SHANGOX

Thought of the day

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Mon, 28 May 2012 04:14:26 PDT

Concepts         are learned. They are not natural. Apart from learning they do not         exist. They are not given, and they must be made. Not one of them is         true, and many come from feverish imaginations, hot with hatred and         distortions born of fear. What is a concept but a thought to which its         maker gives a meaning of his own? Concepts maintain the world. But they         can not be used to         demonstrate the world is real. For all of them are made within         the world, born in its shadow, growing in its ways, and finally         "maturing" in its thought. They are ideas of idols painted with the         brushes of the world, which cannot make a single picture representing         truth.

ACIM 

Time to refocus on 2012 Taxicab Industry Review

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Mon, 28 May 2012 03:04:05 PDT

May 28, 2012

Shangox

I had a conversation with Adib Ibrahim on Saturday.  He was in a remarkable good spirit as one can expect from a man in his predicament. He reminded me that God remains his source for everything and that he did not wish his current circumstances on his worst enemies. Suggesting to me that he was aware of the magnitude of the charge he has been accused of. 

I felt good after talking to him because he is a  friend. I empathize profoundly with his plight and  for a while I was paralyzed with fear, until I remembered the negative nature of this emotion. I had the distinct impression from speaking to him that he would like to see us refocus our attention on the 2012 Taxicab Industry Review to secure meaningful reforms.

It is time to get back to working for meaningful reforms for the industry. First we need a clean break from the past. This means that we do not need Howard Moscoe speaking on our behalf. Especially, when his involvement in the review is being kept a secret from the rest of the industry by those planning to use his services.  

Secondly, we need to follow those who know more about the Toronto taxi market. It has taken 14 years for this industry to get a crack at reforms and the last thing we want is a rookie taking the helm of leadership and having no clue about where to take us.  So many of us older cab operators  cannot afford this luxury. The path to reforms must be made simple.  

This is why the Taxi Drivers Coalition is going to get active again with some programs that would induce our regulators to give credence to some of our modest requests. We believe that Toronto needs one type of ownership licence. We believe that taxi operators are public servants and require a designated status to assist them in providing public service. We believe that there are untapped entrepreneurial opportunities available by integrating taxi services with the TTC. We believe that it is important for taxis operators and Toronto police to work together in the cooperative spirit to provide reliable public service.

So while we wait for the draft report in September the TDC and its allies will vivify the debate about the need for meaningful reforms with a summer full of activities. We will keep you posted.

Thought of the day

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sun, 27 May 2012 06:23:01 PDT

I used to act before I thought, now I think before I act. The results from both actions are like night and day.

shangox

Metro taxi inspector stereotypes drivers as Muslims who "blow up places" Metro HR report faults director over guns, badges

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:46:50 PDT

 
May 25, 2012 
By Brian Wilson 
The Tennessean 
 
 
City officials on Thursday recommended sensitivity training for  all city inspectors of taxis, limousines and wrecker services after one  of them said in an interview that most of the city’s drivers are Muslim  and “a lot of them blow up places.”
 In a report released for the  first time at the city’s Transportation and Licensing Commission  meeting, Metro’s Department of Human Resources also confirmed  allegations that inspectors had illegally carried firearms and police  badges while on duty, giving motorists the impression that they were  police officers.
 No decisions were made based on the report, which  the commission requested after city Police Chief Steve Anderson accused  inspectors of using badges, guns and blue lights in the course of their  work. The commission’s executive director, Brian McQuistion, had not  seen the report before Thursday’s meeting.
 But it confirmed much of what Anderson had alleged.
 “In  this case, there were some considerable missteps that could have been  avoided with greater communication with the Metro Police Department, TLC  staff, the Metro Legal Department, and the Metro Human Resources  Department,” the report said.
 All three commission inspectors  admitted to carrying firearms while on duty, which investigators found  was a violation of civil service policy. After those practices came to  light in April, McQuistion said, that practice ended.
 But McQuistion himself also received criticism.
 “It  is reasonable to believe that inspectors believed they were authorized  to carry their personal firearms absent further instructions from  Director McQuistion,” the report said. “While Director McQuistion made  some effort to understand the requirements to obtain a Police Commission  (required for firearm use), he did not exercise the due diligence  required for such a significant responsibility.”
 The investigation  also found that inspectors used police badges indicating they were  police officers. McQuistion said those badges had been turned in and are  no longer in use.
 Two of the inspectors admitted to having police  lights in vehicles they had used previously, but said the vehicles they  use now don’t have them.
 The recommendation for sensitivity  training for all commission employees, including McQuistion, stemmed  from comments one of the inspectors made when he was interviewed.
 “One  inspector explained that they had 98 or 99 percent of foreign drivers  and most were Muslim. He said they did not mind ‘taking you with them,’ ”  the report said.
 The same inspector told investigators that “a  lot of them blew up places,” an unfounded allegation for which no  evidence was offered.
 Human resources department officials noted  “a heightened anxiety” among the inspectors “due to the culturally  diverse population that they deal with on a consistent basis.”
 The  report suggested that all employees of the commission, including  McQuistion, would benefit from training in diversity awareness.
 “Having  a better understanding and respect for various cultures is fundamental  to effect working relationships with constituents, will help foster good  will, and support the continued safety of inspectors and the  community,” the report said.

