Taxi News and Views From Around The English Speaking World

Run crusade for the family of a dead ‘outsider’ cabbie

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:38:37 +0000

It was the North Indian taxi drivers who bore the brunt of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s tirade against ‘outsiders’ in February. Now, in a sudden volte-face, that very party is fighting for the family of a cab driver from Uttar Pradesh.

Kishanpal Singh, 24, a driver with Meru cab services, died in an accident on Saturday. Following his death, MNS stalled the operation of the cab service and forced it off roads demanding that Singh’s family be compensated. They also claimed that the company should ensure the safety of the 700-odd Meru drivers.

Interestingly, most of the cab drivers employed by Meru are North Indians.

However, when contacted MNS vice president Arafat Sheikh claimed that they were fighting for Singh and his family on “humanitarian grounds.”

Three days post the incident, the party has alleged that the company is not willing to support the driver’s family. Sheikh said, “Officials from Meru cab are not willing to speed up the insurance process for Singh’s family. On Monday, we had called a meeting of all Meru drivers and invited the company officials to discuss the issue but they did not turn up.

We are going to hold a meeting on Wednesday and if they don’t attend the meeting we will have to resort to undemocratic methods.”

However, Harsh Mehta, PRO for Meru, claimed that MNS did not invite them for any meeting. “We had gone to Singh’s residence with a cheque of Rs3 lakh as compensation. But we could not give it to them because MNS activists didn’t let the head of the family meet the company officials,” he said.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1175047

City staff propose jump in cab fares

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:49 +0000

Taxi riders are facing a fare increase of nearly 23 per cent on an average five-kilometre trip.

City staff are recommending that base rates, per kilometre rates and waiting rates for city cabs be raised to offset higher operating costs.

They’re calling for a 20 cent jump in the base rate, which covers the first 71.4 metres, bringing the fee to $3.20. The per kilometre rate would increase 42 cents to $1.82.

The proposal goes to a city committee Monday.

The changes, which would still have to be approved by city council, mean an average five-kilometre ride would cost $12.17, up from $9.90.

The last time the base rate increased was 2006, when council approved a 50-cent hike. The per-kilometre rate stayed $1.40.

Waiting time goes to 13 cents per 14 seconds, up from 10.

Ron VanKleef, president of Hamilton Cab, said the increases are needed to deal with skyrocketing fuel costs and insurance costs.

"Between insurance and fuel, the drivers are getting hit and that’s why we’re pushing strongly to get an increase," he said.

Ejaz Butt, head of the Cab Drivers Welfare Association, said he’s pleased about the increase, although concerned drivers may not pocket the extra cash.

He said there’s worry the fees drivers pay to lease their cabs may go up, which could offset the fare gain.

"Eventually the customer is going to be victimized by raising the price," Butt said. "And the driver is not going to make enough money in spite of that."

He said the city should become more involved in the industry to ensure all of those involved are treated fairly.

Anthony Rizzuto, vice-president of Blue Line Taxi, said the increase is a little high. He would’ve preferred a flat 50-cent hike on the base rate and maybe a small adjustment to the mileage rate.

Rizzuto, who said he did not raise rates to drivers after the last fare increase, said he has not decided what will happen this time. VanKleef said Hamilton Cab has no intention of raising driver rates.

dbrown@thespec

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/395793

‘Fare’ deal, say some taxi men

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:18:28 +0000

TAXI OPERATORS are divided over the Minister of Transport John Boyce’s announcement that "favourable consideration" would be given to an increase in taxi fares.

Speaking to the MIDWEEK NATION yesterday, some operators said the increase would help them to deal with the rising cost of fuel, while others believed that the issue of fares was the least of their problems.

Boyce stated on Monday that his ministry had agreed that some taxi fares could be increased as a result of fuel price hikes.

Ivestor Brathwaite, a taxi operator at the Airport, was in favour of the increase in taxi fares.

"We are glad for the increase. The increase given before was nothing," he said.

