Archive for category: General News

Uber has now won the right to take TFL to court over their new rules which would require its drivers to pass an English test.

TFL recently set out new rules within the industry and wanted all private hire drivers to undergo a reading, writing and listening test from the 01/10/2016, which was accepted by the High Court. The High court also agreed in principle that firms such as Uber would be required to provide a call centre service that passengers can contact during a journey.

Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber London, said: “We’re pleased the judge has decided this case deserves a hearing.

“TfL’s plans threaten the livelihoods of thousands of drivers in London, while also stifling tech companies like Uber.”

Although Uber had initially supported the tests, they now argue that it is unnecessary for drivers to provide a certificate showing they have an intermediate level of reading and writing and it would also become costly.

Uber has more than 30,000 drivers in London and it is estimated that thousands would be affected by these rules.

TfL said: “We note that the court has refused permission for judicial review of the principle and standard of English language test, the requirement for hire and reward insurance and the ability for customers to speak to someone by telephone.

“We are determined to create a vibrant taxi and private hire market, with space for all providers to flourish.

“We look forward to the remaining issues being resolved in due course.”

Uber react to new rules put forward by Transport for London (TFL) by launching an application for a judicial review.

The new rules in London would require thousands of drivers to take an English language.

Uber have stated that the legal action was a ‘last resort’. The General manager of Uber London, Tom Elvidge stated

“We’re particularly disappointed that, after a lengthy consultation process with Transport for London, the goalposts have moved at the last minute and new rules are now being introduced that will be bad for both drivers and tech companies like Uber.”

Uber admits to supporting tests such as an English speaking/listening test however they have argued that it would be unnecessary for them to provide a certificate to prove they have an intermediate level of writing and reading.

Uber has over 30,000 London drivers that would also be affected by the new rulings.

Another rule that is causing further concern is that private hire companies will be required to run a London based operating centre which passengers are able to make contact with during a journey.

TFL issued the following statement in return to Uber, “We responded to Uber’s letter and will be robustly defending the legal proceedings brought by them in relation to the changes to private hire regulations,”.

Two teens that jumped from a moving cab to avoid the £10 fare have been told they will go uncompensated by a judge.

On the 27^th July 2009, Joseph Beaumont, Lewis O’Neill and four other friends were picked up by cabbie David Ferrer in Salford and asked to be taken into town. Mr Ferrer had realised the youths intent on jumping the fare.

In 2008 Mr Ferrer was in fear of his life as a group of young passengers stabbed and robbed him.

The cab stopped on Deansgate and three of the youths quickly exited the vehicle running away leaving an 11 year old, Beaumount and O’Neill in the vehicle. Mr Ferrer describe his emotion as ‘panicked’ by the memory of the previous year when he was stabbed twice and seriously injured as a result.

Mr Ferrer claimed it was ‘like déjà vu’ and it was noted that he was “justifiably aggrieved” and “angry” at the attempt to be ripped off.

He then drove off with the sliding door still open so Beaumont jumped out of the moving vehicle backwards onto the road with O’Neill following suit seconds later which caused life changing head injuries to them both.

Both men suffered severe injuries and decided to sue Mr Ferrer for a large sum of compensation and stated that he was negligent for driving off at a speed preventing them from leaving the taxi. Their lawyers argued the same statement adding that his passengers did not have seat belts on and that he should have given into the young criminals and faced the loss of his fare.

Initially the case was rejected however later appealed at London Appeals Court.

Lord Justice Longmore ruled on the case that it was “regrettably all too foreseeable” that the young men would try to run away.

He went on to state that it was “understandable” that Mr Ferrer did not want to lose his fare however there was no “excuse” for the risk he took. That being said the judge continued to rule that Mr Ferrer was “overwhelmed” by the youth’s recklessness and criminal intent. He also noted that Mr Ferrer was in a “difficult dilemma” however the youths could have strapped the seat belts on while he proceeded to the police station.

The judge stated “However, each chose not to do so but rather to position himself at an opened door of the taxi and to jump out of the taxi as it was moving away.

“Neither had any legitimate reason for this deliberate and utterly reckless decision,”

Lord Justice Longmore went on to state that there are powerful ‘”public policy” reasons to why Beaumont and O’Neill should go uncompensated. The decision is backed by the long-established legal principle in which criminals forfeit their compensation rights If they are injured during the course of an illegal act.

Sadiq Khan has made big plans to tackle London’s air pollution and his office has confirmed that Oxford Street will be pedestrianised by 2020.

At the moment cars are banned from the street between 07:00 and 19:00 Monday to Saturday however the new plans ban all traffic including buses and taxis.

The new plans look to ban traffic along Oxford Street from Tottenham Court Road down to Marble Arch. They are looking to implement the ban in stages starting on the eastern section between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus.

Valerie Shawcross, London’s deputy mayor for transport has stated that busses would be re-routed however did not go into detail on what plans they are looking to put into place.

Siwan Puw, policy manager at the London Chambers of Commerce, said: “The huge increase in footfall will require clear planning to maximise pedestrian safety and minimise disruption to businesses.

“Doing it in stages certainly has its advantages in that it means trading will continue more easily and any issues can be ironed out as we go along.”

A spokesman added that the project will contribute to the mayor’s aim of improving air quality and to make Oxford Street “a far safer and more pleasant place to live”