World Taxi Cabs News
Training for Taxi Drivrs in Namibia
14/05/2010 - namibian.com.na
I AM concerned about some taxi drivers’ rudeness on the roads as well as towards commuters, and to make matters worse, they get away with this every time.
My advice to NABTA: Implement formal training (maybe 6 months) for taxi drivers. Only drivers who successfully completed that training should be allowed to serve the public. Some taxi drivers behave like they have been picked up from the streets, as they are very rude, vulgar and offensive. Also implement an SMS line where we can report these hooligans, and after a number of complaints received and warnings given, suspend their licences. Taxi owners, see to it that you hire civilised and trained drivers. The rights of other road users and commuters are being violated.
Taxi and bus drivers slapped with fines in Kuala Lumpur
14/05/2010 - thestar.com.my
ONCE again, bus and taxi drivers were slapped with summonses from five government agencies during the Ops Halang in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The ninth operation this year saw about 200 summonses being issued to drivers for various offences, including obstruction.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) together with the traffic police, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), Department of Environment (DoE) and Road Transport Department (RTD) visited 10 locations in Kuala Lumpur.
Among the locations were Jalan Silang, Jalan Sultan Mohammed, Kota Raya, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Hang Lekiu, Jalan Kasturi, Lebuh Ampang and Jalan Melaka.
DBKL issued 157 compounds, while CVLB issued six, the traffic police 23, JPJ 13 while one bus was summoned for excessive smoke emission by the DoE.
The officers also summoned tour buses for parking along the yellow line in Jalan P. Ramlee.
However, the 30 officers from all five departments were greeted by hostile taxi drivers at the Persiaran KLCC during the operation.
The drivers who had parked along the yellow line immediately tried to drive off as the DBKL officers approached.
However, the outriders managed to stop them from fleeing.
Head of operation Saiful Anuar said: “The drivers said we were hindering and ‘disturbing’ them but they had clearly committed an offence.
“The road is a public road and they are clear ‘No Parking’ signs as well as the yellow line to forewarn them,” he said.
Saiful said the taxis were parked while waiting for their turn to pick up passengers at the Traders Hotel but the lack of space forced them on to the streets.
Government May Reduce Tokyo Taxis by Up to 30% on Oversupply, Nikkei Says
13/05/2010 - bloomberg.com
More than a fifth of Tokyo’s taxis may be taken off the roads as the government seeks to address an oversupply among company-operated fleets, the Nikkei newspaper said.
Between 20 percent and 30 percent of 32,000 cabs in the Tokyo area should be taken out of service, the newspaper said, citing plans from the transport ministry.
Nationwide about 40,000 taxis are expected to be decommissioned, the Nikkei said.
About 214,000 of Japan’s 260,000 taxis are operated by companies, the report said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Kazuyo Sawa in Tokyo at ksawa3@bloomberg.net
More taxi service in King County for wheelchair use
10/05.2010 - seattletimes.nwsource.com
A test of taxi service for people who use wheelchairs will continue and be enlarged, the Metropolitan King County Council decided Monday.
A test of taxi service for people who use wheelchairs will continue and be enlarged, the Metropolitan King County Council decided Monday.
Because the 16 taxis in the two-year pilot project couldn't meet demand, the city and county plan to issue 45 licenses for wheelchair-accessible cabs. Drivers will be allowed to pick up non-disabled customers, but must give priority to people using wheelchairs.
High-top van joins Boston’s taxi fleet
01/05/2010 - boston.com
Your next cab ride may get a lot roomier — and look a bit more funky.
Ford’s Transit Connect, a high-top, streamlined cargo van from the automaker’s European division, was approved yesterday for taxi use by the Boston Police Department. Boston is the first city in the country to OK the van for taxi use
The van made its US debut last August. Ford sold 4,335 of the vehicles in the first three months of this year, largely to delivery companies and small-business owners looking for more maneuverable, fuel-efficient work vans.
