No more Uber !

[Calsug]

I stopped using black cabs when a number of times they didn't want to go to Dulwich as it "was out of their way" black cabs have made uber so popular by being slow to adapt and overly expensive. Afraid the local knowledge upper edge is simply obsolete now there is GPS.

As for The rationale that Uber drivers clog up londons streets, if londons public transport was better and cheaper than Uber then maybe more people would use it, plus London simply does not have the public transport capacity without Uber taking the strain off it

[Loz]

The coming week should be interesting. Uber are claiming they passed a compliance audit in April. Also, a series of meetings with TfL since then were cancelled. More interestingly, they say they have been trying to meet with Khan for a few months, but to no avail.

If TFL and Khan are seen to be trying to shut Uber out in any way unfairly, this may be quite telling at the appeal. Plus, I think the groundswell of opinion will have taken Khan a little bit by surprise.

I suspect a few meetings will be held PDQ between Uber and TFL (but not with Khan). Uber will make a few concessions (the reporting of allegations about drivers to the police being the main one) and TFL will claim victory and grant a new licence, probably for a limited time of one or two years.

And then the next day, black cabs will hold a protest and block Trafalgar Sq up again.

[Abe_froeman]

This thing about reporting drivers to the police bothers me a bit. I presume a minicab firm has a duty of confidentiality regarding the data of its passengers (where they've been, when etc) that might make a disclosure difficult.

But also isn't the onus on the victim to report their claim to the police first rather than to the employer of the alleged attacker? I'm not sure why the mini cab firm should be involved at all, beyond co-operating fully with the police once a complaint has been made.

[Wimpole]

Long time user of both Uber and black cabs here... I use both depending on the situation. To add some balance: For sure black cabs have issues with cost and driver attitude but I've seen some positive changes as they've come under pressure. Keep in mind - their costs are set by the regulator (PCO), they are required to use a specific designated vehicle type (TX4 or Mercedes van) which accommodate disabled passengers and they have to complete 3 years of training on road craft (The Knowledge) that still delivers passenger value and safety in the age of sat nav.

I don't believe it's fair on drivers to study/train for 3 years, spend ?55k on a vehicle and work to a fixed price tarrif if anyone can turn up and blag an Uber licence in days. It's an unfair playing field and I feel for those who have invested years of their lives getting undercut by a toxic company that amongst many issues doesn't follow saftey regulations. Uber is cheaper because it is subsidised by billions of VC/PE cash to disrupt existing biz models. The only viable reason for doing this is to gain market share and move back to market level pricing. It's amazing how many people don't seem to get this.

Either partially deregulate the whole industry to bring everyone level (bad for safety) or re-regulate to accommodate the latest app driven business models.

Finally the latest MyTaxi app is almost as good as Ubers and allows excellent advance booking and has plenty promos. They have offered 50% discounts on black cab fares this week and it is very reliable IMO.

[Loz]

Wimpole Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Keep in mind - their costs are set by the regulator (PCO)

... and ...

> Finally the latest MyTaxi app is almost as good as

> Ubers and allows excellent advance booking and has

> plenty promos. They have offered 50% discounts on

> black cab fares this week and it is very reliable IMO.

If black cab costs are set by the regulator, how can they offer 50% off?

[JohnL]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Wimpole Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Keep in mind - their costs are set by the

> regulator (PCO)

>

> ... and ...

>

> > Finally the latest MyTaxi app is almost as good

> as

> > Ubers and allows excellent advance booking and

> has

> > plenty promos. They have offered 50% discounts

> on

> > black cab fares this week and it is very

> reliable IMO.

>

> If black cab costs are set by the regulator, how

> can they offer 50% off?

Did he switch on the meter :)

I had a load like that in Swansea as a youngster.

[Wimpole]

Suburban cabbies. Different breed!

[Wimpole]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Wimpole Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Keep in mind - their costs are set by the

> regulator (PCO)

>

> ... and ...

>

> > Finally the latest MyTaxi app is almost as good

> as

> > Ubers and allows excellent advance booking and

> has

> > plenty promos. They have offered 50% discounts

> on

> > black cab fares this week and it is very

> reliable IMO.

>

> If black cab costs are set by the regulator, how

> can they offer 50% off?

Subsidised by the app provider. But unlike Uber only short term and promotional so normal competitive practice.

[Wimpole]

My mistake above. Black cab fares are regulated by TFL.

[Blah Blah]

Black cabs have always complained about competition of any kind. They don't like Addison Lee either. But they are just too expensive for a lot of people, up to three times the cost of the average mini cab fare.

[binkylilyput]

Everyone knows you can't get a black cab to South London.....and even if you get lucky it's going to cost a fortune.

I began using Addison Lee as they were safer for women- sending car reg details etc.

Uber excelled Addison Lee in terms of convenience, safety and cost.

Obviously I hope Uber can shape up in terms of TFL's requirements to make various improvements.

[Angelina]

Don't forget that Uber are high-loss making, which is a model based on gaining a monopoly by undercutting all competition. Obviously, it's not sustainable, so this phase of super cheap travel would not have lasted anyway.