That was an attempt to circumvent the licensing system, I can't remember if Taxify is the company that bought a mini cab firm with an existing license as a way of not going through the vetting process. But TFL was not pleased.
Uber's ultimate goal is to put all of it's rivals out of business in London, so they can create a monopoly and then charge what they like. The trouble with tech firms from Silicon valley is some tend to ignore the rules that everyone else adheres to and they will find ways to avoid taxes as well. That established companies that are not multinational don't have the ability to do as HMRC would be on them like a ton of bricks.
If it's not the main reason, then TFL will look silly as the courts would over turn the decision.
Uber is not a sustainable business model for the drivers, car loans and barely minimum wage -
Uber drivers in London warn of financial ruin for thousands of families
A friend did the marketing for a rival to Uber, next time I see him (no idea when, he lives in France and travels all over the place for business) I'll ask him about it.
Everything TFL does has a fishy smell. However on balance Uber does need to be taken to task for it's less than impressive business practises. I don't have anything against the Uber concept, they however seem intent on dominating the market and once they do, those cheap fares would start to creep up slowly at first and then Londoners will be where they have been in the not too distant past, a monopoly on taxi fares with little choice.
I think the other question this raises are the poor transport links that exist in London to some parts of the capital, which makes getting a taxi the only feasible option at certain times of the day. So more bus routes, better street lighting and a 24 hour tube with adequate security to ensure passenger safety are what TFL and other interested parties should be looking at.
Oh come on. So now Uber drivers are illegal migrants with dodgy passport and background checks driving in mot failures.
What is your problem Sonic67 this is getting silly and comes across as rather desperate.
OK. For the record, I like pictures of ladies in Bikinis, and I like Uber.
This is what my friend had to say on Facebook about it
I thought it was a Khan bashing thread, with Uber being a thinly veiled justification for starting it ?
Oh come on. You are unaware of the black economy? Really? You are unaware of taxi drivers assaulting vulnerable children?
Does the fact a taxi was booked with an Uber app mean that it is some kind of golden guarantee of safety?
Who did all those assaults?
In a previous post you actually admit the profession attracts criminality.
So are criminal elements attracted or not?
I agree but I am still giving you the benefit of the doubt.
So why are you so keen to defend something you says attracts criminality and with a firm with a rising increase of assaults? Seriously why?
For myself, I have a daughter and a girlfriend. I'd like to know if they use a cab in the future there's a high probability they are going to be safe.
That's all.
This could be a factor:
Uber background checks and your safety. What you need to know | CBS
Given that Uber use self-employed drivers and their only investment is in a cell phone app I dont see what massive barriers to entry there are that would allow them to be a monopoly.
The Black Cabs were a monopoly due to regulation - but in todays world anyone can start a rival to Uber.
You’ve taken my posts out of context and twisted them for your own use.
When I made that comment it was in context with money laundering of cash businessss. Have you actually ever used an Uber? Because if you did you’d know how ridiculous your comment is when you extrapolate that to Uber.
Further more I’ve evidenced several times and guides directly to EXACTLY THE SAME rules that apply to all licensed mini cab drivers and taxi cab drivers in London. There is no magic Uber check. It is TfL who grants the licenses, it is TfL who sets the rules for that. They are the same for all.
Please do demonstrate and proof me wrong where the rules are different for Uber? I happily stand corrected.
There is no magic different check for a black cab driver versus an Uber driver vs an Addison Lee driver.
If anything, if you wanted to investigate a crime the trail left behind from booking an Uber to accepting an Uber to the route that was taken, where it was completed etc. It is much stronger. Heck even the financial trail is all electronic.
From what has come out so far it is very clear this wasn’t targeted at their drivers, this is targeted at Uber themselves. But in this silly game the lively hood of many drivers is put at risk.
Either way it will be interesting to see how this will pan out, but please let’s not add conjecture to this and pretend that black cab drivers have any different checks.
Take a look at the requirements from TfL. It’s not Uber who decides who gets a license or not. It is TfL.