TaxiPoint August 2022 Edition 40 by TaxiPoint

The UK’s #1 Taxi News Source Over 3.7

Edition 40 | AUGUST 2022

million magazine reads and counting...

CABBIES NOT RETURNING DFT ANNUAL STATISTICS REAR DOOR WAV ACCESS AROUND THE RANKS FUEL PRICE COMPARISON AND MUCH MORE... AUGUST 2022 - Edition 40

EDITORIAL

TaxiPoint Chief Editor: Perry Richardson TaxiPoint Publishing & Advertising Manager: Lindsey Richardson Visit us online at: www.taxi-point.co.uk Write to us at: contact@taxi-point.co.uk Advertising enquiries at: advertising@taxi-point.co.uk

Hello and welcome to Edition 40 of TaxiPoint’s monthly digital magazine. Since we started TaxiPoint way back in June 2017 there’s literally never been a dull moment in the taxi industry and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon! The Guardian and associated journalists lifted the lid on the well documented ’Uber Files’ with the fall out now looking set to rumble on for some time. Throw in the topic of cross-border hiring which is gathering momentum amongst local authorities, the shift to electric taxis and challenges around recruiting cabbies… there is much debate and solutions to be found in the coming months and years.

From a TaxiPoint point of view we hope to announce a huge media partnership in the near future. We are also looking at creating more regional taxi ‘sub-communities’ where we can focus on creating and sharing even more content relevant to cabbies in that region.

The publishers reserve the right to refuse, withdraw, amend or otherwise deal with all advertisements without explanation. All advertisers must comply with the British Code of Advertising practice. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. All written and image rights are reserved by the author as displayed. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Copyright brand TaxiPoint 2022. Creative Common image licenses displayed where applicable.

If you’re a taxi representative we’d love to hear from you and report on issues facing your drivers. Please drop us an email! Many thanks and be lucky,

Perry Richardson TaxiPoint Editor and Founder

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FEATURE

Taxi industry representatives have already said they will try to hold those involved in the ‘Uber Files’ scandal ‘accountable for their actions’, but as more details around the firm’s lobbying and influence in the capital emerges, what will that ‘action’ look like?

hired close personal friends like Rachel Whetstone and Lynton Crosby to help them gain access to the top levels of the Cameron Government, ultimately preventing the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, from clamping down on Uber and its damaging operating model.

The comments come after more than 124,000 confidential Uber documents were leaked to the Guardian and other news outlets including BBC Panorama, which has demonstrated the full extent of Uber’s global lobbying powers and more locally its efforts to twist regulation in London.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the LTDA, said: “There are now calls for TfL to look again at Uber's fitness to be licensed in London, as at least one of the executives named in the files is still working for the company. This could be in breach of Uber London Limited's (ULL) licensing conditions, which explicitly state that it will not The documents confirmed many of the things noted in the taxi trade about its aggressive tactics, employ someone who has sought to ‘interfere since it first entered the market over a decade ago. with or evade regulatory enforcement’. This is definitely something we will explore further and The leaked files show how the company exerted raise with TfL. influence over UK government ministers and “We can't change the past, but we will try to make advisers, including George Osborne, Sajid Javid and Matt Hancock, in off the book meetings, and sure that policy makers, especially those still in

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FEATURE positions of power are held accountable for their actions. We will be calling on TfL and the government to guarantee that the safety of the public and people's livelihoods are never compromised and put in jeopardy in such an underhand and unfair way again. We will also be asking the relevant authorities in Parliament to look into the matter and the conduct of the then ministers referenced who are still MPs.” Paul Bond, RMT London Taxi Branch Chairman, said: “We have a longstanding demand for a public inquiry, there can be no ‘the past is the past’ if as seems likely there has been illegality and misconduct by politicians and senior staff at TfL then they should be investigated and subject to the full rigour of the law.” The United Trade Action Group (UTAG) have also issued strong words to TfL’s Commissioner, Andy Byford, stating the regulators must act

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immediately to suspend or revoke Uber’s licence to ‘retain any credibility’. Around the world, a united taxi industry in France vowed to take legal action to get justice. A joint statement read: “The revelations about the ‘Uber Files’ affair and the active and responsible involvement of the former Minister of Economy and Finance in the establishment in France, have aroused deep indignation within the entire taxi profession.”

FEATURE The statement went on to add: “We are quite perplexed about the appointment of Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate in charge of the digital transition, knowing that his own sister, Hélène Barrot, is the communication director 'Uber in Europe. Given the obscure methods of the Uber company revealed in recent days, it seems obvious that this could lead to conflicts of interest, since when he sat in Parliament, Mr. Barrot was already filing amendments along the lines of Uber.

private interests and transparency remains guaranteed within the rule of law.”

