes longer.

There was an average of 6,000 taxis on Oxford Street West every day in 2016. If taxi access is restricted, taxis will be forced to move through neighbouring streets.u PLEDGE 3: “We will ensure

that pedestrianised areas and surrounding streets will be effectively managed at all times”.

Police numbers have been cut back across London, including in the West End. Crime rates in Westminster are already the highest in London. But if more night-time activity and possible antisocial behaviour spills over onto neighbouring streets, which are quieter, less well-lit and have less exposure, this will only get worse.u PLEDGE 4: “We will make sure

that Oxford Street remains accessible to all”.

Pedestrianisation will make it far harder for people with restricted mobility, such as the elderly, people with buggies and wheelchair users, to access Oxford Street. Many people with restricted mobility rely on taxis to access the West End and the shops, restaurants and culture there. Taxis are the only fully accessible vehicle on London’s street and provide door-to-door service which will be lost under current plans. Many people also rely on buses to access Oxford Street. Pedestrianisation will just make Oxford Street less accessible- Westminster Council and TfL even acknowledge this in the proposals.u PLEDGE 5: “We will ensure

deliveries will be properly controlled and not cause greater local inconvenience”.

Although currently most shops don’t get serviced at the front of Oxford Street, it will become much harder to receive deliveries when overspill traffic fills up the

streets to the north and south. That’s why 62% of local business owners oppose the plans.u PLEDGE 6: “We will make sure that night time traffic should not unduly increase disturbance”.Now, visitors tend to get taxis and buses back from the West End area from Oxford Street, meaning noise is limited to the street. However, with bus stands and taxi ranks being relocated to the neighbouring streets, so too will noise. To make sure this doesn’t reach unacceptable levels, Westminster Council will need to monitor and enforce mitigation measures- but given how poorly existing measures are enforced, it’s unclear how this is going to happen.u PLEDGE 7: “We will ensure there

will be adequate, safe and quiet cycle routes through the area”.

With traffic and pollution increasing in the areas to the north of Oxford Street, streets like Wigmore Street won’t be hospitable environments for cycling. Cyclists will have to contend with increased exposure to harmful emissions and greater risk of collisions with vehicles.u PLEDGE 8: “We will ensure resident

parking bays will be protected”.Protecting residents’ parking spaces relies on enforcement by the council. But the council’s budget has been going down year on year- recently the Council had to write to residents to ask them to donate more money in taxes. The Oxford Street project will put serious pressure on the council’s budget to deliver everything it has to deliver, and enforcement of parking restrictions can’t be guaranteed. Already parking enforcement in the West End is practically non-existent at night. u

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

THE MASSETT FILE

W estminster has reacted to fierce criticism from its residents to plans to

pedestrianise Oxford Street by issuing eight pledges, which it says will safeguard their interests. Criticism of the City Council intensified recently when it emerged that a number of responses to the consultation had been lost and this included responses from some of the residents’ groups who were known to be strongly opposed to the plans. Consequently, the City Council has now stated that a consultation window has reopened until April 6 to enable the missing responses to be resubmitted. For this reason, the final consultation is now unlikely to be published until May/June, after the local elections have taken place.

The LTDA has responded to the eight pledges on the Open Oxford Street website, which I have reprinted below…u PLEDGE 1: “We will ensure

pollution levels will reduce across the district”.

Although pollution coming from buses will reduce, there are several locations where average NO2 concentrations will go up, including Bruton Street, Wimpole Street, Margaret Street, Maddox Street, Great Marlborough Street, Dunraven Street and Park Lane. Every day, Marble Arch will have enough toxic gas emissions to exceed recommendations for 13 days.

However, the high levels of traffic on surrounding streets plus the overflow traffic will mean engines idling for longer, and more emissions — buses are just a small part of the picture.u PLEDGE 2: “We will ensure traffic

won’t rat run down narrow roads”.Oxford Street is currently one of the most congested streets in Central London, not just with public transport, but also with private vehicles that the council isn’t cracking down on. Once traffic is banned from running through Oxford Street, this is likely to get far worse.

The City Council has been heavily criticised over controversial pedestrianisation plans but its residents’ pledges are meaningless

WESTMINSTER TAKES THE PLEDGE RICHARD MASSETT


“Killed by the race to the bottom” INTERNATIONAL The suicide of a New York livery driver outside City Hall in Manhattan was caused by the crushing pressures of the gig economy, it is alleged.

Douglas Schifter posted an emotional 1,700-word note on Facebook before taking his own life.

He wrote that “companies do not care how they abuse us just so the executives get their bonuses. Due to the huge numbers of cars available with desperate drivers trying to feed their families, they squeeze rates to below operating costs and force professionals like me out of business. They count their money, and we are driven down into the streets we drive, becoming homeless and hungry. I will not be a slave working for chump change. I would rather be dead.”

Bhairavi Desai, the executive director for the New York Taxi Workers’ Alliance, said: “Doug really summed up the reality of a vicious race to the bottom. It’s a business model that’s specifically aimed at turning a full-time profession into part-time, poverty-paid gigs. And no driver wins a race to the bottom.”

When driving a new EV, like the TX, maximising and optimising your electric range will mean lower fuel costs and fewer stops to recharge. ifferent journeys, tra c, and even the weather will all have an affect on the potential range of any EV, and the new TX is no exception. By following the simple tips below, we can help you get the best from the new electric taxi.

Stay in the blue

With instantly available torque and no engine noise, it’s easy to be impressed by the rapid acceleration and even easier drive faster than you normally would without realising it. The gauge on the driver display is a good indicator of how e ciently you re driving. It shows the power you re using in real-time. If your propulsion gauge colour changes from blue to amber, then you may be wasting fuel and/or battery power unnecessarily.

Take a break from the brake

The TX’s regenerative braking system uses the energy usually lost by slowing down to recharge the battery. To optimise your range, make sure you are set to maximum regeneration. Use this to slow down, and only use the brake pedal to keep the cab stationary. This way, instead of coasting when you take your foot off the accelerator, you’ll slow down and see the power gauge start to move towards regeneration instead of propulsion. And remember, if you’re using the brakestoo often, you’re also wearing the pads down faster than you need to.

Drive SMART

The TX s different drive modes give you complete control over how you chooseto use the available power. The default ‘SMART’ mode will automatically adopt to the most e cient way possible for the conditions. However, at certain times SMART mode may not suit you. Battery power will always suit slower speeds and stop-start driving, like in the city. For free- owing, faster driving, you ll probably benefit more by selecting the ‘SAVE’ drive mode.

You CAN go the extra mile

If you arrive at a charge point with some charge remaining, and you ve used petrol since you last recharged, that’s mileage you could have covered on less expensive, electric power. Don’t be afraid to select the ‘PURE’ driving mode and deplete the battery. By only using the petrol range extender when you’re sure you’ll fully drain the drive battery before you next recharge, you’ll save money and always go a little but further than you thought.

Burning fuel is burning money

A vehicle travelling at mph typically consumes % more energy (regardless of fuel type) than one travelling the same distance at mph. And the effect multiplies the faster you travel. Even just making sure your tyres are correctly in ated (expect a . % decrease in e ciency for every PSI underin ated), willhelp you see greater e ciency on the road.

Stay cool, but not too cool

The TX comes with an electric heated driver’s seat, and when you’re feelingcold, this is a much more e cient option than cranking up the heating. And the

ip-side to that coin is obviously that there s less pressure on the power by opening a window when you’re hot than if using the air conditioning. Again, thisis something that affects fuel e ciency in all cars, not just EVs. Oh, and remember, when you don’t have passengers on board, you don’t have to heat or cool therear zone either.

Keep your eye on things

The TX boasts a digital driver display showing your battery charge and fuel level. And it also forecasts your potential electric-only and total range. You can usethis information to plan ahead use what you have in the way that suits yourroutine best.

We ve put together a video collating all our driving tips, which you can find here http://www.levc.com/technology/driving-tips/

It s also where you ll find more details on how you can make small changes to your driving style to see a big difference in how your TX performs and uses fuel.

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D R I V I N G T I P ST O O P T I M I S E Y O U R E V R A N G E

27.03.18 - LEVC-824-Taxi-(288x111mm) DS.indd 1 27/03/2018 11:05

AUTONOMOUS CARS

An Uber crash which left a woman cyclist dead shows a “catastrophic failure” of self-driving technology, according to experts.

The fatal collision in Arizona has raised serious questions about future testing because of a failure of one of the system’s most basic functions.

Elaine Herzberg, 49, was crossing the street with her bicycle in Tempe, Arizona, when she was struck by the Uber SUV.