Forgery offence used against bogus cabbie

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:33:03 PDT

2012-05-27 09:50

An illegal taxi driver has been detained for using fake documents to pass off his vehicle as genuine, Shanghai traffic authorities said yesterday - the first time this charge has been used against "cloned cab" operators.

Previously, unlicensed cabbies faced lesser charges concerning illegal operations.  But now the authorities are keen to charge them with forging and using official certificates and seals.  This coincides with crackdowns on illegal taxis.

The cabbie, surnamed Wang, was stopped early on Thursday morning in downtown Hongkou District, police said.

Officers found that Wang was using fake taxi invoices, a fake license and even the electronic license tag - a recently introduced initiative - was found to be bogus. 

"It's a former taxi, taken out of service in February," said an official with the traffic law enforcement team, who traced the vehicle to a local company. 

Officials said illegal cabbies fool passengers into thinking they are using genuine cabs, and some then rob them.

Previously, illegal cabbies faced minor punishments and had their vehicles confiscated, said traffic authorities.

"Now we're trying to increase the penalty by charging them with forging official certificates and seals," said Chen Zhaohui, a traffic official. 

Chen said the cabbies mainly get false licenses and vehicles fitted with cab lights and meters from underground markets.

Officials also admitted that many illegal operators are not being apprehended. Local commuters have recently reported being robbed by bogus taxi operators. City taxi watchdogs said they have received three reports of theft but suspect there are many more victims.

Passengers have been robbed of money, public transport cards and cell phones. Officials said they are still looking for the drivers.

Traffic police estimate that there are about 5,000 illegal taxis on city roads, compared to 50,000 legal ones.

Electronic tags have been introduced on licensed taxis to allow for instant identification.

Source:Shanghai Daily

Dubai Taxi sets up aid fund for cabbies

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:18:19 PDT

(Staff Reporter) 

25 May 2012

The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) of the Roads and Transport Authority  has set up a Social Solidarity Fund for cab drivers, which will allow  them to apply for interest-free loans and other benefits.

It  was decided to establish the fund after an elaborate study carried out  by the committee tasked by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and  Executive Director of the RTA, to satisfy some of the financial needs of  drivers.

Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, Head of the DTC Supervisory Committee, said:  “All RTA agencies and sectors are keen on providing all sorts of support  to employees to enable them to carry out their jobs effectively and  transparently.

Addressing the individual needs is crucial for improving the staff  performance, particularly cabdrivers who exert physical and  psychological efforts in serving a wide spectrum of taxi users in Dubai  emirate. Therefore, the RTA views them as ambassadors for they deal with  various community segments.

“The underlying objective of establishing the fund is to assist  members through providing them access to interest-free loans (al-qard  ul-hasan) in amounts not exceeding Dh5,000; paying a compensation of  Dh12,000 maximum to the account of the driver in case of death, God  forbids; Dh5,000 maximum in the event of terminating the service of the  driver due to lack of health fitness; and disbursing Dh1,000 maximum for  medical treatment, in addition to other cases as decided by the  committee, and endorsed by the CEO of the DTC,” said Bahrozyan.

The DTC currently has a fleet of 3,504 vehicles that are operational  round the clock to serve citizens, residents and tourists in Dubai.

news@khaleejtimes.com

Sex in Dubai: Couple faces 3 years in jail for having sex in a taxi

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:08:21 PDT

Written by Victory Oyeleke

Sunday, 27 May 2012 

DUBAI is a picturesque description of a Western Capital, where the  Middle East meets the wild West. But do not let its sky-rise buildings,  slick bars,    

innovative and sophisticated hotels and ritzy shopping mall fool you.  Like other members of the UAE, Dubai's laws, reflect its Muslim  tradition and have zero tolerance to the breaking of its laws.

Taxi. Inset: Rebecca Blake

The  strict Muslim emirate which grew up from a fishing port into one of the  world's financial capital sees millions of visitors globally every year  and it is home to many foreigners.

According to the UK Foreign Office, Britons are proportionately more  likely to be arrested in the UAE which Dubai is one of,than in any other  country in the world. A fact Rebecca Blake and Conor McRedmond are  discovering.

British Businesswoman Rebecca Blake 29, a recruitment consultant with  Manpower and Irishman Mr Conor McRedmond who works for an engineering  company could face up to three years in jail for allegedly having sex in  the back seat of a taxi in Dubai while drunk.

The pair had apparently met at the £10 per head, all- you-can drink  brunch event held at The Irish Village. After drinking for a straight 12  hours, they hailed a cab towards Dubai Marina. According to police  report, soon after the pair got into the taxi, they started necking. The  driver became vexed by their behaviour after witnessing them frolicking  through his rear view mirror. He stopped to complain to a policeman in a  patrol car parked nearby and upon returning with an officer; Ms Blake  and Mr McRedmond were reportedly having full blown sex on the back seat.

