Rumbero

JohnL Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > Ubers entire business plan involves driverless > cars. I wonder if Uber's business plan involves actually making a profit?

Presumably you're less likely to do anything to jeopardise your livelihood if you've made that sort of investment. And I suppose it's only a matter of time before any job doesn't exist anymore.

Strikes me that the Knowledge isn't just a memory test of London streets. The two or three years it takes to complete is a character test as much as anything else and demonstrates commitment to a career, whereas minicab-driving (driver-partnering, I believe, in slightly Orwellian ?berspeak) is of a more transient nature and probably appeals to those whose employment opportunities are limited. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but if the barriers between licensed taxis and private hire continue to be eroded (Uber have effectively been allowed to 'ply for hire', albeit electronically) then the race to the bottom will have been won. If the Knowledge is sacrificed on the altar of de-regulation and cheapness is the only criteria (we'd better get used to that post-Brexit) then I, for one, think that'll be a sad day. Be careful what you wish for.

Fair enough. If that's the case I apologise for jumping to conclusions. There's always going to be one rotten apple in the barrel. Hopefully you'll have better experiences in the future.

Gaynor Hill Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I was in the back of cab when I asked to be taken > to Dulwich, he said I ain't taking you there get > out > I just got out shocked and no had not been > drinking Quite sure you haven't been drinking!? That's the second time you've made this claim since starting the thread two days ago. You don't like black cabs. We get it. Regarding some of the other posts, is there any actual evidence that black cab drivers are any more 'racist' than any other section of society or is that simply lazy stereotyping? Admittedly I am not a frequent customer (I try and walk, cycle or take public transport if possible) but have never come across this. In fact the last cab driver who drove me (yes, all the way to East Dulwich) seemed to be some sort of advocate for the Cuban Revolution and kept banging on about Fidel Castro and Karl Marx. He was wearing a jacket and tie (make of that what you will). And all this 'south of the river' stuff: presumably the ones Wimpole knows who 'sold up and live in Beckenham and Orpington way' don't object to crossing the Thames from time to time. I even have a theory for seenbeen, who was concerned earlier about the number of black cabs on Crystal Palace Road: maybe they're the proverbial 'golf jumper-wearing' ones who play at Aquarius (while 'fiddling their taxes' of course). Wimpole is spot on about the new Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) cabs though. Definitely the way forward but at ?60,000 or so they are a significant investment for cab drivers.

Black cab apps existed before Uber though didn't they? They just haven't benefited from well-connected 'lobbyists' or venture capitalist investment ($3.5 billion from the Saudis anyone?) to raise awareness. Not had cause to use them admittedly (I wouldn't know one end of a mobile phone from another) but the option is definitely there as far as I know. Anyone tried them?

Pointless thread. Some people will have had good experiences with black cabs, others won't. Just as some people will have had good experiences with minicabs and others won't. If it's a bad experience with either a licensed taxi or private hire then complain to the relevant licensing authority, in this case Transport for London. For the record I believe black cab drivers are obliged to accept any hiring of up to 12 miles, unless they have a reasonable excuse (for example if the journey is likely to take over one hour or the passenger is drunk or abusive).

Uber?

I wouldn't have thought a proper licensed taxi would exactly break the bank particularly if you got together with other supporters on a regular basis and split the fare. I believe they can accommodate at least five passengers (six in some cases). They also have access to the bus lanes so the journey time is likely to be significantly less than private hire. Maybe you could negotiate with a local cabbie or download one of the black cab apps. The American e-hailing app you refer to isn't the only game in town (much as they'd like to be) and your hard-earned money won't be filling the coffers of an exploitative company domiciled, for UK tax avoidance purposes, in the Netherlands.

I have a PayPal dispute ongoing following non-arrival of an item ordered a couple of months ago. No trace at Silvester Road sorting office (not sure how thorough their search was). Seller claims item was sent but seems flaky at best so can't be sure where fault lies. All very time-consuming and tedious though.

If Southwark are so committed to enforcing bus lanes perhaps they could start by removing the abandoned vehicle on Denmark Hill. It's been there for at least two weeks now.

He was downing cans of industrial strength lager at Camberwell Green on Bank Holiday Monday before heading up Denmark Hill. Well, all work and no play ...

This could run and run ... http://www.unofficialbritain.com/white-paint-spills-in-public-places/

Saw a motorbike being ejected from the back of a white van in the early hours a while ago. No idea how they got it there in the first place though. Called 101 but never heard any more needless to say.

There's been a tent pitched about 50 yards up Cox's Walk for the past few weeks. Could it be anything to do with that?

A Honda motorbike was offloaded from a white van by a couple of blokes at about 11.30pm on 22nd April in the housing association car-park next to No 10 Hindmans Road. Removed the following day by police I think.

Does anyone else suffer from the persistent racket that seems be centred on one of the housing association properties in Tyrrell Road? It went on til 5am this morning. Couldn't sleep again.