So, what happens next? A lot of focus in London will centre on two main areas of grievance from the industry. The first being Pierre Dimitri Gore-Coty’s position in a Senior Executive role. Mr Gore-Coty was named in the Uber Files leaks as having direct involvement in some of the practices highlighted by the Uber Files leak. Both the taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) sectors suggest this directly contravenes licensing conditions. The other big question from the taxi trade, which is unlikely to go away anytime soon, is why did TfL fail to respond to an internal Uber whistle-blower, namely Mark MacGann? In an ideal world, taxi representatives would be pushing for an independent public inquiry into Uber’s licensing which would openly disclose all the lobbying that allowed its business model to operate in London for the last decade. Is this likely though given the political nature of the scandal? What is for sure is that the story is not going to disappear. A lot of unanswered questions will need answering.

“From now on, we are committed to conquering the truth about the methods and arbitrary actions that favoured the private interests of an American company to the detriment of the national interests. “We plan to seize all legal avenues so that government work can no longer be enslaved to

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FEATURE

ARTICLE BY: PERRY RICHARDSON

This is seen as a problem in many areas because there are wide disparities in the conditions placed on licences. For example, a driver in one district TAXIPOINT FOUNDER may apply to be licensed as a driver in another Safety for both those working in the taxi industry district because there are lower standards in driver and those using the service provided is said to be at testing, cheaper licence fees or less rigorous/fewer the heart of the Government’s Best Practice pre-licence checks. Guidance and legislation, but there remains an A good example is still seen as the City of elephant in the room… Wolverhampton Council. PHV drivers see the Cross-border hiring. Government sets the framework to which local licensing authorities must then follow. Many Local Authorities have shared their frustrations around Cross-border hiring. Cross-border hiring is a term used to describe when a taxi is lawfully used for Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) purposes in a district outside of which it has been licensed to operate.

council as a great authority to work under due mainly to their more liberal licensing standards. People as young as 18-years-old who hold a driver’s licence for at least 12-months are able to apply so long as they also pass medical and DBS Update Service checks. Licences are granted for just £64. In comparison, Transport for London (TfL) requires an applicant to be at least 21-years-old, have had

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FEATURE their driver’s licence for at least three years, complete topographical, speaking and listening tests, and sit a safeguarding course. It is estimated the whole process costs £477 excluding the cost of the medical.

Tell me more about Cross-border hiring The term cross-border is also used when a PHV in one district picks up a passenger from another district. This is legal, provided either that the driver, vehicle, and operator are all licensed by the first district; or that the operator sub-contracts the booking to an operator licensed in another council area. This practice has become increasingly commonplace with the growth of app-based operator models. This is problematic, because when a taxi or PHV is being driven for PHV purposes in another district, the local council has no powers to intervene if the

driver contravenes any condition of the licence or provides a poor service to the passenger; all that can be done is to write to the authority that issued the licence, where this is known. This practice is also seen as unfair on the trade in the local area, as they could face competition from drivers who may have paid cheaper licence fees or undergone less rigorous checks elsewhere. These safeguards are rarely visible to customers, who therefore cannot make an informed decision to use the more heavily checked and therefore safer, albeit more expensive, option.

Who can change cross-border hiring rules? Ultimately this issue will not be resolved until the Government brings in changes to legislation and gives councils powers to enforce against drivers and vehicles operating in their areas.

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FEATURE But there remains very little appetite from the Government for this, despite the ideal opportunity for reform presenting itself in the guise of the new industry Best Practice Guidance consultation.

of out-of-area vehicles had increased ‘massively’ in recent years with taxi drivers looking for cheaper and quicker application processes overseen by other councils. Portsmouth requires PHV drivers to use vehicles no more than four-years-old and also install costly CCTV. Drivers looking to swerve those requirements are going to other authorities with lower standards to then return to Portsmouth to work full-time. John Garforth JP, Vice Chairman of the Institute of Licensing, and a Council Licensing Manager, told TaxiPoint: “Frustrations amongst licensing officers are growing and the Government seem resistant to change. New powers must be considered by the Government!

“By way of example, Greater Manchester is looking to secure, via Greater Manchester’s Devolution Trailblazer bid, a commitment from Government to devise an appropriate regulatory approach that will legally require that all private hire journeys within the Greater Manchester boundary must be undertaken by a driver and vehicle which are both licensed by one of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities. The effect would be to ensure that Baroness Vere of Norbiton said in the foreword to the open consultation: “The importance of licensing private hire operators with a licence to operate in one or more of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities to the safety of the public and the authorities will be required to serve any intra effective functioning of the sector cannot be downplayed, and the intention of the guidance is to Greater Manchester journey request with a locally licensed driver and locally licensed vehicle.” help licensing authorities in carrying out this important job.” In London, more out-of-area PHVs are being noted The Minister added: “We have a shared vision for a by cabbies on the streets. Recent additional safety changes have pushed up the costs no-longer making safe and thriving sector and it is key that this is at the heart of the policies of licensing authorities that TfL a ‘cheap’ licensing authority. regulate the sector.”

