Vertical Aerospace, a Bristol-based pioneer in electric flying taxis, has made European aviation history with the successful piloted "wingborne" flight of its VX4 prototype across the UK countryside.

The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft soared over the Cotswolds last week before performing a conventional landing at a nearby airport, marking a significant stride towards the commercial deployment of this sustainable air travel technology.

The VX4 is designed to revolutionise urban travel, with Vertical Aerospace claiming it will be capable of transporting passengers from Battersea to Heathrow in just 12 minutes.

The company aims for initial flights carrying four passengers up to 100 miles by 2028.

Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, lauded the achievement. "This is a fantastic milestone for Vertical and for the UK's world-class aerospace sector," he stated, adding: "Breakthroughs like this show how government and business can work together to keep the UK at the cutting edge of innovation."

The landmark flight, approved by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after extensive safety documentation review, follows Vertical's successful piloted hover flight earlier this year.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, underscored the importance of this step in their certification journey. "Achieving piloted wingborne flight in open airspace under the oversight of the UK CAA is an important moment in our certification journey," Simpson said.

He highlighted the stringent regulatory framework: "Operating under the UK's rigorous regulatory framework means we share the burden of safety with our regulator – every step must be approved, and that's by design. It amounts to a mini certification of our prototype and gives us a clearer, faster path to type certification."

Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies, who helmed the VX4, expressed his satisfaction with the aircraft's performance. "The firm's performance predictions had been absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done," Davies remarked.

He concluded: "The VX4 was not only safe but was an absolute pleasure."

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The ridesharing giant Uber is once again seeking an operator's licence to enter the Reading market, but a key industry voice insists the company must adhere to existing local regulations. This comes after Uber's previous bid in 2016 was rejected due to its refusal to maintain a staffed office in the town.

Sikandar Hayat, chairman of the Reading Private Hire Association (RPHA), emphasised that any approval for Uber should be contingent on their compliance with the same rules that other private hire companies follow.

"We, as an association, think it’ll be fair if they follow the rules," Hayat stated. He highlighted the current requirements for operators, such as providing a 24-hour telephone system and direct customer access to offices. "If Uber can comply with these conditions, that’s OK."

While some private hire drivers in Reading have expressed support for Uber, believing it could boost their competitiveness, Hayat also voiced concerns shared by many drivers. "Most of the drivers are concerned that if the rules change, they may not get the same care they expect."

Hayat, who is also a director of Prompt Cars, underscored the importance of driver and passenger safety and responsiveness, noting that with current operators, "We’re responsive. But, if there’s an issue with Uber, emails can take days to get a response – it’s not fair on the drivers. Uber replies whenever they like."

He further urged the council not to relax existing rules for Uber, arguing: "I don’t think it’s a major problem if Reading council don’t bend any rules for them [Uber]. The rules are for everyone. You can’t just change the rules for them, they have to follow the rules."

Hayat also suggested that Uber implement "zoning restrictions" to prevent drivers licensed in other boroughs from encroaching on Reading drivers' trade.

"If Reading drivers get the work, it’s OK for us, if they [Uber] don’t follow the rules, if they don’t have a contact system, that is an issue."

Uber's application is currently being processed by Reading Borough Council.

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Following intense pressure and a formal complaint from local taxi drivers, Brighton and Hove City Council has U-turned on an experimental traffic order, reinstating a 24-hour taxi bay on Marine Parade. 

The decision has been welcomed by the Brighton and Hove Cab Trade Association, though concerns about a "lack of any official stakeholder consultation" persist.

The council had previously removed a long-standing 24-hour taxi bay west of Madeira Place and a loading bay near Broad Street, replacing them with a new shared taxi and loading bay east of Charles Street.

This new bay was initially designated as a loading bay from 6 am to 6 pm and a taxi bay only during evening hours (6 pm to 6 am), a move that sparked outrage among drivers.

Andrew Peters, representing the Brighton and Hove Cab Trade Association, swiftly lodged a Stage 1 complaint on May 15, citing "change in timings," "lack of consultation with the local taxi trade," and issues with a "taxi survey" conducted by the council.

Peters stated they were "not prepared to standby whilst out-of-town Uber cars use the then marked loading bay during that time to rank up on."

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking, and public realm, defended the council's initial process, stating that design plans, including "potential arrangements for the taxi rank," were part of a six-week public consultation.

He explained that "as the scheme is part of an experimental traffic regulation order, we have the flexibility to respond promptly to further feedback, which is what we have done here."

However, Peters believes the council "realised that they did not undertake the correct procedure of a full consultation with the local taxi trade," leading to their swift reversal.

He noted: "the council acted swiftly to resolve the matter to restore the long-established rank back to its 24hr status for the drivers to use whenever it suited."

While acknowledging the council's quick action, Peters emphasised that the association is "still seeking accountability from the council for the lack of any official stakeholder consultation with the local taxi trade to ensure that this does not happen again."

The experimental traffic regulation order, which aimed to improve bus reliability as part of a government-funded Bus Service Improvement Plan, will proceed.

Councillor Muten added: "As a listening council, we’re always keen to work with the taxi industry and I’m pleased we have found a solution which allows this important traffic scheme to progress but also supports our local taxi drivers."

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Taxi fares in East Dunbartonshire are set to rise by 6%, bringing the minimum fare to £3.50, despite a notably low response rate to a recent public consultation.

The council's policy and resources committee unanimously approved the increase, which also sees the surcharge for Glasgow Airport journeys climb to £6.

The decision comes after a public consultation, promoted through local press, the council's website, and social media from February to April, garnered only nine responses. Of these, three were from individuals within the local taxi trade.

A significant majority of respondents, eight out of nine, supported increased fares, with seven advocating for even higher increases than initially proposed. One respondent reportedly supported a rise of 10% or more.

Taxi drivers, while generally supportive of increased fares, raised concerns during the consultation about "the cost of recalibrating their meters and associated testing following changes to the rates, as well as the significant expense of purchasing and insuring vehicles and maintaining insurance."

Despite the unanimous approval of the fare adjustments, council members expressed disappointment regarding the "low number of responses received during the consultation, particularly due to the large numbers of people affected." 

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A security firm in Oldham has created a new clourse for taxi and private hire drivers in the North West.

 

Ash Mahmood, Director of Clear Watch Security said: "We were recently approached to design and deliver a bespoke safety and customer service course for local private hire and taxi drivers, using our frontline security experience and expertise to help improve driver safety, awareness, and communication skills.

 

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