What`s new in the taxi world? Our bilingual ‘update’ summarises the international news of the last days and hours. As some of the links are in foreign languages, we recommend using a website translator.
The good news
GTN is growing: Taxi associations from US and Australia join the IRU and the Global Taxi Network (GTN)
http://www.taxiintelligence.com/tlpa-and-atia-join-gtn/
International News
An up and down at Uber: Since our last update, the US company has been hitting the headlines again. Here are some examples:
Brussels new Taxi Plan opens door for UberPOP
http://www.taxiintelligence.com/new-brussels-taxi-plan-something-for-everyone/
Brussel’s taxi industry wasn’t happy with the idea and organised a demonstration.
http://www.taxiintelligence.com/djump-and-uber-happy-with-taxi-plan-taxi-sector-demonstrates/
Uber`s internet-adress will be blocked in India
Uber’s expansion halted in Germany
The BZP, the association of taxis and cars for private hire in Germany, responded with a press release.
Uber’s denial came the next day.
A large-scale data breach
http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-data-breach-2015-2
Quote of the day
„Uber waited five months before telling its drivers their personal data had been compromised. Yet again, this shows Uber’s complete disdain for the concerns of protecting private data.“
Dave Sutton, spokesperson ‚Who’s Driving You?‘
International News
Taxi App Ola takes over Taxiforsure: A large taxi app in India swallows its smaller competitor.
http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/02/olaforsure/
Automobile news
The Geneva Motor Show: Take a look at the following overview of the most important premieres for the taxi industry.
Volkswagen bringing new Touran minivan – Neuer VW Touran
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/02/25/2016-vw-touran-geneva-official/
Mercedes Reveals V-Class Concept Vision PHEV
http://www.carscoops.com/2015/03/mercedes-reveals-v-class-concept-vision.html
The new Skoda Superb
http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/143635/skoda-superb-price-saloon-will-start-at-18640
News from Germany
A taxi with 250 HP: The first Porsche taxi is now operating in Munich.
http://www.tz.de/muenchen/stadt/porsche-taxi-muenchen-4764382.html
Only one windscreen wiper rated ‘good’ in cold conditions: The latest test conduced by the German ADAC automobile club shows that the more expensive beam blades are not always better than cheaper windscreen wipers.
Shared taxi in Jena will become cheaper: The additional fee for hailing a shared taxi has been lowered as of 1 March 2015. Passengers will now pay only €1 instead of €3 in addition to the regular ticket.
http://www.jenaer-nachrichten.de/stadtleben/1496-zuschlag-f%C3%BCr-anruf-sammel-taxi-in-jena-sinkt
News from Austria
First e-taxi in Upper Austria: Johann Haslinger is the proud owner.
http://www.meinbezirk.at/wels/chronik/e-autos-pioniere-auf-den-strassen-d1258544.html
Our very own look at things
The current Forbes list – a list of the richest people in the world – has a prominent newcomer: Uber’s founder Travis Kalanick has a fortune amounting to USD 5.3 billion. Our opinion at Taxi Times is: That’s a slap in the face for everyone who earns their money through honest work.
