News

Things are really taking off in world of flying taxis

The idea of flying taxis still seems like something out of a science fiction movie – even though they could be hovering over the streets of Paris, taking passengers to and from this summer’s Olympic Games.

Sci-fi has become reality – the technology exists, the flying taxis have been built and test flights have been carried out. But, understandably, flying cabs must satisfy multiple safety and aviation regulations before they are allowed to operate – and all the licences needed for this summer’s Olympics are not quite there.

Free Knowledge sees PHV drivers moving to black cabs

Across the UK, PHV drivers outnumber public hire taxi drivers by an average of five to one. But cabbie numbers are increasing, especially in London, where there is a drive to get PHV drivers to make the switch.

One of the biggest draws has been initiatives by operators such as Freenow, Gett and Addison Lee, who have been supporting PHV drivers to pass The Knowledge – an encyclopedic knowledge of the 15,000 streets and 10,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross – the starting point to driving a black cab in London.

Taxi drivers hit out at rising licensing costs

Taxi drivers want a council to explain why their licensing fees – which they say are already among the highest in their region – are about to rise again when the service they receive is “appalling”.

Taxi and private hire drivers registered with Dudley Council are unhappy that their fees will increase by 2.3% from from April 1. Both taxi and PHV drivers currently pay £475 for a three-year licence, on top of their taxi insurance and rising fuel costs.

Speed limit ‘prank’ is nothing to laugh about

Few people like being pranked, especially when it leads to a fine, points on their driving licence, rising insurance premiums, a driving ban and, in the case of taxi drivers, the loss of their livelihood.

This is precisely the situation hundreds of drivers are facing after pranksters changed a 40mph speed limit sign for a 50mph fake on A20 near Sidcup, south-east London.

‘Taxi tax’ will be final nail in the coffin, say PHV drivers

PHV drivers are calling on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to stop the ‘taxi tax’ in his Budget on Wednesday, amid fears a 20% fares hike will hit drivers and passengers “like a train”.

Fares could rise after a High Court ruling last year that taxi companies were liable for VAT – not drivers. Now, HMRC wants 20% VAT levied on the full fare of all PHV rides – which would raise prices for passengers across the country.

Can wheelchair users get into your taxi or PHV?

Today is International Wheelchair Day, when users celebrate the positive difference a wheelchair makes to their lives.

But, despite changes and improvements, it is also a reminder of the difficulties they still face, including using taxis and PHVs.

As seen in our picture of John and Billy Paton introducing the first wheelchair-accessible FX4 Fairway in the late 1980s, modern black cabs are designed with disabled access in mind.