•Taxpayer will be lumbered with £260,000 bill
•Civil liberties groups brand move a 'staggering invasion of privacy'
•Council says it is acting after increased complaints including sexual assaults and attacks on drivers.

Cab drivers and their passengers are to be spied on during journeys in what has been denounced as a ‘a staggering invasion of privacy’.

CCTV cameras are to be fitted in 650 taxis – costing the taxpayer £260,000 – to monitor drivers throughout their shift and record the conversations of passengers.

The cameras will begin recording sound and vision from the moment the ignition is turned on and remain on for 30 minutes after the engine has stopped running.

Big Brother is listening to you: Every taxi in Oxford will have a CCTV camera

The footage gathered will be kept for 28 days on a CCTV hard-drive in case it is needed following, for example, an attack on the driver.

It will cost Oxford City Council taxpayers £400 to fit each of the 107 black cabs and 545 private hire vehicles in the city with the CCTV system.

The fact that recordings will be encrypted and only accessible in the event of a police investigation are added safeguards, a council spokesman insisted.

Civil liberties campaigners attacked the measure.

More…News of the World 'hired private investigators to spy on MPs weeks before hacking scandal erupted' Car park charges soar as local councils rake in £1.35bn a year from motorists

Nick Pickles, the campaign group's director, said: ‘This is a staggering invasion of privacy, being done with no evidence, no consultation and a total disregard for civil liberties.

‘Big Brother now has big ears, and they are eavesdropping on your conversations with absolutely no justification.’

He added: ‘Given that one rail route to Witney [David Cameron's constituency] is through Oxford, we'll be letting the Prime Minister know that his staff might want to avoid using Oxford cabs.’

A spokeswoman for Oxford City Council said video and audio would run all the time in the cabs but officials will only be allowed to view the material if there has been a complaint.

Complaints: Oxford City Council said it acted after an increase in complaints where it was one person's word against another

The authority said complaints against both taxi drivers and passengers had increased year on year and without CCTV the allegations 'amount to one persons word against the other'.

Complaints included overcharging, sexual assaults and attacks on drivers.

The spokeswoman added: ‘Oxford City Council considers that so long as clear notices are provided in vehicles which inform passengers that video and audio recording may be taking place, the risk of intrusion is acceptable compared to the public safety benefits.

‘In any event, the level of privacy reasonably to be expected in a licensed vehicle is far lower than that expected in the privacy of one’s home or own car.’

She added that the footage will not be routinely viewed, but will be kept for 28 days on a CCTV hard-drive in case it is needed following a specific incident.

CCTV: Oxford City Council said as long as clear notices appear in all taxis the 'risk of intrusion is acceptable'

A spokeswoman for the Information Commissioner's Office said it is not normally justified to use CCTV to record conversations between members of the public as 'it is highly intrusive'.

But she added that council applications to install cameras in cabs are likely to be acceptable because of the number of crimes being committed in taxis.

An ICO spokeswoman said: ‘Licensing authorities must take account of people's right to privacy when deciding whether to impose CCTV as a licence condition for taxi drivers.

‘As well as assessing the impact on privacy, we have accepted they [councils] can take into account factors such as the likelihood of crimes being committed against drivers and passengers; the vulnerable one-to-one situation; the fact that taxis are travelling all over the area at different times of day; and CCTV can protect both the driver and passengers.’

All taxis licensed for the first time by Oxford City Council must have the equipment installed from April 6 next year. Cabs which are already registered will have until April 2015 to get the camera fitted, the council said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2061394/Oxford-City-Council-CCTV-taxi-plan-record-conversation.html?printingPage=true

The new proposals have been put forward by Wellingborough Council as part of plans to improve standards.

Only Hackney Carriage drivers are currently asked to undertake a knowledge test of routes across the town.

This test also acts as a basic English test.

Barry Liffen, chairman of the Wellingborough Hackney Carriage Association, said: “If it’s simple maths tests then I think it’s fair.

“I think drivers have got to have a basic command of English to be able to communicate with passengers.

“But, if they are asking us to sit a GCSE in English then I think it’s going a bit too far.

