London has been de-Ubered?
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ishtat
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It's an unholy alliance of the Socialized (and government protected cab cartel) plus their Labour Party mates on one side, versus an arrogant bunch of pricks (Uber) on the other. Odds are evens but if Uber loses, there will be a similar replacement within hours.
John Blackhawk
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Now i can't resist answering this but to answer the question i'd say the chances are hard to say they'll have to keep a "stiff upper lip."
oggbashan
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Uber have the right to appeal and can continue to operate in London while that appeal is being considered.
But Uber has broken the rules for their private hire contract multiple times - not reporting, recording or investigating rape allegations against their drivers and not properly checking drivers for criminal convictions.
They also treat their drivers like shit...
But Uber has broken the rules for their private hire contract multiple times - not reporting, recording or investigating rape allegations against their drivers and not properly checking drivers for criminal convictions.
They also treat their drivers like shit...
jaF0
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See, that's my point ... they've been banned or prohibited from operating in several places around the world and always seem to have prevailed. How many times can they buy their way out?
They want to act like a ride sharing club of some sort without rules. If that were true, there would be no fees and no executive staff. They're a public transportation business, plain and simple and they should have to comply with the same laws other Taxi and Limo services do.
They want to act like a ride sharing club of some sort without rules. If that were true, there would be no fees and no executive staff. They're a public transportation business, plain and simple and they should have to comply with the same laws other Taxi and Limo services do.
richard_daily
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Let's hope so. The company is a perfect example of the free market run amok.
oggbashan
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I'm not surprised. Uber is very popular in London as a cheap alternative to black cabs. The people who use Uber are media-savvy and are likely to sign on-line petitions.
That doesn't change the facts. Uber has been avoiding its responsibilities. Every London black cab driver has to have passed "The Knowledge", not have a criminal record, have their vehicle checked annually, and undergo medical checks too.
The rules of private hire (pre-booked) vehicles are not as stringent as those for black cabs but they are there to protect the public.
A few Uber drivers have been avoiding the requirements. Uber has known that for years, been directed to improve, and has consistently failed to do what is necessary.
Transport for London's patience with Uber has run out. Either Uber complies with the requirements that every other private hire cab company operating in London has to meet, or they will be forced to close. The ball is in Uber's court and has been for years. No petition will change anything. Only Uber can do that.
RedAllan
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I agree that uber have broken a myriad of rules in its bid for profit, even those drivers who are 'legit' are treated like shit by the company.
A couple of my good friends are black cabbies and they are very happy with this result.
Personally I have never used anything other than a black cab when I have to get about central London quickly. I prefer when I can to walk, I know short cuts and back doubles quite well, and given some traffic volumes can sometimes beat a cab to my destination.
A couple of my good friends are black cabbies and they are very happy with this result.
Personally I have never used anything other than a black cab when I have to get about central London quickly. I prefer when I can to walk, I know short cuts and back doubles quite well, and given some traffic volumes can sometimes beat a cab to my destination.
From the way Uber are whinging, you'd think that this is a personal matter between them and the Mayor of London. However the rules on Private Hire Vehicle licensing are much the same across the UK and they are clearly in breach.
Their competition is not really with black cabs (walk to the kerb and wave your hand, a cab appears). Their business is more akin to mini-cabs or PHVs (telephone the office and a car comes to your door).
The PHV drivers don't pass the 'Knowledge' but do need criminal records checks etc. In my home town, many miles from London you won't get a licence if you have convictions for burgling people's houses or fondling random drunken girls. Also they have limits on the numbers of licenses so that drivers are not in too much competition and can earn a living without hustling the public.
Their competition is not really with black cabs (walk to the kerb and wave your hand, a cab appears). Their business is more akin to mini-cabs or PHVs (telephone the office and a car comes to your door).
The PHV drivers don't pass the 'Knowledge' but do need criminal records checks etc. In my home town, many miles from London you won't get a licence if you have convictions for burgling people's houses or fondling random drunken girls. Also they have limits on the numbers of licenses so that drivers are not in too much competition and can earn a living without hustling the public.
BotanyBoy
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Oh noes, not free exchange of goods and services!! Not freedom of association!!!
The whole thing should be run by the state hua comrade?
LOL I bet you as with most cases it's a cab company or union pushing the state to crucify the new model that's fucking them up on the market.