Footage released by police revealed that the vehicle was moving in autonomous mode and did not appear to slow down or detect the woman even though she was clearly visible in front of the car prior to the collision.

Multiple experts have raised questions about Uber’s Lidar technology, which is the system of lasers that the autonomous cars use to detect people and objects.

David King, an Arizona State University professor and transportation planning expert, said: “This is exactly the type of situation that Lidar and radar are supposed to pick up. This is a catastrophic failure that happened with Uber’s technology.”

Equally disturbing was the suggestion that the “safety driver” inside the car did not seem to be monitoring the road.

Research has shown that people who are supposed to be monitoring automated systems become bored and disengaged, and therefore dangerous.

In the wake of the accident, Uber immediately suspended all driverless car tests. Detectives initially claimed that the car was not at fault but a number of experts who have studied the video have contradicted their claims.

The footage “strongly suggests a failure by Uber’s automated driving system and a lack of due care by Uber’s driver,” Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law school professor and autonomous vehicle expert said.

The victim was clearly visible in front of the car for two seconds, meaning that an alert driver would have had time to brake or swerve.

Arizona state has blocked Uber from restarting testing for the time being but Elaine’s family and friends think it should go further.

Deniel Klapthor said: “Uber should be shut down for it. There has to be a bigger punishment than not allowing them to drive it on the street.”

Another added: “She was not in anyway unsafe. She rode a bike everywhere. She was very cautious of the laws.”

“Shut Down Uber,” Crash Victim’s Friends say

NEWS IN BRIEF

Douglas Schifter


STREETS AHEAD

A dvanced driving tests and enhanced background checks for minicab drivers could be introduced as part of plans to

improve passenger safety – and about time too!The tough new measures include additional

signage and insurance requirements and have been unveiled in a public consultation lasting 12 weeks.

I want to urge all drivers to take part in this consultation to help force some of these improvements through. It is important for London and shows movement in the right direction.

I can see that some of you might think “what difference will it make?” but it’s important that we support these types of measures when they are put forward – TfL has been slow enough to act in the past, but now that it is finally awaking from its slumber, it’s time to give it bit of support.

Let’s be honest, in the darkest days a couple of years ago, who would have thought that Transport for London would have admitted that the existing rules “were not fit for purpose,” as it did earlier this month?

In a new report, both TfL and the mayor’s office seem to be waking up to the sins of the past and are

racing to catch up with a tech world, which sprinted past it and then spent the following years flicking V signs at the regulator from a perch it never thought it would be knocked off.

Well, the times they are a changing, as Bob Dylan once sang, and the tech world is under spotlight as never before. Just look at Facebook and the latest data scandal it is caught up in and the growing awareness of how badly some of these firms treat and pay their workers.

Uber is now being forced to reconsider its attitude and the way it operates; the fact that cross border hiring and how to tackle it is an issue that is being widely talked about, and minicabs could lose the congestion charge exemption, just shows how far we have come.

Admittedly, there is still a long way to go, but we can’t just shrug our shoulders and hope somebody else takes part when changes that help us are put forward.Among the measures Transport for London is considering are:u Enhanced background checks for private hire

drivers. This includes a proposal to introduce a minimum three-year enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for drivers, which would

Our regulator is bringing minicab regulations into modern age at last, so let’s get behind it

TFL IN THE 21ST CENTURY?

“Some of you might think “what di�erence will it make?”

ANTHONY STREET

Vehicle registration certi�cate, logbook or new keeper’s supplement (complete with bill of sale/ receipt) where vehicle is newly purchased prior to inspection

Current vehicle licence (for renewal inspections) From October 1, 2014, vehicles no longer require

a tax disc to be displayed. Vehicles can be taxed online or at a post o�ce. If a vehicle is not recorded as taxed, NSL will accept an online application/ post o�ce receipt. (information at www.gov.co.uk/dvla nomoretaxdisc)

Insurance certi�cate (not a copy) – properly a�xed in the luggage compartment

Valid MoT certi�cate (issued 13 days or less before inspection)

If vehicle is less than one year old an MoT is not required

Taximeter installation and calibration certi�cate, issued within 30 days of inspection

Exemption certi�cate (where applicable) Modi�cation approval (where applicable) Tool to release ramps Tyres – must conform to manufacturer’s

speci�cation (see table below)

VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL TYRE SIZEMercedes Vito Euro 4 195/65 R 16 100/915T or 104/102TMercedes Vito Euro 5 195/65 R 16 100/915T or 104/102TFairway (declared max speed of 130 km/h) 175 R 16 NTX1 (declared speed of 130 km/h) 175 R 16 NTXII (declared speed of 147 km/h) 175 R 16 QTXII (declared speed of 147 km/h) 175 R 16 QTX4 (declared speed of 147 km/h) 175 R 16 Q

CHECKLIST

RELICENSING AT NSL?Save yourself time and loss of work

“guarantee that a full and comprehensive period of criminal history is available for consideration as part of the licensing process”

u Advanced driving tests for private hire driversu Forcing minicabs to have additional signage

clearly visible on their cars — including showing details of TfL’s customer complaints procedure

u Additional insurance requirements for PHVs and a requirement for drivers to display their IDs inside the vehicle

One of the problems surrounding DBS checks is if drivers have spent time working in another country and finding out whether they have a criminal record.

TfL is weighing up several steps which could address this issue, including self-declaration of criminal convictions by applicants, references from professionals or those of standing in the country of origin, or a minimum residency in the UK requirement.

The public consultation on TfL’s safety proposals runs until June, don’t forget to have your say here: consultations.tfl.gov.uk/taxis/improving-phv-safety

Anthony Street is a LTDA Executive Support Officer


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PEOPLE

A quick-thinking cabbie saved the life of a beloved family cat after spotting he was stuck on eight-foot metal railings.

Stanislaw Oprzinski was dropping a passenger in Flowers Close, Cricklewood, when he saw Skittles, who was in distress with three spikes sticking through him.

The 45-year-old, from Southall, said: “It was dark, and no one was taking any notice, but I could see that something was wrong. I called the RSPCA and got the fire brigade involved too. They came along and cut off the railing and managed to save him. I’m pleased for him and his owners.”

The RSPCA remains baffled as to how the mischievous four-year-old became skewered on the spike, and say it is a miracle that he missed his vital organs.

Delighted Shanakei Forde still cannot believe her beloved ginger and white cat survived after seeing the incredible pictures of the metal railings protruding from his body.

Photos of Skittles being rescued by firefighters went viral around the world, but now he is back home with his owner in Neasden.

Ms Forde, 27, said: “When I saw the pictures I couldn’t believe my eyes. I didn’t believe that was

him. It was so shocking. It’s a miracle that he survived. Three poles went through him, but he was still very alert.”

Emma Yelland, networking administrator from RSPCA Harmsworth, said vets in Hendon performed the emergency surgery and not only saved his life, but also his leg.

She said: “At first, we thought he might have to have his back leg amputated, as one of the posts pierced it quite severely, however, the vets were

able to save his leg which is fantastic.”Willesden firefighters said they could not

believe it when they saw Skittles stuck on the railings.

Watch manager Lee Harris said: “Officers held the fence as tightly as possible to stop it from moving as we used cutting equipment to cut through the fence.

“Because of how hot metal can get during the cutting process, we had to cut a large piece out of the fence to ensure the cat did not get injured further.”

Impaled Cat Saved by a Whisker

HEALTH

The latest batch of LTDA members keen to brush up on some life-saving first aid skills have collected their certificates.

More than a dozen drivers took the opportunity to learn some new skills at TAXI House under the expert guidance of fellow cab driver Paul Tippett and Abbey First Aid Solutions.

Paul, an Essex based taxi driver and qualified first aid teacher, believes passionately that all cabbies should have basic life-saving training.

This year he teamed up with the LTDA to offer our members free courses, which have proved extremely popular.

The training includes learning how to administer vital chest compressions to heart attack victims, use the correct

recovery position and how to save a choking child or adult.

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.

“We have made a good start; the classed seem to be going down really well, and I think the drivers learned a lot. I’m looking forward to the next sessions.”

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

If you are an LTDA member and could commit three hours of your time on a Friday morning or afternoon in the coming weeks or months, then call Taxi House on 0207 2861046 to register your interest.

LTDA First Aid Courses Flourishing

Me-ouch!

A purr-fect ending

The fourth emergency service?