He is, however, looking to "see what the Government comes up with", and would like to have a "50 per cent increase across the board to deal with gasoleine prices."

Jordan, a taxi operator on upper Broad Street, also agreed with the fare hike.

"I think it is a good idea. It would be a tremendous help in dealing with the cost of fuel. You will never be able to beat the cost of living no matter what you do."

However, some operators believed that there were other problems that needed to be dealt with.

Oswille Clarke, a taxi driver for more than 40 years, said there were too many taxis: "The problem is that there are too many taxis, [especially] in Bridgtown. I would like to see the ministry take steps to reduce the number of taxis.

"When there’s nothing happening at the Port, they come and take up all the space in town [and] town is too small for the number of taxis that we have," he said.

However, Shawn Browne who operates from the Accra area, blamed the taxi industry’s challenges on the fact that the market was on the decline, something which he claimed was occurring since 2005.

"Things have slowed down. If we don’t get the people, the raise does not make a difference. Most of the [taxi operators] have their own rates anyway," he added. (LW)

http://www.nationnews.com/story/292058891220107.php

Left, NO! I meant the other left!

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:17:35 +0000

I don’t believe anybody instinctively knows their right from their left, it’s easy for me to follow directions while driving …… because I know I’m sitting on the right! But the amount of times I’m told to turn into the sea or a wall is immeasurable.
Most people have a “method”, whether it’s blessing themselves, (less so nowadays in this unholy Ireland) or maybe pretending to write.

What’s yours? Or are you the exception that proves the rule and inherently know your right from left?

While I’m at it, why is it European + American cars have the petrol cap, indicators and light switches on one side of the car while Japanese + Korean cars have them on the other side?
It makes me look a proper plonker when I drive my wifes car and put the wipers on instead of indicating!

Are you right handed? ………Or a lefty/ kitog/devil handed?
The nuns used to tie left hands to the desk, to force kids to write with the “proper” hand.

Meanwhile over in the Arcade I’ve added “Camden Street” so called because it’s what I feel like doing some Friday and Saturday nights!

No comments so far on my last post, I used to care about that sort of thing ….now, I couldn’t give a shit, what does that tell you?

http://irishtaxi.org/?p=729

Cab fare from Manchester airport rising

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:15:45 +0000

MANCHESTER – The price of a taxi ride out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport will go up between 20 and 40 percent next month.

A new fare schedule, which goes into effect Aug. 1, will charge customers an extra $2 to $6 for quick trips from the airport to other locations in Manchester or some neighboring towns. The rate for longer trips will jump to $2.40 per mile, a 37 percent increase.

Airport officials approved the new prices this month in response to a petition from the taxi companies, whose profits have taken a hit as gas prices have climbed.

"We’re all kind of suffering out there," said Ron Cote, owner-operator of All American Airport Service.

The measure is the latest in a series of fare increases pinching local travelers. Last month, Manchester’s aldermen approved a temporary 90-cents-per-mile fare hike for local taxi cabs. City bus fares also went up last month, from $1 per adult to $1.25.

Dave Bush, assistant airport director for property and contract management, said the airport heard the cab companies’ pleas for help. Cab fares had not increased since 20001, he said.

In that time, the price of regular gasoline in Manchester has soared from approximately $1.40 per gallon to a near-record $3.97 per gallon.

"They absolutely needed some relief," Bush said.

How much extra money a customer will have to shell out will vary depending on the destination. The shortest trips — essentially, those of a mile or less — will increase from $8 to $10. A trip to the Center of New Hampshire on Elm Street, now $15, will cost $20.

Customers traveling the farthest will see the largest increases. For instance:

o A ride to East Broadway Street in Derry will cost about $30. Right now, it costs $22.

o A ride to downtown Nashua will cost about $43. Right now, it costs $31.50.

o A ride to downtown Concord will cost about $55. Right now, it costs $40.

Bill York, the cab company owner who wrote the petition, said the increases should seem minor to most customers. Most of his own riders, he said, are business travelers.

