Uber? Or no Uber?
Uber? Or no Uber?
In 2012, the former Uber chief executive - Ryan Graves, contacted the Transport for London's (TFL) twitter about its London license application, just over two weeks later they received their very first permit. All was going well however 6 years later the relationship has taken a turn for the worst.
Considering Uber contacted the TFL via twitter, i feel as though back in 2012 it was easier to get a private taxi company permits mainly because they were able to contact over social media. Nowadays i think its not the case anymore, businesses are becoming more professional from what i know , so that would mean a more formal way of contacting the TFL regarding license applications and permits.
Since 2013, it is said that the number of private vehicle lines operating in a congestion zone has risen quite substantially, as a typical Friday in 2013 would have an average of 60,000 cars and a typical Saturday in 2013 would have an average of 75,000 cars. Whereas in 2015 it is said a typical Friday would have an average of 90,000 cars and a typical Saturday would have an average of 120,000 cars.
To me this is an increase which has harmed both the public and the black cabs, the reason behind why i feel like this is because of the increased amount of cars in congestion zones it hurts the public as they are also wanting to use these "zones and therefore it will become more congested thanks to the private hire Uber. As well as this black cabs will find it more difficult when it comes to being able to pick up passengers and dropping them off thanks to the extreme amount of congestion Uber drivers will cause in congestion zones.
In 2013, Uber launched Uber X and it has hit the minicab industry very hard and it has hurt a lot of the black cab drivers. This was the main reason for the sudden increase of Uber drivers in congestion areas as it was now cheaper for people to use whilst this was happening black cab driver were becoming angrier by the second. This was bad as it meant that cab drivers would not be able to pick up a lot of people as this was their job and they wouldn't get a lot of money as they get a percentage of what people pay them. The black cab drivers are accusing TFL of letting Uber operate as a minicab and taxi operator, therefore implying that lax regulations skewed the market against the mini cab drivers. My main query is why on earth the TFL would do that. Why would they allow a private taxi firm to have both a permit to be a taxi operator and to operate as a minicab firm. It doesn't make any sense to allow them to do that, even if they weren't operating as both they would still be smashing the competition out of the water.
Considering Uber contacted the TFL via twitter, i feel as though back in 2012 it was easier to get a private taxi company permits mainly because they were able to contact over social media. Nowadays i think its not the case anymore, businesses are becoming more professional from what i know , so that would mean a more formal way of contacting the TFL regarding license applications and permits.
Since 2013, it is said that the number of private vehicle lines operating in a congestion zone has risen quite substantially, as a typical Friday in 2013 would have an average of 60,000 cars and a typical Saturday in 2013 would have an average of 75,000 cars. Whereas in 2015 it is said a typical Friday would have an average of 90,000 cars and a typical Saturday would have an average of 120,000 cars.
To me this is an increase which has harmed both the public and the black cabs, the reason behind why i feel like this is because of the increased amount of cars in congestion zones it hurts the public as they are also wanting to use these "zones and therefore it will become more congested thanks to the private hire Uber. As well as this black cabs will find it more difficult when it comes to being able to pick up passengers and dropping them off thanks to the extreme amount of congestion Uber drivers will cause in congestion zones.
In 2013, Uber launched Uber X and it has hit the minicab industry very hard and it has hurt a lot of the black cab drivers. This was the main reason for the sudden increase of Uber drivers in congestion areas as it was now cheaper for people to use whilst this was happening black cab driver were becoming angrier by the second. This was bad as it meant that cab drivers would not be able to pick up a lot of people as this was their job and they wouldn't get a lot of money as they get a percentage of what people pay them. The black cab drivers are accusing TFL of letting Uber operate as a minicab and taxi operator, therefore implying that lax regulations skewed the market against the mini cab drivers. My main query is why on earth the TFL would do that. Why would they allow a private taxi firm to have both a permit to be a taxi operator and to operate as a minicab firm. It doesn't make any sense to allow them to do that, even if they weren't operating as both they would still be smashing the competition out of the water.
When Boris Johnson was mayor of London, the deputy chairman of TFL, Daniel Moylan, said "any politician wants the black cabs on their side as they carry a political and electoral clout that is way beyond their numbers. There is no secret about that". This being said, the black cabs weren't on anyones side at the current time as Uber, had worked their way to becoming the most used type of taxis in London with help from TFL. It is said that they tried calming the situation by seeking a legal ruling that makes Uber and other similar app's taximeters however as of October 2015 the high Court ruled in Uber's favour. This was and still is outrageous, I feel as though the high Court didn't care about the black cabs in this certainly case and why should they? They aren't worth billions or even millions. They are independent people trying to make a living. The only good thing about this, is that Uber are allowed to make more money and the government can gain taxes off them but knowing large businessed they will try and succeed in tax evading. The bad part? Well that's simple. Each and every single independent taxi driver will get less money in fares therefore less in commission meaning they have lower living standards. DIABOLICAL.
However this was only the beginning of how Uber and London ended up in a taxi war. It is not the final battle.
Recently the ban has come in place and the TFL will not renew the license of Uber. But who will really gain in the ban? Will the consumer or will the minicabs gain more ?
After this happened many things have occurred such as the PM, Theresa May, saying that this ban is disproportionate as, and I quote "At the stroke of a pen, what the Mayor has done has rused 40,000 jobs, and of course damaged he lives of those 3.5 million of Uber users.
Think about it for just a second.......Banning Uber has made minicab drivers collect more fares and the congestion zones will have less taxis in meaning an easier flow of traffic. However, the ban means a loss in jobs and it also means 3.5 million people will be effected negatively as they will now have to pay more to get a black cab and so they have less money effectively. I feel as though, now, the TFL has made a mistake in not renewing the license.
I have learned many things from Uber the past few days, but I can now see that no good will come from the ban, even though it is now in place. Banning Uber will make it harder for people now as they have to pay more. In my honest opinion the TFL shouldn't have banned Uber and not renewed the contract, in fact they should have tried to negotiate a way to get Uber to reduce the amount of drivers in London. I know it's very hard to do that, but trying to work out a deal is better than a ban straight away.
I'm sorry bit in this case I'm going Uber.
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