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Young people are over-looking taxi driving as profession because of the bad press, let’s change that

PROMOTING OUR GREAT TRADELLOYD BALDWIN

ON POINT

W ith a view to combating the negativity around and to attracting some new blood, we teamed up with Peter Allen,

of Knowledge Point, to promote the trade.Young people are being put off from joining our

trade it would seem. Some of this is because of bad press, but much of it is down to the doom-mongers who do down the trade at every opportunity on social media. This is having a dramatic effect on the take up of the Knowledge.

So, along with Peter, LEVC and Martin Cordell accountants, we sponsored a stall in the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford and the response was great.

Peter said afterwards that “there are some people coming to an open day to find out more, so it was definitely worth doing. But it wasn’t just to get people onto the Knowledge – although that was obviously part of it – it was to promote the positives of being a taxi driver.”

What we also found was that some people seemed to be put off by the Uber wars and the rise of popularity of satnavs, which they thought made

us redundant. They thought that perhaps the trade wasn’t worth considering as an option any more.

It’s sad that people think this way but it highlights how important it is that we are careful what we say about the trade and how we project ourselves. As I have said before, my son is a taxi driver and during the darkest days a couple of years ago I wrestled with my conscience over whether I should steer him away from the trade. I didn’t and now he is qualified, he loves it – as do many of the younger people entering the trade, who are already adapted to world where technology is the norm.

Peter was quick to point out to people that GPS does not compete with a taxi driver’s ability to react to traffic issues instantly. Also, it does not make a bad driver good – as anybody can see by the chaos caused by Uber drivers all over the city. He also let people know that work is on the up, with many people returning to taxis thanks to the waves of bad publicity surrounding Uber over the past year.

The reaction was positive all round and we will continue to man these stalls in the

future, putting forward the positives about the Knowledge and our great trade.

Cross border hiring petitionI have mentioned the cross-border hiring petition recently, but I thought I would raise it again as it still needs more support.

The LTDA has been pressing for action on this issue for a long time, and politicians are finally sitting up and taking notice, but it helps if everyone does their bit.

As I noted previously, there is a petition calling for a Parliamentary debate on this issue. It needs 10,000 signatures for it to get a proper

debate in Parliament, yet it has struggled to reach 3,000 so far. This isn’t good enough. All it takes is a couple of clicks of a mouse and it’s done, so stop delaying and get on to it.

Find it here: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/209900 u

Lloyd Baldwin is an LTDA Executive Support Officer


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Act Now on Back Pain!HEALTH A cabbie turned sports massage therapist is offering his fellow drivers a free consultation to help combat the daily toll on the body of a life on the road.

Cab drivers notoriously have back and shoulder problems caused by the rigours of the job, but Joe warns not leave pain until it’s too late.

A deep tissue sports massage can ease existing issues, as well as stop any from occurring in later life.

Joe, who has been practising sports massage therapy for more than 10 years, said: “Driving a cab takes its toll on the body but I’m trained to help.

“Don’t leave it until it’s too late – untreated back and shoulder problems can ruin your life and your retirement.”

Joe is based in Hornchurch, but will travel within reason. Sessions cost £35 for 40 minutes or £40 for an hour.

Telephone him on 07827 114242.

NEWS IN BRIEF

ENVIRONMENT

Petrol and diesel cars will be banned from some Hackney roads during rush hour in a bid to clean up the air.

Only electric vehicles, the newest hybrids such as the TXe taxi, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to use nine roads in Shoreditch during peak times from July.

Two councils are creating what are said to be the first ultra-low emission roads in the country – but the scheme is likely to expand across the city.

It is the result of a partnership between Hackney and Islington councils and was backed by 56% respondents to a public consultation, they say.

Residents and businesses on the affected streets will still be able to use their cars.

Hackney is said to have some of the most polluted streets in London and councillors hope to clean up the air by driving take up of electric cars.

Hackney Council’s transport leader Cllr Feryal Demirci said: “Ultra-low emission streets will have reduced levels of air and noise pollution, make it easier and safer to walk and cycle and improve the character of the area for all residents and businesses.”

She added: “Our ultimate goal is to reclaim the streets from polluting motor vehicles – this ground-breaking scheme is the first step towards doing that.”

Rivington Street (between Great Eastern Street and Curtain Road), Charlotte Road, Blackall Street, Willow Street and Paul Street (north of Leonard Street) are included in the scheme in Hackney.

With Cowper Street, Singer Street

(west side) and Tabernacle Street (between Leonard Street and Cowper Street) covered in Islington.

Petrol, diesel and some older hybrid vehicles are banned from using the roads from 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm on weekdays.

The scheme is part-funded by the Office For Low Emission Vehicles and forms part of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s drive for better air quality.

Hackney Bans Polluting Cars


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It’s always good to get out and about amongst the working cabbies with a fistful of Marks and Spencer gift cards to hand out.

Our diary spotters make it a point to spread their wings far and wide in an effort to share the goodies around.

They recently hot-footed it down to Greenwich, where drivers were delighted with their windfall.

John Gogarty was over the moon to be handed a £150 giftcard for having his LTDA diary on display.

John said: “Great! I can’t believe it! This is first time I’ve won anything.”Zafer Ileana was equally delighted when our spotters saw he had his LTDA

diary on show in the windscreen and thrust his £150 giftcard.Zafer said: “That’s brilliant. I’ll look forward to getting stuck into those.”Each year we give away almost £8,000 worth of giftcards, so the odds of

being a winner are pretty good. Just make sure you display your LTDA membership diary and let us

do the rest. u

DIARY PRIZE

GIFT CARD JOY FOR JOHN AND ZAFER

John: “Great!” Zafer: “Brilliant.”


TWO MONTHS FREE

1 Please write the name and full postal address of your branch in the box (left)

2 Name of account holder

3 Account number

4 Bank Sort Code

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

5 Signature(s)

Date

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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.

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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

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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 Eden Springs UK Ltd will notify you (10 working days) in advance of your

account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Eden Springs UK Ltd 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 Eden Springs UK Ltd, 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.

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LETTERS

ABOVE AND BEYOND DUTY’S CALL

I would like to convey my gratitude to the driver of cab no. 29023 through the pages of TAXI. On the evening of Wednesday, January 24, he picked me and my partner up from Camden Town and took us to Paddington Station to catch our train to Heathrow. I had explained that we

were in a hurry and he not only selected the optimum route for avoiding the traffic, but also informed us of train departure and

arrival times, the quickest route to the platform and walking times from Heathrow train station to check-in. We would have probably missed our flight without his help. u Elias Pappas

In principle, the use of technology to enhance our earning potential is a great thing, but is that what is happening in reality?

DO YOU KNOW BATTERSEA?

I ’m would love to speak to TAXI readers who know a lot about the Battersea area? I’m an independent podcast producer, and I’m put-

ting together a documentary series about the history of Battersea Power Station. I’m looking to interview locals and any experts on the area: it can be about anything from life before the power station, its heyday to when it closed down, and life today – or anything else they’d like to share.

I’m very flexible with where to record and can do it over the phone or in person.

Fina Charleson (email [email protected])

THE TECH FUTUREI know that us Cabbies are a cynical bunch,

but sometimes that is well founded. There has always been a wary eye cast over outside

interests entering our trade and the most recent being the evolution or revolution of the apps. In principle, the use of technology to enhance our earning potential is a great thing, but is that what is happening in reality? What we are seeing are investors who would normally park their wealth in other ventures and banks but

SKEWED CONSULTATION

H aving briefly looked at the latest an-nouncement from TfL regarding the Ox-ford Street consultation, I was alarmed

by the following introductory statement: KEY FINDINGS: There were 22,071 responses in total. Of these:u 14,377 responded through the website or

submitted their views in writingu 7,062 responses raised identical issues and

were generated through a campaign in support of the transformation of Oxford Street West organised by Living Streets

u 632 consultation questionnaire responses were submitted by the Better Oxford Street group

Respondents were asked whether they sup-ported the proposals for the transformation of Oxford Street.

Of the 14,377 respondents who completed TfL’s online consultation questionnaire or who submitted their views in writing:u 48% (6,939 respondents) selected the option

‘Yes’u 16% (2,302 respondents) selected the option

‘Yes, but I have some concerns about certain elements of the proposals’

u 33% (4,739 respondents) selected the option ‘No’

u 3% (397 respondents) did not select any op-tion

My understanding of such surveys is that mass produced responses carry less weight than individual, personalised responses. I am amazed that the future of the centre of London is to be decided by 9,241 people - less than the amount of people using Oxford Circus station every 90 minutes. TfL’s surveys are skewed by the fact that they are heavily weighted towards vested in-terests and do not take into account the number of people passing through an area and the signifi-cance of the proposed changes to their journeys.

