Uber ban
 

London strips Uber of licence to operate.

So what's the feeling on Uber? Is this Sadiq Khan backscratching of Black-cab drivers?

Don't like Uber management but don't like the public being denied the right to that type of service . There are alternatives but are any of the alternatives as practical ?

Have never used Uber or any other ride-share app, and most assuredly would never sign up as a driver.

Re: Uber ban
 

Uber is great by providing competition to the black cab monopoly and offering a more economical way of getting around London.

But it also does affect the economic well-being of the cab drivers by reducing their incomes (as well as ability to maintain a decent lifestyle in a high cost place like London), and promotes the emergence of even more workers without benefits and security of employment contracts and the rights that come with it (all uber drivers are effectively independent contractors).

What I find ironic (from the other forum I read) is that the same people screaming about the loss of uber are mostly young urban liberals who are also quick to attack the growing loss of job security and benefits in the modern world. They want the cheap benefits of having uber, but they also resist having to pay the higher costs for allowing more people to have employment security in unionised roles.

It's the hypocrisy of the modern day left (especially the young). They want all the benefits that come with a more socialised and regulated workforce and society, but they refuse to pay for it.

Re: Uber ban
 

Uber drivers will just go back to what they were doing before - illegal mini cabs.

Re: Uber ban
 

London problem. I would guess that 90-95% of the UK population have never used uber.

I do feel sorry for Londoners though. I mean, without uber, how on earth are they going to get around? With only 11 tube lines and 350 train/tube stations, 8,000 buses on 700+ bus routes, 21,000 black cabs and 6,000 licensed mini-cabs, they'll be stranded, just like they were in 2011 before uber started.

Re: Uber ban
 

:goodpost:

I quite agree with you!

Re: Uber ban
 

If they are not on strike, and the unions understand perfectly how to cause maximum disruption!

Re: Uber ban
 

Wakey wakey, uber havent disappeared, the mayors cronies have never liked uber, and of course the old school cab mafia hate them for taking away their monopolistic meal ticket. Most lindoners hate black cab drivers for the foul rip off merchants they are. Imho, uber is just an example of the new marketplace.

However, uber have already said they are to simply appeal, nothing can actually be stopped till the legal process completes as if uber ultimately win and were limited pro tem in any way, the damages subsequently claimed would be astronomic - 2 years? A deal will be done and they will continue.

Anyway the mayor has bigger probkems, following the death of a pedestrian by a cyclist who has just gone to clink, they have dared to threaten cyclists with requiring a road tax, license plates and insurance, assasination looms...

Re: Uber ban
 

[QUOTE=uk_grenada;12344617

Anyway the mayor has bigger probkems, following the death of a pedestrian by a cyclist who has just gone to clink, they have dared to threaten cyclists with requiring a road tax, license plates and insurance, assasination looms...[/QUOTE]

Road tax doesn't exist in actual fact, what does exist is a car tax and a commercial vehicle tax. Tax for cyclists has been mooted for many years, not a new thing, but the idea that cyclists would need insurance and license plates is, frankly, ridiculous. What is being considered is a change to the laws regarding cyclists, the case in point having to use a Victorian law which bans 'cycling furiously'. The cyclist in question was riding a bike which was illegal for use on roads as it didn't have a front brake, and with the huge increase in the number of cyclists on roads, particularly in city and town centres, then it's a valid idea to give them some sort of legal framework to adhere to. There is a case for the cycling proficiency test to be introduced, and for it to be a requirement for people to have at least completed a course, currently anyone can get on a cycle and ride through any of the UK cities with having had no instruction of the correct way to ride, approach junctions etc. There also needs to be some sort of legislation regarding the electric power assisted bikes which are becoming more popular.

Re: Uber ban
 

Ridiculous - why? Cyclists cause damage to other road users and vehicles and need to be identified on cctv so they can be fined. The swiss have had a combined mandatory tax/insurance for decades, along with number plates, no problem to do it.

Training exists and can be made a requirement, but cyclists will still just ignore the laws.

Re: Uber ban
 

Ah yes, black cab drivers, with their jet-set lifestyles, fancy penthouses and villas in Tuscany. About time somebody came and tried to bring them down to the minimum-wage level.

Re: Uber ban
 

Love how those who generally post pro brexit views don't like a protectionist policy.

Re: Uber ban
 

I read black cab drivers nationally claim an income of about 50k on average, that london fares are the 2nd highest on the planet, but also that they may also be hiding as much as 100k income from the taxman. If the average is 50k, lets say 75 for london?

I wouldnt call them poorly renumerated,i also would say their position is dinosaur like in its protectionism. Ultimately the market needs to be level and the customer has to decide, currently its uber by a country mile.

Re: Uber ban
 

One of the reasons for denying the license was the fact that Uber drivers are not regulated and have no licensing system in place, getting a black cab license requires months of training etc, and their backgrounds are checked. No such checks occur for Uber drivers.

Re: Uber ban
 

You know that just isnt true, there was a generic minicab issue fixed recently but if it makes you happy.

Uber drivers must apply for new criminal record checks | Daily Mail Online

Re: Uber ban
 

Suggest you sign this petition - supporting uber in london - impressive - half a million signatures , nobody except the black cab drivers and their friends think the black cab is a worthwhile institution.

https://www.change.org/p/save-your-u...ntent=ex5%3Av4