A source said “they were completely drunk, started kissing and then got carried away. That's when they started having sex.”

“When the police officer went over, he found the woman was completely naked and having sex on the back seat”

They were promptly arrested and taken to the nearby Jebel Ali police  station and held for five days. DNA samples were taken to determine  whether or not they had sex and had been drinking. The police is  currently waiting for the DNA results before sending them to court. In  the meantime, they were released on bail to friends of the accused who  acted as guarantors and handed over their passports

However, Catholic school educated Ms Blake from Croydon South London  is strenuously refuting the charge claiming, she had not been arrested  on suspicion of having sex and insists she had been alone in the back of  the Taxi.

During an interview, she reportedly said “ I have no idea where these  sex allegations have come from because none were put to me by the  authorities. I was arrested for having a bottle of beer in the back of a  cab, not having sex. That's all. I was alone in the vehicle.” Mr  McRedmond also denies the charges.

Like Blake and McRedmond, Michelle Palmer and Vince Accors were  accused of having sex on Jumeriah Beach in Dubai but they denied the  charge. They were however jailed though the sentence was later  suspended.  A number of couples have also been jailed or threatened with  jail for adultery or having sex while unmarried.

In 2010, Charlotte Adams was jailed for one month for allegedly  kissing Mr Ayman Najafi a British friend who lives in Dubai, while  visiting the Emirate. Though they both denied it, saying they had given  each other a peck on the cheek as a greeting in a restaurant in the  Jumeriah Beach Residences complex.

British Simon Andrew 56 had his passport confiscated for almost eight  months while waiting for his case to be heard for making a  single-finger gesture during an argument with Mr Rasheed an aviation  student.

An Australian nurse working in a Dubai hospital was given one month  jail sentence but served 24 days and was deported at the end of his  sentence after admitting to raising his middle finger to a driver who he  said was driving erratically while talking on his mobile phone.  Unfortunately for him, the driver turned out to be an off-duty army  officer who followed him home and reported him to the police.

Dubai's laws and regulations though more liberal than other UAE  members is none the less strict and not fully comprehensible to  westerners and very easy to end up in jail. Should Blake and McRedmond  be convicted of having sex outside marriage, they face a jail term of  between one month-three years and Blake faces a further six months in  jail and a fine of up to £340 for consumption of alcohol in a public  place. Once they complete their prison terms, they would be immediately  deported, ending their careers.

Disgusted mum hits out after taxi firm leaves disabled son stranded

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:35:45 PDT

Saturday 26th May 2012
By Steven Smith 

A MOTHER says she is “disgusted” that a taxi firm left her 14-year-old disabled son by the roadside. 

Single mum Clare Scott, 35, said United Taxis refused to take Charlie,  who has cerebral palsy, back after a night at the Salvation Army Youth  Club in Winton because they their drivers would not   tackle the lane that leads to their home. 

United Taxis said Yeoman’s Road, where the family lives, was not used  by drivers as it could damage cars, but it did say that it offered to  find Charlie a taxi, which Clare and carer Nivek Kerley   dispute. 

Clare said: “When they phoned for the return he was told all the  drivers refused to do the pick up as they would not go down Yeoman’s  Road because of the state of it. 

“They left my 14-year-old disabled son in Winton. 

“I couldn’t go and pick him up because my other children were in bed. I  phoned the taxi company and said I couldn’t believe they were refusing  to pick him up. 

“They didn’t say sorry, they were just blatant and said they weren’t picking him up.” 

Clare said the road was a problem as it had potholes and was unmade,  but added: “If you drive down it slowly and sensibly it’s fine. 

“I think it’s absolutely disgusting, you don’t leave a 14-year-old.” 

Nivek said: “The woman (on the phone) didn’t even give me a chance to  respond to her, she said drivers refused to drive down Yeomans Road and  there wouldn’t be a car to collect Charlie – she said   if we asked in the future we’d be refused, then she said thank you and  goodbye.” 

Nivek said he booked the taxi for a trip there and back and wasn’t told anything on booking it. 

“There was no apology or understanding, it was really stern,” he added. 

Derek Heritage, marketing manager at United Taxis, said: “When they  phoned back we realised there was a problem getting them back but we  said we would locate a car for her and phone her back, which   we did, but we couldn’t get hold of her. We would have covered the  job. 

“The risk assessment is that the road is so bumpy that it causes damage to vehicles.” 

Calgary Parking Authority seeks to recoup fees from taxi stands

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:20:40 PDT

May 25, 2012Updated: May 25, 2012 | 2:54 am
By          Jeremy NolaisMetro Calgary

Metro Calgary file photo                   The Calgary Parking Authority is looking at recouping cash from city taxi stands   

 Now that Calgary taxi drivers are able to park next to downtown fire   hydrants, the city’s parking authority is recommending they turn over   their traditional stand spaces for public use — or pay for them.

Troy McLeod currently serves as the authority’s manager but devised a   plan to open 130 parking spaces next to downtown fire hydrants while   steering the city’s roads department.

