Uber's operating license in London revoked
Sep 23rd 2017, 2:15 am
#16
BE Irregular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Never used uber, but their licence wasn't revoked, just not renewed. That is the point of licences ,is it not.
Sep 23rd 2017, 5:20 am
#17
Banned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 64
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Just temporary they are too big to simply disappear they will be remain there
Sep 23rd 2017, 12:05 pm
#18
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,532
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Maybe so, but all uber need to do is make an effort to comply with laws and regulations in each jurisdiction. Anti-capitalist London is not the only place uber has been called to account. Maybe anti-capitalism is the way to go, though? TfL runs a pretty good transportation system.
Sep 24th 2017, 12:21 am
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Sep 24th 2017, 5:43 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Was Virginia, now Yorkshire.
Posts: 2,333
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
The only issues I've had with black cabs are actually trying to find one when needed, usually when in business trying to get back to a train station or airport.
Minicabs I have a longstanding issue with, regardless of country or city - I am just bad luck or a jinx, always have been. Even had an issue with them on my wedding day! Never turn up, turn up late, stinky, old cars. I love Uber for all the reasons listed - and perfect when in a country where I don't speak the language or carry cash currency.
Having said that, I am uneasy about Uber business practices. It's clear they're running at a loss now to drive others out of business and establish their business for the day that driverless cars are mainstream. But until the day that minicab companies and black cabs catch up with the technology, stop berating their customers and listen to why they prefer Uber, then I'm going to continue using Uber where I can.
In 20 years time, the only people using black cabs in London will be tourists getting a "heritage" ride.
Minicabs I have a longstanding issue with, regardless of country or city - I am just bad luck or a jinx, always have been. Even had an issue with them on my wedding day! Never turn up, turn up late, stinky, old cars. I love Uber for all the reasons listed - and perfect when in a country where I don't speak the language or carry cash currency.
Having said that, I am uneasy about Uber business practices. It's clear they're running at a loss now to drive others out of business and establish their business for the day that driverless cars are mainstream. But until the day that minicab companies and black cabs catch up with the technology, stop berating their customers and listen to why they prefer Uber, then I'm going to continue using Uber where I can.
In 20 years time, the only people using black cabs in London will be tourists getting a "heritage" ride.
Sep 24th 2017, 6:08 pm
#21
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Industry with powerful political friends is being disrupted by a company with a good idea. Company doing the disruption is suddenly notified that their papers... are not in order. Disruptor company is locked out of the market. All's well with the world.
Other industries trying this gambit: buggy driver unions, railroads, telephone cartels, the music industry, the movie industry, auto makers, and many many local taxi unions. All failed.
Go ahead, Khan. Fight the future. Stick it to your constituency to make a union happy. Tough competitors like Uber are mean and bad (also: run by those blasted Yanks). Just stick your fingers in your ears and sing "lalalala". I'm sure this will work, ride sharing is just a fad. I assure you.
Other industries trying this gambit: buggy driver unions, railroads, telephone cartels, the music industry, the movie industry, auto makers, and many many local taxi unions. All failed.
Go ahead, Khan. Fight the future. Stick it to your constituency to make a union happy. Tough competitors like Uber are mean and bad (also: run by those blasted Yanks). Just stick your fingers in your ears and sing "lalalala". I'm sure this will work, ride sharing is just a fad. I assure you.
Sep 24th 2017, 6:22 pm
#22
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Here in Austin, we have a love/hate relationship with Uber.
The city of Austin kicked them out last year because they refused to comply with a city regulation of fingerprinting. Uber set up an online petition to try to force our city to take them back but it didnt work. Then Uber lost just about all the sympathy we had for them (not much tbh) by spending millions of $ on lobbying the State to force Austin to amend their rules. The people of Austin get really peed off with being told what to do by the State and especially when it is so easily manipulated by money, as in this case.
When Uber left, another local company stepped in. But this time with much fairer pricing for the drivers and they also donate profits to local charities. And they complied with the fingerprinting regulation. We love Ride Austin. Drivers prefer Ride Austin.