“Anything that increases professionalism and confidence in taxi drivers in Wellingborough has got to be good, but I don’t think there have been many complaints about drivers in Wellingborough.”

Under the proposed new policy taxi drivers could have to take advanced driving tests if there are complaints about their driving or if they are involved in collisions.

Karl Morrissey, 46, was a taxi driver for 27 years in Wellingborough before leaving the profession this year.

He said: “I agree with anything that is going to get the standards up.

“There are so many people of different nationalities coming in to this line of work, but the drivers need to be able to understand all of their passengers. I agree with the maths tests because passengers would not be happy if they were short-changed.”

Councillors will discuss the plans at a meeting on Monday. People will then be able to comment on the proposed new policy during a period of public consultation.
http://www.northantset.co.uk/community/local-businesses/taxi_drivers_face_english_tests_1_3249952

The Black Cabs' history goes back to the time of horse-drawn cabs which were called Hackney Cabs. The term comes from the French word haquenee referring to the ambling horses used to pull the original Hackney Carriages. The Hackney Carriage originated in London, England in 1625. The cabs still come under some of the old rules from the horse-drawn days. The Black Cabs are the only taxis that are allowed to pick people up from the street. There are also mini cabs in London, however they can only collect someone if they have made a prior arrangement by phone.

Before a taxi driver gets his Hackney Cab Licence he or she must pass a test called 'The Knowledge'. This is a difficult test and requires the cabbie to know the streets of central London like the palm of their hand. Mini cab drivers do not need to pass this test.
The Knowledge

Taxi drivers in London undergo a demanding and arduous testing of their knowledge of the city, its daily traffic patterns and the fastest routes between locations. Estimates suggest that gathering the basic understanding needed to acquire The Knowledge involves a full-time year of study, absorbing the information provided by street maps and travelling around the city itself.

The result is that drivers of official London Hackney Cabs are renowned for their detailed and intimate knowledge of London's streets and attractions. Strangely enough, scientific study has shown that possession and expansion of The Knowledge increases the size of the anterior and posterior hippocampi of the brain - the area that handles spatial memory and spatial navigation.

Compared with baseline controls and inexperienced cabbies, long-serving taxi drivers possessed considerable more developed hippocampi.

The Vehicles

There are currently 3 makes of vehicle licensed to ply for hire in London:

LTI (London Taxis International) - FX4 taxi, Fairway taxi, Fairway Driver taxi, TX1 taxi, TX2 Taxi & TX4 taxi.
Metrocab - Series 1 Metrocab, Series 2 Metrocab, Series 3 Metrocab & TTT Metrocab.
Eco City Vehicles - Mercedes Benz Vito Taxi.
All of these vehicles have to conform to the conditions  of fitness as set out by the PCO (Public Carriage Office).

http://www.taxi-london.net/

"One of our ideas is to convert London taxis into electric," Li Shufu, the company's chairman, told the Financial Times. "We are doing research on this project."

Geely owns about 23 per cent of Manganese Bronze, the Coventry-based producer of black London cabs, and 51 per cent of a Shanghai-based joint venture with the UK company that will produce the cars in China starting this December.

Mr Li said that he had discussed the idea of electric taxis in London with Boris Johnson, the city's mayor, at the Beijing Olympic games in August. Mr Johnson supports the idea.

Manganese Bronze this year signed a research and development agreement with Tanfield Electric Vehicles to develop all-electric plug-in taxis. Manganese Bronze's share price has slumped in recent weeks after hundreds of its TX4 cabs were taken off the streets following a series of engine fires.

Geely, like China's other rising automakers, is developing its own plug-in hybrid and electric cars, including an electric version of its Panda city car that it may seek to sell in Europe. Mr Li said developing electric vehicle technology would be a major strategic focus for the company in future.

Geely's plan to build London taxis in Shanghai is one of a string of investments by Chinese companies seeking to apply low-cost production to iconic overseas assets.

Rival carmaker SAIC recently relaunched production of MG TF sports cars in Longbridge and makes the Roewe brand of cars in China largely based on tools and designs formerly owned by bankrupt MG Rover.