What happened to the 7,694 respond-ents that make up the balance of the 22,071 stated responses?

W O’Dowd

because of low interest rates etc. are now looking to gain control of an “untapped market” i.e. us and dress it up under the guise of it will give us more work.

But the nature of investors is that they always want a sizable return on their outlay and control over the administration and direction of the field that they enter. We’ve had Hailo and their promise of only working with black cabs on which they sold us out. Now we have Gett and MyTaxi, but can they be trusted? I can foresee a time if these companies ever have a sizeable stake of the market they will be shouting the odds to us all that when we don’t accept the work that they ping on our phones we’ll be sin binned or ejected from the platform. Scrub fares used to be paid out automatically but now you have to write in explaining all the circumstances to be refunded for all your time, travel and trouble incurred; also, the waiting time has been increased from two to five minutes.

Our problem is caused in part by the nature of our employment in that we are 25,000 self-employed individuals and these predators are preying on a divide and conquer mentality by offering ridiculously low fares knowing that someone will eventually blink first and click to accept. We all need to pull together, the unions included, and speak with one coherent voice. It’s long overdue that we have a cabbie owned co-op app owned, run on a not for profit basis for the sole benefit of the trade.

M Brown (74025)

AMAZING LONDON CABBIE

T his week an amazing London cabbie was really kind and I thought I would like to praise him for his kindness.

I wish I had taken his badge number, but unfortunately I did not, because I was in a fluster over the situation I was dealing with. Anyway, I just know the cab was red and we went from Liverpool Street to Wood Street Police Station.

My father was proud to be a cabbie and I was really touched by his gesture.

Ruth Boon

STAR LETTER

EASY RUNu King’s Cross Station

to Russian Orthodox Cathedral

HARD RUNu The American

School in London to QPR

KNOWLEDGE

“He also informed us of train departure and arrival times...”

Do you have a gripe or praise? Contact us at 0207 121 0523 or email [email protected]


charge of the other elements of driving.3. PARTIAL AUTOMATION B: vehicles

are considered “automated driving systems.” These types of vehicles make decisions themselves. A category three car can for instance see a slower moving vehicle in front of it and then take the decision to overtake. A driver is on hand to take control when things go wrong. (Tesla’s autopilot system has been described as a category two or three system.)

4. HIGH AUTOMATION: “an automated driving system that controls all aspects of the dynamic driving task, even if a human driver does not respond appropriately to a request to intervene.” Or to put it in English, the car will react if the driver doesn’t.

5. FULL AUTOMATION: no human control of the vehicle is needed. These vehicles will not have pedals, steering wheels, or controls.So, when someone says “driverless” we

picture category five, when often the type being referred is in a different category altogether. The fully automated car still has countless hurdles to jump to make it onto the roads. One such hurdle involves the debate around how “will a driverless car react if a child and a dog run into a road after a ball, which causes a cyclist to swerve, and the car must decide who to hit; the child, the dog or the cyclist!” How will it decide?

The current answer seems to be that we will all have to carry some kind of chip that allows the car to know just what is what, or who is who. Sure, like everyone is going to consent to that. It can be in your smart phone I hear you say, but what if your battery dies or you forget/lose it?

Will a Google car choose to hit an iPhone user over an Android user or will the latest smart phone give you a higher priority to be saved than someone with an older version? Ludicrous I know, but then so is me having a chip implanted so we can have driverless cars.

Still, I believe the answer to the above question will be answered long before one of the other big hurdles and that’s the state of the road network in the UK. Manufacturers are designing category five vehicles on the assumption that our roads are in good condition – with clear lane markings, unobscured signs and traffic signals and smooth, pothole free surfaces. We all know that’s not the current reality and taking a look at the state of the roads we have today, I think I’ll be a long time dead before they ever materialise.

Did you know?Road maintenance in England is underfunded by around 55%, or £1 billion, every year; £9.3 billion is needed just to clear the local roads backlog. Currently, each individual road is resurfaced in England every 54 years. If all authorities were given the budget they needed to fix their roads, it would take English authorities 12 years to catch up with the current backlog. Around 200,000 potholes were repaired last year in London. I have found one street in London that is pothole free, Leigh Hunt Street, which also happens to be the shortest street in London at just 36 feet.

Be Safe, be proud and be lucky. u

Paul Brennan, LTDA Executive

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D riverless cars are never far from the news and there are many conflicting stories doing the

rounds. I saw two headlines at the end of January involving Uber’s current CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi. On January 22, he reportedly said driverless cars are a decade away. Yet the following day, it was reported he said there will be self-driving cars in 18 months. Both statements were made before the tragic death of a cyclist killed during self-drive testing in the US put the brakes on the programme.

But, which is it, 10 years, 18 months or something else? Why are there so many conflicting stories? One problem is the fact that “driverless” cars come in five categories, they are:1. DRIVER ASSISTANCE: this involves a

human and a computer system working together on tasks, with most of effort being done by the person at the wheel. There are many such cars on the road

today with self-parking, lane assistance and cruise control etc.

2. PARTIAL AUTOMATION A: the steering and speed of the vehicle are controlled by “one or more driver assistance systems,” but a driver is needed to take

Mixed messages over automation are causing fear and confusion, but is it really around the corner?

NAVIGATING THE DRIVERLESS FUTUREPAUL BRENNAN

Will a Google car choose to hit an iPhone user over an Android user or will the latest smart phone give you a higher priority to be saved than someone with an older version? Ludicrous I know, but then so is me having a chip implanted so we can have driverless cars


THE BIG ONE!The membership of the LTDA is 40 times greater

than some other driver organisations!

To learn more about LTDA benefits and current joining offerscall: 020 7286 1046 or visit www.ltda.co.uk

HERE’S WHY...

BADGESAFE SCHEME

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

EXPERTISE = SUCCESS

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

YOUR FUTURE

The LTDA remains the only trade body resolutely opposed to the computerisation of the Knowledge of London testing system. (No to the quickie Knowledge campaign).

INLAND REVENUE ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE

Many drivers and accountants refer to the LTDA for specialist advice on Inland Revenue investigations. (Free to members).

SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT PROTECTION

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

LTDA HOLIDAY CLUB

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

WIN £5,000 EVERY MONTH IN THE LTDA LOTTERY

12 big prizes every year, but you have to be in it to win it (members only £5 per entry).

ACCESS TO ‘SIMPLY HEALTH’

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

HEATHROW OFFICE AND REPRESENTATION

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

WELFARE DEPARTMENT

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

RANKS AND HIGHWAYS REPRESENTATION

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

GENERAL ADVICE

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

24 HOUR TOUT LINE

Seen a tout in action? Take the details and phone them in, we will do the rest. (Tel: 020 7266 4769).

HEALTH AND SPORTS PROMOTION

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

LEISURE DISCOUNTS

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

VEHICLE MANUFACTURERSContinually representing members’ interests in disputes with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.AUTHORITIES AND MEDIAThe LTDA is the largest and most respected driver organisation in the trade. We lead the way when negotiating with the Government, GLA, TfL, Police, Mayor’s Office, Heathrow, Rail Authorities, Local Councils and when dealing with all sections of the media.MEDICAL ASSISTANCEMany cab drivers are discovering to their cost that their licences are at risk due to the TfL’s interpretation of the new DVLA Group 2 Medical Standards. The LTDA has successfully challenged many decisions by the TfL to revoke members’ licences on medical grounds.FANTASTIC VALUELTDA subscriptions have not increased for 14 years! It costs just 4 quid a week to join the trade’s biggest organisation and 3 quid of that is tax deductible! (Payable monthly).

The LTDA legal service is the only trade scheme which

defends members for ALL alleged offences (traffic,

hackney or criminal), anytime, anywhere in the UK. Non members are advised to

check carefully the exceptions and exclusions contained

or imposed by other legal protection schemes circulating in our trade.

CAUTION


TRADE

Petrified Uber passengers were left fearing for their lives as their driver reversed the wrong way along a busy street.

The frightened customers cried out “we are going to get hit” as their driver moved backwards into on-coming traffic in a road, inches from speeding cars and lorries.

The incident took place in the icy conditions in February and was revealed in a heart-stopping video posted online by the Daily Mail.

The driver ignored the panic of the Italian couple, who had flown into London and were heading from Stratford to Clay Hill, and simply continued to make his dangerous manoeuvre.

He had missed a turning and instead of driving on towards the next one, he started reversing in the pitch black, icy conditions.

Stunned motorists sped past the reversing car, beeping their horns as the vehicle edged the wrong way along the busy road.

The car’s on-board rear camera reveals how close the oblivious driver come to causing a pile up.

