LTDA

The newspaper of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA TRADE: p2 #449 TH 6 August 2019 LEVC MARKS 2,500 TXE MILESTONE

p3

FINED AGAIN!

LTDA urges mayor to ban the app after firm’s drivers caught with no insurance 2 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA LEVC Marks 2,500th TXe Milestone NEWS IN BRIEF TRADE Road Deaths at The 2,500th TXe has rolled off the production line in Coventry and onto Record Low the streets of London. The number of road deaths on It marks a significant production London streets was at its lowest milestone for the London Electric Vehicle level since records began last year, Company (LEVC) which started producing according to data from Transport the taxi at the company’s purpose-built for London. Coventry facility in 2018 following a £500 The figures show that 111 people million investment from Chinese parent were killed in traffic incidents in company, Geely. London during 2018. The factory has a production capacity of Mayor Sadiq Khan [below] says 36,000 units per year and employs more the aim is to completely eliminate than 1,000 people. road deaths in the city by 2041. The 2,500th cab was taken for a spin Half of the 56 road fatalities in around Trafalgar Square after it was 2018 were pedestrians, and a further completed in Coventry. 12 people were killed while riding LEVC claims the 2,500 TX taxis bikes. produced so far have prevented 6,800 Overall, pedestrians, cyclists and tonnes of CO2 from entering the motorcyclists made up around 80% atmosphere, based on the emissions rating of all people killed on London’s roads, of the TX4. accounting for 90 of the 111 deaths. The company also says NOx emissions, out to make the world’s most advanced expanding our range with a new LCV. regarded as the primary contributor to taxi, to distil over 70 years of cab-building Our goal is to be the leading European poor air quality, are down by 99.5% knowledge into an all-new leader in green commercial mobility solution compared to the older model. urban zero emissions mobility. “The provider.” Over the 21 million miles covered endorsement from drivers is compelling The TX is sold in 20 UK cities so far, collectively by the TX, it has used while passengers love TX’s comfort, space including Coventry, Manchester and 850,000 litres less fuel than the TX4, and connectivity features. Edinburgh, but London remains LEVC’s which the company says has saved its “We are proud to be supporting the biggest market, with 2,000 TXs in owners £3.85 million, or roughly £100 per city of London in its efforts to improve air operation across the capital. The model week, in running costs. quality – and doing the same across the is also available in Norway, Germany, LEVC’s CEO Joerg Hoffmann said: UK. In the very near future we will be Sweden, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the “When this project began in 2014, we set further driving TX sales in Europe and Netherlands.

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Uber must be stripped of its licence after its latest conviction shows nothing has changed UBER MUST GET BAN STEVE MCNAMARA AFTER LATEST FINE TOP TRADE STORY Will Boris allow a minicab cap? ber pleaded guilty to two counts of Many of you will be wondering what the permitting no insurance and of failing to sweeping changes in Westminster with Boris U keep accurate records, at Westminster Johnson taking over 10 Downing Street, will Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, July 31. This mean for the cab trade. I’m sure most of you is the very same court where 13 months ago it remember that during his time as Mayor of was granted a probationary operator’s licence. London, he called on Government to give The company was fined £14,000 for each him the powers to cap the number of PHV offence, a total of £28,000, and ordered to pay drivers in London – which maybe the only costs. The offences came to light during a routine thing that he and current Mayor Sadiq Khan TfL on street compliance check where two private agree on! hire vehicles, being used on the Uber platform, Back in 2015, Boris criticised Uber for were found not to hold hire and reward insurance. breaking the law by effectively plying for It is believed that both hire, saying “the [Uber] app is allowing vehicles were only covered private hire vehicles to behave like black by a normal social, taxis: to be hailed, to ply for hire in the domestic and pleasure streets.” He also called for changes to (SDP) policy. outdated taxi and PHV legislation, saying This is the second time that “until Parliament has the guts to change Uber has been convicted the law, we must hold the existing and of an identical offence longstanding legal distinctions between with the most recent one black cabs and minicabs.” He’s now got the coming despite absolute Tom De La Mare chance to put his money where his mouth assurances and promises made by the company is, and I am writing to him directly to urge last June, to Emma Arbuthnot, the Chief him to bring in comprehensive legislation as Magistrate, that it (Uber) had “reformed,” was quickly as possible. “fit and proper” and should be allowed to have its At the time of writing, we’re still waiting to operator’s licence reinstated. see exactly which minister at the Department I sat through the licence appeal and saw how for Transport will be responsible for taxis, swayed Arbuthnot was by these promises made although it’s appears likely that Nusrat by Uber’s QC Tom De La Mere. He said three Ghani MP will remain in the post. This is non-executive UK board members had been hired good news, as we have been working with to ensure “total compliance to the letter and spirit “I sat through the licence appeal civil servants to shape the direction of of regulatory obligations.” In her judgement, new legislation and we won’t have to start Arbuthnot described the chairman of the Uber and saw how swayed Arbuthnot from scratch with a new minister. The new board, Laurel Powers-Freeling, as “an impressive was by these promises made by Transport Secretary is Grant Shapps MP, witness with an impressive background.” I who has been more pro-Uber than taxi trade wonder if she thinks she is quite so impressive Uber’s QC Tom De La Mere. He said in the past, so I’m also writing to him to now that Uber is back to its old ways? three non-executive UK board make clear how important the cab trade is I have written to Mayor Sadiq Khan, asking to London and the support we need for the that, in view of this latest conviction and to ensure members had been hired to ensure trade to flourish. u the safety of Londoners, he revokes “total compliance to the letter and Uber’s temporary licence with immediate effect. Steve McNamara is the Let’s see what he does. spirit of regulatory obligations...” LTDA’s General Secretary

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16090-LTDA_HealthScheme_Plat2019_ad_FINAL.indd 2 21/06/2019 13:17 @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 5 Lying Minicab Driver Avoids Jail NEWS IN BRIEF Westminster COURT Bridge Works A minicab driver who blamed another driver for two speeding offences has Taxis, buses and cyclists will con- stayed out of jail after finally owning tinue to have access to Westminster up to his crimes. Bridge during works which get Kimarley Peart, of Bromley, falsely underway this month. nominated another driver as being Westminster Bridge will be responsible for speeding offences he closed to other westbound traffic committed in October and November and Bridge Street will be closed in After the sentencing police warned that both directions from 9pm Sunday, speeding and perverting the course of August 11, until November 9, 2019. justice offences can lead to jail sentences. He was caught travelling at 48mph in a 40mph zone on the first occasion, Hackney Cycle and 53mph in a 40mph zone on the second occasion. Route Plans The 27-year-old continually denied Revealed the offences but eventually pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, Plans for a new walking and cycling June 13. route between Dalston and Lea Bridge Chris Raynor, of Sussex Police, said: have been put up for consultation by “This operation demonstrates that Transport for London (TfL) and Hack- no matter how long it takes, we are to foreign countries, such as America and imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, ney Council. determined to bring to justice those who Australia, and other aspects of your life.” and ordered to carry out 150 hours of The route would link Dalston to break the law and put other road users’ An expelled Labour MP has been unpaid work. He was also required to pay Powell Road in Clapton, as well as lives at risk. jailed for three months after being £500 costs and a £140 victim surcharge. bring in traffic-calming measures and “What may appear to be a fairly found guilty of lying to police to avoid The conviction falls under Operation new crossings for both cyclists and low-level offence to some, is actually one a speeding ticket. Pinocchio, which was launched by Sussex pedestrians. The initial work will also which carries a maximum term of life In January the former Labour MP, Fiona Police in 2016. The operation was set up include upgrades to public spaces with imprisonment. People should be aware Onasanya, was convicted of perverting the to improve safety on Sussex’s roads by more trees and plants. that a conviction for this offence comes course of justice and sentenced to three tracing and prosecuting offenders who It is part of wider plans for a with a criminal record which could affect months in jail. provide false information in an attempt three-kilometre Cycleway between Lea future employment opportunities, travel Peart was sentenced to 14 months’ to avoid prosecution. Bridge and Dalston.

Brighton Bike Ride Appeal and its primary aim is to support, help and CHARITY relieve children disadvantaged by reason Volunteers from one of the trade’s best of health or financial circumstance, and loved charities are urging taxi drivers to children deprived of parental care. support them as they take part in the The charity also gives financial gruelling London to Brighton bike ride help and support for the purchase of next month. medical, communicative and recreational Many of the 15 riders have barely ridden equipment to schools, hospitals, hospices a bike since their youth but are committed and individual families in the London and to the cause, and their punishing training Greater London Areas. schedules. The aim is to raise at least £5,000 They aim to complete the 55-mile to put towards the overall cost of the journey in aid of the London Taxi charity’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, which Drivers’ Charity for Children (LTCFC) on is held every January at the Grosvenor September 15. House Hotel. Charity Chairman Michael Son said: This annual event treats over 600 “It must be said that there are varying children disadvantaged by physical/ levels of fitness within the group, but they mental impairment or domestic/parental are now all committed to their individual circumstance to a fun filled day that they training plans and can be found most will never forget. Sunday mornings energetically cycling (or should I say ‘huffing and puffing’) To sponsor the riders or find out more around central London and the Greater visit the Just Giving page at: https:// London area.” www.justgiving.com/campaign/ The LTCFC charity was set up in 1928 LTCFCLondontoBrighton2019 6 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