So much as with lefty cities in the US, the state is after them on behalf of the established taxi cab model that uber has all but taken out back and shot in the head. It's not fair someone is using new tech to do their job better after decades of doing nothing to improve the model hiding behind million dollar license fees and other market mongering bullshit policy.
Rightguide
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It's an unholy alliance of the Socialized (and government protected cab cartel) plus their Labour Party mates on one side, versus an arrogant bunch of pricks (Uber) on the other. Odds are evens but if Uber loses, there will be a similar replacement within hours.
A little command order Marxism to dampen the free choice of Londoners. So typical of the iron glove of Socialism.
Sean
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Yeah, those damn socialists stopping rapists picking up women and night and driving them off into the wilderness. How dare they? It's Marxism, I tell you!
It's likely that some people don't believe that it's an actual risk; sex offenders being employed as taxi drivers.
Before we met, my wife was a witness to an incident where two girls were murdered by a taxi driver.
I know of two other incidents where taxi drivers have sexually assaulted drunken girls (been convicted of the offences). I also know of people who have been burgled while on holiday and I know of a taxi driver who was convicted of that offence. It also happens that taxi drivers can drive around at night without causing suspicion and can carry other burglars around, waiting outside on lookout.
So I take this seriously; those people will never drive a legitimate taxi again but could easily work for Uber.
Before we met, my wife was a witness to an incident where two girls were murdered by a taxi driver.
I know of two other incidents where taxi drivers have sexually assaulted drunken girls (been convicted of the offences). I also know of people who have been burgled while on holiday and I know of a taxi driver who was convicted of that offence. It also happens that taxi drivers can drive around at night without causing suspicion and can carry other burglars around, waiting outside on lookout.
So I take this seriously; those people will never drive a legitimate taxi again but could easily work for Uber.
KimGordon67
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Overall, the fundamental problem with Uber isn't (largely) related to the screening of drivers, but is rather with the crappy 'business model' they use.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/13/uber-practices-company-london-consumer-sumofus
"Uber’s wrongdoing doesn’t stop at the door of its corporate headquarters. Just as pernicious is the corporation’s extremely profitable model of “employment”. In fact Uber offers no such thing to the people delivering its service, consistently finding ways to pass the risk of growing its business down to its drivers. In the vast majority of cases, Uber drivers are offered low pay, no sick pay, no redundancy and no holiday. In return, they are promised “flexibility”, or the freedom to work whatever hours suit them. In practice, many Uber drivers are working long, long shifts for poor pay in order to try to make ends meet as Uber “scales” upwards without facing any financial penalty to itself for growing too fast."
To suggest that in the current economic climate, the majority of Uber drivers are 'choosing' this option is laughable, at best. If you have a choice between an absolutely shitty 'job' with no benefits and no protection and no certainty of employment (i.e. 'flexibility'), and no job at all, it's not really a 'choice'.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/13/uber-practices-company-london-consumer-sumofus
"Uber’s wrongdoing doesn’t stop at the door of its corporate headquarters. Just as pernicious is the corporation’s extremely profitable model of “employment”. In fact Uber offers no such thing to the people delivering its service, consistently finding ways to pass the risk of growing its business down to its drivers. In the vast majority of cases, Uber drivers are offered low pay, no sick pay, no redundancy and no holiday. In return, they are promised “flexibility”, or the freedom to work whatever hours suit them. In practice, many Uber drivers are working long, long shifts for poor pay in order to try to make ends meet as Uber “scales” upwards without facing any financial penalty to itself for growing too fast."
To suggest that in the current economic climate, the majority of Uber drivers are 'choosing' this option is laughable, at best. If you have a choice between an absolutely shitty 'job' with no benefits and no protection and no certainty of employment (i.e. 'flexibility'), and no job at all, it's not really a 'choice'.
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BotanyBoy
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Their rapid and continued success to the extent the old model is being threatened and is routinely fighting back everywhere says otherwise.
KimGordon67
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That depends on your definition of 'success'. I assume you didn't read any further than the sentence you've quoted.
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BotanyBoy
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You would assume wrong, and the standard definition is fine.
Definition of success
1 obsolete
utcome, result2 a :degree or measure of succeeding
b :favorable or desired outcome; also :the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
3
ne that succeedshttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/success
Sean
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The hedge funds made a shitload, normal people got fucked up the arse.