Eventually, as the passengers beg him to drive forward, the driver switches gears and goes the right way.

The pair complained to Uber but claim the only action the firm took was to refund the cost of the journey on February 28.

In another recent incident of Uber causing havoc on London’s streets, a mum was left screaming in horror when her driver accidentally drove off with her sleeping baby on the back seat.

Elisabeth Katompa said the driver did not see her – and did not even realise his mistake for almost an hour. He even picked up two other fares before noticing seven-month-old Olivia-Hope was still in the car. The baby was later reunited with her mother.

Wrong Way Terror of Uber Passengers

GET A FREE FITNESS CLASS:It’s a Knockout!MEMBER OFFERS A London taxi driver and fitness coach has teamed up with the LTDA to help his fellow cabbies get in shape for 2018.

Gary Bedford has been involved with the noble art of boxing for almost 40 years and knows a thing or to about health and fitness.

The cabbie of 30 years is offering an initial consultation, with a free fitness test and one-hour free training session to LTDA members.

The sessions will include boxing training, circuit training and cardio work, and also relaxation techniques, all designed to improve strength and conditioning.

Now based at the West Thurrock Boxing and Fitness Club in Essex, Gary battled in the amateur boxing ranks for many years before going on to coach juniors and seniors at his local boxing club.

He said: “I’ve been working as a taxi driver for 30 years and I know what a toll the stresses and strains of the job can put on the mind and body. I want to help

drivers get fit and feel sharper and more confident in their daily lives and believe I have the knowledge, experience and dedication to do that. Come along for the check up and the first-class courtesy of the LTDA – what have you got to lose?”

Training is offered one to one, or in small groups, on Mondays and Fridays from 8am-6pm. Free gym membership and discounted rates are available for LTDA members and their families.

For an initial consultation, with a free fitness test and one hour training session at the club in West Thurrock, Essex, please contact Gary on 07811 965 176.

Gary Bedford: “I want to help drivers get �t and feel sharper and more con�dent in their daily lives.”

w

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*Terms and conditions apply. Business users only. Finance offer available on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) 8.9% APR Representative; figures based on Approved Used TX4 14 Plate (EURO 5) at £31,285 OTR** with a customer deposit of £1,800 followed by 48 monthly payments of £578 (equivalent weekly payments of £133) plus an optional final payment of £8,625 (including an option to purchase fee of £10). Based upon an annual contracted mileage of 30,000 (120,000 miles over term). All prices inclusive of VAT. £0 deposits may be available and can be paid on collection; the above is an example deposit based on the finance illustration. Two or three-year plans are also available. Other models are available. You have the option at the end of the agreement to return the vehicle and not pay the Final Payment. If the vehicle has exceeded the allowed mileage a charge per excess mile will apply. In this example, 6p + VAT per excess mile. If the vehicle is in good condition and has not exceeded the allowed mileage you will have nothing further to pay. Credit is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Finance is provided by Black Horse Taxi Finance a trading style of Black Horse Ltd, St William House, Tre-sillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH. Excludes Meter, credit card equipment and any local authority fees. **Free 3 years comprehensive vehicle warranty is valid up to 120,000 miles or three years, whichever occurs first, from the date of purchase and subject to the terms of the LEVC Approved Used Manufacturer Promise. Free 2 years servicing offer is valid up to 60,000 miles or 5 services, whichever occurs first, (with 12,000 miles service intervals) on Euro 5 models and roadside assistance is valid for 12 months, all from the date of purchase. Servicing and roadside assistance is subject to the terms of the LEVC Approved Used Manufacturer Promise. LEVC reserves the right to terminate offers at any time. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

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TRADE

The installation of rapid electric charge points in London has reached a milestone with 100 now up and running.

The mayor marked occasion of the latest addition to the fast charge network with a trip to south London to charge a new TXe.

Sadiq Khan is hoping to drive the switch over to electric in the city by phasing out diesel and encouraging the take up of zero emission vehicles.

The network now includes 51 points for use by taxis.

The mayor was given a demonstration of how the TXe hybrid taxi is charged at a point in Southwark Street.

He said: “The roll-out of rapid charging points marks a big step forward in the shift to zero-emission vehicles, which the capital desperately needs to clean up our toxic air. But widespread change will not happen until a sufficient charging infrastructure is in place, allowing taxi drivers, businesses and Londoners to easily make the switch.”

The mayor said that the numbers needed would only be reached if borough councils and businesses help to expand the network.

No more diesel taxis will be licensed by TfL, and LEVC’s TXe is currently the only taxi that can be sold for work in London. The fully electric Nissan Dynamo is still on course to enter the market in the summer.

The Government has previously stated that it wants to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040.

But ministers have said this could be moved forward to 2030, which studies suggest would result in a 30% reduction

in pollution in the same year.At least 150 TfL-funded rapid charge

points are set to be in place by the end of the year.

Lilli Matson, Transport for London’s Director of Transport Strategy, said: “More taxi drivers taking fares in London’s new green black cabs is a key part of achieving the Mayor’s vision of a zero-emission city by 2050. The installation of an extensive rapid charge point network is central to enabling

cabbies to ditch their dirty diesel vehicles and replace them with green alternatives.”

TfL is investigating new sites for rapid chargers and is investing in upgrading electricity grids.

Chris Gubbey, CEO of the London Electric Vehicle Company, said: “London’s cab drivers are at the front line of the city’s fight to improve air quality and their support will ensure the successful transition to cleaner vehicles in the capital.”

A £42 million fund has been created to encourage the owners of the oldest, most-polluting diesel black cabs to retire them from the capital’s fleet and switch to a greener taxi.

The owners of black cabs between 10 and 15 years old can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 in exchange for retiring their taxi, and the Government’s Plug-In Taxi Grant, part-funded by the Mayor, will also give cabbies purchasing new Zero-Emission Capable (ZEC) taxis up to £7,500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle.

A zero-emission vehicle can be charged to full in 20 to 30 minutes at a rapid charge point.

Visit www.zap-map.com for a list of all the charging point locations.

Positive Moves on Charging

The mayor plugs into the future

TECHNOLOGY

Taxi drivers will be given free access to Q Park rapid charge points (RPC) around the city. There are now fast chargers in operation in London, including 20 points at 10 Q-Park car park locations.

Zero emission capable (ZEC) taxis will be given free entry to the 10 Q-Park car parks using an access card – the usual fee is £2.

Drivers are allowed a maximum of two hours stay per visit to charge the vehicle.

Access has been provided purely as a means to charge your vehicle and is not for any other purpose.

If you are the registered keeper of a licensed ZEC vehicle you can apply for an access card to use RCP facilities provided by Q-Parks. The cost of charging the vehicle remains the responsibility of the

driver. To apply for an access card please email: [email protected]

Once your application is approved you will be eligible to obtain access to Q-Park car parks with RCP facilities.The Q park sites with two RCP bays are:

u Chinatown u Harley Streetu Knightsbridge u Oxford Stu Park Lane u Pimlicou Soho u St John’s Woodu Tower Bridge u Surrey Street

Drivers who stay longer than the two hours agreed with Q-Parks will have their access card revoked.

For any further information relating to ZEC taxis, Q-Parks or rapid charging please contact Taxi and Private Hire by phone on 0343 222 4444 or by email at [email protected]

Free Access to Q Park Chargers


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TECHNOLOGY

The rocketing number of deliveries caused by the rise of online shopping is destroying the roads, it has been claimed as the government has announced a £100m road repair handout.

The level of traffic generated by vans leapt by a fifth in five years, analysis of official figures found.

Light goods vehicles travelled 49.1 billion miles on the road network in 2016, compared with 41.4 billion miles in 2011, a Local Government Association study has revealed.

This reflects the increase in Amazon-style retailers, with online shopping revenues rising by £1.6 billion in a year to £8.4 billion in 2016-17.

An extra £100m is being shared among councils in England to fund repairs, although the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says it is to repair roads damaged by the recent bad weather.

He also said the money would help patch up nearly two million potholes and protect roads from future severe weather conditions.

The Government is considering

Internet Shopping Wrecks Roads

Blinding Plans Proposed by MinistersENVIRONMENT Car makers could be forced to dim car headlights because of concerns that drivers are being temporarily blinded by modern headlamps.

Proposals designed to reduce the glare and direction of beams are being thrashed out by ministers.

Options for reform will be presented at a meeting of the UN’s Economic Commission for Europe this spring when the blueprint will be drawn up.

Two thirds of motorists say they have been regularly dazzled by the oncoming headlights used in modern cars, according to research by the RAC motoring organisation.