He said it may now be time to review other potential uses for downtown taxi stand stalls.

“If  the taxi industry wants to retain the spaces, we are saying they  could  pay 50 per cent of the value for the stall and partner with the  city,”  McLeod said.

He added that at a meeting in March taxi groups  expressed a desire to  retain the majority of 61 stalls currently  located in 24-7 taxi stand  areas.

But Calgary Livery Association head Len Bellingham said he doesn’t  believe companies like his — Mayfair Taxi — should be required to pay.

“Excuse me, (city officials) are always saying you want more taxis in  the core to help people get home and everything else and now you’re  going to start making them pay to park down there,” he said. “That’s  kind of working against things.”

The parking authority recommendation is now being reviewed by the  city’s transportation department. If approved down the road, taxi  companies would be forced to fork out $5 monthly per taxi license for  each stall retained.

Thought of the day

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:24:33 PDT

An untrained mind can accomplish nothing.

ACIM

Taxi Bias Case Under Review

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:20:53 PDT

By AMELIA HARRIS
The Wall Street Journal 
May 26,2012 
STAMFORD, Conn.—A judge agreed to hear evidence to dismiss a hate-crime case against a Morgan StanleyMS -0.45%  executive charged with stabbing a New York City taxi driver during a fare dispute.

William Bryan Jennings didn't speak during the brief  pretrial hearing in Superior Court on Friday. His attorney, Eugene  Riccio, moved for a hearing on the motion to dismiss, to be heard on  June 21.

Mr. Jennings, Morgan Stanley's co-head of North American  fixed-capital market, waived his right to a jury trial earlier this  month in favor of trying his case before a judge. He entered a plea of  not guilty during a court appearance in March.

Mr. Jennings was arrested on Feb. 29 and charged with second-degree  assault, theft of services and intimidation by bias or  bigotry—considered a hate crime—against taxi driver Mohamed Ammar in  connection with a December dispute over a taxi fare.

The two men gave police dramatically different versions of the incident, according to court papers.

The driver told investigators the banker was "drunk" when he picked  him up outside a Manhattan hotel. He agreed to drive Mr. Jennings to  Darien, Conn., for a fare of $204, but was offered $50 when the pair  reached the destination, according to Mr. Ammar's account.

While Mr. Ammar drove around looking for police, Mr. Jennings swore  at him, told him to "go back to your own country," and allegedly tried  to stab Mr. Ammar in the neck, according to the cab driver's statement.

The fight over the fare left Mr. Ammar "bleeding profusely from his  right hand," according to a statement from Darien police detective  Chester Perkowski.

In his statement, Mr. Jennings denied being drunk and claimed the  taxi driver demanded $300 when they arrived at his home. He said he  offered to pay $160, but was rejected. The executive admitted having a  pen knife but said Mr. Ammar reached through the partition and tried to  grab it from him. Mr. Jennings said he then fled the cab after a  struggle over the knife. 

Mr. Jennings agreed to undergo a polygraph test in February but later withdrew the offer through his attorney, police said.

Police board to revisit Niagara taxi licensing

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:07:56 PDT

Siobhan Morris,
610 CKTB News
5/24/2012

Niagara's Police Service Board has agreed to take another look at how it hands out taxi licenses.

St. Catharines mayor Brian McMullan made a presentation to the board Thursday highlighting cab problems in the city's core.

With 7600 seats downtown, McMullan says so far there's no efficient  way to move a big group of people out safely when bars close on Friday  & Saturday nights.  The mayor says 70% of the people leaving  downtown are headed to the city's south, areas around Brock  University & into Thorold.

Right now taxi licenses are handed out by the police board according  to municipality.  Cabbies can't drive over municipal boundaries to pick  up fares.

McMullan says all available taxis need to be on the road during peak  hours.  He also floated ideas like issuing regional taxi licenses  instead or allowing cabbies to pick up fares anywhere in Niagara during  the post-bar rush.

With some bar-hoppers left stranded downtown for hours, some are choosing to get a lift in illegal or "Speedy" cabs.

The mayor would like to see more done to crack down on unregistered, uninsured cabbies.

Deputy police Chief Joe Matthews admits officers feel frustrated that  all they can do is use a bylaw to hit Speedy drivers with fines.

McMullan says many illegal cabbies dismiss the fines as the cost of  doing business, but thinks jacking penalties up could get their  attention.

He thinks the province could step in too & allow police to  impound the car of anyone picking up fares without a taxi licence,  something that happens in some US states.

Council to rethink its taxi CCTV proposals

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sat, 26 May 2012 02:51:20 PDT

10:30am Friday 25th May 2012
                                           By Oliver Evans             

A controversial plan to record all conversations in city taxis is to be looked at again.

Oxford City Council is set to launch a “more extensive” consultation which could lead to only video or audio recording, rather than both. 

Last year it approved the compulsory scheme after it was backed by two trade bodies. 

But deputy leader Ed Turner said concerns raised by drivers following a  November Oxford Mail report had led the council to think again. 

