First pictures of New Prius? Taxi Times Update 2015-07-15

Google is becoming a taxi competitor: With the traffic service Waze purchased two years ago, the search engine giant is planning to launch a carpooling project in Israel.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/06/us-google-israel-idUSKCN0PG0M320150706

Uber defends itself against class action suit in the U.S.: As part of the dispute as to whether Uber drivers must be considered employees, the US company has now submitted a 52-page written defence to the court.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/10/technology/uber-files-motion-opposing-driver-class-action-suit.html?_r=0

Quote of the day

“It is a threat to the interest of public traffic.”

A recent audit warns that Bremen taxis are becoming increasingly older and calls for a decrease in the number of taxi licences being granted.

http://www.radiobremen.de/politik/nachrichten/taxigutachten100.html

Automobile news

Will the new Toyota Prius look like this? The first photos have appeared on the Internet.

http://www.hybridcars.com/is-this-the-2016-prius/

Japanese : http://mobile.autonet.com.tw/cgi-bin/file_view.cgi?b5060305150617

News from Germany

Brutal offenders: The number of attacks on taxi drivers has again increased while the situation continues to worsen. Now a serial thief in Hannover apparently has a copycat, and a couple in Berlin stabbed a driver without warning.

Hannover: http://www.haz.de/Hannover/Aus-der-Stadt/Uebersicht/Erneut-Taxi-in-Hannover-ueberfallen

Berlin: http://www.berliner-kurier.de/polizei-justiz/messerangriff-paerchen-ueberfaellt-taxifahrer,7169126,31203012.html

Reminder: A higher limit on attachment of earnings is in force since 1 July. Here once again is the official announcement of the Ministry of Justice.

http://www.bmjv.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2015/20150427_Pfaendungsfreigrenzen.html?nn=1468684

News from Austria

Women’s taxi in Vienna: Taxis for women can be hailed in Vienna starting in September. The virtual field test is already underway.

http://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20150630_OTS0198/projektstart-whitecab-mit-taxi-31300-an-board-anhang

autonomous drive

The new E-Class: Nearly autonomous: With the many security systems in the upcoming Mercedes E-Class, the autonomous vehicle is gradually getting closer to reality.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/e-class/89072/mercedes-e-class-2016-tech-secrets-pics-and-specs

Our last words

Take a hint: Our editorial office was stunned at the biased report on Uber by a respected Swiss journalist. But if you read the report carefully, you will get a good idea of what customers expect from a well-functioning passenger transport service. It is time that the taxi industry finally gets with the programme.

http://www.avenir-suisse.ch/49490/sharing-economy-dienstleistung-auf-abruf/