If safety is at the heart of Government guidance and legislation, why is crossborder continually ignored?

One London cabbie posted a picture of a City of Wolverhampton licensed PHV and said: “Passenger on board in St Martins Lane. Driver said he was working for Bolt because ‘it was okay’.”

Is it okay though? Or are we looking at an elephant Portsmouth City Council’s licensing committee vice- sized loophole that Government do not want to chairman Scott Payter-Harris said that the number tackle?

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ANNUAL STATS

The Department for Transport (DfT) have confirmed a 3.4% DROP in taxi and minicab driver numbers across England and Wales for 2022, despite the reopening of the economy post-coronavirus and huge demand for services. The latest Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Statistics recently released contain data up to year ending March 2022. The figures are updated every year through surveying each licensing authority in England and Wales.

2020 the number of driver licences increased from 242,100 to 364,700. It then fell to 342,100 in 2021. There were 260,700 licensed taxis and PHVs in England in 2022. Just under a quarter (58,000) of these vehicles were taxis. The total number of licensed vehicles increased by 3.8% between 2021 and 2022, driven by a 5.1% increase in PHV numbers. The number of taxis fell by 0.6% over the same period.

According to the report, licence lengths for vehicles Between 2021 and 2022, the data shows the total are generally shorter than those for drivers. This is number of licensed vehicles increased slightly, while likely to at least partly explain why the number of the number of licensed drivers continued to fall. driver licences continued to fall in 2022, while the There were 330,300 taxi and PHV drivers licensed in number of vehicle licences increased slightly compared with 2021. It is likely that the licences of England and Wales in 2022, a decrease of 3.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2005 and some drivers who stopped driving as a result of the pandemic may only be expiring now.

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ANNUAL STATS

The push towards new cleaner taxis has seen the taxi When combining fuel type and age of vehicle, for fleet change dynamically throughout the regions. both taxis and PHVs it is apparent that petrol and diesel vehicles tend to be older on average than other In the latest statistics, the age of both taxis and fuel types. This reflects the fact that some of the private hire vehicle (PHV) is calculated based on the date of first use of the vehicle. This is usually when it other fuel types are newer technologies. For example, the average age of petrol and diesel PHVs was 6.6 was first registered with the DVLA. years, while for battery electric PHVs this was just 1.2 The average age of a taxi in England as of 31 March years. 2022 was 7.4 years, whereas the average age of a The most common models of taxi as of 31 March PHV was 6.2 years. These figures were both lower 2022 were the London Taxis International TX4, than for cars, with DfT vehicle licensing statistics accounting for 17% of all taxis, and the London showing that as of 31 December 2021, the average Electric Vehicle Company TX, accounting for 10%. age of a car in Great Britain was 8.8 years. The next most common models were the: Around 36% of cars were 10 or more years old, compared with 29% of taxis and 15% of PHVs. This • Mercedes Vito (9%) appears consistent with the higher mileage that most • Skoda Octavia (5%). taxis and PHVs are likely to do. The most common PHV models were the: There were some differences in the age of the taxi • Toyota Prius (21%) and PHV fleet by region. While the average age of a taxi was 6.0 years in London, it was 9.0 years in the • Toyota Auris (7%) North West and the West Midlands. In those regions • Mercedes E class (6%). nearly half of the taxi fleet was over 10 years old. Similar regional variations existed for the PHV fleet.

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THE TRADE QUESTION

Nothing beats a taxi driver’s local knowledge of road networks, places of interest, routes and more… but what do cabbies use when faced with a location or area they are unfamiliar with?

Some taxi drivers claim to never have used an app to locate places they don’t know, while some remain old school with paper copy maps.

Overall the consensus was that traffic apps cannot be TaxiPoint asked cabbies which traffic app was best for relied on to provide the best routes, nothing beats taxi drivers. Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps and local knowledge. However, cabbies do use the apps to Cabbies Mate were all mentioned and used for locate addresses and door numbers, get an idea of different reasons. traffic levels and to alert them of speed cameras.

Scottish taxi driver Craig Easton said: “If I'm in a area I Technology used as a tool alongside the driver’s don't know I use Waze as it's better for cameras, knowledge cannot be beaten. roadworks and things like that. “However Google Maps is far better at night to pinpoint house numbers.” Robert Bate also used Google Maps to pinpoint places of interest. He said: “Google Maps for landmark navigation if you don’t know the address. People seem to know a hidden restaurants name, but never the actual address.” Keith Hehir-Lynch commended the use of apps in more vast rural districts. He said: “Most Taxi drivers work outside of London with massive geographical areas to cover, crossing various counties. Waze etc simply give you instant options when your chosen route is not available.”