He said: “The fact we are doing more consultation suggests the first  consultation with trade bodies wasn’t sufficient to get an accurate  view. That is why we are having another round of   consultation.” 

A council report backs more extensive consultation which could ask  “whether either or both types of recording should be introduced”. 

The council and trade leaders argue cameras are vital to provide evidence of attacks and allegations against drivers. 

But civil liberties campaigners claim the devices breach data protection guidelines and are an invasion of privacy. 

Alan Woodward, former chairman of trade body City of Oxford Licensed  Taxi Cab Association (Colta) – who led calls for the cameras but  resigned amid criticism from some cabbies – said “one or two”   opposed the plans. 

He said: “I had drivers in my office complaining about being attacked  by passengers. We also had people complaining to the police about being  attacked by drivers.” 

The association represents 103 of the city’s 107 black cab drivers, he said, and committee leaders were elected each year. 

But minicab driver Khalil Ahmed, who organised a petition of more than  270 opposed to the plan, said: “The council has never consulted the  drivers. 

“Colta never represented Hackney carriage drivers properly.” 

He said the 665 minicab drivers “never had a proper body”. 

Colta was not available for comment. 

Nick Pickles, director of campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: “We  don’t need another drawn-out consultation, we need the council to drop  this intrusive, illiberal policy before any more damage   is done to Oxford’s reputation.” 

The cameras would start when the ignition is activated and stop 30  minutes after it is switched off. Footage would only be viewed on  request from police and council officers. The council wanted all   new cabs to have the £460 cameras, with the existing 665 vehicles  fitted by April 2015. 

It offered to pay £100 towards the cost of each recording system. 

The plan was put on hold pending an inquiry by the Information  Commissioner’s Office which ordered the council to justify the legality  of cameras. 

Taxi Drivers to Be Extra Set of Eyes For Ohio Cops

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Sat, 26 May 2012 02:28:44 PDT

May 25, 2012

Taylor Dungjen

officer.com

May 25--There soon will be more eyes watching the Toledo streets for any unusual behavior or road hazards.

A new partnership between the Toledo Police Department and Black  & White Transportation -- Transportation on Patrol, or TOP -- takes  taxi drivers who already are driving around the city and makes them a  "mobile block watch," police Chief Derrick Diggs said Thursday afternoon  at a news conference.

Police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said the program has "minimal" costs, which  covers the bright-orange TOP decals that will be put on the side of  Black & White's 100 vehicles.

The program is modeled after similar partnerships in Denver, Memphis, New York, and Toronto, Chief Diggs said.

"This is about trying to make the citizens of this city safer," Chief Diggs said.

Sergeant Heffernan said the program does not have anything to do with staffing levels in the police department.

"If we had 700 officers, we'd still be doing this," he said.

Scott Potter, who owns the cab company with his wife, Judy, said the  partnership is the first of its kind in the state and that the drivers  who work for the company logged 2 million miles in 2011.

"That's a lot of eyes and ears on the road to help," Mr. Potter said.

The cab drivers will go through "rigorous" training from Toledo  police officers, which includes what to look for and where to report  incidents -- including what is appropriate for 911 and what is  considered a nonemergency call. Drivers will be instructed not to  intervene in situations but to report issues to authorities.

At least two drivers have taken the training, which is taken  voluntarily by the company's drivers, and say they're happy to help  Toledo police and the city.

"It's an excellent opportunity to do something we already do," said  Daniel Mullins of Toledo, who has worked for Black & White for 15  months. He added that he sees the new watchdog role as a way to "help  the community at large."

Leo Sagman of Toledo, who has worked for the company for nine months,  has also gone through the training. He said when he's out working he  sees reckless drivers, loitering, and general disturbances that he will  now report to police.

"Now we have the tools to help," he said. "... The sooner we report, the sooner [a crime] can be solved or there can be help."

Copyright 2012 - The Blade, Toledo, Ohio

Thought of the day

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:34:32 PDT

To give and to receive are one in truth.

ACIM

Ambassador taxicab driver granted bail

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:37:30 PDT

Updated at 7:02 am

May 25,2012

Adib Ibrahim
Toronto Ambassador taxi driver Adib Ibrahim 43, appeared yesterday before Superior Court Justice Ian Nordheimer seeking for  bail,  regarding the accident  that killed Ralph Bissonnette 28, on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The bail was granted.

Crown attorney, Hank Goody, consented to Ibrahim's release under the following conditions:

a) must remain under house arrest.

b) must surrender his passport, taxicab licence and provincial driver's licence.

c) the only conditions where Ibrahim could be alone are medical emergencies and free access to his legal team.

d) he is not allowed to drive  

e) bail was set at $200,000

The court room was packed with about 100 supporters, which included friends and family but most of them were taxi workers. Ibrahim has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the accident.

The police allege that Ibrahim 's action was deliberate and caused the death of Bissonnette."It’s our investigative belief that the now-accused person who was operating a taxi cab at the time, intentionally struck the victim, causing the injuries and subsequently causing his death. That’s why he’s been charged with second-degree murder at this point, because we do believe it was an intentional act,” Toronto police Det.-Sgt. Terry Browne said last week.  