"People who travel a couple times a year are not going to feel it at all," said York, who runs Reliable Airport Service and is himself a driver.

York said he expects some customers will be put off by the new prices. "But what you have to understand," he said, "is that what we provide is a convenience."

Fifteen cab company owners signed York’s petition, which cites the rising costs of gas, vehicle maintenance and insurance and says, "We believe the time for relief is now." The petition was delivered to the airport in May.

In it, the owners requested a 20 percent increase in rates. They got more than they asked for, Bush said, because a review by various airport executives found the rates were significantly higher at other New England airports.

Portland charges $3 per mile, according to Bush. In Providence, he said, the price is $2.50 per mile.

There are 26 cab companies servicing Manchester’s airport. Bush said. The price increase does not apply to limousines.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Cab+fare+from+Manchester+airport+rising&articleId=302ff8c8-f132-4f62-a899-fec6356af830

Cabby driver grabbed peeping at bathing girls

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:15:05 +0000

A 35-year-old taxi driver has been caught peeping at nude girls of the Accra Girls’ Senior High School while they were bathing.

The man, whose name was only given as Nana Poku, was arrested by the Kotobabi Police in Accra over the weekend at the school’s premises as he was peeping through cracks in the girls’ bathroom.

A police source confirmed that the suspect admitted the offence in his caution statement and had since been granted police enquiry bail.

The Headmistress of the school was reported as saying, the offence had been rampant of late but the culprits always bolted each time an alarm was raised.

However luck ran out on Nana Poku this time around and he was apprehended.

The officer, who described the suspect as a ‘nice looking gentleman’, noted that he would be brought before court to face the consequences of his lewd act.

The headmistress’ distress call which made a prominent headline in a national newspaper prompted the Nima Neighbourhood Watchdog Committee to call on her.

They promised supporting the school to stop the unacceptable act and occasional theft by miscreants who scaled the wall of the school.

Nana Poku, the suspect was traced to the Mamobi Polyclinic yesterday where he had gone for treatment following a complaint about breathlessness and bodily pains.

He was spotted limping with the support of a walking stick when DAILY GUIDE saw him at the polyclinic.

His back bore scratches which he showed the DAILY GUIDE undercover reporter while in the company of his mother and some siblings.

He told the police that he was beaten by the school’s security men who pursued and arrested him after spotting him in the act of peeping at the nude students of the Accra Girls’ Senior High School.

The school is bordered on the south by the sprawling suburb of Mamobi and Nima. With the walls not high enough to prevent miscreants from scaling it, the school might have to contend with the unacceptable actions for sometime to come.

http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/200807/18572.asp

Mobile Broadband hits Hong Kong Taxis

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:49:15 +0000

The people of Hong Kong are certainly in for a technological treat as 100 Hong Kong taxis are hooked up to its high speed broadband network.

Hong Kong mobile phone operator SmarTone, who in December 2004 joined forces with Vodafone to create partnership company SmarTone–Vodafone, have introduced the ultimate taxi ride for the millions of passengers that ride taxis in Hong Kong everyday by offering a free trial of their mobile broadband.

The access is provided to passengers via a USB connection who simply plug in the USB Modem into their laptops whilst they are taken to their destination. They’ll be able to enjoy free access to e-mail, web browsing and be able to download whilst connected to SmarTone- Vodafone mobile broadband via Hong Kong’s very first HSDPA network.

Customers will be able to take advantage of the super-fast broadband connection in taxis anywhere within the City. SmarTone-Vodafone said “Connect with SmarTone-Vodafone and you’re assured of innovative services via a superior quality network that reaches every corner of Hong Kong. SmarTone-Vodafone has made a special effort to develop communication services that will make your Hong Kong stay more pleasant and more productive.”

SmarTone–Vodafone has recently also extended its free Mobile Broadband Service to workstations placed in Hong Kong gyms, shopping centres and a chain of juice bars, providing download speeds of 14.4 Mbps. This is twice as fast as our current top download speed here in the UK of 7.2Mbps provided by Vodafone.