The contempt TfL shows the taxi trade over the annual taxi fares consultation is a disgrace TIME IS MONEY BUT PAUL BRENNAN TFL DOESN’T GET IT TOP RANK

very January, for as long as I can remember, we are told that train, bus E and tube fares will increase by x%. It also used to follow that on the first Saturday of April, we cabbies would congregate on some wasteland to receive our annual tariff update. Of course, now it’s mostly done via a sim card, email or by post. Or at least it would be if the good people at TfL managed to do for us what it still does for every other form of transport within its remit, get the adjustments approved. For the past three years our annual tariff change has been late, not by a day or two, but by weeks and months. As things stand the 2019 April tariff change may be implemented in November or December of this year, but to be honest, I very much doubt it will. This could mean we will be into 2020 before 2019’s tariff change comes into force, and that opens up another can of worms; namely, what about 2020’s tariff change? it’s about how we are being treated by TfL. Times gone by... want passengers paying higher fares. A cap on Will we have one in January/February and Incidentally, when the flag fall went up by numbers = less congestion and hey presto, another in April? Well, no, of course we won’t, 40p last year, along with a small increase in rates you’ll have lower fares and, as a big bonus, as next year’s will also be late. Could we really one and two, there was no public outcry. The less pollution. see two tariff changes in one calendar year? Or Evening Standard didn’t run their usual “greedy But that doesn’t seem to be in the plans of worse still, one big one to encompass the 2019 cabbies” story. TfL told me they received not one the powers that be. A worrying solution to this and 2020 change in June? complaint and most importantly no one got in problem, which TfL suggested for the future, Regardless of how you feel about drivers even my cab and made any comment about the fact is to tinker with the time element of our tariff. getting an increase, I’m sure most drivers would the flag fall was now £3. That’s because most So, while we sit in the manufactured congestion agree that the last thing we want is to see one people don’t worry what’s on the meter when of their making, the meter doesn’t tick over as large increase covering the two-year period. they get in the cab, they only care how much it quick, which is outrageous, and we can’t allow The contempt we have been shown by TfL’s is when the journey ends. this cop out to happen. At every opportunity we senior management in relation to this issue The real problem we have with our fares “When must all highlight to anyone and everyone the is truly disgraceful. Representatives from all is the inept way the road network is being real reason fares are high: congestion, congestion, five orgs (LCDC, LTDA, RMT, UCG and managed by TfL and London boroughs. The the ‰ag congestion, which, incidentally, is the same cause Unite) have been singing from the exact severe congestion we now encounter every fall went of our high pollution levels. same hymn sheet on this matter and submitted day and night has meant fares are higher than up by 40p As well as wanting to mess with the time our proposals to TfL almost a year ago. they should be. Ironically, one of the reasons element of our tariff, changing or removing rate This situation isn’t about whether we should Theresa May’s government said it was reluctant last year, three is always high on the agenda from those or shouldn’t be having an increase on the tariff, to cap PH numbers is because they don’t along who deem to tell us how, when and where we with a should operate. TfL even spent good money on having an independent report done to show how small changes to rate three would improve work levels. increase The problem was that all the report could show in rates was driver’s earnings would reduce. Of course, they could have saved money by simply looking one and at the recent change to rate three, making the two, cut off 5am rather than 6am. The thinking was there was it would increase early morning rides, the reality? It did nothing. no public I rarely work on rate three, so take my lead outcry. from last year’s LTDA members’ fare survey. Have you got an opinion or a view on taking the taxi trade forward? That told me that 67% of drivers want rate three We have been holding a series of members’ workshops over the past The left alone. Of course, opinions change and to see few months to share ideas and views in small groups. Evening if they have, we have put out another members’ The next one will take place on Tuesday, Standard fare survey, so please take part, so we know what September 24, at 10-11.30am, in central London. your views are. didn’t run You should also, of course, complete the TfL with their consultation by going to: https://consultations. “greedy tfl.gov.uk/taxis/fares-2019/ u cabbies” Paul Brennan, story...” LTDA Executive @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 7

NEWS IN BRIEF Minicab C-Charge Decision “Not Racist” HIGH COURT Minicab drivers must continue to pay the Congestion Charge after the High Court ruled the decision to strip them of their exemption was “not discriminatory.” £80 Sweet A legal challenge brought by a private hire trade union against the mayor over Charge Leaves his decision to extend the £11.50 daily charge to private hire while exempting taxis was rejected. Sour Taste The Independent Workers Union of An Uber passenger was stunned Great Britain had claimed the decision she had received an £80 clean up disproportionally affected people from charge after leaving some Skittles black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) in the number of private hire vehicles in it’s reasonable and there were no better sweets in her ride. backgrounds, who make up 94% of the the C-Charge zone, is a legitimate one alternative measures to reduce congestion. Lydia, a 24-year-old, took to minicab trade. It was argued the policy adopted as a measure of economic, social “He hasn’t done this and the judge Twitter to share a screenshot of an favoured taxi drivers, who are 71% white. and environmental policy,” he added. adopted the incorrect legal test when email from the ride-hailing app. However, Mr Justice Lewis dismissed “There are no other less-intrusive assessing the matter. So now we take the She wrote: “Can’t believe I’ve had the judicial review challenge and said measures which could realistically achieve fight to the Court of Appeal.” an £80 charge from Uber for ‘the the removal of the exemption for the same aim.” The mayor said in a statement: severity’ of some spilt Skittles.” minicab drivers “does not involve any IWGB said minicab drivers are losing “Removing the congestion charge The email she attached read “due discrimination.” as much as £200 a month as a result of exemption for private hire vehicles, apart to the severity of the incident on He found the mayor had shown the the C-Charge decision. from those that are wheelchair-accessible, this trip, a cleaning fee of £80 was decision was a reasonable means of IWGB general secretary Jason Moyer- is an important part of our plans both to applied. We’ve attached a photo reducing traffic in the UK capital. Lee confirmed the union would pursue an reduce traffic volumes and congestion in from the incident to the message.” The judge said the decision was “a appeal against the ruling, saying: “The London, with the additional benefits of The picture shows a handful of proportionate means of achieving a IWGB is not about to give up at the first reduced air pollution.” the offending sweets in the footwell legitimate aim, namely the reduction set-back.” Minicabs were exempt from the London of the car. of traffic and congestion within the He continued: “The judge, defendant congestion charge when it was introduced The post divided people on the C-Charge zone without reducing the Sadiq Khan, and we all agreed that this in 2002 but the mayor’s barristers argued social media site, with some being number of designated wheelchair- charge is bad for ethnic minority and that the number of minicab drivers had shocked by the size of the penalty accessible vehicles.” female drivers. doubled from 55,000 in 2008-2009 to and other criticising her for leaving “The aim that the defendant sought “The question is whether or not the 113,000 in 2017-2018 due mainly to the mess behind in the car. to pursue, namely achieving a reduction mayor can legally justify it by showing growth of Uber.

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The support the legal team o ers to members covers a range of issues you might not expect LEGAL SUPPORT IS CHARLOTTE COLLETT MORE THAN JUST PCNS

LEGALLY SPEAKING orary paralysis” did not meet group two guidelines. when his lawyers argued “he wasn’t using it to Fortunately, he was an LTDA member and could rely on communicate”. our help and support. Initially, we wrote to TfL, his GP and High Court judges have now criticised the 16-year- ost members think the only time they will the hospital. After gathering all the medical reports, we old law around driving and mobile phones, saying ever need legal assistance is if they somehow have were quickly able to see that the notes made by the medical it needs updating. Some tabloid newspapers have M a brush with the law, usually through a motoring professionals painted a very different picture to what had reported this as a loophole, but it is in fact that the offence. Increasingly though, the LTDA is representing happened, and it was this that had caused the suspension. law in this area is murky and has not been used members who have had their licence revoked for medical What followed was a long round of letter writing to properly. The driver should have been prosecuted for reasons. Cabbies, like lorry drivers, are DVLA group two everyone involved, before we eventually obtained an driving without due care or dangerous driving which drivers and therefore subject to a higher medical standard independent neurologist’s report. Our consultant carried out would have stopped this waste of public money. than normal car drivers. an extensive examination of the driver and crucially reviewed It is still illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone A good example of this is a recent case where a member all the medical records and letters from the hospital and GP. or satnav while driving and hands-free devices was involved in an accident. He wasn’t hospitalised but was As a result, in his report the neurologist was able to state should be set up before you leave. In the event of examined in the local accident and emergency department, that, in his professional opinion, there was a less than 2% an accident, any form of interaction with a phone where he told medics he was feeling a bit dizzy. During a chance of a seizure or epileptic episode affecting our member. or similar device can be used against you as an subsequent visit to his GP, he was asked about the dizziness The TfL medical team reviewed the report along with all the aggravating factor. Police still have the power to stop and our member very openly and honestly reported it had other evidence we had provided, and our member’s licence you if they think you are distracted. u lasted a few days and that he had been a bit unsteady on his was reinstated. feet in the weeks after the accident, but he had since made a Charlotte Collett full recovery. Mobile phones, is an LTDA solicitor Fast forward six months and it is time for his Transport for driving and the law London medical. He saw his GP, was examined, and seemed A case I discussed in a past edition came to a EDITOR’S NOTE good. He sent the paperwork back to TfL and forgot about dramatic conclusion recently and could lead to a The LTDA’s legal cover and access to our in-house it. However, two weeks later he received a letter from change in the law. Ramsey Barreto was found guilty solicitors and barristers is free of charge to all members TfL notifying him that his licence had been suspended. of using his phone to film a crash in north London for any matter that threatens your licence. If you are He was warned he must not work because his “temp- two years ago but successfully appealed the decision not a member call 0208 286 1046 to join today.

