i've never used Uber. I moved out of London in 2013, before it started gaining any traction. We don't have it in Christchurch/Bournemouth/Poole. From what I'm reading, they got their licence to operate in London on the basis they would do certain things that TfL feel are important for public safety. They haven't done them, so their licence is being revoked. Is that how others view this? I know black cab drivers don't like any competition, whatever it's merits, but that's not the issue here, or is it? Keen to understand this better, as Uber are thinking of coming where I live - which has a decent minicab setup already, including Apps for booking and payment.
For me it's been great but I'm a 15 stone male with little conscience. There have been a few incidents with rapes and assaults but that's true of minicabs and black cabs too. There's also been some publicised stories of Uber drivers not knowing where they're going etc but again that's nothing new. It's cheap and bloody convenient if you can look past the moral arguments against.
It’s 2017 and Apps are about to be invented. When I used a cab I used Uber as I prefer comfort over being chucked around in a 1935 style black pram Nowadays I drive everywhere I can in my gas guzzler it does 12 miles to gallon in town so I am proud to contributing to the myth of global warming plus is pisses off the hipsters ... your days are numbered my long bearded friends who dress like gay wood folk from Canada They know not the rural ways
I’ve used Uber a few times, mainly in Richmond, hardly a teeming metropolis. On two occasions I was taken to the wrong venue, almost ending up in the river once. I wouldn’t use them again.
Any idiot that can use a satnav and has a pulse will be taken on by Uber. They are using predatory pricing to put smaller operators out of business and their app is the equivalent of plying for hire which only black cabs are licensed for. Add that to the fact that the vast majority of drivers are claiming significant tax credits because their earning are so low even working 7 days a week means every taxpayer is subsidising Uber in keeping it's operation on the road. Add the fact they pay virtually no taxes in the UK as they are registered in Holland and you can see why there is such opposition to them. They are losing billions worldwide but are backed by multi billionaire venture capitalists who are taking the hit in a bid to drive out all competition when they will then be able to put prices up and introduce driverless cars which will ultimately shaft the idiots working for them. Those signing the petition to reverse the decision are mostly Under 30s who are happy to get cheap fares on the back of overworked and mainly immigrant drivers, convenience is king and that's the way the world is going. I have no doubt this decision will be overturned after millions are wasted in the High Court......
I use uber for work quite a lot. Its very convenient, I have found all the drivers are pleasant, think it's great following your cab on the app. As for safety for women I have a wife and two daughters who also use uber they get an image of the driver and the cars reg number before it shows up which I find safer than a black cab, it's also easier to call and cheaper. For me it's the way forward. Bit like old QPR players, fond memories but that was then
Perhaps the London taxi licensing laws need an overhaul for all providers. If Uber is not running safety checks then they deserve to be punished. As I said on the politics thread I have never used Uber in the U.K., but elsewhere every single driver I talked to does the job to supplement another income, pension, or to generate cash for another enterprise. I think the London experience is not representative, as I understand many drivers rely on it. Elsewhere, or at least in the US, Uber has competition from Lyft and others, with many drivers using both platforms, which the business model allows them to do. From personal experience my non U.K. Uber experience has been much better than UK black cabs - uncomfortable, expensive and with a fair proportion of surly, miserable drivers, who are now learning how widely disliked they are - and unreliable mini cabs. I also have 100% more information about my driver than I do hailing someone on the street. Also, outside London, Black cabs seem to be driven mainly by immigrants also, not that it’s a problem for me. I hope they get their act together re checks and the business model is tweaked to provide more security for drivers, and the market disruption continues. But it’s not a job in the sense that being employed by a mini cab firm is, and that needs to be understood.
I wonder how many attacks and rapes Uber may have prevented by getting people safely home at night, when finding a black cab can be difficult. Anyway, I think it is a great service but they must play by the rules if they want to remain in business. 3 weeks notice from TFL to effectively close down a business with 30000 employees in London is wreckless in my opinion also. Both sides have acted poorly here.
sensible post. Uber must play by the rules but going back to the days of overpriced black cabs that will outright refuse to take you home if they don't fancy it (if you can actually find one of course) - no thanks.
Do use Uber. You make the point that gets me scratching my head. Why would an individual send their picture, mob no and car reg to someone and then commit an assault of any sort on the person who has all those details? Odd.
There used to be a pigeon that regularly used the Piccadilly line. It would get on at Baron's Court and get off at Acton Town.
It's well known that a certain number of drivers share use of a car and an identity, there was a report recently that many cars which are rented are being used non-stop 24/7 and quite a number of drivers have been caught doing this. It also explains why a number of Prius's have caught fire where the batteries overheat through non-stop use. Uber could stop this by simply logging drivers off after a certain number of hours. This also happens at other smaller cab companies so there needs to be a stricter enforcement of who is actually driving. The assaults often take place against women who are totally out of it on drink, I'd guess many of these go unreported...
Whether you think it is right or wrong to ban Uber, having them officially banned does seem like a very polite 'British' way of dealing with the competition. When the taxi drivers had the same gripes in Paris, this was the result; please log in to view this image That said, the response in Paris hasn't been to ban Uber, but the official taxi drivers have had to up their game. The first time my wife and I got a taxi from Charles de Gaulle airport to home, we sat and watched the meter tick up and up to around €60, plus an extra €1 or 2 per suitcase. Last year we arrived at CDG, jumped in a taxi, bracing ourselves for a hefty price. The driver tapped a button on the meter which then displayed €55, and when we paid there was no extra fee for the luggage. We asked why, and he explained that was the new policy for taxi's in response to extra competition. 'That is really good' we replied, and from the front seat came a grumbled response, 'really good for you.' Yeah the taxi drivers aren't making as much as they once were going to and from CDG airport, but that is the nature of capitalism.
On the occasions I've used Uber, they are convenient, quick, clean, and you know the price up front. All plusses for me. Yes I agree that there should be a level set of rules, but I've yet to see what these 'rules' are that Uber have supposedly not met. Some vague phrase about 'safety and security' means nothing. If you're going to remove someone's license and put 30,00 out of work, you need to be able to state why. This is really all about money. Black cabs pay a lot of money to TfL for their ability to work the streets, and I bet there wasn't anywhere as much money flowing in from Uber.Plus Uber are delivering a service to the public that's simply better for them than the black cabs. That's why the license has been revoked, because cab drivers were missing out on business they clearly didn't deserve to keep. and that's why the Mayor has become involved, because it's about the money they are raking in from the cab licenses. Anyway - I've signed the online petition to give the license back. If cab drivers want my business, they can up their game.
Yellow cabs are expensive in NY, much better to get a bus or subway. The fare is $2.75 and you get a free transfer to transfer between different buses and or trains.
Uber has 21 days to appeal TfL's decision. Wait, 14 days. No, 22 days. Hang on, it's 5 days now. Oh no they're here quick put your shoes on.
