Uber in London

Bl4ckGryph0n

It looked black like a London Taxi

Seriously though I know it has external ID's and also facing the passenger compartment they display their ID...But come one who memories those numbers? You simply don't know who was driving you the moment you get out. Let alone anyone who isn't there with you knowing what route you took, who was driving you etc...

I'm not saying I feel unsafe with black cab drivers, but I do think the notion to suggest that Uber drivers are more unsafe is ridiculous when they are licensed by the same authority.

springtide

Good find... Also it seems like we all agree better regulation is needed with taxis then.. glad we have that sorted.

And yes I agree black cabs should also have tracking etc etc.

The bar needs to be raised  higher everywhere within the industry.

Bl4ckGryph0n

There is a decision makers response on change.org now...
Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan is saying;
* See here for the decision on Uber London Limited: Licensing decision on Uber London Limited - Same as per the letter, no actual rules quoted that have been broken in accordance with the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 but it is concluded that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license due to a lack of corporate responsibility. It will be interesting to see any further comment which is pending any appeal....
* He then refers to his response as provided to the Guardian as an exclusive. Uber deserved to lose its licence – Londoners’ safety must come first | Sadiq Khan Interesting; why not on his on mayor of London site and press office? Same story as TfL, says they have to play by the rules but doesn't actually quote what rules have been broken.
* He says it doesn't expire until end of September and the operator can also continue to operate unit the appeals process has been exhausted.
* Then goes on that the publics anger should be directed towards Uber - which is rather hard when you don't actually state what it is they have done wrong other that and I quote "They have let down their drivers and customer by failing, in the view of TfL, to act as a fit and proper operator." Interesting, so it is in their view? Are those views tested against some documented rules?

All very strange...

Jezza99

Hey, don't knock Sadiq, you will incur the wrath of IG

Bl4ckGryph0n

I merely tried to relay his response open and transparently

xx

Sonic67

Uber London licence: 'Direct anger at firm' says mayor - 'Direct anger at Uber' says London mayor

"But a wave of bad publicity about its corporate culture, its lax attitude to checks on its drivers and its treatment of this freelance army seems to have spurred TfL into action."
PS. Try reading the point made. The more people use Uber, the less use a suitable vehicle and the more such vehicles are pushed out of business and the more likely there won't be one available.

Jezza99

That's alright then, I was concerned that it might have been a thinly veiled attack on our lovely Labour London Mayor

Sonic67

Uber are currently bleating that TFL have cost 40,000 drivers their jobs, this comes from a company that says it will replace the driver.

They forget that all these drivers are self employed, and can work for other companies.

IronGiant

You'd better sit down before reading this, but it's certainly beginning to look like he may have more involvement in this decision than he ought to. I may even have to back down on my initial viewpoint that he's merely supporting it

Bl4ckGryph0n

if there is a market for it then people will provide it. Also easy to regulate by TfL to stipulate rules about how many of such vehicles need to be available at any one time.

But more importantly, we are talking about private hire here, nobody is saying there is no place for black cabs. They can happily continue doing what they do...

Fair point, but lets not forget that any self employed person makes their money by charging someone else. If that relationship all of a sudden disappears then they'll have to change...

So the good news is that they can operate whilst the appeals continues and hopefully TfL becomes clear as to what rules were broken and should be changed or adhered to and all can go back to normal...

If I was an uber affiliated driver I'd always maintain contacts with other agents as well...And if I was a Uber competitor I'd market the sh*t out of my services in London and invest hugely to grab that opening that has been created....They should strike now...Also an opportunity for black cabs to show off how good they are, what services they have and market themselves to land grab that battlefield whilst Uber and TfL are at each others throat. It is business after all