About 15% of motorists admitted to having had a near collision with another vehicle, pedestrian or obstacle after being temporarily blinded.

Cars were usually fitted with halogen headlamps in the past but many newer vehicles use alternative technology, such as brighter xenon high intensity discharge lights or LED headlamps, which are longer lasting. Newer headlights are generally brighter in order to make it easier for drivers to see the road ahead, but it is now feared that this is at the expense of oncoming motorists.

measures to reduce the impact of van traffic, including directing more online deliveries to city centres and using electric vehicles for the so-called “last-mile” deliveries.

The LGA is calling for 2p a litre of fuel duty to be handed to councils for the upkeep of local roads.

This would generate an extra £1 billion a year, it is claimed. Martin Tett, the LGA’s transport spokesman, said that the bill for mending local roads had reached £9.3 billion.

He said: “Unless we take action now, our roads crisis will continue to escalate and have major consequences for the economy.”

Mr Grayling said: “People rely on good roads to get to work and to see friends or family.

“We have seen an unusually prolonged spell of freezing weather which has caused damage to our local roads.

The transport secretary said the funding would allow councils to repair roads so that “all road users can enjoy their journeys without having to dodge potholes.”

The government said the £100m cash was on top of the £6bn it is investing in improving local roads across the country and the £75m funding it has already handed out to councils from a “Pothole Action Fund” this year.

Cllr Martin Tett

Chris Grayling MP


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MONEY MATTERS

U sing your debit or credit card abroad can come with hefty fees and a nasty shock when your next

statement arrives. But spending on plastic abroad doesn’t have to cost the earth – there are ways to avoid extra costs when making purchases or withdrawing money overseas.

Banks rake in hundreds of thousands of pounds each year by charging customers extra for spending their own money abroad. Charges vary but card providers typically “load” the foreign exchange rate then add on further charges each time you use your card.

For example, Santander’s debit card charges £1.25 each time you use your card overseas plus a foreign loading fee of 2.75%. Cash withdrawals cost 1.5% with a minimum charge of £1.99. This means taking £50 out of the ATM would cost £53.36, while a £50 purchase would cost £52.63.

Not all debit cards levy these extra fees – Metro Bank doesn’t charge extra if you use your debit card, or take money out of an ATM, in Europe. Virgin Money’s Essential current account doesn’t charge extra for debit card transactions abroad but charges a flat £1.50 per overseas ATM withdrawal.

Another option is app-based Starling Bank. It has a current account that charges no non-sterling transaction or cash withdrawal fees when you use its debit card worldwide. However, you’ll need to open and run your account via smartphone app – there aren’t any branches.

Travellers have a bit more choice when it comes to credit cards. Halifax’s Clarity credit card has long been a popular option for no-frills overseas spending. However, while there are no fees for cash withdrawals, you’ll be charged interest at a typical APR of 18.9% from the day you make the cash withdrawal.

Another option is Barclaycard’s Platinum card which has no fees on spending or cash withdrawals overseas till August 2022. If you withdraw cash from the

ATM, you won’t be charged interest if you pay off your balance in full each month. Alternatively, Santander’s Zero credit card has no overseas fees for withdrawing cash from an ATM or spending anywhere in the world.

If you don’t mind managing your credit card account via an app, challenger bank Tandem is not just fee-free abroad but also pays 0.5% cashback on all spending.

Prepaid or currency cards are another good option for holidaymakers. These cards need to be loaded with pounds before you go. This can help you budget on holiday as there’s not the temptation or option to borrow money.

When you withdraw cash or make a card transaction overseas, the prepaid card does the conversion for you. Revolut gives perfect interbank rates for most currencies, including euros and dollars. There are no charges for card transactions but only the first £200 of ATM withdrawals a month are fee-free (it’s 2% after that). Like Tandem and Starling, Revolut is managed via a smartphone app which allows you to load,

exchange and withdraw funds. It also shows your spending in categories including eating out, entertainment and health.

Another card, WeSwap, allows you to spend in euros, dollars, pounds and 15 other currencies. If you visit moneysavingexpert.com and apply via a link, you can get an extra £30 of currency when loading £500 or more. Like Revolut, WeSwap offers the perfect interbank exchange rate. However, it’s only fee-free for the first six months you hold the card – after that there’s a 1% fee on currency exchanges.

Whatever card you use overseas, you need to avoid something called dynamic currency conversion or DCC. This is where a retailer, website or ATM gives you the option to pay in pounds sterling rather than in local currency. Paying in pounds might sound good but it will cost you dear as the retailer or ATM will apply its own exchange rate which will almost certainly be worse than that of the card issuer (normally Mastercard or Visa). So, the golden rule is, when given the choice, always pay in the local currency. u

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TAXI TALK

T o say that the nation was surprised when Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain chillingly informed us on the radio that

because Germany had not responded to Britain’s ultimatum to withdraw all its troops from Poland, a state of war now existed between us, is an understatement. Only a short time before Chamberlain had returned from meeting Hitler in Munich and was pictured on the steps of his plane triumphantly waving a piece of paper and declaring, “peace in our time!” That was after another dodgy deal when Britain, desperate to avoid another war, sold Czechoslovakia down the river to Hitler. They allowed him to occupy the predominantly German-speaking Czechs in the territory facing Germany. This territory just happened to house all the Czech defences and enabled Hitler to take over the country in weeks.

Consequently, unlike Germany, we were not prepared for another war. We didn’t have enough planes, tanks or guns – or even enough manpower – and transport was a big problem. It was the number one priority to find strong, reliable vehicles that could be easily adapted for the war effort and the London taxi fitted the bill nicely. So, the London County Council requisitioned 2,452 taxis for war work – out of a total fleet of 6,999. So, obviously this dramatic loss of some 37% of vehicles left many cabbies unable to find a taxi to go to work in. Sadly, this problem was soon rectified when many hundreds of young cabbies were called up to go to war!

The army claimed many more taxis for use as personnel carriers because of their sturdy chassis. They were resplendent in their two-tone camouflage netting and even had imitation leaves! The Government requisitioned another 400 cabs for army units working out in the country. They were given the grand title of “Anti-Paratroop Patrol Work.” These taxis were reconfigured for active duty. The driver sat in a little section on the right, the luggage platform was loaded with equipment and at the back, and the hood could be folded down. Over the top of the driver was the luggage rack where a Lewis Gun was mounted to fire

forward – over the driver’s head, hopefully!Ex-servicemen cabbies were recruited to drive

taxis which had been converted into ambulances. The thinking was that, if these older cabbies had experienced conflict in WW1, then they wouldn’t chicken out under fire. Another valuable asset these older cabbies brought was their intimate knowledge of all the back streets in London and the ability to take short cuts. The time difference could help save many lives after an air raid.

The National Fire Service hired some 2,000 Austin taxis to tow the trailer pumps and augment its fleet of fire engines. Depending on the model, these appliances could pump from 120 gallons per minute, to 900 gallons per minute. It was actually a cabbie who invented the quick-release link to the trailer, which made it an integral link to the fire-fighting force. These pumps were called Dennis Reciprocating Pumps and were archaic by today’s standards. Firstly, they needed to be hand cranked to start, then, when they were running, a lever was pressed, creating a vacuum which pulled the water through.

The teams working these makeshift fire engines were mainly London cabbies, in many cases not fit enough or too old for the forces, but still fit enough to drive. These conscripts were thoroughly trained by professional, peacetime firemen before being allowed to attend any sort of fire. They were called the AFS, the Auxiliary Fire Service, and, as in the case of cabbies driving the converted ambulances, because of their street knowledge, they were quite often at the scene of the fire before the larger fire engines. The “mushers” – owner drivers, whose taxis had been requisitioned by the AFS, were paid for driving their own cabs. They received £1, 17 shillings and 6 pence, per week for the cab and three pounds per week for their services as driver/fireman. These makeshift fire engines were fitted with all kinds of wonderful equipment. First was the quick- release water pump trailer, with fittings universal to all the other fire-fighting equipment, which was able to be set up anywhere. The water hoses were stored in the luggage compartment and

they carried stirrup pumps that could suck water up from buckets to put out a small blaze. They also had buckets of sand for smothering incendiary bombs – not the safest job for sure! Ladders were carried on the roof racks normally reserved for passenger’s luggage and in some cases, the meter was removed, and a small bell was fitted, just to warn people of their speedy approach; this was very important, especially during the blackout. Equipment for the AFS drivers was very basic to say the least. All they had were overalls, rubber boots, steel helmets, a belt with an axe fitted and gas masks. In those far-off days walkie-talkies and radios weren’t available, so semaphore was the usual method employed to direct the firefighters to their targets.