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VEHICLE It has been suggested that the taxi industry could reach emission goals faster and have more vehicle models to choose from, if changes were made to a long-standing policy based on the wheelchair access points on a cab. All licensed taxis in London must be Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs). Many other cities across the UK also use purpose-built taxi models like the LEVC TX and LTC TX4, which allows disabled people kerbside ramp access via the rear passenger side doors. An employee from taxi vehicle manufacturers Dynamo Motors however suggested that more vehicles would be available if cities like London adopted rear door ramp access. Changes to the standard size of rank spaces would be required to allow for the ramp to be deployed at the rear of the vehicle rather than the side. Several more ‘donor’ models could then be considered for conversions into black cabs like the popular Nissan Dynamo Taxi.

Image credit: John Heath

Graeme James, Dynamo Motor Company Business & Product Advocate, said via LinkedIn: “When I joined Dynamo Motor Company I very quickly had to get up to speed with Transport for London and the conditions of fitness for a London Black Cab. “One of the conditions is that a ramp for wheelchair access is offered at the nearside passenger door. “However, in an independent government study the 'reference' wheelchair only covers 54% of all mobility aid users. “Nearside wheelchair access does offer a safe passage from the kerb side or pavement but physical vehicle size restrictions limit access. With a very simple amendment to ranks, painting approved sized parking bays and drop kerbs, we could open up rear access and accommodate a much greater volume of passengers. “If rear access wheelchair accessible vehicles were granted approval by TfL to be a London Black Cab

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VEHICLE then we already have fully electric solutions available that could offer transport for a much greater percentage of mobility aid users and reduce emissions further within the trade.

Image credit: John Heath

“The solutions are simple and quick to implement if someone is willing to lead the change.” Dynamo Motors recently released details of a new Peugeot E-Traveller, which has been specially designed for private hire vehicle (PHV) operators and local authority use. The vehicle has a WAV ramp built into the rear of the large converted black van and can seat between five and seven people along with the wheelchair. It is the second WAV model to be offered to the PHV sector following an earlier converted Mercedes-Benz. Taxi drivers in London and across the UK are eagerly awaiting news of the next Dynamo taxi to arrive on the market. Long-term, the all-electric Nissan Dynamo taxi will no longer be produced as Nissan cease production of eNV200 Evalia van.

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TAXIPOINT FUEL REPORT In this ongoing monthly feature, the TaxiPoint Fuel Report, we detail the true costs or savings associated with every penny change at the fuel pump. In the review we look at three of the UK’s most popular cabs; the diesel TX4, the electric LEVC TX and the petrol Skoda Octavia. Taxi drivers all work in different ways, so we’ve modelled a few different scenarios and will explain the workings out as we go. Some drivers will work the LEVC cab completely off the electric charge, some a mix of electric and petrol, and there might even be a few mavericks out there JULY 2022 LTC TX4 (Diesel) Skoda Octavia (Petrol) LEVC TX (Petrol range-extender only) LEVC TX (1 EV Home charge then petrol range-extender) LEVC TX (1 EV home charge, 1 EV public charge, then petrol range-extender) LEVC TX (1 EV home charge, 2 EV public charges) AUGUST 2022 LTC TX4 (Diesel) Skoda Octavia (Petrol) LEVC TX (Petrol range-extender only) LEVC TX (1 EV Home charge then petrol range-extender) LEVC TX (1 EV home charge, 1 EV public charge, then petrol range-extender) LEVC TX (1 EV home charge, 2 EV public charges)

who solely use the petrol range extender. At the turn of August fuel prices stood at £1.96 per litre when filling up from the black pump, and £1.88 per litre from the green pump. For electric it now costs on average around 28p per kWh to charge from home and roughly £9 for a full charge on public chargers. At the time of print, prices looked set to drop in August. Here’s how it has impacted your pocket compared to last month and what you can expect to pay moving forwards.

