Uber vs Black Cabs - London Protest

megakid

megakid

megakid

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Thoughts on this? Black Cabs seem to be protesting against Uber (as have other cities around the world) for using GPS technology to price fares.

Uber started out as ride sharing/"anyone can be a taxi" mantra but their London strategy seems to be far closer to a minicab firm by using certified taxi drivers only - meaning the typical argument by traditional taxi drivers over safety etc doesn't apply.

I have used Uber for the last 6 months in London for 90% of my taxi journeys and for my use, it's far better in all areas - quality cars (UberX is better than your average minicab firm), quick availability, good reliability and, best of all, it pretty much undercuts all other firms on price.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27733971

Seems as if the black taxis are protesting out of fear of competition? I just can't see their argument that Uber have not been treated as a normal taxi firm. They have certified drivers that could drive for any other minicab firm. They can't get hailed as per all other minicabs and they don't get use of bus lanes or allowed to do illegal u-turns/stopping anywhere (unlike black cabs).
 
The problem is that hackney carriages go through a lot more regulation and hoops to do what they do - in return they get more freedom to pick up and drop passengers. UberX have basically got a regulatory loophole that means they get the freedom without all the regulation, which seems unfair. I think the law is out of date for the technology that is being used.
 
I'm with cabbies on this one. They're also getting shafted by Hailo who are now moving to accept any PHV for journeys booked through their app.

I don't use either app, never really had a problem flagging a black cab down where I usually work and play.
 
I like the concept of the app and I think that innovation is a good thing, but black cabs need to be on a level playing field, which they're not currently.
 
I think you're absolutely right that the law is out of date. If the Black Cabs have to go through significantly more hoops to get their license when compared to a minicab then that is wrong but Uber isn't any different to other minicab firms (who have been driving along side Black Cabs for 40 years) except for the technology they use - even Addison Lee is using GPS for pickup/drop off locations (but not for real-time stop-start pricing).

IMO it will be a tragedy to progress if GPS is banned from pricing journeys - if that happens, my fear would be what other laws would be introduced to stifle new technology (and therefore competition) just because lawmakers can't keep up.
 
I'm all for competition within the law but the TFL argument was that the uber app wasn't a meter because it doesn't connect to the vehicle?

I'm not sure exactly how uber works as I've not used it before but does the driver give a fixed price at the start of the journey based on GPS data or does his app calculate a fare as he's going along (using GPS). If the latter then yes I do see a problem given that other private hire firms are barred from using meters in London under their license conditions otherwise they should crack on and bring further competition to the market.
 
Noticed on my cycle in past few days tonnes of cabs have "FAILO" logos on them, which is quite funny.

Agree with the above on regulation, it is miles better to be able to request a cab whilst sitting in a pub/restaurant etc in London at night, rather than walking around aimlessly trying to find one.

I also like the transparency on price as many times I find black cabs take a longer route home (and don't like it when I ask them to go the shorter route), which results in a £10+ variance in the fare for the occasion I stay out late in London (City to Ealing).
 
Anything that helps break up the black cabs in London is a good thing if you ask me.

If it helps competition and keep prices down too it can only be a good thing
 
hmm it does seem they're using their device as an actual meter - that is dodgy IMO if currently only black cabs are allowed meters

addison Lee and Halo (for the private hire cabs) don't use meters - the whole point of private hire is you have to pre-book rather than flag down. I've got no issue with halo and addy lee giving black cabs some serious competition but using meters rather than calculating fixed fare's is crossing the line from a private hire journey to just another taxi service albeit one that has dodged the regulations re: being able to carry a wheelchair, passing the knowledge etc..
 
platypus said:
Yeah they are using a meter, just not a taximeter. That's what needs to change to make it a level playing field.
Click to expand...

thats a cop out by TFL - they've just decided a taximeter requires a physical connection to the taxi

I'm not surprised its being challenged in court
 
platypus said:
Anything that helps break up the black cabs in London is a good thing if you ask me.

If it helps competition and keep prices down too it can only be a good thing
Click to expand...

Yeah, mustn't let working class people to be able to earn a decent wage.
 
Anything that pushes prices down sounds good to me. Nothing more annoying than a cabby trying to take the mick after a night out just because they think you have had one too many
 
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