The automaker said it will build enough taxi models for “whatever the market demands,’’ although the popular vans are selling quickly.
While the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV has become popular for taxi use in cities like New York, the number of Escapes pales in comparison to the ubiquitous Crown Victoria, a model that will be discontinued next year.
Boston has 1,825 licensed taxis, according to Mark Cohen, director of the Hackney Carriage Unit of the Boston police, and most are retired patrol cars with extremely high mileage. In January 2009, Boston police banned the purchase of used vehicles for taxi use.
Although cab companies are now required to buy new models, a city mandate to replace all taxis with hybrids was overturned last year after taxi owners cited excessive costs.
While the number of late-model cabs on Boston’s streets remains low, the Transit Connect’s ample headroom, rear air-conditioning vents, and four-cylinder engine may prove popular with taxi companies looking to stand out — and save fuel.
“It’s as close as it gets to a purpose-built vehicle,’’ said Cohen.
Ford estimates the Transit Connect will improve fuel economy by 30 percent over cabs with V-8 engines.
An electric version promising a range of 80 miles per charge will debut this summer.
Better Place tests electric taxis in Japan
27/04/2010 - ynetnews.com
Global provider of electric vehicle services launches Tokyo battery-switching station to serve city's largest taxi company. 'We chose Japan to awaken Japanese automobile industry, to show them it is possible,' says company's Israeli CEO Shai Agassi
Global provider of electric vehicle services launches Tokyo battery-switching station to serve city's largest taxi company. 'We chose Japan to awaken Japanese automobile industry, to show them it is possible,' says company's Israeli CEO Shai Agassi
"I believe this project will be very effective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and will therefore contribute to the fight against global warming," said Sakihito Ozawa, Japan's environment minister on Monday.
"For the sake of creating a viable society, I very much hope this project is a success," he added.
"Today is a historic turning point in the journey which we began some two-and-a-half years ago," said Better Place CEO Shai Agassi, "When we chose Japan, we did so to awaken the Japanese automobile industry, so that they may see that what we have 'on paper' is the real thing.
"Just one year ago, when we first presented the charging station prototype, most car manufacturers said it was impossible. Today, it is not only possible, but it is a solution that serves taxis that pick people up in the street."
Taxis responsible for 20% of air pollution
"The new battery-switching station has 12 batteries at any given moment, which can serve a fleet of 200 taxis," Kiyotaka Fujii, head of Better Place in Japan told Ynet. "The choice of taxis for the trial was very natural. There are some 60,000 taxis in Tokyo, which make up some 2% of the total fleet of automobiles, but emit 20% of the carbon dioxide that comes from transportation. Therefore, converting the fleet of taxis to run on electricity carries with it a great environmental advantage.
"
According to Fujii, funding for the battery-switching station came fully from the Japanese government. "Government involvement is very much needed to expand the use of electric vehicles. It will speed up their development, encourage buyers, and assist in the necessary infrastructure development," he said.
He added that the model that Better Place and the Japanese government are testing could easily be copied to other cities around the world.
During the Tokyo test run, all aspects related to the operation of an electric car will be tested, including the distance of a journey, the influence multiple charges have on the lifespan of a battery, and the vehicles' convenience.
Better Place sources said that a wide-scale test will be held in Israel after the Tokyo experiment, and will include charging stations and battery-switching stations.
It should be noted that a number of electric car tests have been conducted around the world in the past two years. For example, BMW leased some 100 electric Minis in New York for a year-long trial. During the test period a number of problems were revealed, including shorter ranged than planned by the manufacturer, as a result of the cold weather in the winter.
The reporter is a guest of Better Place in Japan
Taxi prepaid
30/03/2010 - www.taxorg.org
Due to the events of recent weeks, when the cases of non-payment for taxi services, taxi companies do not exclude the idea of transition to prepay.
Now, from April 1, all the taxi services of the city of Duluth, Minn., will oblige their drivers working in the evening and at night, take a prepayment passengers. Passenger will be asked to pay a down payment before he sits in a taxi, or else show the driver the money, thereby demonstrating their ability to pay.
