Pd Website News Chabe Limo Plus

Chabé jets in to private aviation sector with Limo Plus acquisition

Fast-growing chauffeur operator Chabé has acquired Farnborough-based Limo Plus. It is the first acquisition that Chabé has made in Britain since the Paris-based company set up its UK subsidiary in 2020. Limo Plus serves a similar portfolio of high-end clients to Chabé – and…

Read More
Pd Website News Cmac Comfort

ComfortDelGro to propel CMAC global expansion after £80 million takeover

Singapore-based transport giant ComfortDelGro has acquired ground transport management specialist CMAC Group for £80 million. The deal has been done through ComfortDelGro’s wholly-owned subsidiary CityFleet Networks, and is expected to drive CMAC’s expansion into mainland Europe. As well as the UK, CMAC has operations…

Read More
Pd Website News Tfl Helen Chapman

LPHCA demands urgent talks with TfL over ‘unacceptable’ 2024 signage requirements

The LPHCA has written to TfL Director of Licensing Helen Chapman (pictured), demanding an urgent meeting over “unacceptable” new signage requirements and complaints procedures for all private hire vehicles, due to come into force next July. The new signage rules could see vehicles –…

Read More
Pd Website News Bolt Toms

VAT victory for Bolt as HMRC loses case over Tour Operator Margin Scheme charges

Bolt has won its appeal against HMRC over whether private hire operators are eligible to use the Tour Operator Margin Scheme (TOMS), which reduces liability for VAT to the margin of a trip rather than the full fare. The ruling is a major victory…

Read More
Pd Website News Acdu James Farrar

ADCU in turmoil as Farrar resigns after independent report cites “toxic” culture

The trade union that won landmark employment rulings against Uber has been plunged into chaos after an internal report highlighted multiple cases of abusive and racist behaviour within the organisation. The report has resulted in the resignation of App Drivers and Couriers Union founder…

Read More
Pd Website News Curtis Gabriel

Curtis Gabriel falls into administration two years after major head office expansion

Curtis Gabriel, the digital marketing business that specialised in running private hire operators’ social media accounts, has gone into administration. Insolvency practitioners Steven Ross and Allan Kelly, both of FRP Advisory Trading Limited, were appointed administrators in the High Court of Justice Business and…

Read More
Pd Website News Uber Black Cabs

Uber move to partner with London Black Cabs receives frosty response from LTDA

Uber’s surprising decision to try and add London black cabs to its ride-hailing app has met with a negative response from the taxi drivers’ trade association. Uber said it was opening the platform to taxi drivers, with the intention of starting services in early…

Read More
Pd Websit Enews Freenow Karhool

FreeNow and Karhoo partner on ride-hailing services across Europe

Karhoo is integrating the FreeNow mobility app into its platform under a new pan-European partnership. The alliance aims to make private and business travel seamless by improving the accessibility of ride-hailing services.  Under the deal, Karhoo will integrate FreeNow’s taxi and private-hire vehicle supply…

Read More
Pd Website News Addlee Multivan

Addison Lee resets green targets and calls on Khan to keep c-charge EV exemption

Addison Lee has rowed back on its pledge to have an all-electric fleet by 2025, and instead has announced a major order for plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Multivan people carriers. The company cites a lack of availability of suitable EV models, particularly 7-seaters, and ongoing…

Read More
Blurred people near HM Revenue and Customs sign.

Chancellor announces 2024 consultation on whether private hire fares should be subject to VAT

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt used the Autumn Statement to launch a consultation into whether private hire operators should charge VAT on fares. The consultation, which follows the recent Sefton High Court ruling, will be launched in the first half of 2024. The Autumn Statement said:…

Read More
Stranraer cab booking map with fare and time estimate.

Uber takes surprise decision to shut down Local Cab service from December 11

Uber has taken the surprise decision to close its Local Cab service in the UK – though it plans to expand the service internationally. An Uber spokesperson said: “Following a review we have decided to discontinue the Local Cab service in the UK, meaning…

Read More
pd website news bolt scheduled

Bolt launches scheduled ride service for London customers

London customers can now schedule a journey with ride-hailing platform Bolt up to three days in advance, addressing one of the major weaknesses of ride-hailing platforms. Drivers will wait for five minutes free of charge after they arrive, and the price is locked in…

Read More
Yellow hybrid car driving on highway.

Toyota changes its mind – new Prius will go on sale in UK next year

Toyota has changed its mind about launching the new Prius in the UK, and the car is now set to go on sale next year. Earlier, Toyota had killed off the hybrid model in the UK, citing tumbling sales and a switch to SUVs,…

Read More
Pro Driver Magazine website news DG Arrow

DG Group moves south with strategic acquisition of Arrow Taxi Group

Nottingham-based DG Group has expanded into southern England with the strategic acquisition of Worthing-based Arrow Taxi Group. The company, which is unrelated to Leeds-based Arrow Cars, is a family-run business which has been under the same ownership for the past 29 years. The deal…

Read More
Veezu logo on vehicle side

Veezu wins Cardiff approval to wrap vehicles with prominent logos, despite local concerns

Veezu has won approval from Cardiff City Council to display its branding on its cars in the city, despite the concerns of local rivals. The Newport-based private hire giant was granted an exemption from a licensing condition that restricts the size of the logo…

Read More
North Somerset news update on Pro Driver Magazine website

North Somerset Council scales back new taxi licensing rules over driver hardship fears

Tighter new rules for taxis in North Somerset have been scaled back after drivers warned they could force drivers out of business. A plan to ban any car from being used as a taxi once it was ten years old has now been dropped…

Read More
ProDriver Magazine website news in Darlington

Darlington operators struggle to meet demand as driver numbers remain below 2020 levels

Operators in Darlington are struggling to fulfil jobs in the town due to a shortage of drivers. The number of taxi drivers in Darlington has not recovered since the Covid-19 pandemic, and there are around 100 fewer drivers in the town than there were…

Read More
pd qsi shortlist trophy pic

Shortlists announced for the 2023 Professional Driver QSi Awards

Professional Driver is proud to announce our shortlists for the 2023 QSi Awards. The awards celebrate their 10th anniversary this year, and the exceptional entry this year reflects the high regard in which the awards are held within the taxi, chauffeur and private hire…

Read More