Driving licence changes

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The DVLA have recently released advice to motorists following the abolition of the counterpart to the photocard driving licence that is coming into force from the 8th June.

From the 8th June, the DVLA will no longer be issuing paper counterparts to the photocard licence and it will no longer be valid.

When the paper counterpart was introduced it was used to show information that would not fit onto the photocard, information such as any endorsements and what the motorist is entitled to drive.

This does not apply to photocard licences issued by DVA in Northern Ireland.

Drivers who hold a paper counterpart are advised to destroy any paper parts after this date but keep the photocard driving licence.

Motorists with only paper driving licences

Any licence paper only driving licences that have been issued before 1998 should not be destroyed and will remain valid.

If you need to update your name (https://www.gov.uk/change-name-driving-licence), address (https://www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence) or renew (https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence) your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only.

Penalty Points (endorsements)

From 8 June 2015 points will only be recorded electronically they will not be written on the paper counterpart.

If you produce in court both parts the court will only return the Card paperpart back to you.

How to view your driving licence details

The DVLA have a free view Driving Licence service (https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence) lets you see what details are on your licence, this also shows you what vehicles you are entitled to drive.

Confirming Your driving record to a third party.

This can be done online by accessing Share Driving Licence (https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence) service. From 8th June this service should be used by both holders of Paper only and card and paper counterpart licences.

Using this service a ‘check code’ can be generated and passed onto the nominated person/organisation that needs to view Your driving lience details.

The DVLA have also given the option of generating a code by calling 0300 083 0013 and the DVLA will provide a code.

The code and the driving licence number can then be used by the individual/organisation to check the driving licence online, the code will last for 72 hours.

 

Addison Lee and Uber united against plans to cap private hire numbers

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London’s largest private hire operator Addison Lee has found common ground with Uber is opposing Mayor Boris Johnson’s plans to cap the number of private hire vehicles in the capital.

Addison Lee however believes the solution to the increase in minicab numbers is not capping the numbers but regulation.

In an open letter to Mr Johnson and the newly elected MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Liam Griffin the chief executive of Addison Lee described the response of Transport for London to the rise of Uber and similar e hailing solutions as ‘’deplorable’’.

Mr Griffin’s letter went on to say ‘’to apply the same regulatory standards for private hire operators to app-based firms has enabled these e-hailing services to distort public perception of the wider sector’’

Mr Griffin had previously welcomed the review of the private hire regulations but went on to say the simply capping the numbers is ‘’a panic measure brought in to get TFL off the naughty step’’.

Private Hire numbers have increased by a fifth in the past year to over 78,000, Mayor Boris Johnson has said that this has led to higher congestion, more pollution and illegally parked cars.

Addison Lee has said that the failure of Transport of London to properly regulate e-hailing apps such as Uber was the cause of the problem.

Addison Lee has found common ground with many of London Taxi trade organisations.

Both Liam Griffin and The London Black Taxi Trade blame TFLs failure to regulate and the turning of a blind eye to Uber’s behaviour as the reason behind the surge in numbers and many of the issues that this brings.

TFL has so far rejected all the accusations that have been thrown at it and back in March it submitted an application to the High Court for a ruling on whether Uber and other e-hailing apps use a ‘’meter’’.

An initial hearing could be held within the next few weeks but the final decision is not expected for months, by this time it may be too late and Uber may just change their business model slightly to get around this.

Leon Daniel’s, TFLs managing director of surface transport said: ‘’We have not treated, and do not treat, Uber any differently to any other London operator and we are satisfied that Uber complies with private hire requirements.

‘’Where the requirements are met, we are legally obliged to grant an operator’s licence.’’

Today 26th May will see the latest in a series of strikes organised by the United Cabbies group and they how will see thousands of drivers, proceeding slowly from Victoria station to Tfl’s headquarters in nearby St James and we wish them the best of luck.