MASSETT'S CAMERA HOTSPOTS EXMOUTH MARKET Red zone BERKLEY STREET J/W PICCADILLY Yellow box cameras JOHN ISLIP STREET No right turn into Ponsonby Terrace FULHAM BROADWAY/BARCLAY ROAD Yellow box CAMDEN 20mph limit SELFRIDGES Over ranking LUDGATE HILL Zig-Zags ISLINGTON 20mph limit u HOTSPOT 1 RED ROUTES TfL is actively enforcing yellow box restrictions Lime Street, EC3 TOWER BRIDGE 20 mph speed limit – average speed cameras LIMEHOUSE LINK 30mph speed limit — no motor vehicles SMITHFIELD Do not park in loading boxes, they are enforced by camera Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm A13 Average speed cameras in operation u THE CITY 20mph limit HOTSPOT 2 KILLICK STREET Pedestrian zone Bin’eld Road WESTMINSTER PARK PLAZA No right turn into Addington Street —24hr pedestrian zone VERNON PLACE No left turn into Southampton Row @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 9 10 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA NEWS IN BRIEF Minicab A12 Wrong Way Horror Competition COURT were driving the wrong way on the Winners A12 for around five to ten minutes, The terrified passengers whose before reaching a roundabout The winner of the handheld, minicab headed the wrong way along where Agyeman returned to the cordless Kärcher HV 1/1 Bp the A12 described feeling like the was correct side of the road. vacuum cleaner is Edward on a “suicide mission.” “The complainant said he felt Barnard. The two friends booked a car from extremely scared and that it felt like Edward, of Wembley, correctly Brentwood Station to Chelmsford on a suicide mission,” said Mr Onalaja. stated that the vacuum cleaner was Friday, February 22, but the journey “ He felt that his life was in danger. invented in 1901. turned into a nightmare. The defendant kept saying that the Three cabbies have won copies Despite being alerted to his error, direction he was going was right.” of the novel Thunder Girls, a tale Kwaku Opoku Agyeman, who picked Chelmsford, but he was ignoring them Ageyman eventually put his of revenge, scandal, rivalry and the pair up at around 1am, insisted and going in the opposite direction hazard lights on and stopped the betrayal surrounding a chart- there was no problem. that he was being told to go.” car. The private hire driver “appeared topping all-girl pop group. The 71-year-old dropped one Mr Onalaja added: “The defendant confused” when quizzed later, The winners are Patrick Kenny, of them off in Brentwood before made a u-turn across the lanes. He police said. of Nine Elms, David Barrett, of making his way to Chelmsford for then saw car headlights heading When asked whether he felt his Eltham, and Lee Mills, of Sidcup, his second drop off. towards them at 60mph. driving fell below a standard he who correctly named the recently But Agyeman, who suffers from a “Cars and lorries were having should be driving at, Agyeman reformed all-girl pop group as the moderate form of dementia, became to take quick and sharp moves out responded “no.” Spice Girls. confused and ended up driving the of the way of the oncoming vehicle Defence counsel Tessa Shroff wrong way on the A12, leaving his of this defendant. mitigated on behalf of Agyeman and passenger feeling “extremely scared”. “The defendant continued to travel said: “I accept it was very dangerous Agyeman, from Harts Lane, Barking, the wrong way on the road, the driving. This was not deliberate it was maintained he was going the right complainant asked the defendant to due to a state of confusion.” way, but eventually pulled over before pull over and let him out.” She added: “He has not driven he was arrested and charged with The court heard how the passenger since and he does not expect to dangerous driving, which he admitted told Agyeman he would lose his licence ever drive again. The chances of at an earlier hearing. for what he had done. the defendant re-offending is as Prosecutor James Onalaja told the Numerous calls were made to slim as they possibly could be.” court: “The passengers in the car felt police by members of the public to Agyeman was handed a 12-week he was struggling to find his way. report the car travelling the wrong prison sentence suspended for “The complainant tried to assist the way on the A12. 12 months and disqualified from defendant who didn’t know his way to The passenger estimated that they driving for life. @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 11

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The taxi apps make a good living from the trade, but a 50% commission increase is too much CAN WE SURVIVE LLOYD BALDWIN WITHOUT THE APPS? ON POINT as “necessary change” to help us fight the metered fare. FREE NOW claims it has had opposition. It claims also that it has helping “The “to make some changes in order for us to be the taxi trade, rather than the other way reason able to continue to help you fight the here is mounting anger in the trade around. In fact, we are helping them. people like competition and for us to be able to support over FreeNow’s recent decision raise Gett has also come under fire for its surge, the long term sustainability of the trade.” T its commission fee by 50%. It has or technology, pricing which some drivers say black cabs It suggests others have already raised their prompted many drivers to ask whether it is they is turning us into Uber.” is history commission rates and, in fairness, Gett does take time to ditch the apps? One customer phoned to complain that 12%. In a press release, the company claimed: This increase, to my mind, it’s a step too far. she uses taxis every day but was outraged and “We have invested some £200m to support It feels like the company is testing us, to see how to be charged £10 on top of her fare. Saira Zaki, integrity the trade, developing a cutting edge app and far they can push it. who works for a legal firm, says she never uses running big advertising campaigns. We want The bizarrely renamed company, has also Uber, but feels like she is being driven into and this to continue to attract new passengers, ensure decided to drop the word taxi from its product, the arms of the enemy. is being current passengers are satisfied and to help which has prompted drivers to raise concerns She said: “The reason people like black cabs is black cabs stay relevant.” that it will soon offer minicabs on the app. history and integrity and this is being eroded by eroded It says there are no plans for further The company has not denied this, instead, in these charges. It is causing huge damage to the by these increases, but is 15% too much? Uber takes response to a question on the issue, it simply trade and many drivers aren’t even aware of it.” charges...” a whopping 25% from its “partners”, is that restated its commitment to the taxi trade, which Many of you will say why doesn’t she hail a where we are heading? The line in the sand has is not the same thing at all. Besides, where taxi, but the genie is out of the bottle, many been crossed again but is it possible to ditch the have we heard that before? Perhaps they have people have come to rely apps now. apps and make a living just being hailed or by forgotten what happened after Hailo decided to Other drivers are grateful for the extra money ranking up? I’m not sure, but I, for one, will offer minicabs and drivers dropped it en masse, these charges bring in, but it is an issue. How definitely be cutting back on my usage of forcing a U-turn. much are people prepared to put up with? FREE NOW and Gett, and using the other It feels a bit like we are being asked to fund A cursory look at the Trust Pilot website options that are available. u the odd rebranding exercise, which must have shows that Gett’s rating has sunk to 2.6. cost millions and writes us out of the name. Reviews are scathing, and many cite the issue Lloyd Baldwin is an LTDA The company has defended the decision of unspecified extras which cost more than the Executive Support Officer

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NEWS IN BRIEF A Badge of Uber Cuts 400 Staff Dishonour BUSINESS A suburban London taxi driver has Uber is laying off a third of its been arrested for posing as an All 1,200-person strong marketing London driver with a green badge department in an effort to slash costs. bought online. The cabbie was It is hoped that getting rid of 400 stopped by a Taxi and Private Hire workers will make operations more Enforcement Unit patrolling in efficient following its public debut the borough of Hammersmith and and first quarter losses of $1 billion. Fulham. He was initially pulled The redundancies are being made over for having a faulty brake across the Uber’s 75 offices worldwide, light, but it was discovered that the according to the company. driver was working illegally outside The firm’s latest public global of his licensed sector while using a headcount was 24,494 global employees green badge which wasn’t his own. as of March 31, 2019. [FROM LEFT] Jill Hazelbaker and Dara Khosrowshahi broke the news to sta¥, last month Jill Hazelbaker, who leads marketing Gilligan Gets and public affairs at Uber, and CEO “Today, there’s a general sense that $14.6 billion, in the first quarter, with Dara Khosrowshahi told employees at while we’ve grown fast, we’ve slowed Uber Eats driving much of that growth. Transport Job the end of July. down. You can see it in Pulse Survey But its loss from operations exploded Andrew Gilligan has been appointed The layoffs are the latest cost-driven feedback and All Hands questions, 116%, to $1 billion, in the first quarter as the transport advisor to Prime changes to occur at the company since it and you can feel it in much of our compared to the same year-ago period. Minister Boris Johnson. Gilligan, a went public in May. day-to-day work. This happens In June, chief operating officer Barney senior correspondent for the Sunday Many of Uber’s teams are “too big, naturally as companies get bigger, Harford and chief marketing officer Times, was cycling commissioner which creates overlapping work, makes but it is something we need to address, Rebecca Messina stepped down as part of when Johnson was Mayor of London. for unclear decision owners, and can lead and quickly,” he wrote. a shakeup into motion just a month after From 2013 to 2016, he played a to mediocre results,” Khosrowshahi said Uber’s first quarterly earnings report the ride-hailing company went public. role in the construction of London’s in an email sent to employees. as a publicly traded company gave a Khosrowshahi then explained in an cycle superhighways, which have since “As a company, we can do more to snapshot of a growing business with email to employees that the changes were been renamed as cycleways. Gilligan keep the bar high, and expect more of large operational losses. prompted by his decision to more directly is opposed to the building of the ourselves and each other.” Its revenue grew 20%, to $3.1 billion, control core parts of the business. high-speed rail-line HS2, tweeting Khosrowshahi said the restructuring compared to $2.5 billion in the same He old employees he wants to be even earlier this year that it was a would put the marketing team, and the period last year. more involved in the day-to-day operations “disastrous scheme.” company, back on track. Its gross bookings rose 34%, to of its biggest services.