When Churchill ordered a token bombing raid on Berlin, it wasn’t very effective – but it was a great moral booster for the nation. Hitler was furious, because he had boasted to the German people “that no enemy bombers would EVER bomb Berlin.” So, in his rage, he changed his tactic of systematically destroying Britain’s airfields, the planes on the ground and the radar stations. He ordered the Luftwaffe to change its successful tactics and start bombing British cities – starting with London.

The Blitz in London was like a permanent nightmare. I can testify to that as a young kid living up Caledonian Road and sleeping most nights down the Tube station. From September 7, 1940, German bombers battered London every night for 57 consecutive nights. They dropped an estimated 330 tons of bombs and killed many thousands of innocent people. But still the brave cabbies in their makeshift fire-engines and ambulances went to their directed targets along rubble-strewn roads, to burning buildings to help badly injured people. I know the slogan in the war was, “everyone must do their bit,” but these brave cabbies were doing a lot more than “their bit.” To my mind they are the unsung heroes of WW2 and should have been lining up for their “gongs” after the war! u

A historical, factual story about the taxi trade’s integral involvement in the war almost 80 years ago

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF WW2

“The National Fire Service hired some 2,000 Austin taxis to tow the trailer pumps and augment its �eet of �re engines”

ALF TOWNSEND

Hundreds of taxis were requisitioned for the war e�ort

Cabbies “did more than their bit”


Uber sells Southeast Asia operationsUber is to sell its business in Southeast Asia to regional rival Grab in what amounts to another global defeat for the US firm.

The embattled app company had already pulled out of China and Russia in recent years. The deal will see Uber will take a 27.5% stake in Grab, which operates ridesharing, food delivery and financial services businesses, and a seat on the board.

Grab handles more than a billion yearly transactions across Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and Cambodia.

Chief executive and co-founder Anthony Tan said the deal “marks the beginning of a new era” and will enable the company to expand its food and transport services.

Uber drivers will be move to the Grab online platform and the US firm’s app will stop working in Asia in two weeks.

In China, Uber has sold off its local business to competitor Didi Chuxing, also taking a stake in the Asian firm. In Russia, it agreed to merge its ride-hailing business in the country with local player Yandex.

NEWS IN BRIEF

GOVERNMENT

Ministers have binned plans for a national scrappage scheme designed to get diesel vehicles off the road.

The Government fears it would have been open to abuse and could disrupt Britain’s motoring industry.

It has instead said that local councils could run their own programmes with money from the government’s £260 million clean air fund.

A consultation into a targeted scrappage scheme began last autumn alongside measures such as subsidising car clubs to reduce individual vehicle ownership and retrofitting HGVs, buses and taxis to cut emissions.

The report found there was no evidence that a nationally-funded scrappage scheme would provide value for money.

It said: “A number of detailed responses set out that a targeted scheme would be difficult to deliver, potentially open to abuse and could disrupt the existing car market.

“In response to these concerns we are not proposing to take forward a national scrappage scheme at this time. However, we have not restricted the types of measures local authorities could bid for funding for from the clean air fund.”

Environmental groups today criticised

Defra’s decision, including Greenpeace which accused it of performing a “tyre-burning U-turn” on the national scrappage scheme.

The charity said: “This measure would have been a good opportunity to take polluting cars off our roads while helping drivers who bought dirty diesels on a false prospectus. Instead, ministers are once again passing the buck to local authorities.

“Illegal levels of toxic air pollution are a serious problem, but government action is shifting from first gear to reverse.”

ClientEarth, the environmental law organisation, won a third High Court case against the government last month over its failure to tackle illegally high levels of pollution in towns and cities. The court ordered ministers to require local authorities to take measures to bring air quality back within legal limits.

Simon Alcock, head of UK public affairs at ClientEarth, said: “This is a pitiful response from the government, which is yet again shirking its responsibility to clean up our country’s harmful and illegal air pollution.”

Diesel scrappage scheme ditched

MASSETT'S

CAMERA HOTSPOTS

EXMOUTH MARKET Red zoneBERKLEY STREET J/W PICCADILLY Yellow box camerasBAGLEYS LANE/NEW KINGS ROAD Yellow boxFULHAM BROADWAY/BARCLAY ROAD Yellow boxCAMDEN 20mph limitWATERLOO ROAD Zig-ZagsSELFRIDGES Over rankingLUDGATE HILL Zig-ZagsCLAPHAM HIGH STREET Zig-ZagsISLINGTON 20mph limitRED ROUTES TfL is actively enforcing yellow box restrictionsTOWER BRIDGE 20 mph speed limit – average speed camerasLIMEHOUSE LINK 30mph speed limitTERMINUS PLACE Bus only left turn. TfL to issue PCNsSMITHFIELD Do not park in loading boxes, they are enforced by cameraA13 Average speed cameras in operationTHE CITY 20mph limit

u HOTSPOT 1 John Islip Street —no right turn into Ponsonby Terrace

u HOTSPOT 2 Lea Bridge Road —20mph zone


carrying families around the West End and getting in everyone’s way. Their drivers don’t need a licence, tax, insurance, vehicle inspection, fare chart, nor any DBS clearance. The old PCO

would have run them out of town on a rail. u

Chris Ackrill is a Taxi Driver and former Knowledge Examiner

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ON THE ROAD

A s cab drivers we used to plod along happily, unaffected by change. If someone wanted a

cab they’d wave their hand or approach a rank. We took cash. There was no fiddling with buttons and worrying whether the customer’s credit card was going to work. There was no stress waiting for card clearance with a bus sat behind us. We all had a bit more road space and road systems were less complicated. Things were altogether less fraught out there. When I started out there were no cameras poised to photograph your wheel as it touched the hallowed yellow paint of a box junction. You could buy a new cab that didn’t need to be plugged in.

Many of these changes have happened in the last handful of years, and there are more changes coming to our streets. Changes not just to our working conditions, but to the wider environment we work in. Updated forms of transport are being offered to customers which could disrupt the status quo and provide headaches to the authorities who control the roads. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride…

In a recent article I mentioned motorised rickshaws. How they’ve allowed a rickshaw on the road with a motor I’ll never know. There are more cycles coming: hire cycles that don’t have to be returned to a docking station but can be dumped anywhere. OBikes are four times cheaper than the Santander “Boris Bikes” and can be left wherever you like. If these cheaper bikes are allowed to continue it’ll pave the way for more unregulated cycle hire outfits to flood the market.

It’ll make a dent in the profits of the current supplier and create piles of cycles on our pavements for people to trip over. It’s a situation rather like pedicabs. The authorities failed to clamp down on them and we now have pedicabs with motors riding along cycle lanes! TfL can’t really say anything as they allowed it to happen in the first place.

If TfL did put a stop to motorised rickshaws or discount dump-where-you-like hire bikes, could we say it was behaving like the luddites resistant to progress and competition? Isn’t that what many people said about cab drivers when credit card acceptance became mandatory?

TfL is making big losses because fewer people want to ride Tube trains and buses. It still has the private hire money-spinner though. The regulator is trying to claw money from private hire by drastically raising operator’s licensing fees. Large minicab operators have to find £30,000 for a five-year licence, where previously they only had to stump up £2,826. The minicab association is fighting the case in court. They argue that TfL failed to conduct a considered and thorough consultation before raising fees and didn’t carry out an independent regulatory impact assessment. I suggest that TfL and other authorities never consider the impact or carry out a proper consultation on anything. Look at what they’ve done to London’s roads with all their crazy re-modelling schemes and closures.

Whatever you feel about private hire, you must admit that this is a huge rise (up to 5,000% in some cases). Many smaller private hire companies have gone to the wall or have been eaten up by the larger ones. None is larger than Uber of course. Maybe thirty-large for running an estimated 40,000 minicabs isn’t so excessive.

TfL says higher fees are needed to fund extra compliance officers “who do a crucial job in driving up standards and ensuring passengers remain safe.”

TfL could have done more to ensure passengers were safe by making sure DBS criminal record checks were made properly from the start. We recently read about the imprisonment of Uber drivers for numerous offences and some of them appear to have previous offences, including one who tried to kiss a 14-year-old girl in his minicab. Did none of these offences come up during his DBS record checks? Or did TfL decide he was a fit and proper person anyway? Either the current criminal record checking system is open to corruption, or the DBS report isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

We now have motorised chariots

The roads are becoming more and more cluttered but what can be done to stop it?