 

Uber’s attack on London leads to uncertainty in the Trade and a steep Drop in Black-Cab Recruits

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Since Uber was launched in London the cities iconic Black Taxis are seeing their biggest threat since their start in 1654.

London Taxi drivers who typically spend 4 years studying ‘’The Knowledge’’ learning 25,000 roads and 20,000 landmarks are seen as the highest qualified Taxi drivers in the world, no other city has a test anywhere near as difficult.

Uber launched in 2012 and since then it has been estimated that 1,200 new Uber drivers are starting up in London every month although this figure has not been confirmed by Uber.

Since 2010 the number of Private Hire vehicles licensed in London has increased by 29% and now seems to be accelerating since the launch of Uber.

Whilst the number of Private Hire drivers has increased considerably the number of London Taxi drivers has remained constant.

The increase in competition and fall in work for the traditional Black Taxi driver has led to a significant fall in Black Taxi Licence applications, data obtained by Bloomberg from Transport for London has put that figure at 20% in 2014.

 

Ascott Cab Co retailer for TX4

Ascott Cab Co appointed official retailer of TX4 London Taxi

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Today we can announce that the London Taxi Company have announce a new strategic alliance with Ascott Cab Co, appointing it as an official retailer of it’s TX4 model.

The new agreement means that Ascotts Cab Co, are able to sell the TX4 London Taxi through it’s retail dealership in Deptford, South London. Ascotts already has a great reputation in the London Taxi trade for customer service and is the first retailer outside the London Taxi Company.

Ascott Cab Company will strengthen it’s standing as the London Taxi drivers ‘’One Stop Shop’’ taking responsibility for Vehicle Plating, meter installation through digitax, Customer insurance with Quotax and the London Taxi Company retaining responsibility for product quality, vehicle registration and manufacturer warranty provision.

Ascott Cab Co retailer for TX4

Commenting on the deal, The London Taxi Company’s Vice President of UK Operations, Peter Johansen said:

“The standards that Ascott Cab Co upholds in customer care and quality perfectly reflect our values at the London Taxi Company and set a benchmark for the future. It will allow the company to take advantage of the vast market knowledge, loyalty and connection it clearly has with its customer base.”

The deal will run for a six-month trial period and, if successful, there is potential to use it as a platform for the next generation of products as the London Taxi Company looks to the future.

Andy Ascott from Ascott Cab Co said:

“This is an exciting opportunity for Ascott Cab Co and welcome recognition of the high standards we set ourselves. I think our appreciation for customer
service and the understanding of the trade in London means we’re well positioned for success now and in the future”

The London Taxi Company will be exhibiting at the Private Hire & Taxi Exhibition over the 13th and 14th May in Milton Keynes at the Millbrook Proving Ground.

 

http://www.ascottcab.com/pdfst/LTC Press Release Ascott Cab Co.pdf

Care Home Minibus Insurance

Minibus and Coach sales shows sharp increase at start of 2015

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The society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have just released their Minibus and Coach registrations and they are up 15% for the March period.

During the March plate change orders increased with purpose built vehicles seeing their highest increase at 73%. Buses that are purpose built saw their highest increase at 111%.

The increases across both purpose build markets shows that conditions are improving in the economic market and Coach and Bus operators are expanding their fleets.

Quedgeley Park and Ride bus service on verge of collapse due to loss of funding

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In March it was announced that the Waterwell Park and Ride bus scheme was being reduced and would not now take them to Barnwood Business Centre.

Bennetts Coaches who operate the Service have been told they will no longer be subsidised and this is vital for keeping the service running.

It is likely that the route 66 Bus Service will be diverted by Stagecoach. The 66 Bus takes people from Stroud and the Kingsway area already.

Customers are now disappointed that the scheme will no longer shuttle them between Quedgeley and Gloucester but now travel through the Kingsway area as well, adding to the journey time, the cost is also expected to rise.