Daily Weekly Monthly Annual 5 Years £40.89 £204.45 £817.80 £9,813.60 £49,068.00 £24.16 £120.80 £483.20 £5,798.40 £28,992.00 £35.49 £177.45 £709.80 £8,517.60 £42,588.00 £30.32 £151.60 £606.40 £7,276.80 £36,384.00 £25.50 £23.38

£127.50 £116.90

£510.00 £6,120.00 £30,600.00 £467.60 £5,611.20 £28,056.00

Daily Weekly Monthly Annual 5 Years £40.28 £201.40 £805.60 £9,667.20 £48,336.00 £23.78 £118.90 £475.60 £5,707.20 £28,536.00 £34.93 £174.65 £698.60 £8,383.20 £41,916.00 £29.96 £149.80 £599.20 £7,190.40 £35,952.00 £26.15 £23.38

£130.75 £116.90

£523.00 £6,276.00 £31,380.00 £467.60 £5,611.20 £28,056.00

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AROUND THE RANKS

Last month saw TaxiPoint’s inaugural ‘Around the Ranks’ section, where we ask different industry representatives from around the UK to explain some of the key issues facing their regions and look at how they marry up with wider issues being faced. Martin Leaves, General Secretary of the Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association (PLTA), highlighted some of the successes and problems facing cabbies down at the tip of the country. Taxi drivers in the area have seen a boost to their earnings since the final coronavirus restrictions were lifted. According to Leaves, this is partly due to a shortage of private hire drivers, but also a reduction of hackney cabs. “There are just 289 licensed taxis in the area at the moment,” said Leaves. “That number should be up nearer 360.” There’s also a problem covering the demand during busy, and livelier, Friday and Saturday night shifts. With an aging taxi driver demographic, there are fewer cabbies needing to work longer full-time working weeks. Leaves told TaxiPoint there are just TWO DRIVERS under the age

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AROUND THE RANKS of 30-years-old in the entire region and that needs rectifying long-term.

From May 2027 private hire vehicles will no longer be able to use white vehicles.

Cabbies have been happy with the system put in place to deal with the rising fuel prices across the UK. Plymouth Council have a ‘fuel escalator’ whereby the cabbies add 10p to the tariff for every subsequent 10p increase over the value of £1.50 per litre. For example, when fuel costs £1.90 per litre, cabbies are able to quickly add 40p to each fare to cover the increased costs.

Leaves said: “It will cost around £4,000 for a respray. There’s also a problem when a cabbie wishes to sell the vehicle. Other cities will not be interested in buying a green and white taxi which narrows our resell market.”

There are two big policy changes making headlines in the Plymouth taxi industry; the green and white livery and mandatory card payments. Plymouth Council are looking for all taxis to sport a distinctive green and white livery. The new livery was given a five-year lead-in time (May 2027) to allow the industry to recover financially from the coronavirus pandemic.

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Whilst the industry understands the aim of mandatory card payment solutions offered to passengers, there is a worry that the remote regions of the Plymouth district don’t have the network coverage to support online payments. Leaves said: “Plymouth is not like London or other big cities. There are plenty of rural areas in Plymouth that doesn’t provide the required level of network coverage.” Some big changes arriving in Plymouth, but one of the biggest challenges remains enticing young drivers into the industry for the longterm.

Image credit: James Kiernan

NEW BOOKING TECH

Image credit: TAXI BUTLER

Taxi Butler have recently unveiled its latest booking technology which allows taxi fleets to capture more automated bookings from venues like hotels, bars, and restaurants using QR code tech. Taxi Bultler QR will offer hotel guests and other event goers a safe, reliable and simple way to get to their next destination. Generated through Taxi Butler’s platform, the QR codes are printed on flyers, table tents or any other marketing materials, and can be placed anywhere inside a venue, for instance in a hotel lobby, hotel rooms, or even an airport lounge. Guests inside the venue simply scan the QR code and instantly book a taxi with a local taxi fleet. Taxi fleets pre-configure taxi types from their fleet and let users choose the right one for them. It also

Image credit: TALAKO

lets them choose at which time they want to be picked up. Taxi Butler QR enables taxi fleets to create a seamless taxi booking experience for their customers with a ready-made web interface. The interface is branded according to the taxi fleet's branding and is fully integrated with their existing dispatch system.

Without having to download an app or sign up, users can book a taxi in just a few seconds. The pick-up location is preset by the taxi company when they create the QR code, allowing users to book a taxi seamlessly by just choosing their destination, selecting a taxi type and entering their contact information. Smart Destinations allows users to easily search and select their destination, 100% hassle-free. Taxi fleets pre-configure taxi types from their fleet and let users choose the right one for them. It also lets them choose at which time they want to be Image credit: TAXI BUTLER

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NEW BOOKING TECH picked up. Using SMS verification, Taxi Butler verifies users on behalf of the taxi fleet using SMS authentication. Users track their taxi live on the map and see when their driver is outside. They’ll see the driver’s name, vehicle information and how much they should expect to pay.

•

Generate even more automated bookings, alongside Taxi Butlers

•

Create exclusivity with local venues

•

Increase brand visibility across venues in their community.”

Users track their taxi live on the map and see when their driver is outside. They’ll see the driver’s name, vehicle information and how much they should expect to pay.