Refusal to give passengers a prepayment, will serve as the driver excuse not to provide taxi services to this client.
Greek taxi drivers refuse to Easter margins.
28/03/2010 - www.greecetoday.ru
Panhellenic Federation of taxi owners sent to the Ministry of Transport Greece a special letter, in which the Greek taxi drivers are asked to cancel the traditional Easter surcharge for passengers.
The letter says that in difficult economic conditions, taxi owners have taken this decision so as not to overburden the budgets of additional Greek families in the joyful holiday of Easter.
In Maryland, a woman, ehavshaya to the hospital, gave birth right in the taxi.
23/03/2010 - www.cafemam.ru
As a result, the hospital had come she was not alone, but with a newborn.
Tanieka Vaughan had a baby in the cab of his father. When the man's daughter sat in the back seat, then saw the baby's head appears. Childbirth has proved to be near a doctor.
Mother and baby hospitalized in a medical center of the University of Maryland.
Britain sells tradition.
21/03/2010 - www.bfm.ru
Production London black cabs moved to China. Manganese Bronze, the parent company of taxi manufacturer LTI, also announced plans to sell shares and transfer of controlling shareholder China Geely Automobile.
Traditionally, the British car brands Mini and Rolls-Royce now become German, Jaguar Land Rover - Indian, Aston Martin - the Middle East. A few weeks London taxi manufacturer Manganese Bronze, the owner of London Taxis International, will become Chinese. It is another loss of British Industry. And in this case the traditional British symbol, in fact one of the sights - famous black London kebe. But the alternative - the ruin of the producer, writes British The Times.
The company Manganese Bronze said it has launched additional shares to its Chinese joint venture partner and shareholder of Geely Automobile. As a result, a minority shareholder will present a package of 51% of Manganese Bronze. Issue will be held at the price of 70 pence for the paper, which implies a 18 percent discount to the average market price of 85.5 pence. As a result, Manganese Bronze will attract 14 million pounds to repay debt and working capital. Minority shareholders, who can be against such a measure, there is little they can do, writes The Times. Manganese enters the market in this section of AIM with more liberal regulation, where the rules allow issuers such a maneuver. Nevertheless, to decide on the transition to AIM, Manganese will need support from holders of more than 50% of the shares. But it is virtually guaranteed.
Executive Director, Manganese, John Russell (John Russell) said that the company has virtually no choice. "To compete with other manufacturers producing a taxi from low-cost production, we had to buy parts from China.
The company said that the factory in Coventry will be cut another 60 jobs, there will be only 120 people on assembly lines. It was decided along with other components imported from China as the body and chassis cab models of the latest TX4, their assembly will be carried out in Coventry. According to Russell, in the future in the UK will remain the smaller and less costly production with a much larger volume of exports from China.
Manganese pretax loss last year increased to 8.1 million pounds against 6.2 million pounds in 2008.
Manganese Bronze black cab has released the first in 1948. Since then, the assembly line of the company went down more than 100 thousand legendary machines. Taxi LTI - a familiar part of the traditional image of London, even though such machines are found on the streets of other cities in the world.
His usual name of the current black cab has received from the light two-horse cabriolet 19 century (Hackney Cabs), which replaced the more massive crews of 17-18 centuries. Today's black cab - one of these symbols of the city, along with Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the red double-decker buses. Over the years, the production has been replaced several models of different brands, but the cab has always remained associated with the image of London. Today, the main producer of the London Taxi is owned by LTI Vehicles, owned by Manganese Bronze. From October 2006 to manufacture a new model of taxi TX4.