Uber is now back but is having problems recruiting drivers. Last I looked they were offering $1500 signups to new drivers in Austin and guaranteeing $35 an hour. Uber has a terrible reputation for paying drivers. This link is from March 2017 when Uber left Austin and drivers were coming from Houston to avoid working for Uber in Houston.Houston drivers are commuting to Austin rather than work for Uber - Mar. 8, 2017
So London, take a breath and encourage a local company to step in.
I am not a fan of Austin yellow cabs. My arrival in Austin and getting a rip-off driver who took me to the wrong hotel and then tried to make me pay for the whole journey.
The city of Austin kicked them out last year because they refused to comply with a city regulation of fingerprinting. Uber set up an online petition to try to force our city to take them back but it didnt work. Then Uber lost just about all the sympathy we had for them (not much tbh) by spending millions of $ on lobbying the State to force Austin to amend their rules. The people of Austin get really peed off with being told what to do by the State and especially when it is so easily manipulated by money, as in this case.
When Uber left, another local company stepped in. But this time with much fairer pricing for the drivers and they also donate profits to local charities. And they complied with the fingerprinting regulation. We love Ride Austin. Drivers prefer Ride Austin.
Uber is now back but is having problems recruiting drivers. Last I looked they were offering $1500 signups to new drivers in Austin and guaranteeing $35 an hour. Uber has a terrible reputation for paying drivers. This link is from March 2017 when Uber left Austin and drivers were coming from Houston to avoid working for Uber in Houston.Houston drivers are commuting to Austin rather than work for Uber - Mar. 8, 2017
So London, take a breath and encourage a local company to step in.
I am not a fan of Austin yellow cabs. My arrival in Austin and getting a rip-off driver who took me to the wrong hotel and then tried to make me pay for the whole journey.
Sep 24th 2017, 6:28 pm
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Never been able to try Uber as they have not been permitted to operate here, although government is apparently looking to create regulations that will permit them to operate here end of the year/early next year.
Never had an issue with Yellow Cab one of the bigger ones here, clean cars, mostly Toyota hybrids, friendly drivers, easy to use website and app to get a car, updates on the app how far the car is, and an estimated fare although you pay the driver directly. Cash, credit or debit.
Never had an issue with Yellow Cab one of the bigger ones here, clean cars, mostly Toyota hybrids, friendly drivers, easy to use website and app to get a car, updates on the app how far the car is, and an estimated fare although you pay the driver directly. Cash, credit or debit.
Sep 24th 2017, 8:19 pm
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,641
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
The only issues I've had with black cabs are actually trying to find one when needed, usually when in business trying to get back to a train station or airport.
Minicabs I have a longstanding issue with, regardless of country or city - I am just bad luck or a jinx, always have been. Even had an issue with them on my wedding day! Never turn up, turn up late, stinky, old cars. I love Uber for all the reasons listed - and perfect when in a country where I don't speak the language or carry cash currency.
Having said that, I am uneasy about Uber business practices. It's clear they're running at a loss now to drive others out of business and establish their business for the day that driverless cars are mainstream. But until the day that minicab companies and black cabs catch up with the technology, stop berating their customers and listen to why they prefer Uber, then I'm going to continue using Uber where I can.
In 20 years time, the only people using black cabs in London will be tourists getting a "heritage" ride.
Minicabs I have a longstanding issue with, regardless of country or city - I am just bad luck or a jinx, always have been. Even had an issue with them on my wedding day! Never turn up, turn up late, stinky, old cars. I love Uber for all the reasons listed - and perfect when in a country where I don't speak the language or carry cash currency.
Having said that, I am uneasy about Uber business practices. It's clear they're running at a loss now to drive others out of business and establish their business for the day that driverless cars are mainstream. But until the day that minicab companies and black cabs catch up with the technology, stop berating their customers and listen to why they prefer Uber, then I'm going to continue using Uber where I can.
In 20 years time, the only people using black cabs in London will be tourists getting a "heritage" ride.
Sep 24th 2017, 8:33 pm
#25
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,532
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Industry with powerful political friends is being disrupted by a company with a good idea. Company doing the disruption is suddenly notified that their papers... are not in order. Disruptor company is locked out of the market. All's well with the world.
Other industries trying this gambit: buggy driver unions, railroads, telephone cartels, the music industry, the movie industry, auto makers, and many many local taxi unions. All failed.