Locals have insisted that the current Scheme is extremely successful and are hoping the scheme will remain in its current form.

 

First 15 plate TX4 Taxi’s now on the road

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LTC handed out their first ever 15 plate TX4 on Sunday the 1st March 2015. The main dealership opened up especially on the Sunday to hand out new vehicles to drivers who were keen to get their new Taxi at the earliest opportunity. Mr Wadey and his wife were the first to collect the newly plated Taxi. Mr Wadey commenting on his new purchase said, ‘’my new TX4 is fantastic; it’s so much better than any other taxi I’ve ever driven! It’s more solid and a smoother ride. I’ve previously rented TX1s and TX4s so I’m thrilled to have my own vehicle. Ever since passing the Knowledge it was my intention to have my own cab.’’

 

Good luck to all those driver who are purchasing new vehicles, please see out taxi insurance information so we can offer you a policy to cover your new pride and joy.

UK’s first ‘poo bus’ goes into regular service.

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Britain’s first ‘’Poo Bus’’, has just recently gone into service between Bristol and Bath, it will operate 15 mile route four days a week.

The bus is run by bio methane gas from faeces and household waste. Operated by First West of England, the bus will fill up at a site in Bristol where faeces and inedible food is already turned into biomethane gas.

The bus which coach which can carry 40 passengers was unveiled last autumn.

 One regular user James Byers was enthusiastic about the service and was hoping this would be rolled out nationwide. ‘’Having used the service several times I have been very impressed that we are able to turn peoples waste into usable energy, I look forward to the day when I can power my car myself’’. Unfortunately for James this technology for cars is still a long way off, but there are several companies on the market developing biomethane technology in Cars.

If the scheme is successful First will be looking into opening up the scheme and operating more ‘’Poo Buses’’

poo bus

GLA meeting

TFL announce more Taxi ranks and no change on UBER

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The GLA meeting at City Hall packed as TFL announce more ranks and no change on UBER

Yesterday morning the questions and answer session with Peter Hendy Commissioner of TFL was full to capacity and hundreds of Taxi drivers were turned away.

TFl was formally responding to the London Assembly’s Transport Committees report ‘Future Proof’ which was highly critical of TFLs current policies towards illegal touting, Taxi ranks and many other aspects.

Boris Johnson said ‘’These plans deliver on my commitment to listen to the taxi trade and help it continue to offer a first class service that is the envy of the world. Increasing the number and the type of Taxi ranks, particularly in the suburbs – is central to this aim and will help to ensure better business for cabbies and an even better service for customers.’’

TFL announced plans to invest £600,000 to raise number of cab ranks by 20% by 2020 – expanding the network to 500.

TFL also plan to make the location of taxi ranks available to app developers as well as sponsorship of late night marshals at key Taxi ranks.

Peter Hendy also announced that he will wait for the High Court’s decision regarding whether UBER are operating legally or not.

The Taxi Trade was praised by Val Shawcross and Jenny Jones for ‘understanding their trade’ and ‘suitably grilling’ Peter Hendy.

GLA meeting

Labour Pink Minibus heads to Broghton

Pink Minibus heads to Brighton to attract Women voters

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Labour’s controversial pink minibus designed to attract women voters has been driven to Brighton to drum up support. Last week the brightly coloured vehicle was launched by Harriet Harman. Following the launch the Minibus sparked a storm of comments from the nations press, many of them labelling it ‘’sexist, patronising and stupid.’’

Labour Pink Minibus heads to Broghton

The minibus has the slogan ‘’Women are Women’’ written along both side of this. Ms Harman said ‘’the Minibus had to be eye catching because there is a huge hole in the democratic politics, in the last election 9.1 million women didn’t vote.’’

The minibus will be used to ferry women from Labours shadow cabinet, Local government and Trade unions will discuss with women issues such as work play balance, domestic violence equal pay and other issues.

The minibus has already been used to visit 70 marginal constituencies.