London taxi is a model of reliability and security. Before you get a license, the next taxi driver must pass a test, called The Knowledge. To successfully pass it, the driver must be able to know the city, attractions and the shortest driving directions from one point to another. Preparing for the test may take more than three years, that is the study of his craft cabman devotes an enormous amount of time. Driver who has successfully passed the most difficult test that is guaranteed to choose the most rational route, thus saving time and money for the client. To all the black taxi used clear eligibility requirements (Conditions of Fitness), regulating the diameter of the turning vehicle and the parameters of the cabin. Including traditionally provides that the ceiling height in the passenger compartment should be such that the car could comfortably accommodate a gentleman in the cylinder. Since January 2000, all cabs must be adapted for passengers in wheelchairs. Then replace the previous model cab FX4 (also called Fairway) model came TX1.
The highest level of requirements for the traditional black kebam really can achieve the highest level of service.
London taxis are the best in the world, evidenced by the survey, conducted in 2009 by order of a tourism portal Hotels.com involving 1,400 travelers. London taxi drivers have been recognized as the most friendly and knowledgeable city best. London taxis have also been among the best according to criteria such as cleanliness of cars and the opportunity to catch the car at any time. In addition, a trip to London taxi - the safest in the world, reports the BBC
Tourists go to a grand tour of Australia in a taxi.
16/03/2010 - www.eg.ru
The route will be 11 thousand kilometers
Australian Ministry of Tourism invited ten couples to make a nine-week trip in a taxi across the west of the continent.
Applications for participation in this action have filed hundreds of Australian taxi drivers. Passengers may be a pair from Australia, Britain, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Germany. To participate in the selection must be sent to organizers of the contest 60-second video clip or a letter, which lists the advantages of the candidate.
All participants will be required to travel to travel blogs with photos and videos with the sights and beaches of the west coast of Australia. All expenses, including accommodation and meals will be paid by the authorities. Beginning stocks already scheduled for April 9.
Egypt struck female taxi on sexual harassment.
15/03/2010 -
mignews.com
Egypt, like most other Arab states, has a bad reputation when it comes to the attitude of men towards women. The Islamic ban on the emergence of women in public unaccompanied by counsel not grow up in a vacuum - single women ever become objects ribald jokes, hoots, and indecent touching.
98% foreign and 83% of Egyptian women say that they were targets of sexual harassment. At the same time, in Egypt there is no law defining the term "sexual harassment" and punishment. Meanwhile, the level of violence against women has increased so much, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Zeinab Radwan said that it could cause "a collapse of the nation."
Egyptian society is struggling with this, however, the introduction and implementation of stringent laws to protect the dignity of women and efforts to stop bullying on the streets, and sexual segregation in all spheres of public life, including segregation in transportation.
In the Cairo subway for quite some time cruising wagons "just for women.
Many cafes also announced that their exclusive clientele are women.
Now in Cairo, had the first taxi company, drivers and customers which are exclusively the fairer sex.
Despite the fact that the female taxi is very popular, not everyone is happy with his appearance. Feminist indicate that such initiatives "further widening the gap between the sexes, while men grumble that women are taking away from them" men's work.
The New York taxi drivers cheated their passengers to 8.3 million.
14/03/2010 - www.rg.ru
In the city of yellow taxi - New York erupted scandal: how clarified Town Hall, drivers over the years have used "recycled" counters to service its passengers.
As it turned out during the investigation, which was held on the complaint of one of the passengers deceived, some taxi drivers deliberately used to pay for the higher rate of intercity travel, designed for suburban routes and trips to the suburbs of New York.
As a result of wrong "ticking timers" gathered c yellow taxi passengers, at least 8.3 million "extra" money. As calculated in the City Hall of New York, nearly 2 million visits to the largest U.S. city people have cost twice as much than they should be.
Interestingly, in New York, cruising about 48 thousand licensed taxis and more than 35 thousand of them at least once cheated of their passengers. Of these, more than anything "distinguished" 3 thousand individuals ushlyh drivers of yellow taxis, which are collected from their customers pay double to 100 times or more. And one uncovered in catch a taxi driver and does go on record, cheated 574 people in just one month.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has harshly criticized the work of urban taxis and said that "some people are facing serious charges." In addition, Bloomberg was extremely disappointed by the fact that money back passenger shortchanged New York "cabs" are not.