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 Vehicle registration certicate, logbook or new  Valid MoT certicate (issued 13 days or less keeper’s supplement (complete with bill of sale/ before inspection) receipt) where vehicle is newly purchased prior  If vehicle is less than one year old an MoT to inspection is not required  Current vehicle licence (for renewal inspections)  Taximeter installation and calibration certicate,  From October 1, 2014, vehicles no longer require issued within 30 days of inspection a tax disc to be displayed. Vehicles can be taxed  Exemption certicate (where applicable) online or at a post oŽce. If a vehicle is not recorded as taxed, NSL will accept an online application/  Modication approval (where applicable) post oŽce receipt. (information at www.gov.co.uk/  Tool to release ramps dvla nomoretaxdisc)  Tyres – must conform to manufacturer’s  Insurance certicate (not a copy) – properly aŽxed specication in the luggage compartment (see table below)

VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL TYRE SIZE Mercedes Vito Euro 4 195/65 R 16 100/915T or 104/102T Mercedes Vito Euro 5 195/65 R 16 100/915T or 104/102T Fairway (declared max speed of 130 km/h) 175 R 16 N TX1 (declared speed of 130 km/h) 175 R 16 N TXII (declared speed of 147 km/h) 175 R 16 Q TXII (declared speed of 147 km/h) 175 R 16 Q TX4 (declared speed of 147 km/h) 175 R 16 Q 16 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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which are taxi only points at this present time. LETTERS However, by the end of 2020 there will be a further 2,000 electric cabs on the road. We currently have a temporary arrangement with STAR LETTER Q-Parks where we can access their chargers but that is TXES DON’T due to come to an end soon. RUN ON HOT AIR But we are being let down by Mayor Sadiq Khan, Some of these private companies are ripping us local authorities and the private companies who are off too by charging up to four times the domestic have had my TX5 since September last year and meant to install rapid charging points. electricity prices. The mayor has stated that clean air is it’s been excellent for me. I buy into the clean air Drivers like myself, who have shelled out a pretty his major priority. I argument so I try to run my cab without using the penny to purchase the electric cab to reduce air He knew we needed the infrastructure because the generator as much as I can. But as more drivers are pollution, are being scuppered by the lack of charging previous mayor mandated that all taxis had to be electric purchasing new taxis this is becoming more difficult points to make it a success. in a press release from January 2014. because the charging infrastructure has not kept pace. I The mayor’s office has said that there will be 300 From my point of view there has been precious little have spoken to LEVC and to date they have sold more rapid chargers by the end of 2020 (not all exclusively for done by the mayor’s office in the five-and-a-half years than 2,000 TXes since the launch 18 months ago. taxis) but that is woefully inadequate. since the above mandate was issued. I wish the cab could We, as a trade, have held up our end of the bargain, On an average day shift (without heating/ air con) the be run off hot air because I’d have an endless supply we have bought these cabs as soon as they were made, so cab needs plugging in for 45 mins after six hours work to from City Hall. u much so that there’s a long waiting list to get one. be fully charging. There are 180+ rapid chargers, 66 of M. Brown, 74025

MUPPETS! “I was trying to explain to TIME FOR A CRIME s a taxi driver of 40 years, I was shocked muppets that are totally CRACKDOWN to receive a letter saying I was being unaware that A “fined” for driving my Vito taxi in he licensed London taxi trade has Borough Road, SE1, supposedly without paying always had, on a basic level, a the ULEZ charge for prohibited vehicles. London licensed reasonable relationship with the old Upon ringing the number on the ULEZ taxis are not Tbill , if not with the Met commissioner. charge fine document, and finally getting I believe the trade as whole should through, I spoke to two people who did not all BLACK...” support the endeavours to give every understand what I was saying: that licensed police officer a taser. After all, most never London (black) taxis are exempt from the complained when area police cars were ULEZ charge. I was then put through to a third allowed to start knocking crooks off stolen operator who actually looked at their copy of my motorcycles. In fact, we rejoiced at the fact. fine charge and who then said to me “all London And before some do-gooders say a poor taxis are black, and your vehicle is grey and is criminal could die of a heart attack, what not licensed “ about the damage criminals are doing to the I was clearly aware it seemed that I was trying rest of the public’s health? to explain to muppets that are totally unaware It saddens me to say it, but until we all that London licensed taxis are not all BLACK get on top of crime more and more of our but come in many different colours! I then asked young kids will look at the odds and think the operator “where are you based in the UK?” I’ll take my chances. To which he replied, “in Darlington.” Gary Cox Realising I wasn’t getting anywhere with my explanation I promptly cut the call off! I thought to myself “who trains these people?” THE BEST 50P I sent the fine document, with copies of my cab licence and bill back to Darlington with I EVER SPENT a written explanation why the fine should be ast Sunday I followed a PHV into cancelled. After a few days I received a letter Knightsbridge Green. He reversed into back cancelling the “non-compliant” fine. Total L me so slowly I didn’t feel any contact. incompetence: unbelievable! However, a picture showed a little square B Shand of my advert on his bumper. No personal injury he said. I gave him my full details. He drove off saying his nephew would ring THE CASE FOR A me. No details exchanged. An offence. I reported it to my insurers. Next, the nephew FLAGFALL INCREASE rang me demanding £420. I declined saying nthony Street suggested in TAXI 448 it was with my insurers. Next my mobile is not increasing the present flagfall based inundated with texts from a claims company A on not upsetting the slight increase in unknown to my insurers. I didn’t reply. Well work seen of late. I would counter that by saying, done said my insurers. Not us. Then my “when do you increase the flag drop, when it’s insurers rang and said it was now a claim dead as a door nail and when every driver’s for personal injury at 0.1mph. So, I thought struggling to draw a wage over and above paying EASY RUN HARD RUN I’d check his minicab out. For 50p, you can for the cab in whatever form it takes?” On obtain an update on any vehicle’s MOT top of that, if fares are raised annually in small u Hornsey Station u Willesden Green Station status. Well, this PHV minicab hadn’t got his to to increments it is far less damaging than slapping six monthly done. He was three months out. Hampstead Station East Finchley Station 60p on the flag drop in three years, thus giving Let it be a lesson to every minicab (and taxi) our friendly London press more ammunition to renew every six months. Your insurers may to play with. Besides that, what does £3.20 Do you have a gripe or praise? Contact us at not insure you. It’s now a fraud investigation. actually buy these days? Stu Wilder Geoff Crane 0207 121 0523 or email [email protected] (Author Ubergate X) 18 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

The Google app is to warn passengers when their driver goes o course, but should we be worried? FOLLOW YOUR BRAIN, CHRIS ACKRILL NOT A SATNAV ON THE ROAD beamed and said, “very good.” It was good Google app does. Cannon Street has to get the vote of confidence, though I had hardly been open since they closed Bank nothing to worry about. On a different Junction off a few years ago. The Bank eports suggest that cab passengers run the bells might have been ringing closure left Cannon Street as the only will soon be able to get alerts though. I’m sure almost all cab drivers sensible option through the City, but it’s R when the Google app they are going from central London to Heathrow never open. At the time of writing half using senses that you have strayed off use the M4. Look at a map: we should be of Mayfair and Marylebone is closed. I course. Minor diversions shouldn’t trigger using Bath Road for some of those runs to think the closures are temporary, but who an alarm, but if you go off course more Terminal 5. Someone following the route knows? Even if there’s a yellow sign up, than 500 metres you might have to on an app might question this. I’ll go any they don’t tell you much. explain yourself. I don’t think I’m being way a passenger wants me to go. If anyone Our Knowledge training teaches us controversial in saying that it’s largely the ever questions me over a run to Heathrow, to use the shortest route. It’s right and private hire competition who are going to I’d me more than happy to sit on Bath proper that our default is set to the be the most nervous about this, though Road and go around those roundabouts shortest route, but in practice we need to we’re all likely to get the occasional and around buses. employ our own internal computer – our passenger who thinks they know more I’m unsure if the new alerts on Google brain – to find the optimum route in any than we do about the geography of will factor in the time element, or the given situation. Traffic conditions change London. I don’t know about you, but I pain-in-the-backside element. Have a look throughout the day. With experience trust my own judgement over a computer at Victoria to Cricklewood. It’s a straight we learn what certain roads are going to anytime. Every time there’s been a point line, so would satisfy the bots at Google. behave like at certain times of the day. It’s to point challenge set by a magazine or Have you ever tried driving from Marble a huge matter of pride that we know the media outlet between a taxi driver and a Arch to Cricklewood? I go home via the Corner and Marble Arch. Then there’s shortest route. We’re proud of our lines, satnav, the cabbie has won. M1, so if I ever finish near Victoria, I make the crawl along the Edgware Road. If but sometimes they’re out the window I first became aware that customers for Staples Corner. I wouldn’t go along the shisha fumes don’t overcome you, when we need to keep moving to save were following my route on a phone app the Edgware Road though! It involves the stop-start traffic will. It goes on for time. The skill is to have alternatives about five years ago. After a short hop negotiating two of London’s most slow miles, dragging through Kilburn and stored in our brains to use when traffic is from The Mall into Soho, my passenger and challenging gyratories: Hyde Park Cricklewood. West End Lane is no better. heavy. This is where misunderstanding can Driving myself home I usually bypass occur. Thankfully few people question us, Marble Arch and go through Mayfair. as our customers usually have confidence Once I’m on Regent Street I just go in our judgment. straight up into Regent’s Park and We could get a few more questions come off at Avenue Road. It’s a much as more people follow the route, longer route than going straight through preparing themselves for an alarm bell Edgware Road, but it’s faster. Carrying a to go off on their new Google app; passenger, it may or may not save money but we’ve every right to feel confidence as well as time. Finchley Road can be in our abilities to both know the shortest bad with all the buses and coaches, so I route, and to get out of trouble if we need sometimes use Fitzjohns Avenue. to take evasive action due to heavy traffic A satnav only shows you one way, or road closures. The situation is worse unless you fiddle about with the settings. for private hire drivers who have largely Both the shortest or fastest route settings learnt on the job and slavishly follow a are pretty useless in London. I also warn satnav. Our work is cut out keeping up against using a satnav if you’re on holiday with the constant changes to our road in Wales. I once set the satnav for a route systems and traffic behaviour. We know that would have been simplicity itself had that a satnav won’t get us out of trouble, I followed a map in the traditional way. but our brains just might. u My satnav’s shortest route sent me down narrow country lanes for miles. It was a Visit Chris’s website here: pubcat.co very stressful experience. A satnav doesn’t take into consideration Chris Ackrill is a taxi driver and road closures – I’m unsure if the new former Knowledge examiner