LTI Shanghai Automobile, the JV, plans to sell the Shanghai-built cabs to taxi operators, hotels, and other buyers in China and overseas, with a view eventually to building 10,000 vehicles a year.

The Chinese operation will also supply parts produced at a lower cost to LTI's flagship operation in the UK.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/79089ff4-9e3f-11dd-bdde-000077b07658.html

Judge James Spencer QC told 18-year-old Kevin Haley that the attack on Asif Javed in Brocklesby Drive, Allerton, was a wicked offence.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday how Mr Javed had been returning home four months ago when he saw Haley knocking on a neighbour’s door.

After Haley asked the cabbie what he was looking at he punched Mr Javed in the face. Haley, of Allerton Grange Drive, Allerton, then demanded money from Mr Javed, who handed over £60.

Mr Javed was punched again before Haley fled the scene, but he was recognised by a local resident and the complainant picked him out during identification procedures following his arrest.

Judge Spencer said Haley had told “a pack of lies” when he was interviewed by the police and he noted that the teenager had a very bad record.

Haley, who pleaded guilty to robbery, was already subject to a community sentence at the time he committed the offence. Barrister Abdul Iqbal conceded that his client had an unenviable record, but pointed out that there was no previous offences of robbery.

Haley has already served 104 days on remand and he is expected to be released from custody after serving half his sentence.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/3776876.Teenager_locked_up_for_attack_on_cabbie/

How long it takes to become a licensed taxi driver depends on whether you want to be an All London driver or a Suburban driver.

London or the suburbs?

All London drivers, also known as Green Badge drivers, need a detailed knowledge of London within a six mile radius of Charing Cross.

Initially there are 320 routes or runs to learn, along with all the places of interest and important landmarks on and around these runs.

It takes between two to four years to learn and pass the All London Knowledge. Once you are licensed you can work anywhere in the Greater London area.

Suburban

Suburban drivers, or Yellow Badge drivers, need to choose from one of the nine suburban sectors and know between 30 and 51 runs in detail, depending on their chosen sector, and all places of interest and important landmarks on those runs.

It takes around two years to become a licensed Suburban taxi driver. Once qualified you can only work in the sector you are licensed for.

You can find out more about the two types of licence available on the Licence types page. 

Knowledge makes your brain grow

The brain will grow as you learn and put into practice the Knowledge, says research by the Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience.

On scanning the brains of 16 London taxi drivers, who had spent an average of two years learning the Knowledge, they found they had a larger right hippocampus than control subjects.

Find out more on the study on the Wellcome Trust website.

See also: http://www.londontaxiknowledge.co.uk

Why Use a Taxi Firm?
Taxis and private hire vehicles now offer an invaluable service to those people who need to get to work on time, who prefer not to drive at times or who don?t have a car or can?t drive. Using a taxi or hired car helps avoid using trains, tubes and buses, all of which may come with congestion, difficulties and delays. Many taxi firms allow the setting up of accounts or ongoing arrangements for regular journeys.

There are hundreds of taxi firms that provide transportation services to major airports, including Heathrow, Manchester, and Birmingham Airports, Gatwick Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Newcastle Airport, Luton Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Aberdeen Airport from a home, hotel or other location. Using a taxi means no worries about traffic delays, parking, or timely arrival. If using a taxi to catch a flight make sure to book a pick-up time well in advance of the check-in time. Taxis also provide transportation between airports for connecting flights. Taking a taxi to the airport is convenient and cost effective.

Alternatively, when on holiday, a car hire firm may be more suitable — especially if there a few days free to explore surroundings, discover hidden sights and visit secluded villages, for example. Many will offer a free service to pick up and drop back at the airport if the car is hired for a week or more. This option allows time to explore at a leisurely pace. Prices start from ?30-?35 per day, depending on the duration of rental and type of vehicle.