Additionally, police have obtained a surveillance video that they allege captured part of the incident. Defence lawyer, Barry Fox, has continued to caution the public not to rush to judgment because road rage was not a factor.“No one can believe he did this,” said Lawyer, Barry Fox, after the hearing. “Let’s wait and see both sides.”  

Ibrahim is next scheduled to appear in court at College Park on May 29, 2012 at 10 a.m.  

Taxi driver took abusive Colne racist to police

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:25:35 PDT

 

06pm Thursday 24th May 2012

A TAXI driver who was left terrified when a drunken passenger hurled  racist abuse at him drove the fare straight to a police station. 

And when Leon Horsfall, 30, realised what cabbie Mohammed Wasim was doing he punched him, Burnley magistrates were told. 

Mr Wasim was so shaken by his ordeal that he had to take a week off  work, the court heard. Prosecutor Alex Mann said the taxi driver picked  up the defendant in Nelson town centre with his brother   Christopher Horsfall. 

Leon Horsfall was aggressive from the outset, hitting the back of the driver’s seat, while his brother tried to calm him down. 

The defendant told the cabbie to ‘get back to his own country’ and  repeatedly racially abused him. Mr Wasim became so concerned at his  behaviour that he drove the pair to the nearest police   station. 

CCTV footage at the station shows the driver looking shaken and Horsfall continuing to cause trouble. 

Trevor Grice, defending, said his client had a history of alcohol and heroin problems. 

The injury to the driver was only minor. 

Horsfall, of Cheever Street, Colne, admitted racially aggravated assault and racially aggravated public disorder. 

He was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and 12 months probation supervision and £200 compensation. 

Tony Winder, chairman of the bench, said magistrates were concerned that Horsfall had attacked a public servant while drunk. 

Thought of the day

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:38:31 PDT

" To have, give all to all"

ACIM

Cyclist denies threatening to kill cabbie, trial hears

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:11:08 PDT

By Sam Pazzano

Toronto Sun

                                First posted:                                               Wednesday, May 23, 2012 06:42 PM EDT                   | Updated:                                            Wednesday, May 23, 2012 07:01 PM EDT                 

TORONTO - Cyclist Kris Kastelewicz was  accused Wednesday of threatening to shoot taxi-driver Sultan Ahmed  moments before his vehicle reversed and chopped off the victim’s right  leg.

The 40-year-old witness denied vowing to kill Ahmed seconds before  his Beck Taxi crashed into Kastelewicz, inflicting catastrophic  injuries, including a shattered pelvis on Nov. 14, 2008.

Ahmed is on trial for criminal negligence causing bodily harm and  four other driving related charges. The 41-year-old Maple man has  pleaded not guilty to these charges but guilty to attempting to obstruct  justice for washing the victim’s blood from the cab 13 minutes after  the collision.

“You said to Ahmed, ‘You’re dead, motherf-----. I’m going to get a gun and kill you,” asked Ahmed’s lawyer Raymond Boggs.

“No sir, I did not,” replied Kastelewicz.

Kastelewicz flatly denied several of Boggs’ allegations, which  portrayed him as the aggressor after Sultan’s cab knocked the witness  from his bicycle in the Dovercourt-Argyle intersection.

Kastelewicz said he never held a gun in his life and never had a  firearm in his backpack on the early morning hours of Nov. 14, 2008.

He denied punching the cabbie in the head twice or kicking his  vehicle after the cab knocked him down in a west end intersection  mishap.

He was also accused of trying to drag the driver out of his vehicle, but the witness rejected that suggestion.

The witness, who was a bouncer and bodyguard but was unemployed at  the time, denied a suggestion that he dented the rear side door with a  vicious kick.

Kastelewicz is still recovering from the devastating injuries that  cost him his right leg above the knee and his memory of the crash.

After his verbal confrontation with Ahmed, the witness said he turned his back and headed back to his bicycle.

“The next thing I remember I was in St. Michael’s Hospital,” he told Justice John McMahon.

The threatened violence is significant in this trial as it was  admitted as a fact ealier that Ahmed was robbed by a knife-wielding  bandit on Christmas Day 2007 in the Keele St.-Falstaff. Ahmed phoned  9-1-1 on that occasion and while on the phone with the emergency  operator said he saw two muzzle flashes from a gun and two bangs.The  dispatcher also heard the bangs.

The trial continues.

Escort girl claimed she paid for taxi fare with sex act

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:09:04 PDT

Jayde Watson and Ali Ahmed.

By PAUL CLIFFORD
Published on Wednesday 23 May 2012 10:22

Jarrow & Herbburn Gazette

A FORMER escort who fled from a  taxi without paying a £51 fare claimed she had paid for the journey by  performing a sex act for the driver.

Jayde Watson, who worked under the name of Coco, got the taxi from Durham to her home in South Shields after a night out. 

When  the 25-year-old got to her house in John Williamson Street, she didn’t  have the money to pay the fare and told the driver, Ali Ahmed she would  go inside and get the money. 

