Latest news with #HackneyCarriage
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Vector-control drive across all KP facilities
Kolkata: Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar has initiated a comprehensive clean-up operation across its facilities, allocating Rs 56 lakh for sanitisation and greening efforts ahead of the monsoon season to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. The initiative extends to police stations, armed forces barracks, and various departmental buildings. "An external agency will be contracted to maintain cleanliness and manage plant care at traffic guards throughout the year," a senior police official stated. The scope includes the Tala Traffic Training School in North Kolkata, the DC (Traffic) South office, Hackney Carriage branch, stationery, and clothing store. The directive specifically addresses concerns about impounded vehicles near police stations, which can become potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Officials have been instructed to ensure proper drainage and prevent water accumulation in these areas. An officer said that the district and commissionerate officials across the state received similar directives for their respective jurisdictions.
Times
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Times
Motorway middle-lane hoggers aren't a nuisance: they're dangerous
The trip meter on my dashboard has ticked over 11 miles by the time the white Hackney carriage finally indicates and pulls into the inside lane. Could it be he's had an epiphany? After all, in the time he has been driving in the middle lane he's only driven past one permanent sign that says 'Keep left unless overtaking' and — quite conveniently — a dot matrix sign emblazoned with 'Don't hog the middle lane'. Sadly it's not an epiphany. Moving lanes, it transpires, was necessary to come off at the next junction. I'd followed the taxi from Junction 1 of the M1 at Brent Cross in London all the way to Junction 6, for St Albans, in Hertfordshire, as the driver cruised obliviously up
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers risk fines after motorists spotted ‘flouting' key High Street rule
DRIVERS in Stourbridge are being warned they could face fines if they fail to comply with night time restrictions around the town centre. Dudley Council has announced it will begin enforcement action after several motorists have been found to have been 'flouting' the rules of the night time Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) that is in place on Stourbridge High Street. The TRO restricts vehicle access to the High Street between midnight and 4.00am, with only licensed Hackney Carriage taxis permitted on the road during these hours. However, the council has said private hire vehicles have been spotted breaking the rules, with some illegally parking and utilising taxi rank points. Drivers found to be contravening the order or illegally parking could face a fine of £70, with private hire drivers also risking a review of their licence. Cllr Damian Corfield, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environment, said: 'The TRO and parking restrictions are in place to help keep people safe when they are enjoying Stourbridge's night time economy. 'Unfortunately, we have had several reports of drivers ignoring the rules and this could place people at risk, especially youngsters who are out having fun. 'West Midlands Police will now be undertaking enforcement operations in the area to ensure the TRO is not being breached. 'We will also take enforcement measures around the use of parking and taxi rank bays.' Working with West Midlands Police, Dudley Council said it is reviewing signage and markings in the area to make it clear what parking restrictions are in place. Hackney Carriage drivers will be able to continue to use the taxi ranks on High Street. Drivers of private hire vehicles and other privately owned vehicles instead should relocate their meet point away from the High Street, with Dudley Council suggesting other nearby locations, such as Lower High Street or Crown Lane.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Cabbies fear 'hundreds' of taxis will be 'forced off' Manchester's roads at stroke of New Year's Eve midnight
'Hundreds' of black cabs could be 'forced off Manchester's roads' at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, drivers fear. New emissions rules come into effect on January 1, 2026, which means older black cabs will no longer be able to run as taxis in Manchester as they're non-compliant with the Greater Manchester clean air plan. A 'clean taxi fund' was created in the clean air deal between Andy Burnham's office and the government, designed to subsidise the cost of a new taxi. But it's only worth £8M, far below the £30M local leaders initially asked for. READ MORE: Air ambulance lands amid massive emergency service response after man hit by bus READ MORE: Police issue update after man killed in workplace incident on hospital car park The government felt Greater Manchester could bring pollution levels within legal limits without the full £30M taxi fund, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands, and instead provided £8M of funding for additional reassurance. Reduced funding 'will not go anywhere near to covering' upgrades, taxi leaders claim — but they believe the bigger issue is 'a huge supply chain problem'. 'They are expecting 1,350 vehicles to upgrade between now and December 31 [across Greater Manchester],' explained Nayyer Ahmad, a Hackney Carriage driver who's plied his trade in Manchester for 24 years. 'It's £95-£100,000 for a new cab. There's very little available on the secondhand market. It physically cannot be done for 1,350 drivers.' Another cabbie of 14 years, who asked to stay anonymous, added: "Traditional London taxis stopped being made in 2017. 'There's the minibus type, Mercedes Vito, but they come out of the factory as a van and they are converted by a company in the Midlands. There's a huge waiting list for them. 'The electric cabs are horrendously expensive. That's about £100k when you factor in insurance. And there's no charging points.' Even though second-hand vehicles are out there, they usually cost between £30-40,000. The downturn in trade caused by the pandemic, surge in fuel prices after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and rise of alternatives like Uber and Bolt means drivers feel even this is a stretch. Some 766 out of Manchester's 1,100 black cabs could be 'obsolete' next year, they claim. It's a prospect Mr Ahmad, 58, said would 'hurt him' because 'the black cab is a national symbol'. The union rep is now calling on the authorities to relax the emissions rule so the drivers can run their vehicles to the standard 15-year limit, when cabs are usually barred from Manchester's roads. 'We are asking, let these vehicles run to 15 years,' he said. 'By the end of the year, 200 will have to upgrade anyway because it's the 15-year limit. But to force everyone on one cut-off date will wipe everyone out.' In response to the pleas, a spokesperson for Manchester council said: 'For a number of years the council has been working with the taxi trade to ensure that they have a full understanding of how changes in emissions requirements could affect them. 'The council has also strongly lobbied the government, both past and present, for an expanded package of support which would allow vehicle owners to successfully make the transition to a vehicle that is compliant with new regulations. 'Officers are already preparing a report to recommend the relaxation of the compliance date and exemptions for licensees, to allow vehicle owners a longer period to switch to a vehicle that conforms to the new standards.' The LDRS understands the report could be presented to a licensing meeting in late April. A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson responded to the calls by announcing its 'proposed measures' to help the taxi trade will also be published in mid-April. A statement said: 'We are conscious that both Hackney and private hire drivers have faced really challenging times – not least the Covid pandemic and pressures from out of area licensing. 'Taxis play a crucial role in our transport network, serving our night time economy and providing a lifeline to many. 'The mayor and the city-region's ten leaders want to not only improve taxi standards, but safeguard and support the livelihoods of Greater Manchester-licensed drivers. 'Last week they held a wide-ranging discussion to consider proposals for how best to engage with and support the taxi trade. "Details of the proposed measures will be published on Wednesday, April 16 – coinciding with a planned round table with the taxi trade – to be followed by a 12-week period of meaningful engagement on the way forward.'