When asked how SmarTone-Vodafone introduced the its HSDPA Mobile Broadband campaign to members of the Hong Kong public, Eric Mallia, Marketing Director said “We really felt that we had to get the product into the hands of our customers by using experiential marketing, and that’s where the cabs come in.”

Mallia added, “Thousands of people have downloaded the software and used the mobile broadband service, and this has translated into significant sales for our HSDPA service.

To view all mobile broadband deals available at the moment in the UK, please visit our Compare Mobile Broadband page.

http://mobile.broadband-onthemove.co.uk/hongkongtaxis.php

Taxis feel the squeeze

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:47:04 +0000

Three major redevelopments in the Queenstown CBD are putting the squeeze on the town’s taxi drivers who say they don’t have enough places to park during the day. To make it worse, meter patrols aren’t showing any sympathy either. James Beech reports.Queenstown cabbies would be happy with six spaces on the rank on Camp St “and some slack” from parking enforce-ment officials, says Alpine Taxi owner Paul Lascelles.

While taxi drivers were trying to be understanding - and flexible - about the disruptions being caused by the road works on Camp St, Church Lane and the Post Office precinct, they were not being given enough options by the Queenstown-Lakes District Council, he said.

“The council has not addressed the needs of provid-ing enough taxi space quickly enough, given the changes occurring in the town centre.

“We don’t deliberately park in places like bus stops, loading zones or double-park; we simply have no choice while waiting for a space to open up on the rank.”

Cabbies spoken to by the Queenstown Times said the QLDC had provided space for three or four taxis on Shotover St from 10pm but parking was not an issue at that time of night.

Alpine and Queenstown Taxis have almost 60 taxis between them and about half are operat-ing in the Lakes district per shift.

Alpine Taxi owner-operator Fraiser Campbell said there were always at least five cabs from both firms waiting for customers on Camp St and the feeder rank on Searle Lane.

“Other vehicles using Searle Lane make it awkward. You’re in competition with couriers, post office, delivery and construction trucks.

“When you get a call and you’re stuck between two freight trucks, it’s not much fun.”

He said he would like to see the taxi rank extended along Camp St, perhaps curling into Church St, and Searle Lane restricted to pedestrians only.

The QLDC’s roading manager, Ian Marshall, said the council knew taxi drivers were being bounced around between the Camp St redevelopment and the private developments.

The council had been in contact with the taxi firms since construction on the Church St block began.

“All of those developments are dynamic and change day to day so we ask for patience. We want the service to be available to people and we want to work with the taxis to find a solution.

“They have to appreciate the constraints we have to work under.”

Mr Marshall said the council was still looking at where it could create temporary space on Camp St, “but the Ngai Tahu development is going to ramp up in the next few weeks, which is going to have an impact.”

Mr Marshall said taxis were subject to the same parking conditions as everyone else.

He said he expected provisions for taxis to return to normal once the three developments had finished with space for three taxis on Camp St and two on Searle Lane.

“I can’t imagine any city having space for 20 taxis stacked up on one street.”

Efforts to contact Queenstown Taxis for comment were unsuccessful but one of the company’s drivers, in a letter to the Mountain Scene last week, described parking in the town as an “absolute nightmare”, not just for taxis but the general public.

Willie Leishman said when taxis parked outside the Night ‘N Day store or on loading zones, they were told to move on by meter maids.

“So, come on, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Lakes Environmental: give us a break,” he wrote.

“We’re only trying to make a living and, first and foremost, provide a service to the public.”

http://nztaxiblog.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/taxis-feel-the-squeeze/

Toyota Prius the Taxi champion

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:43:07 +0000

To crush myths and rumours about the Prius’ lacklustre battery life and overall performance, Toyota’s marketing arm has shed light on a brilliant story about the rising number of Prius Taxis getting around.

Up in north Queensland a Cairns-based Toyota Prius taxi has recently clocked up 550,000 kilometres, the highest kilometres recorded for an Australia delivered Prius to date.