Indeed, the current in the large cities of the U.S. system does not suggest an automatic issuance of checks passengers a taxi - the fare is displayed on the screen, the electronic counter. At the same time, in the case of a request to issue a check of the passenger, the driver is obliged to do so, however, hardly any of defrauded customers of the New York taxi kept these documents.
As estimated in the course of the investigation, the average overpayment for the services of taxi drivers in New York was within $ 5. "Conspiracy of taxi drivers" have to disclose the data path through comparing machines with sensors GPS, installed in all New York taxis since 2007, and the actual travel.
Meanwhile, the mayor of New York has ordered the set for taxi passengers special monitors, which will inform them immediately in case of a higher fare for the trip.
Maternity hospital on wheels.
12/03/ 2010
- Daily Mail (UK) / panoramio.com
New York taxi cab traffic jams have turned to the hospital, and the taxi driver - a midwife. Woman gave birth in the car, before reaching the hospital. Car at the time stuck in traffic jams in a Brooklyn tunnel.
Newborn baby, weighing just over three kilograms, was named Jacob. He was born in a taxi cab to the great surprise of his mother, father and a taxi driver. Couple in rush hour trying to get to the hospital.
Contractions in 31-year-old Mai Poulton began the morning of Thursday, and they muzhom went to the hospital. However, impatient kid did not wait until the parental taxi passes all traffic jams.
- "We were horrified. What are we going to do now?" - Recalls a young mother. - "Little has emerged, but the umbilical cord still connected it with me, and I was lying half-naked in the backseat of a taxi."
Terms of survival in a foreign taxi.
10/03/2010 -
Turist.rbc.ru
There is hardly a more dangerous and unpredictable traffic than a taxi. The drivers of all countries are similar: they were cheated, deceived, and even rob, rape and kill their clients. What should we expect, stopping a taxi in a city of peace?
Seoul, South Korea
It seems that taxi drivers can not get lost on the streets of Seoul, as their cars are equipped with GPS-navigators. However, some drivers were replaced by machines in minitelevizory: much more interesting to watch movies than to track the satellite path. Last year, city officials have declared the practice illegal, and even impose a fine of 500 dollars, but the court overturned that decision. Local police believe that such fans of TV in 2008 became the perpetrators of 200 accidents that have affected 350 people.
Tip: A trip to a white car would be cheaper, but safer to choose the black taxis, which are usually waiting for customers at the door of the hotel. Much less can be seen orange car, but more likely it is that their drivers understand in English, which means that they can use to explain that you should not watch soap operas at the wheel.
Mexico City, Mexico
At first glance, the problems with taxis in Mexico City there: visible green cars are omnipresent. However, the capital is full of frightening stories of a taxi - about a quarter of cars pirated. Their drivers have been working in the genre of "express kidnappings": the client is brought to the ATM and at gunpoint forced to withdraw all funds from the plastic card.
Tip: better to use only those taxis that are caused by a hotel employee. And before getting into a car, check her room: Does this figure has been manager?
New Delhi, India
Market metropolitan taxi in India is divided between black and yellow Fiat and colorful motorikshi. They must use the meter and observe tariffs, but the trouble is that the drivers ignore the fact, and more. Trip to motorikshe more dangerous: in these small cars no seat belts, or even doors. Tuk-tuki (namely the so-called in India, these many-scooters) continually fall into the news reports: that drivers were robbed and raped by passengers, the carriages suddenly ignite spontaneously.
Tip: many shops are special cards on which you can calculate the cost of travel. And the head waiter to order a taxi, ask your hotel - he certainly call into one of the two most reputable and reliable companies operating in India.
Johannesburg, South Africa
During the apartheid era in minivans rode on the work of the proletarians, and now these cars become a shuttle bus, which can be found almost everywhere. But they obviously should not be used for those who suffer from claustrophobia: a salon for up to 10 seats, stuffed usually people 20. However, and all the rest should think before you sit in a wagon of: drivers prefer not to think about the traffic rules and ride on a crazy speed.
