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| Author: | JD [ Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Essex News |
November 6, 2007 Tuesday Unlicensed cab driver robs passenger Echo A PASSENGER was punched and robbed of his mobile phone by an unlicensed cabbie. The 26-year-old man hailed the unlicensed mini-cab in Shoe Lane, in the City of London, after a night out. The cabbie dropped the victim near to his home in Centurion Way, Purfleet, but a row broke out after the driver tried to charge the man more than the amount they had agreed. As the victim argued with him the driver grabbed him and pushed him up against a nearby wall. Both men fell to the floor and the driver punched the victim before searching his pockets, helping himself to a Nokia mobile phone and fleeing. Bill Stock, police spokesman, said: "We are keen to catch the culprit responsible before he strikes again. "However, with the Christmas season approaching, we would also like to use this incident to remind partygoers not to get into unlicensed cabs." The taxi driver is described as a black man, aged in his mid-40s and around 6ft 1in tall. He was heavily built, with short black hair and a three-inch scar stretching from his eye to his cheek on the left side of his face. Witnesses to the attack, which happened at 3am on Saturday, can contact police at Grays on 01375 391212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. __________________ November 6, 2007 Tuesday End of the road for cabbie cowboys Echo BASILDON taxis have new markings to protect passengers and stop cowboy cabbies earning a dishonest living. All licensed taxis must now have stickers, emblazoned with their Basildon Council licence number, fastened to their cabs. Previously, taxi drivers were issued with magnet markings, which they were supposed to attach to their car when they were working. These could be taken off when they used their car for personal reasons. Dave Blackwell, chairman of the Basildon Hackney Carriage Association, said: "The problem was some drivers would either forget, or not bother, to put the magnet back on. "That caused confusion because customers would not know for certain whether they were catching a proper taxi or not. "It meant women in particular were in danger of catching unlicensed cabs, plus cowboy drivers could earn a bit of cash on the side posing as a taxi, even though they hadn't paid their license fee." Council spokesman Chris Johnson explained the permanent stickers cut out confusion because they cannot be removed. _______________________ October 31, 2007 Wednesday Colchester: Taxi fare hike is on the cards Gazette The meter could be ticking over faster, as taxi drivers look to increase the fares they can charge passengers. Facing rising fuel and insurance costs, drivers have applied to Colchester Council to increase the rates they can charge passengers. Don Rhodes, of Colchester Hackney Carriage Association, said rising costs mean drivers can find themselves earning less than the minimum wage. He said: "The price of fuel has gone barmy and insurance costs are going up too. "The council have to agree the rates, and the increases we have asked for are quite modest." Maximum tariffs for taxis - which can pick people up from ranks - are set by the council. The application to increase fares will be discussed at licensing committee on November 28. Minicabs, which must be booked in advance, are free to set their own fares. ____________________ |
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