The existence of an app is neither here nor there if the Met are concerned about the company's reporting practices or background checks. Particularly with a provider of this size, any city ought to uphold a minimum requirement for the sake of standards and safety. How they all compete after that is up to them.
I'm not sure i believe Uber are being held to the same standards as others though. Firstly Uber has passed many of these tests before, so what's changed? Secondly, anyone who has ever ridden with other London private hire firms will know how questionable their drivers often are.
No they are mini cab firm with a sophisticated dispatch method, they are not a technology firm
They facilitate the mini cab industry with their technology, but they own no cars and are not restricted to just the taxi industry. Just as deliveroo is not a restaurant and ebay is (was) not a retailer. It's an ongoing debate as regulators try to classify them as a taxi firm but they describe themselves as a technology firm only.
They are two companies when they operate in London. A Dutch shell company that takes your payments, runs the app, connects you with a driver, etc.
They've found other niches for thier dispatch method but they are still a mini cab firm.
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— Twitter API (@user) date
In London? Yeah there's Bolt which I've used a few times. And another company called Kapten but I've never used that.
Buses (which are often empty) and the tube?
Bolt
Tube doesn't run after 1 am!
Unlike most large cities throughout Europe.
It sucks for original taxi drivers, but Uber (and many other similar apps) has created a lot, much bigger employment pool and helps the economy. If you banned UBER in lieu of Taxi Drivers you'll be hurting the economy on the grander scheme in favor of a small pool of drivers.
Yeah but for a lot of people it’s simply about getting from point A to B for a cheaper price, and if that’s what Uber offers even with the driver not having as much the knowledge about London’s night life etc. as black cabs, then so be it. Also, take into consideration services like Uber Eats which is very convenient for situations such as people who have been working long hours and are too tired to cook once they get home.
The taxi industry needs more self regulation. Uber can at least be held accountable through their rating system. I have on multiple occasions been in taxis with racist drivers which fortunately wasn't directed at me. Moreover, uber's pay before you ride system ensures the ride is paid for, no getting fleeced or no need to have cash. I hope taxi companies change their model to mirror uber's but with fairer requirements for their drivers.
I understand your point but I have to disagree. Black cabs can't have a monopoly on the taxi business, it's not healthy. The part about knowledge doesn't sit well with me. The average Joe might not be able to call the name of a street off his head but a guy with a phone can get to the same place in just as quick the time. It sucks for Black Cab drivers but you have to move on. As long as Uber and co are well regulated, I don't see the problem. I even encourage it.
I have to laugh everytime I see someone cite knowledge as the reason for having black cabs like we're in the 20th century still. They're overly expensive and only useful late at night if you're happen to be going the same way as the driver with cash in your hand. They're obsolete like many other professions nowadays and the sooner the black cabbies realise it and move with the times, the better.
Agreed one good thing about black cabs are proper drivers. Does get frustrating watching an uber driver feck about with a sat nav and even ask the passenger for directions sometimes.
I dont feel so bad about taxi driver. They can drive. An a car is cheaper to obtain than a taxi license. They wont lose their job. Just a change of job.
What a complete load of poppycock.
Well written, yes.
I've been using it for years but did the ride share for the first time when I was in London a month back. Was with a mate and then picked up another guy on our way back. Could've gone either way, but it was a dead sound super stoned guy and we all had a right laugh. Saved about £20 off the regular Uber journey too.
You don’t believe it?
Struggling to get beyond the fact that it's from those Tory shills at the IEA. Uber has been banned in numerous cities all over the world for a whole host of reasons.
No, I don’t believe it, because it’s a load of BS.
They only get dragged into it as the LTDA always is quick to voice their opinion, equally every black cab i jump in starts to go on about Uber. I think TFL is right to hold Uber to account for their practices. It feels like a collaboration between the LTDA and Uber is a wise decision, they could help drive the safety message & Uber could then educate the LTDA on how a customer first business practice works from a convenience perspective.
The LTDA does not represent the Black Cab Trade, they’re despised, within the trade the LTDA stands for Last To Do Anything. They have a dwindling membership, mostly made up of the old dinosaurs. Steve McNamara hasn’t driven a cab in years, he’s clueless.
Despised or not, they seem to represent 11,000 drivers based on their own statements on the website. Regardless, they don't seem to help the perception of Black cab drivers and a dying business model that doesn't want to improve the user experience.
Of course they aren't, they've just revoked a license in order to prompt change and a step up on safety. I don't think anyone for a second has the intention or believes TFL were banning it. If i was a black cabbie I would still worry, if Uber get their act together on the safety element it would kill off their business quickly. The safety angle is the last bastion as to why anyone would use that option these days.
Why are you censoring the word Uber ffs
I've not been to England often but one time I took a cab in Manchester and he didn't know the way to Old Trafford. An Uber driver that had moved to England a day prior with no experience driving on the left would have fared better than that driver.
Probably @VeevaVee