THE CYCLE OF CHANGE

“TfL is making big losses because fewer people want to ride Tube trains and buses. It still has the private hire money-spinner though and is trying to claw money from private hire by raising operator’s licensing fees...”

CHRIS ACKRILL


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M y mini Meglet has finally arrived! And she is FABULOUS. A divine baby girl born a week early and

with a single bottom front tooth already! I have parked my cab for a few weeks in order

to act as deputy dawg to my son and his wife. Presently it is taking the three of us to take on care of this tiny bubba, who is not even a foot long and weighed in at just 6lbs 8oz.

I need to go back to baby college, because everything is so different since I popped out my Mini Megs maaaannnny years ago.

The new howdeedoodies of parenting are:1. Chuck away the baby name books and simply make up a name for your baby. Goodbye to old favourites like Sue, Jane, John and Michael. My grand-daughter (have I mentioned she is the world’s MOST beautiful baby?) is called Inara. It’s a gorgeous name, dreamt up by her mum, but has one drawback. Her grandad, Mr Meg, simply cannot commit it to memory. She’s only 10 days old, but he has

called her Inana, Iraqua, Enya, Banara, Hanara and even Banana. It could be worse, at least it is a pretty name. Last year some UK babies were registered with the made up Christian names of Cage, Jennavecia, Shenza and Journey. 2. Breastfeeding is almost compulsory. The Breastapo tut tut at formula milk, but I bottle fed all mine and no harm was done. My bosoms are for entertainment only. 3. Swaddling is over. On the advice of midwives, we oldies wrapped and rolled our babies in blankets until they looked like little Egyptian mummies, and then put them down to sleep. Now babies lie in their cots bopping around like mini disco dancers.4. Baby’s first bath now happens 10-14 days after they arrive. Our first baby was dipped hours after delivery. Mr Meg was gowned up and taken to a side room in the maternity ward and taught to bathe a baby without having any near drowning incidents. He graduated top of the class, and since then has successfully washed dogs, cats and even guinea pigs.5. It’s all about slings, people. In my time only hippy squatter types (who smelt of sandalwood

Meg becomes a grandma but discovers things aren’t like they used to be when she raised the mini-Megs

THE CHANGING FACE OF PARENTHOOD

There’s nothing bad about being a grandma!

and ganja) would have carried a baby in a sling – and now they

are de rigour. Cute button nose squashed into mummy or daddy’s chest is apparently the recommended way to travel.6. It’s cool for daddies to push the

pram, but in the 80s it was considered as unmacho. Mr Meg was a trailblazer and proud to push way back then, but passers-by would stop, stare, and even point as he

walked by with the pram. In our local M&S food store he became famous as “Pramdad.” When I shopped in there, pushing the same baby in the same pram, the staff queued up to tell me, “your husband was doing ever so well with the pram at the weekend!” and “isn’t he just amazing?”

How times have moved on. One thing that never changes are the love and joy a new baby brings.

Mr Meg and I chatted today and decided there was nothing bad about being a grandparent. “Oh wait, there is one thing” said Mr Meg, “I’m sharing a bed with a grandma!” u

MUSHER MEG


LONDON

A blueprint for a new river crossing in east London has been overwhelmingly supported by Londoners in a public consultation, according to TfL.

The Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf bridge would provide a pedestrian and cycling route across the Thames and was backed by 93% of respondents (6,093).

Transport for London will now draw up more detailed designs and a construction timeline ahead of a final consultation.

The regulator’s preferred option of a navigable bridge was supported by 85% of people, and the northern alignment between Nelson Dock and Westferry Circus got the strongest support.

An enhanced ferry service, a bridge or a tunnel were some the options included in the consultation.

TfL has also recently appointed Atkins, to provide engineering and architectural support, following a competitive procurement process. This will inform the

next stages of procurement, as well as the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application during 2019.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, said: “I’m delighted that thousands of people took part in the consultation, and have given us such overwhelming support for a new walking and cycling crossing between Rotherhithe

and Canary Wharf. With its growing population, a

new river crossing is much needed in this part of east London, providing vital new connections for residents, businesses and commuters

around Canary Wharf. Our plans should enable

thousands more people to make walking and cycling

a part of their everyday lives, improving life for everyone.”

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, said: “I am pleased that the vast majority of responses to the consultation on the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf crossing have backed the bridge. I welcome the plans to improve pedestrian and cycling access in the borough and look forward to working with TfL as the plans progress.”

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March updateWe welcomed three guests to the March meeting, Wes Streeting MP, the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis and Brendan O’Toole and John Heath from Nissan Dynamo Taxis.

Wes took time out of his busy schedule, making his way straight from the chancellor’s spring statement, to update the branch on his efforts in getting the trade’s voice heard inside the commons, which as a back-bench opposition MP has not been easy. Wes has been instrumental in promoting fair competition and passenger safety, also formulating a cross party APPG on taxis, led to the government forming the Taxi Task Finish Group to tackle major issues such as cross-border hiring and proposing a national minimum standard.

Wes spoke of his disgust at Tory party reaction to TfL’s refusal to grant Uber a licence, which led to him raising an urgent question in the commons. “How can Uber be deemed a fit and proper operator given their careless attitude to passenger and driver data? Not only did they lose the data, they employed criminal hackers to get the data back without informing passengers or drivers, on top

of all the other issues I’ve raised over the last couple of years, such as aggressive tax avoidance, which is short changing our hospitals and schools, amounting to a race to the bottom policy affecting our future economy.”

Wes assured members that Jeremy Corbyn has been very supportive of the work he is doing regarding passenger safety and vented his frus-tration at the

hard time the mayor gets on social media from some cabbies. Clearly, pointing out that Sadiq has done more for the trade in five minutes than Boris Johnson did in eight years!

John Heath and Brendan O’Toole gave an update on the release of the Nissan Dynamo taxi, which is scheduled for the summer. They described it as “bullet proof, proven technology.” It is a pure electric vehicle, which has a range of 170 miles on 40kw batteries. It can be rapid charged in around 35 minutes to 70%. The cab is best suited as a town cab, has excellent acceleration and the silence that an EV brings. Space wise its smaller than the Vito and TXe, but will also be cheaper than both to buy, run and maintain.

Anthony Minas CENTRAL BRANCH CHAIRMAN

Branch Meeting Report

Wes Streeting


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OVERHEARD

Acomedy writer recently met Theresa May and asked if she wanted some political jokes. She said “no thanks. I’ve

got a cabinet full of them.” I just wish they’d spend more time passing laws instead of the buck. We elected this lot because they promised change, but as soon as they got in they changed their promise. They said they’d give us a fair and square deal. All we got was an ordeal. One of their promises was that more houses would be going up. And they did, but only in price. What’s also rocketed is our defence budget. I can’t see why we need more nuclear weapons. We haven’t used the old ones yet. We’re told the world started with a big bang. With so many nuclear bombs around, it could soon end the same way. I think the United Nations should force every country to abandon their military arms and let them rust in peace.

They say figures don’t lie, unless you count-up the real number of immigrants who’ve illegally sneaked into London recently. It’s got so bad the government’s thinking of opening a British Embassy here. I don’t mind them coming. I just wish they’d take Jeremy Corbyn in exchange. The Germans are also complaining about their influx of immigrants, but one expects it from them. They’ve always been sour Krauts. I’m fed up with all the talk of Brexit. It’s a constant source of ear-itation. But I’m glad we’re leaving. The trouble

with the EU is it’s run by a bunch of foreigners.Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has the habit

of saying the wrong things at the wrong time. It’s not his fault. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth. Boris is actually the most astute, intelligent, perceptive politician we have. That’s not my opinion, it’s his.

At last the Russians are urging the Syrian army to stop their onslaught. It’s the first time Putin has pulled back since the time Angela Merkel tied to kiss him on the cheek.

I envy the Americans because they have 50 states and we only have three:

confusion, delusion and desperation. Mind you, the Americans have

their problems too. Right now, you’d have to be mad to want to be President of the United States, which proves they have the right man in the job. The more think of Donald Trump, the less I think of him. American comedians have

given us the rundown on Trump. And boy, are they running him down!

They’re saying he may be fit as a fiddle, but not as President. He’s such a boaster. Everytime he opens his mouth he puts his feats in it. When he got off the plane in New York they announced, “the ego has landed.” He’s got carried away with his own importance, but not far enough. He’s a man who’s proved you don’t have to fool all of the people all the time. Just during elections. Most people think Trump’s been acting stupid. but I don’t agree. I don’t think he was acting. u

—Brad Ashton

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and then there were newspaper of the licensed taxi drivers’ association @theltda #415 4 april 2018...

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