Since the pandemic, the taxi industry has endured several challenges and bounced back, adapting to a new normal. With new technologies aiming to improve automated taxi bookings from venues, there has been a massive shift in how people use taxis and private hire services worldwide. As part of Taxi Butler's vision that people worldwide are connected to themselves and each other, the new 'Taxi Butler QR' is seen as another initiative by Taxi Butler alongside existing ones like RedRoute, Driver Bubble™️, and 20test™️, to bring new features and improvements towards the upliftment of the taxi industry.

Laurence Docherty, Head of Sales at Taxi Butler, said: "Our mission at Taxi Butler is to connect people and bring them closer; it's the foundation of everything we do. To do so, we work closely with taxi fleets to bring them the latest and most innovative technologies that support the taxi community as a whole. Taxi Butler QR is our latest development that will let taxi fleets: •

Make it easier for people visiting local venues to book a taxi with their fleet Image credit: TAXI BUTLER

Image credit: TALAKO

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DRIVER NUMBERS

ARTICLE BY:

PERRY RICHARDSON There were some within the taxi industry who thought taxi driver numbers would bounce back just as quickly as they had depleted over the pandemic. However, TaxiPoint’s prediction of a longer struggle to recruit cabbies, despite the high demand for taxis in many areas, has come true. With this reset caused by the numerous covid lockdowns, the industry can now debate what the perfect number of drivers should be.

Since the explosion in ride-hail services there has long been an over saturation of private hire drivers that suited passengers, but less so the drivers. Taxi drivers were affected as coverage for cheap rides were made available in most cities. It drove down the number of fares available to taxi drivers, with cabbies often scrapping for any work available and taking knocked down fixed price fares. Making a living was becoming unsustainable for many unless they worked long

hours and quite simply there were far too many private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers. The market has now been flipped on its head. Many PHV drivers tried a different profession and have stuck with it. The landscape has also changed in the last couple of years. Workers’ rights and the inclusion of VAT have pushed prices up and passengers back to local taxi services. For a would-be PHV driver the job has become less attractive when considering the

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DRIVER NUMBERS rising cost of Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicles and emission zone fees. Their coverage has as a result become more unreliable to historic users expecting a pre-pandemic service. So, with demand high, why is the licensed taxi trade struggling to return to March 2020 driver numbers? Like with many things, the pandemic sped up trends and the demographics of the taxi industry were not favourable. In 2020 the average age of a taxi and PHV driver was 50-years-old. Only 21% of drivers were aged under 40 and a quarter were aged 60 or over. Fast forward to present day and the average age of a driver has decreased slightly to 48-years-old. Notably though those aged 60 or over made up just 16% of drivers, suggesting planned or early retirement was taken during the peak of the pandemic. Those drivers are not coming back. With this in mind, focus must turn to recruitment of drivers who see the industry as a viable long-term career. However, just 17% of drivers are currently aged under 40.

How do you recruit and retain an under 40year-old taxi driver? This is the million-dollar question for many local authorities, but quite frankly build a job profile that offers job security and financial reward, and they will come. There has been so much change in recent years that it’s difficult to portray a median that Hackney licensed cabbies can expect in 5 years’ time. Higher vehicle costs, increasing restricted road access and a small nagging unknown around automated vehicles long-term is currently pushing would-be candidates elsewhere. Those that take the chance are likely to be rewarded especially in the short-term. It's also important to strike the balance between the number of licensed cabbies and the demand available. No one within the industry wishes to see over saturation once again especially at a time of investment in new vehicles.

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THE READER’S VIEW

WRITTEN BY:

CHRIS SNELLGROVE I have been a Liverpool taxi driver since August 2000. I came on the cabs because I wanted a job that I could work around my writing. I always wanted to be a children's author, from loving the Mr Men to Roald Dahl and much more, it was always something that I really wanted to do. The taxi trade has been hugely important to me because of the flexibility of working any 45/50 hours out of 168 hours in the week. I have been able to write of day and drive of a night or vice versa. I started writing a children's picture book 'The White Bobbadus' in 2004 and finished my final edit in 2007. From 2007 until 2016 I had been rejected by 256 publishers (every single one in the English-speaking world) and 171 agents (again every single one in the English speaking world).

making a profit. It was only ever about trying to get children to read from a young age.

In 2016 I approached an investment bank to see if they would create and publish 'The White Bobbadus' for a 10% stake in the project. They jumped at the chance and offered to do it for less. For me it was never about, and still isn't about,

I have been into primary schools in Liverpool, reading to the children and having Q&A sessions afterwards. The children all seemed to have enjoyed the visits.

On 1 January 2022 'The White Bobbadus' was published through KDP and is available on amazon for £5.99. The quality is of a picture book of a much higher retail price, but I yielded on my profit to have a high-quality book at a really low price.

This has been a long journey, none of which would have been possible without me working as a taxi driver for 20 years.