Tip: on the black continent, existing customary law - addressed to the staff at the reception by the hotel, he will call a taxi for a solid company with the insured driver.
Lima, Peru
Voting in the street, you are literally asking for themselves to ensure that you have been robbed or raped. The U.S. State Department reported that in 2007, a taxi was robbed even of the American Embassy. What is the reason? The fact is that in this country to become a taxi driver can be anyone who buys or simply take a rental car and put him on a plate. And many nonresident drivers know the city is much worse than the tourists.
Tip: The hotel staff is sure to help solve the problem and cause a reliable taxi. But do not forget to make sure that the driver has locked the door, because armed robbers sometimes jump in the car, standing at the crossroads.
Cairo, Egypt
On these black Fiat scary to watch, even when they are on the spot. A lot of old cars, no lights, some body parts replaced with "non-native" and unpainted. However, if you happen to go in this car, you probably will forget about such trifles. The drivers say the rules unnecessary formality, like to drive the car, casually holding the steering wheel with one hand, and even at night prefer not to include the lights.
Tip: You better stop the choice on the "yellow" taxi one of the three companies - working on such machines, drivers are trained better "chernofiatnyh" colleagues.
Bangkok, Thailand
Sitting in a three-wheeled tuk-tuk, it is hardly worth it to seek safety belts. This transport is not for the faint of heart: delicate motorikshi at great speed cut into the dense flow of traffic, so that the passengers only the wind whistling in my ears (after all, the doors, then this form of transport is also provided). On the road the driver will try to start you in a variety of shops, restaurants and massage parlors - from the owners of these establishments, he receives a commission for each customer.
Tip: The taxi from the colorful cars in the Thai capital of hurt in her eyes. They say that the most multilingual drivers go in the green car. North to the cabin, pay attention to the counter. If it does not work, but the driver does not think to include it, better look for another taxi.
Manila, Philippines
Sit in a car with a stranger - a bad idea anywhere, but in this city especially, because to rob those who sit in the back seat - one of the most common crimes. First of all, do not sit in cars parked along the side streets. And even if the passenger had attacked no one, lives miserable sitting in the cabin is still in danger: despite the stifling-hot climate, the vehicles are not equipped with air conditioning.
Tip: You refer to the hotel staff that they not only brought the car but the driver and checked its number and license.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Since in the 1990's were banned pedicabs, the Indonesian occupation of streets mototaksi. Authorities are completely unable to regulate this miniotrasl. And as a result - drivers are regularly robbed the passengers and themselves suffer from avtougonschikov. Although the driver must wear a helmet and have a spare for the passengers, none of these subtleties are not remembered.
Tip: Take care of your health! Use by four means of transportation!
The fee for a taxi would be fixed.
06/03/2010 - meeting.lv
In Vilnius, plans to introduce a fixed fee for passengers traveling from the International Vilnius airport to the center of the capital.
Thus, the City Council will deal with dishonest drivers, vozyaschimi passengers at higher fares.
This issue was discussed at the meeting held on Friday, the mayor of Vilnius Vilius Navickas and CEO Thomas Vayshvily airport.
Until October last year, taxi services at the airport had provided only one firm Vilnius - Marton taxi. After the expiration of the contract with this firm Mwape invited all the companies offering taxi services in the capital, to serve passengers from the airport. Contracts were signed with three companies - Pigus taxi "," Myarsyalita and Marton taxi.
Now the average cost of taxi services - 6 Liters per kilometer and 9 Liters per landing.
In early February, it was found that two drivers Martono taksi five times higher than the established fees taximeter.
Living in Germany Münster can not only comfortably ride in a taxi, but also sing a favorite song.
06/03/2010 - 1tv.ru
The taxi driver from the German city of Munster combine business with pleasure. At first, he just sang for their passengers, and then decided not to be distracted from the road and set in a karaoke machine. Now all anyone can pass the time, singing a favorite song.