“I’m unsure if the new alerts on Google will factor in the time element, or the pain-in-the-backside element. Have a look at Victoria to Cricklewood. It’s a straight line, so would satisfy the bots at Google. Have you ever tried driving from Marble Arch to Cricklewood?...” @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 19

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NEWS IN BRIEF Ealing to Trial On-demand Bus services

A consultation on plans to trial an on-demand bus service in Ealing has been launched. The new service follows the start of a similar year-long trial in Sutton in May. Customers travelling on the new buses will be able to book a seat in real-time using an app or over the Krav Maga-nificent Free Classes phone. The vehicles provide real-time MEMBER OFFERS weapons. Ricky says: “The course is chance to improve your fitness and general journey information onboard and designed to give people confidence to health, but your state of mind as well. will not follow a fixed route. deal with threatening situations. Some drivers have even claimed it Instead, users can board at With violent crime in London rising The aim is to help drivers get out of improved their driving and many keep flexible stops within a certain area. and police resources being cut, there’s violent or threatening situations coming back for more. The buses will be fully accessible never been a better time to sign up without having to fight.” He starts the next course at the and green – meeting the mayor’s to the LTDA’s free Krav Maga classes Hundreds of cabbies have taken the Orwell Centre in Wapping on Monday, tough environmental standards for members. classes and have praised them as fun and September 16. used for the Ultra Low Emission Drivers have been subjected to shocking confidence building. It is open to any members who want Zone – and will be available a number of assaults and threats in recent Krav Maga was created in the 30s to to try it for the first time and even those between 0600 and 0100, seven years and our long-running self-defence protect Czech Jews from anti-Semitic who have completed the course before, days a week. course has given increased confidence to attacks and is designed for self-defence and but might want a refresh. The consultation is asking hundreds of drivers. improving your health. If you are an LTDA member and Londoners for their views of Ricky Manetta, who is himself a It gives drivers piece of mind to deal can commit to an eight-week course on the service, and the area and taxi driver, teaches the use of blocking, with situations, which can help stop them Monday afternoons between 1-3pm, then destinations it will cover. grappling and wrestling style moves to spiralling out of control, or ending with call Taxi House on 0207 286 1046 and Fares will start at a flat £3.50. fend off attackers – even those wielding serious injury. Not only does it offer the ask to register. Freedom passes will be accepted. 22 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 23 Police Crackdown on E-scooters NEWS IN BRIEF Charity CRIME Dinner Almost 100 people were caught illegally riding electric scooters in London in the Tickets first week of a crackdown by Metro- politan Police. on Sale The majority of riders received a warning but 10 were fined and had their CHARITY scooters seized due to aggravating factors such as speeding or breaking red lights. Tickets are available for the Police had previously been criticised annual the Taxi Driver of the for turning a blind eye to the fashionable Year Charity Fund dinner and machines which can travel at up to 30mph dance. The popular fundraiser but are illegal to ride on public roads. will take place at Holiday Inn A spokeswoman for the Met said the Regent’s Park on Saturday, force had been focusing on policing November 30 from 6.15pm. motorised scooters since April but Tickets are £70 per person – or launched designated checkpoints for the £65 each for a table of 10 or more first time this week. – which includes a four-course The crackdown follows the death of TV authorised for use on private land. vehicles for the city. They’re reducing meal and half a bottle of wine per presenter and Youtuber, Emily Hartridge, He led an operation at a busy Islington congestion, they’re reducing pollution. person. Money raised from the who was struck by a lorry in Battersea junction in north London during which You really want to be able to have event is split between the taxi trade while riding her e-scooter on July 12. three riders were stopped and issued with something like this to use.” charities. Charity chairman Russell The 35-year-old was the first person warnings. Personal Light Electric Vehicles Poluck said: “Don’t miss this in the UK to be killed while riding an Mr Wingrove said legalising public (PLEVs) are treated as motor vehicles annual great night out. Come along e-scooter. The following day a 14-year-old e-scooter use “is not as easy as flicking and are subject to MOT, tax, licensing and join in, we promise a live band, boy suffered a serious head injury after a switch”. and construction requirements, including great food and good company.” crashing into a bus stop in Beckenham, He added: “For the time being, we’ll visible rear red lights, number plates For an application form or to south-east London. educate the public, advise, and where we and signalling ability. Riders face a £300 find out about sponsoring the event Chief Superintendent, Colin Wingrove need to, we will take enforcement action.” fixed-penalty notice and six points on their contact the TDYCF, 5 St Brides head of roads and transport policing at One of the riders stopped in Islington driving licence for using e-scooters. Avenue, Edgware Middlesex, HA8 the Metropolitan Police said the public said he was shocked to find out they The only place they can be ridden is 6BT, telephone 07850 056 765, must be made aware of the risks assoc- were illegal. on private land, with the permission of email: [email protected] or visit iated with e-scooters which are only David Carboni said: “They’re such good the landowner. the website www.taxifund.com.

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@TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 25

A x may at last be on its way for the taxi hire light which always appears to be on THE LIGHT AT THE JOE LE TAXI END OF THE TUNNEL

ELECTRIC DREAMS Customers constantly tell me that the success rate in getting a TXe is only about 50% of the time – which isn’t bad considering there’s only around as it the hottest day of the year, or 2,000 of them on the road. What this tells me hottest day since records began? is how much customers love these cabs. It also W Who cares; in my cab everything suggests that they are winning back work for was cool. My customers loved it and the number the trade. Many people say that they are coming of passengers waiting to hail my cab, as opposed over, or are returning, to taxis after using Uber. to a TX4, was more noticeable than ever. They have found the minicab company is neither The only mystery was why some TXe drivers as cheap nor as good as it promised. In fact, many were driving around with the windows down, passengers rate the ride in the TXe as better what’s that all about? than their previous Uber Exec E class Merc and I calculated that having the aircon on 20 they tell me our prices are identical, and in some How to fold back the middle flip seat all day, front and back, cost me three-four miles cases cheaper. u With your right hand pull the clip at the bottom of the seat on my battery range; it’s a no brainer! Finally, as I was setting down a job last week, u With your left hand push the hinge at the back in the middle towards The cab just keeps rolling along. I have not a new TXe driver asked me to show him how to the driver’s side had a single problem of note in recent weeks. fold back the middle flip seat, something that a My only complaint is the same as every other month ago I couldn’t do either. For the benefit of TXe driver, the hire light looks like its on engineers will be bringing out a fix; let’s hope anyone who still doesn’t know it’s a two-handed when it’s not. It’s so frustrating to see so many it’s soon. I am now doing more and more work job. With your right hand pull the clip at the customers trying to hail me when I have a on both apps where customers are choosing an bottom of the seat, with your left hand push passenger on board, or I’m on route to an app “The cab electric cab. With FreeNow, formerly known the hinge at the back in the middle towards job or going home. It’s embarrassing really, and just keeps as MyTaxi and before that Hailo, this option the driver’s side. Easy Peasey! u I’m sure many passengers think I’m giving them is anywhere in town at any time of day. Gett the swerve. However, there is some good news. rolling only offers the option to choose an electric taxi ‘Joe le Taxi’ is the driver I’m told that LEVC know it’s a problem and its along...” between 10am and 6pm in the centre of town. of a new electric TXe

TX4 10 plates to TX4 65 plates from £210 to £275 Euro 6 from £270 17 plate vitos from £275 26 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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@TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 27

Every cabbie remembers the details of rst appearance, especially if it didn’t go quite according to plan MY FIRST ALF TOWNSEND APPEARANCE TAXI TALK