How to Choose a Taxi Firm
When hiring a taxi in advance, use one from a reputable firm. Make bookings by phone or have the hotel arrange the hire. There will always be a registered taxi rank inside/just outside airports and train and bus stations. In many cities and towns taxi can be hailed down in the street for short journeys — in others they may have to be picked up at a taxi rank/office. Don?t be tempted to use unlicensed taxis or mini-cabs — especially late at night in pub/club districts — as this can be dangerous.

Care Hire Tips
If hiring a car for a longer journey/longer period then these tips will be useful:
Be sure the taxi or car hire firm carries insurance.
If the vehicle insurance policy is from an EU based insurer (including the UK), it will cover third party insurance in EU countries. But third party cover can be inadequate to cover all costs and it is safer to have more insurance when hiring a car. Check with the insurance company to see that there is adequate cover for the countries involved.
Take photos of the hire car before driving off and make notes on its condition. Before returning the car, take more photos and notes on its condition and sign them. This is valuable evidence should any dispute arise. The hire company should also note the condition of the car on the contract.
If an accident occurs, get a written estimate of the repair costs. Check with the hire company as to what to do next, but a written estimate should help avoid disputes regarding repair costs.
Return the car on time.
Check all paperwork and ask for a copy of the final form. Then no one can change the report or charge extra later. Check the contract thoroughly and ask for explanations of anything that is not clear. Be aware of extra costs like petrol/mileage, child seats and taxes.
Choosing a Taxi Firm Online
There are advantages to choosing a taxi firm online:
Price quotes are provided in advance via e-mail or the website.
No queues.
Ensures dealing with a known taxi firm.
No need to worry about language barriers.
Convenience.
Trade Bodies
There are many trade bodies/associations for taxi and private hire vehicle services including:
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA)
The London Motor Cab Proprietors' Association (LMCPA). Contact the LMCPA on Tel 020 7275 7589.
The Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA)
The National Private Hire Association (NPHA). Contact the NPHA on Tel 0161 280 2800.
The National Taxi Association
Setting Up a Taxi Account
By using a taxi firm consistently, they will get to know the journeys made regularly by the passengers and any needs they may have. Sometimes discounts are offered for regular use or regular trips. This also saves paying for a taxi as it is used as it will be charged to the account to be settled up later. Make sure to have the contract read thoroughly by an appropriate person in the company to check it is OK. Most importantly, do check that the firm is registered with an appropriate association and that they have full insurance cover. This will save time, hassle, and money.

Consider using a taxi firm or car hire for transportation instead of driving or using trains, the tube or buses. This could save a lot of hassle, time and money in the long run.

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The London Taxi Directory has been developed by the same team that are behind the very popular Taxi-Mart website. We have extensive experience in the London taxi trade. Our expertise runs from driving taxis and running a fleet of black cabs right the way through to taxi sales and of course the Taxi-Mart website.

The main aim of the London Taxi Directory is to provide a complete all round service for licensed London cab drivers. We have information on all companies providing all services to the London taxi trade from companies who sell taxi insurance to companies that provide medical care and taxi repairs.

What ever your Taxi Trade needs, our aim is to provide for it. No matter what information you need to find that relates to the London Taxi Trade, this is the site for you. The idea for this site is not new but we want to make this the best site of it's kind. So if you have any ideas on how we can improve please let us know.

Week by week we will be adding new services and products as they become available, so it's well worth bookmarking the site to aid your next visit.

www.londontaxidirectory.co.uk

Using the site is very easy. If you want to look at Taxi Service Providers from all Regions, leave "All Regions" in the drop down box on the left side above the category listings. Then click on the category header that you are interested in. If you want to narrow the search to a particular area, choose it from the drop down box and then choose the category that you are interested in. Listings in bold have been placed by our advertisers. Follow these links and you will find details of special offers available only to UK Taxi Directory members.

The UK Taxi Directory has been developed by the same team that are behind the London Taxi Directory and the very popular Taxi-Mart website. Our experience was originally drawn from the London Taxi Trade, buying and selling taxis, running a taxi workshop and also previously from the courier industry. Since starting Taxi-Mart some 3 years ago we have allied this "Taxi Trade Knowledge" with a broad understanding of the internet and more especially search engine marketing.

www.uktaxidirectory.co.uk