But when she didn’t return after 10 minutes, he knocked on her door and threatened to call the police. 

After  Mr Ahmed dialled 999, police arrived and Watson told them they had  struck up a deal in the taxi that she would perform a sex act on Mr  Ahmed in payment of the fare – something which the self-employed driver  denied had happened. 

After a trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Watson was found guilty of making off without paying.

Stan Sudworth, prosecuting, told the court the defendant got in the taxi at 2.15am at Claypath in Durham’s city centre.

Mr Ahmed told the court that he asked Watson if she had the money to pay when she got in the taxi, and she said she did.  

He  added: “About 10 minutes into the journey, she said other drivers had  accepted sexual favours for payment. I said that was bad, and I  wouldn’t.”

He said when he got to her house, she ran inside without paying. 

Watson,  who is listed on an escort website in the Newcastle area as “a genuine  bootilicious Geordie girl who just loves to have fun”,  told the court  she hasn’t worked as an escort for about a year, but still sees regular  clients. 

She said: “We began to chat in the car about our jobs and it just came up that I used to be a lap dancer and an escort.

“He  said the taxi fare would be about £50 – and asked what that would get  him. I told him, and we agreed that it would cover the fare.”

Watson said the sex act took place in a lay-by. 

She added: “I got out of the taxi and went inside, expecting that to be the end of it. 

“Then he knocked on the door about 10 minutes later. I answered it and he put his foot in the door. 

“I told him I would ring the police, but before I could do that, he rang them himself.” 

Chairman  of the bench Steven Bradley said the magistrates believed Mr Ahmed’s  version of events, no sexual act had taken place and Watson owed the  money for the fare. 

Watson was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £51 compensation to the driver. 

After the case, Watson said she would be appealing against the verdict. 

She said: “I’m shocked and disgusted at the verdict. 

“I’m very emotional and have always maintained my version of events is what happened.”

Twitter: @ShieldsGazCrime

Thought of the day

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:41:12 PDT

All power is of God.

What is not of Him has no power to do anything.

ACIM

Ambassador cab operator's bail hearing rescheduled

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:55:27 PDT

May 23, 2012 

Adib Ibrahim

The bail hearing for Ambassador taxicab operator Adib Ibrahim has been  rescheduled for May 24, 2012 at 361 University Avenue at 10.a m.

As you may recall Ibrahim was involved in a fatal collision  with a skateboarder about a week ago. His original  bail hearing which was scheduled for yesterday was postponed and a short video conference was held instead. There is also a publication ban in place regarding this matter.

The taxi community in Toronto is called upon to show support to our friend and colleague during this period where he and family are undergoing extreme stress and anxiety.

For more information please contact:
Mohamed Omer at 416-732-1440

Cyclist testifies against cabbie accused of maiming him

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:01:29 PDT

            By                                                                                                              Sam Pazzano  

Toronto SunFirst posted:                                               Tuesday, May 22, 2012 08:40 PM EDT                 

TORONTO - Cyclist Krzysztof “Kris”  Kastelewicz testified Tuesday that he can’t remember the horrific impact  when a Toronto cab hit him, costing the man his right leg and  fracturing his pelvis.

Beck Taxi Cab driver Sultan Ahmed admitted in court at a judge-alone  trial that he was driving the vehicle when it inflicted catastrophic  injuries that dramatically changed the 40-year-old former cycle cross  enthusiast’s life.

Kastelewicz told court that his last recollection was walking back to bike after a verbal confrontation with Ahmed.

The crushing blow from the cab severed an artery, which forced the amputation of his right leg above the knee.

“I was about to touch my bike and the next thing I remember was  waking up in the emergency room in St. Michael’s Hospital,” said the  bearded witness, who is still undergoing rehabilitation and  psychological therapy almost four years later.

Ahmed, 41, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault, criminal  negligence causing bodily harm, failing to remain and two other charges.

However, he has pleaded guilty to attempting to obstruct justice for  washing the victim’s blood from the cab 13 minutes after the collision.

Kastelewicz recalled he was cycling home shortly after 2 a.m. on Nov.  14, 2008 when a taxi arrived at the four-way stop intersection at  Dovercourt Rd. and Argyle St., north of Queen St. W.

“I started moving east and the cab went south. You have to make a  decision. Initially, I thought I would go in front but then I went  behind,” said Kastelewicz, who was unemployed and out of school at the  time.

The 175-pound cyclist was knocked to the ground.

“I shouted at the driver, ‘Stop, stop’ I don’t believe I was injured at the time.”

He approached the taxi’s almost closed driver window and asked the driver if he saw him.

“The taxi said ‘F--- you’ and then said something in some other  language I don’t understand,” Kastelewicz told Mr. Justice John McMahon.

The witness said the swearing cabby exited his vehicle and stood  almost nose to nose with Kastelewicz, who said he raised his open palm  hands to his shoulders and walked away.

“I may have touched him. I never touched his vehicle,” said Kastelewicz.

