WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from USA
NYC TAXI COMMISSION TO STOP TESTING CABBIES FOR MARIJUANA
With marijuana now legal in New York, the city Taxi & Limou- sine Commission will no longer test cabbies and livery drivers for cannabis. “Due to the change in the law, going forward, the TLC will no longer test for marijuana in required annual drug tests,” the agency wrote in a memo to licensees obtained by The New York Post. “Big mistake,” Fernando Mateo, founder and spokesman of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, told The Post. “It’s irresponsible.” “If they’re not going to be testing for marijuana, that means drivers will have the opportunity to smoke weed and drive,” he said. “I don’t want my kids in a car with a guy that smokes weed, and is allowed to smoke weed regularly, and not get tested. We have to draw the line somewhere.” The agency cautioned drivers: “While the use of marijuana is now legal for adults, it is still the law that TLC-licensed drivers must be sober when they operate a vehicle.” It also noted that testing for other drugs was unchanged. A McGill University study published in March found: “Recre- ational cannabis legalisation in the US was associated with a relative increased risk of fatal motor vehicle collisions of 15% and a relative increase in associated deaths of 16%. “It’s ridiculous!” griped one yellow taxi driver to The Post about the new no-test policy. “We have no way to test for marijuana at the scene of an accident. The annual drug test- ing is the one tool the TLC has to weed out problem drivers. They shouldn’t abandon it.”
FLORIDA ‘BANK ROBBER’ ARRESTED AFTER HE HAILED TAXI AS A GETAWAY CAR
A Florida man who allegedly robbed a bank has been arrested after he used a taxi as his getaway car. The Daily Mail reports that authorities arrested Elijah Shelton, 24, who has been accused of robbing the Synovus Bank.
Deputies from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the bank around 9.15am on a recent Friday after receiving a report about a bank robbery in progress. Though Shelton had already fled the scene with about
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$8,300 before police arrived, it didn’t take long for authori- ties to find him. During a press conference Sheriff Bob Johnson explained that Shelton ordered a taxi from the Johnny on the Spot Taxi service. “We got a great story for you on this one,” Johnson began. Pointing to Shelton’s mugshot, Johnson said: “This guy Elijah Shelton who after this will be referred to as the ‘genius’ decides he wants to rob a bank in Santa Rosa County. “Normally, you’d get a fast car so you can get away. He calls a cab to his house. Cab picks him up, takes him to the bank [and] waits in the parking lot. He robs the bank, comes back to the cab, cab takes him home,” Johnson said. When asked if the cab driver had any idea about what was going on, Johnson said the driver “had no clue”. Johnson also said Shelton never displayed a weapon during the robbery and only demanded that the money be put in a bag. The money has not been recovered. Shelton is currently being held in Okaloosa County Jail, he has been charged with robbery, grand theft and drug possession, but he did pay his taxi fare.....
from Monaco
MONACO OFFERS TAXI VOUCHERS TO BOOST THE ECONOMY
As the Principality strives to boost the economy, particularly with the creation of the Red and White funds to support shops and restaurants, the latest measure “Ticket Taxisi+” has just been launched. According to the Monaco Tribune, anyone dining in Monaco or going out for a bite to eat will be able to benefit from free transport through the Principality as part of the new Ticket Taxisi+ service. It is hoped that this measure will help sup- port shops, restaurants and taxi companies, as well as people living in Monaco and neighbouring cities. As part of the service, €15 for each taxi fare will be paid for by the Princely Government and the shops and restaurants participating in the scheme. The government will subsidise €10 of the fare and the partnered businesses will make up the other €5. By launching this co-financed voucher scheme, Monaco hopes to see several results. First of all they wish to bring in more business for taxi drivers, who have been hit hard by the pandemic, as well as help local businesses and restaurants get back on their feet. It is hoped the Taxi+ voucher scheme will also make life more enjoyable for people living there. It is an innovative initiative aimed at facilitating travel throughout the Principality without increasing the number of cars on the roads.
JUNE 2021
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