y so-called first appearance at the old PCO in Lambeth Road on a freezing M cold January day in 1962, turned out to be a complete waste of time! One of the guys in the know told me to get there early so I didn’t have to hang about all day. So, I arrived on my moped well before eight o’clock, dressed in my winter gear and looking more like a bank robber in my balaclava! Even at that time of the morning there was a long queue of young guys on the outside steps, all dressed in an assortment of winter gear, from yellow fisherman style outfits to furry Russian hats! After standing in the freezing cold for over an hour, the sound of the bolts being pulled back was a blessing to us and we all filed in. Down the iron, spiral staircase we went and down into the dreaded snake pit, as everyone called it. Cabbies names in the book when you come up and you’ll was trembling with rage as I signed my name from my era – there can’t be too many left – will be first on the list if you can make it tomorrow!” “Are you in the book. I very nearly blew it before I had always remember the snake pit as a lingering And that was that. I had lost a night’s work alright even started. It was only the sound of a friendly nightmare! The décor could be described as driving my Grey-Green coach up to Felixstowe voice talking to me that saved the day! “Are you shiny Edwardian puce, cleverly mixed with a and back. I had come out early in the freezing lad?” said alright lad?” said this elderly chap with grey hair. half century of smog and grime! The room was cold and queued up on those windswept steps this elderly “You look a bit peaky.” I took in a deep breath, below ground level and, apart from a weak, bare for God knows how long. I had suffered a dodgy thinking about my wife and baby relying on bulb the only other semblance of light came tummy and felt unwell because of that stinking chap with me and, wiping my brow, I managed to mutter. from the grime-stained, barred window at street toilet. And what did I get for my hours of grey hair. “Oh, I’m alright sir, just feeling a bit giddy level. Somebody had thought to put down some purgatory? “That’s the lot for today lads!” with the lack of fresh air.” “Is this your first wooden forms so us cons could sit down! I was absolutely fuming by the time I reached “You look a appearance lad?” he enquired. I nodded in reply. And there I sat all day, with a short break at the top of the spiral staircase and my hand “I thought as much,” he said, “the first time is lunch time to nip over to Marcantonio’s café for a bit peaky?” always the worse.” He looked at my name in the cuppa and a sarnie. All through the day I had to book and said, “you come and see me tomorrow suffer the all-pervading stench from the Thomas Mr. Townsend and we’ll see if we can make you Crapper’s mark one toilet in the corner! Every a good cabbie.” I’ll always remember those kind time the call of “next” came down the stairs, it and sympathetic words, knowing full well I stimulated the juices of the nervous young guys could have blown my top with anger and been and a queue formed outside the loo and everyone thrown off the course forever. could hear the embarrassing sounds coming out! Ask any London cabbie what was the very Being British, we tend not to discuss our toilet first question they were asked on the Knowledge tendencies, but this one was an utter disgrace to and they will surely remember it. It’s a bit like the authorities and possibly the cause of many me with my National Service number, or even germ-ridden illnesses of the future! my old mum’s number with the Co-Op, I can One would have thought that since the PCO still rattle them off after more than 60 years! I in Lambeth Road was a government building and started the next day exactly like the previous had catered for hundreds of hopeful Knowledge one, only this time around, I was the very first Boys since 1927, they would have installed a up the spiral stairs. The kindly grey-haired tried and tested appointment system. Not a bit gentleman was seated behind his desk and of it; they simply left it to the young guys that greeted me with a pleasant, “good morning” and followed to sort out. When the new PCO opened Collection for Prostate Cancer asked me to sit down. “So, have you been hard in Penton Street in 1966, an appointment system Further to my piece in the at it Mr Townsend?” he asked. I explained my was installed from the off. For the full 10 months last edition, highlighting all circumstances about driving a coach at night it took me to get my coveted green badge, all the money that the Heathrow and doing three runs every day for 56 days. “Yes, I can recall is being known in a loud voice as regulars collect for various that’s ample,” he replied, leaning back in his “next!” You couldn’t do it in that sort of time Charities every year. I’m proud chair with his hands under his head. “Right then, now, because the new PCO wouldn’t allow you to report that my son Nick, a let’s try you out. Take me from Bowling Green to book an appointment for a year, until you had Heathrow regular, along with Lane to Bowling Green Alley.” That was my very learned all the Blue Book. This streamlined the his mate Danny Murphy, stood first question and I didn’t know it and, I didn’t Knowledge and saved a lot of time, with many of at the gate in the pouring rain know the next five questions either! In fact, all the young guys – me included – not answering a for seven hours the other Friday! I said was “Sorry sir, I don’t know that one.” So, question after three or four appearances! Their reward was collecting over it was back again in 56 days! It would take me I supposed it was around three o’clock and £1,300 and receiving a thank you many months before my brain started to register I had just three guys in front of me, when an pic from the prostate charity! in sequence and I could actually “see” the road authoritative voice suddenly shouted down the Well done to all! sign or the gentlemen’s clubs. But that’s another stairs, “that’s the lot for today lads. Put your story! u 28 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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*Terms and conditions apply to all benefits. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice. Holiday Extras - Airport Parking offer: Save 13% on all airport parking products excluding APH special offer products, Leeds Bradford Mid or Short Stay, NCP Edinburgh and airport owned products at Aberdeen, Belfast International, Birmingham, Exeter, Glasgow International, Glasgow Prestwick, Heathrow, Luton and Southend. Discounts will be unavailable at Gatwick and Airparks products during selected stay dates. Airport Hotel offer: 10% discount automatically applied when booking via the dedicated link. Airport Lounge offer: 10% discount available on all UK lounges. Discounts are not obtainable on International lounges. Airport Transfers offer: 10% discount automatically applied when booking via the dedicated link. Gruum (Unisex Shaving Brand) - New customers only. One per person. Delivery to UK/NI addresses only. Delivery charge of £3.95 applies. You will need to create an account with grüum to access this offer. FAIRFX - Subject to minimum load of £50, €60 or $75. New customers only. LTDA Plus is managed and run on behalf of LTDA by Parliament Hill Ltd. @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 29

DIARY PRIZE

ALL 4 ONE BONUS FOR LTDA MEMBERS

hat better way to start the day than by meeting one of Michael said: “Fantastic. I’ve seen it in the paper and wondered when it our diary spotters and being handed a £150 gift card was going to be me. That’s made my day.” completely free. A short while later our spotters managed to catch up with Tim Dickens, Our spotters love nothing more than hopping around who was pleased as punch when he was handed a £150 gift card simply for WLondon looking for unsuspecting LTDA members to hand goodies to. having his diary on display. This week they caught up with Michael Chesterman, who was delighted Tim said: “That’s great, thanks a lot. I’ll look forward to spending this ” when our spotters surprised him with a £150 All 4 One gift card just for Each year we give away almost £8,000 to LTDA members, so the odds of having his LTDA diary on show in the windscreen of his cab. coming up trumps are pretty good. All 4 One cards can be spent on a huge array of items in dozens of stores, Just make sure you have your LTDA membership diary on display and let including Debenhams, Argos, River Island and Marks and Spencer. us do the rest.

Michael: “Fantastic.” Tim: “Great.” 30 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 31 Redbridge Trials Wireless Charging NEWS IN BRIEF

TECHNOLOGY Driving Fines

Redbridge Council has become the first Rocket in London borough to offer residents wireless EV charging. City of London The scheme is being led by the EV charging company Char.gy, which was A fine was issued every minute awarded over £2.3m by the Department to motorists driving through the for Transport to develop the technology Square Mile last year, according from a £37m investment pool. to the latest Induction pads are installed on the figures. undersides of electric cars and align with The penal- pads buried beneath the surfaces of roads, ties issued passing electricity to the car and allowing for flouting it to charge cable-free. the rules, Residents have been including offered the option of entering having the pads installed Bank on a for free, while the pads “We’re determined to “The project shares our commitment to weekday between 7am and 7pm, have also been fitted into be the front-runners for improving the environment and making it were worth a record £25 million EVs used by a borough improving air quality to easier for drivers to swap diesel and petrol last year. car club. ensure Redbridge is one of cars for more eco-friendly versions.” Fines leapt 17-fold on 2017. Redbridge Council the cleanest and greenest The Government has invested almost It brought the number of leader Cllr Jas Athwal boroughs in London.” £37million in electric car charging projects penalties issued in the capital, said: “We are facing a Redbridge partnered to improve the UK’s infrastructure. including TfL-run main routes, climate emergency and with parts of Bucking- A series of 12 new projects have been to 1,439,942 — or 3,945 a day. switching to electric hamshire and Milton invested in by the Department for The figure is up 30% up on vehicles is one way we can Cllr John Howard Keynes to trial the Transport (DfT). The aim of these projects 2017 but does not include help reduce emissions and scheme. is to address the issue of motorists who parking tickets. save the planet. “Reducing air pollution is a top priority only have access to off street parking. In Smart cameras trained on the “Our children deserve to grow up with for our residents, so we’re delighted to addition to wireless charging pads, there Square Mile helped issue 192,841 clean air and healthy lungs and schemes be working with Char.gy on this pilot will be pop up EV chargers and multiple moving traffic tickets last year, like this can make a huge difference to scheme,” added Cllr John Howard, charge points installed in the car parks for increasing from almost 10,939 levels of air pollution. Redbridge council’s civic pride leader. “mass charging.” in 2017. BROXHILL TAXIS & MOT CENTRE RAINHAM ESSEX FANTASTIC NEW OFFER HALE METER + MOT = £110.40

WE ARE HOLDING MANY SECOND HAND PARTS FOR TX2/TX4 CALL US FOR AVAILABILITY OPEN EVERY SATURDAY 8.30AM - 4 PM FOR REPAIRS/TYRES & MOT’S 01708 552106 7 LAMSON ROAD RM13 9YY 32 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 33 Scheme Reveals Pollution Hotspots he biggest pollution blackspots in London have The Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) introduced in been revealed by a network of sensors placed at London in April has led to a 20% reduction in emissions and locations across the capital. 9,400 fewer cars entering area covered. High levels of air pollution were recorded by The zone is due to be North and South Circular in 2021. Pollution 40% of the 100 of the sensors in the first eight The mayor has established 10 low-emission bus zones Tmonths of operation. which have reportedly led to emission reductions Monitor First The Breathe London network has found of up to 90% in some areas. levels of pollution likely to exceed legal The mayor added: “London’s filthy air for Newham limits, not only in central London but is a public health crisis that leads to ir quality monitors also outer boroughs such as Barking, thousands of premature deaths in the are to be installed Kingston and Hillingdon. capital every year as well as stunting in every school in Sensors on busy West End roads the development of young lungs and A also recorded levels of nitrogen increasing the number of cases of Newham to discover how dioxide 10 times higher than on respiratory illness. much pollution children are smaller streets just a few metres away. “It is vital that we face up to the breathing in every day. Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “These reality of our situation and don’t shy Council ocers will set findings, from our world-leading away from the challenges presented up the monitors in the Breathe London sensor network, are a by this new data.” borough’s 96 schools stark reminder that pollution hotspots exist The new data will also help to improve during August. across London and will refocus our efforts on previously unknown pollution hotspots, The data they record improving air quality for all. as the sensors can help narrow down pollution will be used to inuence “As we face up to the current climate emergency, I hope levels to street level, with a new discovery being a trac policies — and could the success of this scheme will act as a blueprint for cities Holloway bus garage. see parents banned from around the world to battle their own toxic air emergencies. A wearable sensor study involving 259 children donning driving up to drop o and “It is vital that we face up to the reality of our situation air quality monitoring backpacks to school will also be collect children. and don’t shy away from the challenges presented by this.” published by Breathe London in the autumn. In April, 250 pupils from ‚ve primary schools took part in a trial to help monitor pollution across London. They wore backpacks with air Pollution Shortens quality sensors to measure particulate matter and Children’s Lives Pollution can shorten a child’s life NO2 levels. Scientists will use the data to identify by up to seven months, according to the first study conducted since the pollution hotspots. Government issued new guidelines. Councillor Mas Patel [top], OVERHAULS, SERVICING, BODYWORK An eight-year-old born in 2011 Newham’s commissioner may die between two to seven months AND NON FAULT SPECIALIST for air quality and climate early if exposed over their lifetime British KITEMARK Approved Body Shop change, said: “This summer to unchecked pollution, King’s we will be the ‚rst UK College London researchers studying local authority to install Birmingham found. air quality monitors in all The study looked at the combined CABS schools and we will publish impact of two pollutants – particulate a comprehensive paper matter and nitrogen dioxide – which on how we will tackle the could cause premature deaths across AVAILABLE TO climate emergency. the UK and a wide range of health “Newham has [one of the] conditions including asthma, lung largest number of deaths cancer, heart disease, strokes and RENT NOW! attributable to air quality diabetes. It looked at the effect of air in the country. This has pollution on deaths and loss of life- to change to protect our expectancy but did not include non- schoolchildren.” fatal health conditions such as asthma. Two million Londoners The impact was found to be live in areas where worse than some other major cities pollution exceeds legal in the UK – with the report finding a limits, according to City greater reduction in life expectancy in Birmingham than Manchester. 07534 125 454 CALL Hall data. About 10% of It is the first time new Govern- hospital admissions for ment guidance on the “mortality NOW children were linked to an burdens” of air pollution, which 0207 372 2222 adverse response to poor was published last August, has been air quality. applied in practice in a large city area. 52 Iverson Road London NW6 2QX 34 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