“Why didn’t you engage him?” asked Crown attorney Mihael (Note: Correct spelling) Cole.

“If I cannot understand what he’s saying to me, what’s the sense of talking?” replied the witness.

The trial resumes Wednesday.

Peter Hadekel: Hailing a cab in Montreal just got a lot easier

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:59:23 PDT

By Peter Hadekel, 

The GazetteMay 23, 2012
 
Taxis  at the Queen Eilzabeth Hotel.
Photograph by: PIERRE OBENDRAUF, The Gazette
So many apps, so little time.
With  the universe of iPhone applications reaching into the hundreds of  thousands, you have to wonder how software developers can make a buck.

How many times will a user actually click on the product when there’s so much else to choose from?

Well,  the answer is pretty simple, says Patrick Gagné, president of  Montreal-based TAG taxi. Successful developers have to “put the user at  the heart of the experience.”

His TAG taxi app, launched this  month, tries to do just that. It’s a GPS-based application that allows  users to order a taxi from a mobile phone and specify all kinds of  requirements: the type of vehicle, whether pets are coming on board, how  much luggage there is, the desired method of payment, etc.

Customers can rate the service and the overall experience, then share that information on social networks.

It’s  a market that’s already getting crowded. A check online reveals a  number of competing products with names like Taxi Magic, TaxiPal,  myTaxi, etc. In Montreal, Diamond Taxi has already developed its own  branded app.

That doesn’t deter Gagné, who estimates only five per  cent of taxi orders are processed digitally and that there’s plenty of  room for everyone to grow.

The firm’s chairman, Christian Trudeau, adds what separates the company from competitors is the quality of its technology.

He  likes TAG’s business plan, which eventually calls for a  business-to-business component: marketing to big companies where  employees might now use taxi chits and where a digital system would be  more efficient.

Montreal is home this week to several conferences  devoted to starting up new ventures, and Gagné will be making the rounds  to tell TAG’s story.

The idea first germinated at an interactive  communications agency in Montreal called Prospek. One of the partners,  an ex-taxi driver, came up with the concept of a GPS-based application.

The  agency decided to invest in the project on its own, bringing in a  minority investor from the outside. Gagné wouldn’t specify the amount of  seed money invested to date, but said it’s under $1 million.

Development  of the software took about four months, and it took another two months  to test the product. Even now, he spends a lot of time answering email  from customers who provide feedback.

“Originally, it was just a  project for Montreal and then the idea grew beyond the Montreal market  to the rest of Canada and, eventually, North America.”

TAG was spun off as a separate entity and Gagné was brought in to run the show this spring.

He’s  a former director of digital strategy at Transcontinental Inc., where  he managed the company’s mobile portfolio. He recently brought in  Trudeau, another former Transcon executive, to serve as chairman.

So  far in their first month of operation, they’ve signed up one client in  Montreal – Taxi Coop. The system allows Taxi Coop to enter orders  directly into its GPS system, easing the order flow.

The  application lets users see the cab’s estimated arrival time and, as they  wait, they can follow the taxi’s progress in real time.

The  rating system allows passengers to provide immediate feedback on the  ride, the driver’s courtesy and driving habits and the car’s overall  cleanliness. That should help cab companies improve service, 

Gagné says.

“What  we’re launching is an application that caters to a digital native  crowd,” he says, comparing his goal to that of the leading mobile  reservation system for restaurants – opentable.com.

The taxi  business is very different from the restaurant business, he admits, but  both are quite fragmented. “No taxi company has more than three per cent  of the marketplace.”

One thing he stresses is that TAG has no  expertise in running a taxi operation, it’s just a service provider to  urbanites such as business executives, commuters or tourists who use  them on a regular basis.

“Each agreement we will be signing in different cities will have a different tweak to it.”

TAG also is looking to roll out a version of the system for the Android operating platform.
phadekel@videotron.ca
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

noreply@blogger.com (Shangox) — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:48:58 PDT

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 4:00 AM

Craig Warga/New York Daily News

CAB FARES are going up — and it’s about time.

  When the Taxi and Limousine Commission meets on May 31 to get public  comment on a proposal to increase the fare by up to 20%, don’t expect  fireworks.

  And when the commission finally gets down to voting sometime after  that, there will be less real drama than in an episode of “Keeping Up  with the Kardashians.”

  Fares are bound to be increased — and it’s only fair that they should.  Taxi drivers haven’t had a raise since 2006, while gas prices have  soared to obnoxious heights.

  Gripe all you want about your cabbie yakking on a cell phone while  driving, but the vast majority work 10-hour days, six days a week to pay  the rent, feed their families and, hopefully, put their children  through college.

  City Hall wouldn’t have signed off on the commission’s announcement  Monday that a public hearing will be held unless it supported boosting  the fare.

  And there will be little public outcry. There’s no organized group  championing affordable taxi rides — which, after all, are a convenience  for many, but not a necessity for all.

  The fix is in, to be sure. At least the little guy will win this time around.


Metro Calgary file photo The Calgary Parking Authority is looking at recouping cash from city taxi stands