Minicab caps in London

megakid

megakid

megakid

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So apparently Boris is pushing for a cap on minicab numbers in London due to "congestion and pollution" :rolleyes:. I like the guy and think he's done some great things for London but I totally disagree with this.

I have no doubt that you can put this idea at the feet of the LTDA as their next move against Uber - I thought the Conservative mantra is pro-entrepreneur, pro-business and pro-progress, not being held back by unions etc...

I don't want to go over old ground in the other Uber threads but I took my first black taxi in about a year recently due to a long expected wait for an Uber and was reminded how uncomfortable [Do they even have suspension?! Didn't feel like it] and noisy they were (pollution anyone?).

My 2 cents about what needs to happen:

  • Remove the differences in regulation/licensing between Private Hire license and Black Taxi drivers (probably means making "The Knowledge" optional).
  • Transition Black Taxi's to less pollutant versions of their vehicles by increasing congestion charge for taxi drivers, price being directly linked to their vehicle's green credentials.
  • Reduce Black Taxi fares to be atleast mildly competative vs Ubers
  • Ensure Uber and Black Taxi drivers are treated equally in terms of regulation (obeying same laws/licensing) - and both sides abide by them.
  • Bus lane usage must be equal too, either ban black taxis from using them or enable all private hire vehicles to use them (this would be at the detriment to bus users so I'd say ban all private hire)
  • If you want to keep Black Taxi's around due to their tourist/historic charm then possibly provide some sort of financial incentive/government grant for the purchase of these vehicles.
 
Sensible ideas. The black cab drivers just need to get over themselves. As you said they're expensive, noisy, polluting, uncomfortable and just as bad for traffic as anyone else. Uber provides a great service with no real downsides.
 
Scam said:
Sensible ideas. The black cab drivers just need to get over themselves. As you said they're expensive, noisy, polluting, uncomfortable and just as bad for traffic as anyone else. Uber provides a great service with no real downsides.
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There's plenty of downsides to Uber. Their drivers are unvetted, their cars aren't generally suitable for disabled people and their insurance almost certainly isn't valid for commercial use.

And then there's the downsides for the drivers. They take on all of the risk and then struggle to earn minimum wage after costs.
 
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Tunney said:
There's plenty of downsides to Uber. Their drivers are unvetted, their cars aren't generally suitable for disabled people and their insurance almost certainly isn't valid for commercial use.

And then there's the downsides for the drivers. They take on all of the risk and then struggle to earn minimum wage after costs.
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Because black cab drivers have never raped anyone, ever? :rolleyes:

I thought in the UK at least the Uber drivers have to have a private hire license which is the same as cabbies. And don't Uber have a driver rating system now, too? Insurance and wages probably aren't really a huge issue for passengers either.
 
Mynight said:
How does that rating system work?

Chance of rape 3/5
Get there alive 2/5

:D.
Click to expand...

You forgot...

Ask you for directions 2/5
Not have change 5/5
Wrong direction in GPS 3/5
You drive 1/45
Smell of vomit 1/5
No room in boot for luggage 2/5
Language problems 2/5
Non stop chatter 4/5

:D
 
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Cosimo said:
You forgot...

Ask you for directions 2/5
Not have change 5/5
Wrong direction in GPS 3/5
You drive 1/45
Smell of vomit 1/5
No room in boot for luggage 2/5
Language problems 2/5
Non stop chatter 4/5

:D
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:D the worst is when you get the last two together. I like to use the smile and nod tactic :D.

I did once get money off a taxi fare when they asked me for directions :D.
 
Tunney said:
There's plenty of downsides to Uber. Their drivers are unvetted, their cars aren't generally suitable for disabled people and their insurance almost certainly isn't valid for commercial use.

And then there's the downsides for the drivers. They take on all of the risk and then struggle to earn minimum wage after costs.
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Are you serious? ofcourse the drivers are vetted and have the insurance required.

Also you do realise there is an option on Uber to request a more advanced vehicle? with better access for disabled people. albeit a bit more expensive but sure as hell not as expensive as a black cab.

Uber is fantastic.
 
I agree with everything you've posted to an extent. The problem is the black cab drivers have no control over anything you've suggested.

Sure you could just eliminate black cabs completely in one foul swoop but you would be putting thousands out of a job so lets just assume you can't do that for now.

It's the carriage office that has them by the balls. They're forced to buy these vehicles that cost 28k. They're forced to have these "overhalls" which cost thousands a year and ad hear to they're ridiculous guidelines.

The fact of the matter is, they can't compete, price wise, with the likes of Uber because of how much it costs to be a legal black cab driver.

megakid said:
[*]Ensure Uber and Black Taxi drivers are treated equally in terms of regulation (obeying same laws/licensing) - and both sides abide by them.
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This is the biggest thing. For this to happen you'd have to get rid of the Hackney Carriage office. I wish you could because they seem to be a bunch of con men but alas, I can't see it happening.

I've told my Dad to get out while he can but he's in his 60's now with no transferable skills so is a little stuck and he's making less money by the week.

15 years ago cab drivers had it extremely good, now I think anyone who decides to take the knowledge is a bit of a mug.
 
ShortWarning said:
Sure you could just eliminate black cabs completely in one foul swoop but you would be putting thousands out of a job so lets just assume you can't do that for now.
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Agreed. It's tough and you can't do it all in one go.

ShortWarning said:
It's the carriage office that has them by the balls. They're forced to buy these vehicles that cost 28k. They're forced to have these "overhalls" which cost thousands a year and ad hear to they're ridiculous guidelines.

The fact of the matter is, they can't compete, price wise, with the likes of Uber because of how much it costs to be a legal black cab driver.
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Assuming this is true which I'm sure it is, this is a very under communicated aspect. This is the thing the black cabbie's should be protesting about!

Instead they are trying to block the path of a minicab company that just happens to be 1000x better than existing minicab firms (that have operated side-by-side with black cabs for many decades) and therefore represents real competition. No doubt about it, they're in a tough position so I can understand their frustrations.
 
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