Uber Has Effectively Been Banned From London
Ride-hailing app Uber has been provisionally banned from operating in London, in a massive development that’s being hailed as a win for the traditional, old-fashioned black cab driver.
Transport for London (TfL) said in a statement that Uber’s ‘approach and conduct’ were ‘not fit and proper’ to hold a private hire licence. Its current one expires on September 30, but legally the firm is granted a 21-day stay of execution during which it can appeal the decision – and continue to operate.
The shock ruling criticises Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences, presumably committed by its drivers, its approach to how medical certificates were obtained, to how its criminal record checks were obtained and its use of software designed to block the police from gaining ‘full access’ to the app.
Uber claims to have 3.5 million users in London – almost half the city’s population. Some 40,000 drivers also operate under its banners, it says. It has been operating since 2012 but has faced stiff criticism from black cab drivers, who have to undergo much stricter background checks and competence tests before being allowed to work. It’s expected that Uber will appeal, and make promises of big changes in order to keep its licence.
GMB, the taxi drivers’ union, released a statement shortly after TfL issued the news. Maria Ludkin, GMB legal director, said:
“No company can behave like it’s above the law, and that includes Uber. As a result of sustained pressure from drivers and the public, Uber has suffered yet another defeat. It’s about time the company… changed its ways.”
Do you use Uber in London? Will you revert to using Black Cabs? Will it make your life more difficult?
Comments
I reckon there will be a bit of back and forth before it’ll be finalised.
Uber really is better and sometimes cheaper than what TFL can offer.
In Austria is basically the same when it comes to Uber.
Same in Johor Bahru.
I just won’t get it if Londoners start to get pissed about that. There’s always the bus, the regular cab (and the K n o w l e d g e), the metro, the bicycle, both your feet, or just buying a scooter.
“Were not a taxi service!”
“Yes you are.”
“We’re a ride hailing service”
“That’s a taxi service. Are you willing to die on this hill?”
“We’re not a taxi service.”
“Ok then…”
But the unions goddamn it!
Welp, there’s always lyft
…or just using a regular taxi, the bus, the metro, a bicycle, and your feet.
Man, in Argentina Uber is consider illegal, but they still operating. All the taxi drivers are really angry. But in this country, everything is possible…
I have never trusted Uber, I always ride a cab since they actualy have to undergo some steps before becoming a driver istead of just having a phone and face and off you go, you’re an uber.
A car is also generally something useful in order to become an Uber.
Has the UK gone full r*tard recently?
What exactly is r*tarded about this? Somebody without a taxi licence shouldn’t earn money by offering taxi services.
Inb4 “taxi is expensive bla bla bla”, taxist have to pay twice as much insurance, maintanence, taxi regrstion, tax on the price… and all of that is more than uber, therefore for them to reach this price they would loose money, and we can’t have taxis loosing these, necouse these taxes are common sense, what we need to do is put those taxes on uber drivers, and require them to be skilled, and have finished a school for taxists, not just some random bloke who probablx has a broken car and bad driving habits… Uber is banned in Croatia and I’m glad it is
Not sure if this is the same where you are but in the UK at least uber drivers would be legally required to have an insurance policy that includes business use, combined with their higher annual mileage their insurance should come into line with that of most taxis. Uber drivers would also be legally required to pay income tax on their earnings
And while I don’t particularly like uber it is wrong to have a monopolist taxi service, leads to poor service and inflated pricing, absolutely no benefit to the consumer
It’s not as cut and dry as that. I live in the US, specifically just outside New York City and I have taken over 500 Uber rides with little to no bad experiences. I realize that the laws might be different depending on location but here’s the requirements in the US:
To address the comment about “some random bloke who probably has a broken car”, Uber has requirements for the vehicle used. It varies by region but here in NYC the vehicle must be no older than 2010 (and that vehicle age restriction changes every year).
Also, to drive you are required to be 21 years of age or older (23 depending on your city). The intended driver is required to be on the insurance for the vehicle used. You must pass a background check. A minimum of three years driving experience is mandatory. Your vehicle must be fit to pass an inspection from Uber and obviously the inspection required by the local authorities. You are required to have a CLEAN driving record.
Uber also offers financing programs though their company to help its drivers pay for and work off their car, making vehicle ownership more accessible.
The rating system that Uber uses for its drivers is also very effective. For those who have never used Uber it’s pretty simple, after every trip, both riders and drivers are prompted to rate each other. The ratings are averaged out and each rider and driver is then assigned a score (1.0 - 5.0 stars). As a rider, if your rating gets too low, you could be kicked off the app. And if you’re a driver and your rating goes below a certain threshold, you won’t be allowed to drive for Uber.
This also goes so far as to match riders with high stars to drivers with high stars. I have a 4.7 star rating and always get fantastic drivers and very clean cars. With a high rating there’s also a chance of getting upgraded to Uber’s premium service (example: ordering regular service to the airport and being picked up by a 2017 Tahoe with iPads for movies, complimentary water/snacks and auxiliary phone chargers).
If you’ve made it this far…kudos…bottom line is that I really trust Uber, and I think I’m right in saying so do NYC’s 8.5 mil people. It’s a free market system that does a pretty good job at self policing.
Oh Uber is banned in Croatia?!
Damn, I wish my boss told me that, I’m still driving people around like an idiot…
Stop lying around kiddo.
Seeing that it is just you and me then.. where will it be?
The Black Cab will rule on
europe is becoming FIA banning everything damnn
The FIA IS european
I guess I’ll just walk.
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