Portfolio Cars orders 30 Jaguar XF Sportbrake estates for VIP Heathrow transfers

Jaguar has delivered 30 all-new XF Sportbrake models to Portfolio Cars. The estate cars will be used to offer a VIP transfer service to and from London Heathrow airport.

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LPHCA expresses “dismay” at Uber data breach and backs TfL licence refusal decision

The Licensed Private Hire Car Association has reaffirmed its support for Transport for London’s decision to deny Uber a private hire operator licence in London.

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LCH upgrades technology as Mercedes-Benz chauffeur programme agreement is renewed

Elstree-based Licensed Carriage Hire has adopted computer supplier Epyx’s 1link Hire Network to manage replacement cars for the Mercedes-Benz Chauffeur Programme. The move follows a further three-year renewal of LCH’s deal with the German automaker.

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Greentomato Cars founder Goldstone returns as managing director

Jonny Goldstone, original co-founder of Green Tomato Cars, has returned to the company as managing director. Goldstone, who set up the business with Tom Pakenham in 2006, sold the business to transportation giant Transdev in 2010 and left the company in 2015 after setting…

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GMB calls on TfL to introduce ‘third tier’ licensing for Apps and aggregators

The GMB Union has called on Transport for London to introduce a new tier of licensing for apps and booking systems.

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Blacklane introduces global carbon offset program

Chauffer broker service Blacklane has introduced carbon offsetting on rides across all the 250 cities and 50 countries it serves, making it the first ride service to start a global carbon-neutral program.

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Veezu grows profits and turnover as Hope-Bell seeks further acqusitions

Private hire giant Veezu has reported a strong set of financial results, boosted by acquisitions and organic growth.

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Uber’s “40,000 drivers” claim does not stand up to scrutiny, says GMB

The GMB Union has called into question Uber’s claim that 40,000 drivers will be out of work as a result of TfL’s refusal to renew its licence.

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LPHCA threatens TfL with judicial review over “astronomical” operator fees increase

The Licensed Private Hire Car Association has told Transport for London it will apply for a judicial review next week if the regulator presses ahead with plans to hike private hire operator’s fees by “astronomical, disproportionate and irrational amounts”.

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Courier giant Absolutely sells private hire business to Excel Executive

London-based Absolutely, one of the UK’s longest established courier companies, has sold its private hire and chauffeur operations, operated under the Absolutely and Creative Cars brands, to Excel Executive for an undisclosed sum.

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No renewal for ‘misleading’ Uber, LPHCA boss tells TfL

The Licensed Private Hire Car Association has written to Transport for London Commissioner Mike Brown to ask that TfL does not renew Uber’s private hire operator licence, following misleading statements about its safety record and the number of drivers that would be out of…

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Uber plans immediate appeal after TfL refuses licence renewal on public safety and security grounds

Transport for London has refused to renew Uber’s operating licence when it expires on September 30, citing “public safety and security” concerns.

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TfL forces Taxify off the road after just three days over licence issues

Just three days after launching in London, Transport for London has ordered taxi app Taxify to suspend its service in London as it is not a licenced operator.

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Taxify launches challenge to Uber by expanding its ride-sharing platform to London

Estonia-based ride-sharing platform Taxify has launched its service in London, and is aiming to challenge Uber in the taxi app market.

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LPHCA backs London Assembly call to refuse Uber London licence

Transport for London is under increasing pressure to turn down Uber’s operator’s licence on September 30, after the London Assembly passed a unanimous motion on July 6 calling on the regulator to refuse Uber’s licence renewal.

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Watford taxis to trial in-cab CCTV technology

Taxi drivers in Watford are trialling the use of CCTV in their cabs. Project FareSafe, the first scheme of its kind in the country, will record journeys over the course of a year to assess whether CCTV can improve safety for drivers and passengers.

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Boro Taxis offers to pay for driver training and private hire licence for unemployed applicants

Middlesbrough-based Boro Taxis has launched an initiative to help unemployed people get back to work in the private hire industry, and will even fund their training.

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New Audi A8

Audi has revealed its new fourth-generation A8 luxury saloon at a spectacular presentation in Barcelona. The latest version of the flagship saloon includes a high degree of autonomous driving capability, and every model in the range will have a hybrid powertrain.

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