THE BIG ONE! The membership of the LTDA is 40 times greater than some other driver organisations!

HEATHROW OFFICE AND VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATION Continually representing members’ CAUTION Call in to the LTDA office at Heathrow, interests in disputes with vehicle first door on the right in the canteen manufacturers and suppliers. The LTDA legal service is the only trade block. The LTDA’s representatives will AUTHORITIES AND MEDIA scheme which defends members for ALL alleged give you a warm welcome. (Open to all). The LTDA is the largest and most WELFARE DEPARTMENT respected driver organisation in offences (traffic, hackney or criminal), anytime, the trade. We lead the way when anywhere in the UK. Non members are advised to LTDA officers make home visits to members who are in severe distress negotiating with the Government, check carefully the exceptions and exclusions or with special needs and authorise GLA, TfL, Police, Mayor’s Office, contained or imposed by other legal protection contingency payments where Heathrow, Rail Authorities, Local appropriate. Councils and when dealing with all schemes circulating in our trade. sections of the media. RANKS AND HIGHWAYS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATION YOUR FUTURE Many cab drivers are discovering to HERE’S WHY... The LTDA has negotiated taxi access their cost that their licences are at The LTDA remains the only trade to most bus lanes and leads the way risk due to the TfL’s interpretation body resolutely opposed to the negotiating on issues that affect you, of the new DVLA Group 2 Medical BADGESAFE SCHEME computerisation of the Knowledge of the licensed taxi driver. Standards. The LTDA has successfully London testing system. The LTDA retains experienced GENERAL ADVICE challenged many decisions by the (No to the quickie Knowledge TfL to revoke members’ licences on barristers with specialist knowledge If you are new to the trade and you campaign). medical grounds. of the London cab trade. Normally don’t know your `roader’ from your when drivers accumulate 12 points on SICKNESS AND `legal’, give us a call. We’re always here FANTASTIC VALUE their licence they receive an automatic ACCIDENT PROTECTION to help. (Tel: 020 7286 1046 - non LTDA subscriptions have not 6 month ban, but in the case of When trouble strikes it’s comforting members are welcome to call). increased for 20 years! It costs just LTDA members over 90% of those to know that you’ve got the strength 4 quid a week to join the trade’s 24 HOUR TOUT LINE represented by our barristers receive a of the LTDA around you. (Additional biggest organisation and 3 quid of ban of just 1 month or in most cases subscription payable). Seen a tout in action? Take the details that is tax deductible! no ban whatsoever. and phone them in, we will do the rest. (Payable monthly). LTDA HOLIDAY CLUB (Tel: 020 7266 4769). EXPERTISE = SUCCESS Many members have saved HEALTH AND SPORTS The LTDA’s in-house lawyers are thousands of pounds by taking PROMOTION proud of their unrivalled record of court advantage of special offers and prices triumphs; in fact the rate of acquittals (members only). We regularly run promotions with for members defended leading health and sports companies WIN £5,000 EVERY in court by the LTDA is 4 times resulting in big savings to members. MONTH IN THE higher than the national average. This LTDA LOTTERY LEISURE DISCOUNTS unparalleled level of success is due entirely to the expertise acquired by the 12 big prizes every year, but you have Huge savings on weekend breaks at fine LTDA over many years of specialising to be in it to win it (members only £5 hotels and holiday centres. You will not in cab related legal matters. per entry). believe these prices! (Members only).

To learn more about LTDA benefits and current joining offers call: 020 7286 1046 or visit www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 35

The good people of London had some novel ways of beating the heatwave but not all of them decent WHO LOVES

MUSHER MEG THE SUN? LICENSED TO CHAT who was wearing a three-piece suit, a hat, an “I found him sat at the patio table overcoat and a scarf. I couldn’t resist asking him in the garden with a pint glass of ice if he was feeling the heat. He spoke like Jacob n the hottest day ever recorded, I came Rees-Mogg and told me, “my late father always home at 2am after a flyer, expecting on the table in front of him. The man said that a woollen suit and topcoat keeps out O Meg Towers to be in darkness and the was completely STARKERS!” the cold, so naturally they will keep out the heat, man of the house dreaming sweet dreams – on too.” And there wasn’t a bead of sweat on him, my side of the bed. Mr Meg always takes liberties so maybe he’s on to something? when I am working late. in an even louder voice, “I CAN’T!” Shortly afterwards, I was hailed by a But instead I found him sat at the patio table I got him inside and Operation Cool Down chap who clearly took the opposite in the garden with a pint glass of ice on the began. A fare had given me some top tips approach. He was wearing what looked table in front of him. The man was completely earlier in the day. First, I put a bag of frozen like a pair of purple of Speedos that had STARKERS! “I’m so hot I need to take my petit pois on his head to stop his brain boiling. shrunk in the wash. Yes, ONLY the super skin off” he groaned. It was 35 degrees in our Then, I took a top sheet, folded it and put it in a skimpy purple pants. Is that even legal? bedroom – that’s ding dang hot for the middle of carrier bag before sliding it into the freezer. Next I kid you not, this guy left pubic hairs on the night. I filled two hot water bottles halfway with cold the back seat of my cab. I’ve never been My first thought was that the garden chair water and popped them in next to the sheet so thankful for the mini Dustbuster he was sat on would need to be pressure washed on Fast Freeze. When they were nicely chilled vacuum in the boot. I dropped Mr Let It in the morning. My second thought was that they went on and in the bed. All Hang Out outside the Soho Theatre. the heat must have scrambled his brain. This And last of all, the two fans we have in Where else? is a man who is so demure that his shirts are the house were moved to the bedroom You’ll be glad to know that Mr Meg buttoned up right to his bottom lip, and he with a big bowl of ice in front of them, recovered from his meltdown and was insists on extra-long socks in case women swoon These cool down hacks soon had Mr even cracking “jokes” about the heat at at a glimpse of his hairy ankles. Meg sleeping like a baby. They were so breakfast the morning after. That night, buck naked and in full diva good his teeth chattered. Job well done. Here’s one of them, “it was so hot mode he shouted. “I can’t sleep!” followed Earlier, on the hottest day I had picked yesterday that I saw a dog chasing a cat with “I can’t take this heat!” followed by, up a fare from Chancery Lane, a city gent, and they were both walking!” Stay cool! u

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STAY IN THE KNOW

15 year reminder you must notify LTPH immediately The London taxi 15 year age limit (0343 222 4444 / tph.enquiries refers to the cab’s ‘birthday’ @tfl.gov.uk) (in the log book) not its You may then continue plate date. working. A letter of For example: confirmation will be sent A cab passed when out to you by Transport it is 14 years and 11 for London, prior to a months old WILL be replacement identifier Second-hand prices granted a further 12 being processed. months of life. Cabs may be booked in for Shop a tout for electric cars soar testing in the normal way when Anyone who sees touting or any The purchase price of second-hand electric The threat of a no-deal Brexit means the plate has 28 days or less to run. other form of illegal cab-related cars has jumped since the start of the year sales may be reduced to a “trickle The cab can then work up to activity is urged to contact TfL because of a shortage of new models being compared to those in Europe.” the test date. If the plates are taken with the details. sold in the UK, according to the latest The UK faces a shortage of supply of off with more than 28 days to Take down the registration research. new models which is dramatically pushing run, both the plates and the paper number and make a note of the The average price of a used battery- up the price of second-hand cars. licence must be surrendered to one date, time and location where powered car last month was twice as high The latest data showed that in June of the six NSL inspection centres in incident took place. as that for a diesel or petrol equivalent. the average price for a used electric vehicle and around London. Type “cab enforcement” into Second-hand electric vehicles prices stood at £24,985. The ‘unplated’ cab must then your internet search engine and jumped by 12% this year while the cost of It was more than twice the price of a not be worked, and at least one follow the links to the ‘report illegal a used petrol or diesel car remained flat. petrol model which sold for an average of week should be allowed before activity’ section of the TfL website. Ian Plummer, of Autotrader magazine, £11,169 and 77% more than the £14,123 attempting to book the next NSL believes electric vehicles will continue to paid for second-hand diesels. test, to allow the computerised DVLA reminder cost more than combustion engine models Mr Plummer said: “Price parity will booking system to recognise that The photo card part of the driving until 2025. be the key catalyst for mass adoption the plates have been registered. licence lasts for 10 years and must Manufacturers were concentrating on of electric vehicles, therefore we don’t renewed after that period. The markets such as Germany and France over predict that sales of new alternatively Lost/stolen identier licence becomes invalid if it is not the UK, a separate study by Brussels- fuelled vehicles will overtake their internal If your identifier is lost or stolen renewed with a current picture. based campaign group Transport and combustion engine counterparts until Environment claims. 2030.” HALVEY ENGINEERING