According to black and white taxis (the car’s owner), in the 3 years of service the Prius has cost half the fuel and maintenance outlay compared to other conventionally-powered taxis in the fleet.

So far there are 32 Prius taxis in Cairns with another eight already in order. Each Prius averages around 200,000km per annum.

“We’ve have had almost three years great service from it, we obviously track our costs very closely and our reports show the Prius consumes half the petrol of other vehicles in our fleet and also half the service costs - it is quite amazing.” Taxi operator Graham Boundy, who owns Black and White Taxis in Cairns, said.

What about the battery life you ask? How does a Prius manage after 550,000km on its original battery? Not that badly! The car in question had a battery that recorded a “low voltage reading” which led to its replacement at 500,000km, Toyota says another Prius taxi also had its battery replaced after 350,000km. These are the only two Prius cars in Australia to have had a battery replacement to date.

500,000km? 300,000km? Both big numbers, when an average Australian car only travels 15,000km/year. We do, however, have to question the affect of time on the battery as well. Something not considered in this case.

“When you consider that the average car in Australia travels approximately 15,000km per year, the 350,000km Prius has crammed over 23 years of average driving into a couple of years, and the 550,000km Prius has fitted in 36 years into three years, which is astonishing.” said Vic Johnston, Toyota’s manager of hybrid sales and fleet strategy.

Love it or hate it, the more familiar the general population become with hybrid cars, the more the demand increases. Toyota is currently having supply issues in overseas markets delivering an unprecedented number of Prius cars to customers.

“When you consider that the Prius taxis in Cairns are generating half the fuel and service costs of other vehicles in their fleets, the Prius is significantly cheaper in whole-of-life costs. That’s why the taxi fleets use them, and continue to order them - they are simply less expensive to run and maintain than conventional vehicles in their fleet.” Johnston said.

The Prius has also won the honour of the cheapest hybrid car to run according to the federal government’s Green Vehicle Guide. On average Prius owners should expect to pay no more than $990 in fuel each year.

Do hybrid taxis make sense to you?

http://www.caradvice.com.au/14639/toyota-prius-the-taxi-champion/

Appeal judge ups jail term for man who punched cabby

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:41:26 +0000

THOSE who assault public transport workers will be firmly dealt with by the courts, an appeal judge warned on Tuesday as he tripled the jail term of a man who pushed and punched a cabby.

Justice V. K. Rajah was hearing an appeal by Wong Hoi Len, 50, against his sentence of a month?s jail for hurting taxi driver Toon Chin Joon, who later died of a heart attack.

The judge decided to increase Wong’s jail term to three months instead.

‘We need to send a clear signal that any assault against public transport workers will be firmly dealt with’, he said.

Wong, a businessman, had boarded Mr Toon’s taxi from Jalan Besar after a drinking session with some friends in May last year.

Just before he reached his home in Jurong West, Wong threw up in the taxi. A scuffle broke out after the cabby got down and scolded Wong.

Wong then pushed the cabby to the ground and the two men struggled but after a while, Mr Toon became motionless.

A passerby called the police and Mr Toon was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.

A forensic pathologist found several bruises on his head and limbs but said the cabby had died of an underlying heart disease.

Mr Toon had a history of thyrocardiac heart disease.

Wong was sentenced to ne month in jail after he pleaded guilty in March to assaulting the cabby. He claimed that Mr Toon had insulted his mother.

On Tuesday, represented by lawyer Tan Siah Yong, he appealed for a lighter sentence, or a fine or one day in jail.

On hearing that his sentence was being enhanced, Wong buried his face in his hands, shaking his head.

Justice Rajah said he could not ignore the fact that the extent of the attack was ‘completely disproportionate’ to whatever he claimed to have transpired between him and the cabby.

He noted that the charge faced by Wong was ‘comparatively modest’ in relation to the consequence that flowed from his actions.

Justice Rajah took into account that Wong had volunteered to compensate the cabby’s family.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Courts%2Band%2BCrime/STIStory_260263.html