Go ahead, Khan. Fight the future. Stick it to your constituency to make a union happy. Tough competitors like Uber are mean and bad (also: run by those blasted Yanks). Just stick your fingers in your ears and sing "lalalala". I'm sure this will work, ride sharing is just a fad. I assure you.
Other industries trying this gambit: buggy driver unions, railroads, telephone cartels, the music industry, the movie industry, auto makers, and many many local taxi unions. All failed.
Go ahead, Khan. Fight the future. Stick it to your constituency to make a union happy. Tough competitors like Uber are mean and bad (also: run by those blasted Yanks). Just stick your fingers in your ears and sing "lalalala". I'm sure this will work, ride sharing is just a fad. I assure you.
Sep 25th 2017, 3:59 am
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
Apparently. Which is why I feel divided about Uber. Clearly the monopolistic taxi business was in need of a shakeup but, otoh, some of Uber's behaviour has been so egregious that there are legitimate issues around them. I don't know the ins and outs of Uber's London situation (I did use them once in London last week when I had a bunch of bags) but it's hardly the first city they have run into problems because of their conduct.
Sep 25th 2017, 7:15 am
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,103
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
You keep asking that question without giving us a clue as to 'what' laws/regulations you are talking about. If there's some archaic law requiring all cabs to be painted black, or to salute to some statue while driving by, then they should ignore those laws/regulations and those regulations should be changed. But if you are talking about laws/regulations that still make sense in a 21st century environment, then they should comply. So what are these laws/regulations in particular?
ETA: I've never personally had the need to take Uber or Lyft. On the very odd occasion I arrive at my local BART station and can't get a ride home, I will take a cab that is sitting right there because it's convenient.
I think regular cabs suck in general - dirty, old cars, smoking drivers who roll all the windows down, rip off rates, etc. I hope Uber does disrupt that archaic old industry. But I do hear they are running at a huge loss, partly hoping to kill off competition before their money runs out, and they pay badly. So how long this whole gig will last remains to be seen.
ETA: I've never personally had the need to take Uber or Lyft. On the very odd occasion I arrive at my local BART station and can't get a ride home, I will take a cab that is sitting right there because it's convenient.
I think regular cabs suck in general - dirty, old cars, smoking drivers who roll all the windows down, rip off rates, etc. I hope Uber does disrupt that archaic old industry. But I do hear they are running at a huge loss, partly hoping to kill off competition before their money runs out, and they pay badly. So how long this whole gig will last remains to be seen.
Last edited by Steerpike; Sep 25th 2017 at 7:19 am.
Sep 25th 2017, 7:22 am
#28
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,205
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
UBER seems to be likely to make some concessions.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/uber-could...084200225.html
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/uber-could...084200225.html
Sep 25th 2017, 11:48 am
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Uber's operating license in London revoked
You keep asking that question without giving us a clue as to 'what' laws/regulations you are talking about. If there's some archaic law requiring all cabs to be painted black, or to salute to some statue while driving by, then they should ignore those laws/regulations and those regulations should be changed. But if you are talking about laws/regulations that still make sense in a 21st century environment, then they should comply. So what are these laws/regulations in particular?
ETA: I've never personally had the need to take Uber or Lyft. On the very odd occasion I arrive at my local BART station and can't get a ride home, I will take a cab that is sitting right there because it's convenient.
I think regular cabs suck in general - dirty, old cars, smoking drivers who roll all the windows down, rip off rates, etc. I hope Uber does disrupt that archaic old industry. But I do hear they are running at a huge loss, partly hoping to kill off competition before their money runs out, and they pay badly. So how long this whole gig will last remains to be seen.
ETA: I've never personally had the need to take Uber or Lyft. On the very odd occasion I arrive at my local BART station and can't get a ride home, I will take a cab that is sitting right there because it's convenient.
I think regular cabs suck in general - dirty, old cars, smoking drivers who roll all the windows down, rip off rates, etc. I hope Uber does disrupt that archaic old industry. But I do hear they are running at a huge loss, partly hoping to kill off competition before their money runs out, and they pay badly. So how long this whole gig will last remains to be seen.
This is the company that deliberately tried to stop government regulators using their service by greyballing.