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Quotax_LTDA_226x288_28-01-19.indd 1 28/01/2019 22:31 38 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 39

PUZZLER PRIZE CROSSWORD

omplete our crossword puzzle and be in with a chance to win £50! Send your entry to: Crossword 449, Taxi, Taxi House, 11 Woodfield Road, W9 2BA C before September 10. The first name out of the proverbial hat wins the cash! u ACROSS: DOWN: 7 Earth (6) 1 Soldiers (6)

8 Enigma (6) 2 Slaughter (4)

9 Dish (4) 3 Fan (7)

10 Name (8) 4 Emit (5)

11 Fugitive (7) 5 Germs (8)

13 Stadium (5) 6 Jam setting agent (6)

15 Horse (5) 12 Story (8) CROSSWORD #449 17 Madman (7) 14 Wild ox (7) WINNER: ISSUE 447 — Mr S Pritchard, Tadworth 20 Compromise (5,3) 16 Lethargy (6) ACROSS: DOWN: 21 Roost (4) 18 Implant (6) 7 Arrest, 8 Series, 9 Sway, 1 Drawer, 2 Aery, 3 Sticker, 10 Coercion, 11 Problem, 4 Usher, 5 Armchair, 6 Heroic, 22 Beard (6) 19 Inn (5) 13 Sauce, 15 Knock, 17 Secrecy, 12 Backdrop, 14 Deanery, 20 Smidgeon, 21 Afar, 16 Nimbus, 18 Cravat, 23 Reside at (4, 2) 21 Church centre (4) 22 Putout, 23 Redial 19 Deity, 21 Aide

notes. The trustee who showed me around OVERHEARD Have a go had three numbers on his shirt. Two of them at this were aliases. I think convicts have it too easy. PUZZLER medium At one time the men were allowed daily visits level Sudoku tatistics show that robberies from their spouses. But it was stopped it puzzle. accounted for £169 million pounds when they were caught wife-swapping. And Fill the grid S last year. What I want to know is, one, who had a visit from his girlfriend, tried SUDOKU so that every if crime doesn’t pay, who’s getting all that to elope. Paedophiles, I noticed, were kept row, every money? Thieves are everywhere. I went into in a separate wing and watched very closely. column and church to have my spirits lifted and had Especially when they ask to go to the little every 3x3 my wallet lifted at the same time. Crime in boy’s room. It used to be hard to get out of Just for box contains London is so bad, if they like you, you get prison. With so few custodial sentences, it’s the numbers the key OUT of the city. Apparently, it costs now harder to get in. While crime might fun... 1-9 just once £70,000 a year to keep a criminal in prison. not pay for criminals, it certainly does for One cheeky chap offered the judge a deal. He lawyers. Some are so expensive their clients said, “look, give me £35,000 and I’ll agree often have to commit a second robbery to to only serve half my sentence.” I firmly pay their fees for the first. Most lawyers are believe the real criminals are the beaks on efficient and scrupulously honest. But there the bench who award such light sentences. are one or two dodgy ones who have the One murderer was given life, with no chance gift of the grab. They’re practicing lawyers of parole till a week next Tuesday. What whose practicing doesn’t make them perfect, we need are judges with more judgement. I but it certainly makes them rich. I only once think the quality of mercy is being strained sought the services of a solicitor, who claimed too far. The jury system doesn’t work too well to work on a contingency basis. He said, either. My wife was on one jury and while if he loses the case, he would get nothing. the other 11 were debating the case, she was What he didn’t tell me was, that if he won busy rearranging the jury room furniture. the case, I would get nothing. The contract That case lasted 10 days, but on the third had enough holes in it for a round of golf. day she said to the judge “I’ve already made The small print, all in legal jargon, was that up my mind. Can I go home now?” It was small you’d need the Jodrell Bank telescope a motor bike offence and, in the end, the to read it. Turned out he engaged a Q.C. for accused got off on a technicality. He was me that was charging a hundred pounds an charged with knocking down six pedestrians. hour. Cost me a fortune. Just me luck, I got His lawyer was able to prove it was only the only barrister that stuttered. I’m resolved five, because he knocked the same man that from now on, if I ever go to court, I’ll down twice. I once visited a prison where the never again use a lawyer. It’s cheaper to tell convicts were watching a film on TV. It was the truth. u Puzzles © 2018 Puzzler Media Ltd.www.puzzler.com the Great Escape and they were all taking —Brad Ashton 40 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 41

WHO ARE UTAG? UTAG is a unified collaboration between Drivers & Supplying stakeholders of the Taxi Trade.

United Trade Action Group Ltd ‘UTAG’ has been formed to manage the legal process and action against Westminster Magistrates Court, Transport for UNITE London and Uber. We are in the process of raising funds to pay for these legal challenges to save the Licensed Taxi. On 2nd November 2018, we were granted a judicial review by Hon Justice Walker, IN THE but there is much more to do.

WE NEED EACH AND EVERY DRIVER TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE LEGAL BATTLES. YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL. FIGHT!

Please join the fight and donate here.It’s now or never. www.uTAG.LONDON UTAG is a reference to United Trade Action Group Ltd 42 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

A selection of our numerous Published by LTDA LTDA Distribution Points Taxi House 11 Wood eld Road, London W9 2BA uA1 Taxis, Melody Lane, Highbury, N5 T: 020 7286 1046 | www.ltda.co.uk uAbacus Accounts, Southbrook Road, Lee, SE12 @TheLTDA uAstral Café, Regency Place, SW1 uBubbles Car Wash, E2 Managing Editor uC & S Taxis, Dunbridge Street, E2 Steve Still T: 0207 121 0523 COLTS CABS LTD uCabsurance, Seven Kings E: [email protected] G uCamber eld Taxi Services The Massett File Richard Massett 020 7613 0684 020 7613 0630 u Computer Cab, Mitre Way, W12 International News Wim Faber uConey Allen, Dunbridge Street, E1 Two Fingers Al Fresco uCP Beehive Service Station, 100-102 DUNBRIDGE STREET Beehive Lane, Gants Hill Taxi Talk Alf Townsend uCricklewood Carriers, Cricklewood Overheard Brad Ashton LONDON uDial A Cab, City Road, N1 Licensed to Chat Musher Meg uEdgware Station Rank E2 6JG uEuston Station Rank Produced by uG & L Taxis, Crayford Road, N7 Century One Publishing Ltd uGlobe Transmissions, Alban Row,27-31 Verulam Road Cudworth Street, E1 uThe Ham, Brentford St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4DG. uHeathrow Airport Canteen T: 01727 893 894, F: 01727 893 895 uHexagon Garage, Lukin Street, E1 E: [email protected] uJet Garage, Clipstone Street, W1 www.centuryonepublishing.uk uKnowledge Centre, Caledonian Road uKPM, Hemming Street, E1 Advertising Sales Executive u London City Airport Canteen Jack Green T: 01727 739 196 uLP Motors, Dunbridge Street, E2 E: [email protected] uMartin Cordell, E3 and Stanmore uPaddington Station Rank All rights reserved. No Art Editor part of this publication uPutney Bridge Taxis, The Arches, may be reproduced, Alan Booth stored in a retrieval Putney Bridge Station, SW6 system or transmitted by uRichmond Road Taxi Centre, E8 any means electronic, Advert Coordinator mechanical or by uSafewise Supermarket, Harrow photocopying without Caitlyn Hobbs prior permission of the uSouth Bank Service Station, publishers. The views Great Su‘olk Street, SE1 and opinions expressed Printed by in this publication may uTAXI HOUSE, W9 not necessarily be those of the publishers. Please uTaxi & Private Hire, Blackfriars Rd, SE1 Manson Group, St Albans note that the last day for u inclusion of Classified Temple Place Shelter lineage advertisements is uTent Street Taxi Centre, E2 five working days prior to publication. No liability is uTurbo Accessories, Three Colts Lane, E2 accepted by the publisher u should advertisements not Waterloo Station appear in the requested uWimbledon Station Rank issue(s). While the publisher will take every u WizAnn Knowledge School, care to ensure accuracy, no liability can be ac- Watts Grove, E3 cepted for loss or damage resulting from errors. @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 43 44 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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CABS FOR RENT INSURANCE

TAXI AD FREE GAP TX4 & NEW TX4 INSURANCE EURO 6’S FOR RENT PURCHASED A NEW TAXI? LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY? AVOID ANY POTENTIAL SHORTFALL IN YOUR FINANCE FOLLOWING cabs also wanted to buy A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM with or without finance 0208 597 2622 CALL: 07738 162 518 CABSURANCE AUTHORISED & REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 45

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TAXI is the membership magazine for the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA). It is circulated to 15,000 taxi drivers in London every fortnight.

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

Get in touch To see your advertisement in the leading magazine for black cab drivers in London contact us today: Jack Green

[email protected]

01727 739 196 46 TAXI |||| 6 August 2019 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

LINAGE

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PLACE YOUR LINAGE BY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14ST FOR TAXI 450 UP TO 15 WORDS: £35 UP TO 25 WORDS: £45 UP TO 35 WORDS: £55 CALL JACK ON 01727 739 196 @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 6 August 2019 |||| TAXI 47 Ce

Taxi Hire NEW TAXI RENTAL LTD BONANZA ! We have just placed the BIGGEST ever order in the history of LEVC for 250 brand new TX Electric Taxis

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