KimGordon67
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You would assume wrong, and the standard definition is fine.
Definition of success
1 obsolete
2 a :degree or measure of succeeding
b :favorable or desired outcome; also :the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
3
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/success
In this instance, that definition is only applicable to some of the parties concerned, not all.
KimGordon67
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Pretty much. And a whole shitty business model got normalised in the process. But hey, that's 'success' for someone, so it's all good.
ishtat
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Technology has caught up with a woefully outdated/overpriced/overtaxed/overregulated Cab industry in London. "The Knowledge" for example is totally useless. Satnav with real time traffic updates is far superior. The mayor and TFL will not be able to control the situation with the old regulations.
If Uber complies with the mini cab rules re safety and driver checks they will get their licence back. If they don't, someone else can replace Uber at a moments notice. The one certain fact is that the black cabs will not achieve their ambition of resticting Uber's access to the market.
It's pleasing to see both the Black cab cartel and Uber screwed simultaneously, one by price competition and the other by regulation. The next move after Uber complies, will be for TFL to try to apply a stiff licence fee (Tax) on Uber. It won't work because it will just bring a myriad of Uber clones onto the street.
PS. I spent more than 1400 pounds on cabs on 5 visits to London in 2011. With Uber that cost on my five 2015 visits had dropped to 1020 pounds.
If it's any consolation Paris regulation of Taxis is far worse than London, basically it's a protection racket for the Cabs, with the government trying to minimise Uber and other competition at the expense of the consumer. Until at least 4 years ago the number of cabs in Paris was regulated at the same number as in 1923. When Uber first arrived, the French cabbies tried to set fire to Uber cars. It's France - situation normal!
Malta is even more fun. Until about 2014 female cab drivers were not allowed at all (to protect them of course!). When they were allowed, the men drivers systematically jammed them in on the ranks (at the airport in particular) It was resolved when a former lady migrant to Australia registered her Landcruiser as a taxi and fitted it with Bull Bars. After she had used this once or twice to create her own space in the queue the guys got the message. The authorities then, belatedly issued a ticket precedence system which made the Bull Bars redundant. Kinda sad.
If Uber complies with the mini cab rules re safety and driver checks they will get their licence back. If they don't, someone else can replace Uber at a moments notice. The one certain fact is that the black cabs will not achieve their ambition of resticting Uber's access to the market.
It's pleasing to see both the Black cab cartel and Uber screwed simultaneously, one by price competition and the other by regulation. The next move after Uber complies, will be for TFL to try to apply a stiff licence fee (Tax) on Uber. It won't work because it will just bring a myriad of Uber clones onto the street.
PS. I spent more than 1400 pounds on cabs on 5 visits to London in 2011. With Uber that cost on my five 2015 visits had dropped to 1020 pounds.
If it's any consolation Paris regulation of Taxis is far worse than London, basically it's a protection racket for the Cabs, with the government trying to minimise Uber and other competition at the expense of the consumer. Until at least 4 years ago the number of cabs in Paris was regulated at the same number as in 1923. When Uber first arrived, the French cabbies tried to set fire to Uber cars. It's France - situation normal!
Malta is even more fun. Until about 2014 female cab drivers were not allowed at all (to protect them of course!). When they were allowed, the men drivers systematically jammed them in on the ranks (at the airport in particular) It was resolved when a former lady migrant to Australia registered her Landcruiser as a taxi and fitted it with Bull Bars. After she had used this once or twice to create her own space in the queue the guys got the message. The authorities then, belatedly issued a ticket precedence system which made the Bull Bars redundant. Kinda sad.
BotanyBoy
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As with all things.
In the case of uber they are fuckin' crushing it, the consumer gets a ride, the ride giver and uber make a buck.
If you don't like it you can pay more for shittier service and a long ass wait with the inferior business model.
No problem, everyone wins.
Pretty much. And a whole shitty business model got normalised in the process. But hey, that's 'success' for someone, so it's all good.
Better send the government to shut it all down and force everyone back to the cab cartels. Freedom of choice and association is TERRIBLE, the government should decide for everyone comrade!!
LOL.....
You're talking about Europe here so I wouldn't count on that.
They fucking love restricting peoples access to markets even more than the USA does and a good number of them along with a bunch of Americans want the government to totally cut off all access and even take official ownership over entire industries.
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