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MOTORING

Soaring fuel costs have left a hole in the pocket of motorists across the country, but it could be having an unexpected positive impact on the safety of Britain’s roads. That’s according to latest research commissioned by the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, which has revealed that potentially millions of motorists have changed their driving habits for the better amid the fuel crisis.

were factors in 13 per cent of all accidents, and these accidents accounted for 27 per cent of all fatalities Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “The rising cost of fuel is yet another added expenditure in this difficult cost of living crisis, and our research demonstrates that many have been forced to rethink their driving habits in an effort to keep their fuel costs to a minimum.

Of 1,004 motorists surveyed, 72 per cent stated that they had changed how they travel due to travel costs. Of this number, 38 per cent stated that they now drive more economically as a result of rising fuel costs, while almost one in five (19 per cent) have taken extra care to stick to the speed limit.

“Driving slower and more economically will no doubt help keep the pain at the pumps down, but another positive impact of this is, of course, road safety. We would urge those who have adopted slower and smoother driving habits to maintain these habits, regardless of fuel prices. This way, motorists will not only save money on fuel and This respectively represents up to 12.5 million and travel greener, but also potentially save lives.” 6 million of the 33 million people in possession of a full driving licence in the UK who have adopted slower or smoother driving habits in recent times. The devastating impact of driving too fast is demonstrated by Department for Transport statistics, which show that exceeding the speed limit was reported as a factor in 7 per cent of all accidents, but of these accidents 17 per cent were fatalities. In addition, exceeding the speed limit and travelling too fast for conditions

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MOTORING

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UK TAXI NEWS

Image credit: HMRC / ROSS CAMPBELL

Fresh government policy papers relating to new taxi driver tax checks in Scotland and Northern Ireland were released with the goal of going live from April 2023. Image credit: LEVC

any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade. You must carry out the tax check yourself. You cannot ask a tax agent or adviser to do this on your behalf.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently introduced the new tax check that must be completed when people renew their licences to drive taxis, or drive and operate private hire vehicles, in England and Wales.

After you complete the tax check you’ll be given a 9character code. This is your tax check code. You must give it to the licensing authority with your licence application — they will not be able to process your application without it.

The measure will introduce a check on tax registration (a “tax check”) for renewed applications in Scotland for licences to drive taxis and private hire cars and also to operate a booking office.

Tax check codes expire after 120 days, so if you make a licence application for another licence after that time, you’ll need to carry out a new tax check for it.

The measure will also extend to a check on tax registration for renewed applications in Northern Ireland to drive a taxi.

If you’re a partner making a licence application on behalf of a partnership you must complete a tax check for yourself. Your licensing authority will tell you if any other partners also need to complete a tax check.

HMRC hopes this will address part of the hidden economy which consists of individuals and businesses Your licensing authority will need your tax check code with sources of taxable income that are entirely before they can consider your licence application. hidden from HMRC. The hidden economy tax gap (the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid, and what is actually paid is estimated to be £3.2 billion for 2020 to 2021.

What is a ‘tax check’? A tax check confirms that you’re registered for tax, if necessary. It will ask questions about how you pay

AUGUST 2022Image - Edition 40 credit: HMRC

UK TAXI NEWS

Black cab representatives were left ‘disappointed’ after judges REJECTED a legal appeal against ridehailing app Free Now, over claims the taxi firm’s business model around ‘plying-for-hire’ is illegal.

If a minicab driver agrees to take a passenger without a booking already set up, the driver is likely to be deemed to have been ‘plying-for-hire’, voiding insurance of the vehicle as a result.

Black cab representatives United Trade Action Group (UTAG) have long argued that ride-hailing apps, like Uber, Ola, Bolt and Free Now, allow passengers to hail taxis.

A spokesperson said in UTAG statement: “The judgement was handed down today to confirm our appeal has not succeeded at the Court of Appeal.

“This case would likely have been appealed to the The group, funded by industry stakeholders and taxi Supreme Court by the Respondents; therefore, it drivers, plan to apply to the Supreme Court to appeal should come as no surprise to anyone that UTAG the decision. intends to apply to the Supreme Court to appeal this decision. Earlier this month UTAG argued that digital hailing, the process used by app firms across the world, is “We are naturally disappointed by the Court's not a pre-booked process and in fact an immediate decision, however, we remain steadfast in our view hail that is only legally available to taxis. that TfL (Transport for London) licensed an operating model that allows PH (Private Hire) Apps to Only licensed taxi drivers are permitted to ply-forunlawfully facilitate PH drivers to P4H (ply-for-hire) hire. Plying or standing for hire means taking a through the use of technology, to the detriment of passenger to their chosen destination for cash the taxi trade.” without a prior booking in place.