And some passengers is so much that they even asked to take them to work, with songs to get home.
Who can say that for such a serious form of hiding the soul of a DJ? This is probably the only taxi driver in Germany, which includes the passenger first song, and only then - counter.
Nitsametin Kilinkli, a taxi driver: "People have asked me to put a CD or listen to the radio. And one time someone said:" I want to sing! "I thought, why not. I've never heard of a club-karaoke wheels.
Typically, passengers do not realize, in a taxi sit. Outside - the car, like a machine, no inscriptions and decorations. Only when they see the microphones on the seat, understand: something wrong here. Someone, however, hesitate to sing, and someone said: Hey, driver, make me another circle!
Alex Ulrich, passenger transport service: "Class, super, kick-ass contraption!" When we return to the six in the morning, and you pick us, we still do not sing well. "
No contemporary singers in a karaoke cab can not compare in popularity with the old German hit 80. Eternal hit "Gross social product" will give odds to any holders of the Grammy. There is a music library in a taxi and Russian songs.
Marek Zuhe: "As a child I heard the Russian song, I do not remember how exactly is ..." White roses "?..."
"White Rose", "Purple haze", and of course, "Zelenoglazoe taxi" - all of these songs are in the collection of Munster taxi karaoke.
Dima, Zina and Mary, who are studying in Germany, went on a student's party fun, but it turned out - fun in a karaoke cab.
Sometimes the driver is going through. What if tomorrow will be asked not to put the old songs, but something new?
Nitsametin Kilinkli, taxi driver: "The old songs, they, nevertheless, the old. It is necessary that people had an alternative. For example, rap-karaoke for young people." Karaoke taxis can not be distinguished from Russia route. Already waiting: now you will be asked to allocate for travel. By the way, a good idea for drivers of our minibuses: passengers riding the gray morning at work and sing your favorite songs. But who knows, maybe in your town already has a karaoke on wheels?
Want to spend Saturday night at the bar?
06/03/2010 - zman.com
Taxi!
If the night from Friday to Saturday, you going to a bar or an exclusive club, where, among other treats to sell alcohol, call a taxi, and leave your car parked outside the house: in this case, the festivities will be cheaper than if you sit behind the wheel.
1300 fines were discharged traffic police in just one night.
According to Israeli public radio, 50 drivers were on the ground disenfranchised for serious violations of traffic rules, mostly - for exceeding the permissible speed.
40 cars "rejected": taxi drivers can not appear on the road for as long as they do not repair his car.
In the center of the country and in the northern district of nightclubs and pubs 77 drivers sat behind the wheel drunk, but the traffic police were not dozing: to stop the violators and deprived of their rights for 30 days.
Americans love quick and easy three-wheeled taxis.
05/03/2010 - newizv.ru
Snowfalls, passed recently in the eastern part of America, all pretty scared. But there is one category of citizens who were very glad to unusually heavy snow and severe cold. This is a New York taxi drivers. The fact is that in recent times they have appeared quite serious competitors in a trishaw. The new three-wheeled bicycles with a cabin for two passengers is easy to maneuver in dense traffic flow, traffic jams and riding are a convenient means of transportation for a growing number of New Yorkers. A similar pattern and in Boston.
Over the last five years after the first appearance in Boston pedicabs this type of transport has become commonplace for citizens. Owners of tour companies continuously increase their exotic state transport enterprises and expand the boundaries of areas serviced by fast cabbies. Use as a driving force for conventional and low-cost three-wheel bicycle, high cross, and security have made this type of transport is not only popular with tourists, but also hurrying to work Bostonians.
Trishaw allows travelers to leisurely to learn an unfamiliar city and admire the architectural masterpieces and historic monuments, to make stops at shops and cafes. Modern tourists, armed digital camera and camcorder, it is important to make a qualitative snapshot of the memory, moving "with the wind" on the street, and not through the dusty glass of the bus and their heads around the passengers.