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UK TAXI NEWS There have been urgent calls once again for Glasgow City Council to ease back on the rollout of new Low Emission Zone rules facing taxi drivers. Glasgow Low Emissions Zone rules come into play next year and there are ongoing concerns being raised about the amount of taxis which could be left operating in the city as a result. Unite Union Glasgow Cab Section have stressed that around 1,000 iconic taxi vehicles could be taken off the roads in one swoop if an additional extension to meet requirements isn’t implemented. In a plea to Scotland’s Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth, a Unite Union spokesperson said: “Local authorities across the UK are delaying LEZ rollout due to financial and supply chain issues facing taxi ops. STILL Glasgow City Council digs its heels in on the cusp of a financial cataclysm.” MSP Graham Simpson supported the need for a delay, saying: “Cabbies need more time, or we will lose them. It’s as simple as that."

Image credit: LEVC

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UK TAXI NEWS

Welsh taxi drivers are angry at new proposals to move a key taxi rank located outside Cardiff Central Station to a less accessible and visible spot further away. The Cardiff Central Railway Station rank has provided an essential service to the public for over forty years. Transport for Wales Rail Ltd and Stakeholders have recently proposed a complete relocation of this rank with what Unite Union say is ‘inadequate consultation’ on the impact to transport users and drivers. A Unite Wales spokesperson said: “There has been no impact assessment on how this will affect the public or the taxi trade itself. Our members have not been consulted and are not being included in plans going forward that directly impact the taxi trade and the way that we provide our service.

“The plans show a clear disregard to taxi drivers as part of an integrated transport system, as stated in Welsh Government Transport policy documents, and removes our rank from the convenience of easy public access, and public visibility at the front of the Cardiff Central Railway Station. This is clearly taking away public choice of transport if you require a taxi.”

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UK TAXI NEWS

Taxi drivers have been urged to look at the popular traffic and navigational app Waze to help keep to changing speed limits and stay up to date with new road restrictions. The real-time traffic app also has a handy ‘Taxi’ mode that takes into account bus lanes unlike many other navigational apps on the market. Multiple road network changes were made throughout the pandemic. Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) schemes popped up creating havoc for drivers returning back to the industry after coronavirus lockdowns. There are also a number of new speed cameras in the capital. Roads have shifted from 30mph speed limits to 20mph. According to the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) cameras on Bayswater Road, Euston Road, and Park Lane, all places where the speed limit has changed recently, are catching drivers out.

Plans for RFID cards to be issued to taxi drivers ensuring access onto designated taxi charging-bays could be HALTED after news that the scheme would cost ‘extortionate amounts of money’. Drivers of London electric taxis were originally told they would be issued with RFID cards to put an end to illegally parked private hire vehicles and other cars blocking vital designated rapid chargepoints. In London alone over 5,500 electric taxi drivers have invested hundred’s of millions of pounds in Zero Emissions Capable (ZEC) vehicles since January 2018. The problems around designated taxi chargepoint access escalated so much that a social media channel to report private hire vehicles and other private cars using the bays was established. Drivers on the social media platform Twitter sent in photos, videos and details to @taxis_e who in turn sent regular reports to TfL. In uploaded videos taxi drivers were often verbally abused by other drivers incorrectly using the designated bays. The issuing of RFID cards was seen as a positive move by charging companies and the transport regulator. However, nine-months on from originally approving the idea, the cost of implementing and maintaining the scheme is seen to be too high.

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GLOBAL NEWS

Image credit: BAIDU

AI company Baidu unveiled its next-generation fully autonomous vehicle (AV) Apollo RT6, an all-electric, production-ready ‘Robo-taxi’ with a detachable steering wheel. Designed for ‘complex’ urban environments, Apollo RT6 will be put into operation in China in 2023 on Apollo Go, Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service. With a per unit cost of $37,000, the arrival of Apollo RT6 may accelerate AV deployment at scale, bringing the world closer to a future of driverless shared mobility. As Baidu's 6th generation AV, Apollo RT6 is distinct from previous generations that were otherwise retrofitted on conventional vehicles. The steering wheel-free design provides more space to craft unique interiors, allowing for the installation of extra seating, vending machines, desktops, or gaming consoles. At 4760mm long with a wheelbase of 2830mm, the rider-first Apollo RT6 delivers

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comfort with independent rear seating, ample rear legroom of 1050mm, a purely flat floor and an intelligent interaction system. The Apollo RT6 exterior features a revolutionary look that seamlessly integrates sensors on the sunroof alongside interactive lights and intelligent electric sliding doors to further enhance the riding experience. Robin Li, Co-founder and CEO of Baidu, said: “This massive cost reduction will enable us to deploy tens of thousands of AVs across China. We are moving towards a future where taking a robotaxi will be half the cost of taking a taxi today.”

Image credit: BAIDU

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