In New York, rickshaws transport law amounting to a taxi. Managed cyclists exotic trucks, like any other road transport, must pass an annual inspection. Cyclist on the road the driver is forced to obey all traffic rules, signs and traffic light signals. Owners and drivers of bicycle crews acquire licenses for operation of tourist transport and insurance for themselves and passengers.
In Boston, Boston Pedicab company already tough competition for urban taxis. Ability to bring pedicabs on the phone even during the day, even at night, the instantaneous arrival rickshaws, for example, to the restaurant, the delivery of heavy bags back home, transporting viewers to the evening concerts, film shows and sports matches to private cars that appeared on the distant city parking make this an exotic form of transport more attractive.
Recent and new service Boston pedicabs - the organization of wedding ceremonies and escorts when the cavalcade of bicycle carts with the bride, groom and guests rides around the city center. It enjoys a huge success among young people. It is also important that all cycle-rickshaws - they are students of local universities. Ability to communicate with a young, intelligent and educated student driver from Harvard attracts passengers not less than flexible, and affordable prices visit, where neg.
Students go to work cyclists, because so they can earn decent money for summer vacation, to improve their physical form. Competition among candidates is quite big, and transport companies constantly raise the requirements for future drivers. For example, the candidate should have a good cyclist speak in English, well oriented and know the geography of Boston and its suburbs. The driver must be strong and resilient, while remaining polite and punctual throughout the entire 8 - hour workday. At the entrance exam young man or woman should be able to move on pedicabs loaded with 250-400 pounds at a certain distance within a few hours.
Advertisers, too, lined up to the organizers of the alternate traffic, because traffic flows in the presence of bright bicycle carts with attractive driver attracts hundreds of eyes to her potential customers advertising products.
With regard to New York, the profession of pedicabs in Manhattan has a rare and registered drivers bicycle carts a little more than 200 people. Less in New York only professional cabbies, twenty well-dressed horse carriages are decorated with central avenues and alleys of the park. However, despite the fact that New York's pedicabs major role in the movement of citizens of the city until recently has not played, they suddenly appeared opponents. And seriously - the drivers of the famous yellow taxis. In 2009, the New York taxi drivers to sound the alarm in connection with the fall of their income in a difficult time of crisis. The new three-wheeled bicycles with a cabin for two passengers began using the residents and tourists an unprecedented popularity. They quickly moved through the city, not afraid of traffic jams. And only with the onset of cold weather and snowfall in the demand for rickshaws fell, which is understandable. Taxi drivers triumphed!
All Greek taxi drivers on strike.
02/03/2010 - NEWSru.com
Thirty thousand taxi drivers began a two-day strike on March 2 in Greece, speaking against the financial measures of the government. According to the president of the National Federation of Taxi Drivers Efthimios Liberopoulos, the strike involved nearly 100% of taxi drivers.
In the capital of Greece, a convoy of 400 cars went to the country's parliament and the Ministry of Finance for action, which can block traffic on the main streets of the city.
Greek taxi drivers have already conducted "pre-emptive" strike on February 11 in protest against increasing the gasoline tax, because of which the price of fuel has jumped about 15%, and against the requirements of the Ministry of Finance on the run drivers books.
According Liberopoulos, many car taxi used in three shifts around the clock, so the division of revenues and expenses is impossible. All taxis equipped with meters, which is being paid. However, receipts and checks issued to taxi drivers rarely - only when requested by passengers themselves.
In the absence of opportunities to count income of taxi-drivers, each of them pays the tax office a fixed amount of 16 thousand euros per year. The new demands of the Greek Government intended to replenish the state treasury due to the introduction of new taxes to combat evasion of them, as well as the reduction of salaries.
Public sector workers' union, which opposes the reduction of salaries and bonuses, today announced a new 24-hour strike. This will be the third such event in recent times. As a result of previous large-scale daily strikes on 10 and 24 February, it was interrupted aviation communication in Greece. 8 th and 9 th of March going on strike, and employees of tax inspections, had already made similar protests on February 4.