London cabbies to protest over smartphone app.
Discussion
It's understandable that the drivers union want to look out for the interests of their members but I love the way they are spinning this into a 'oh we're worried about the safety of the passengers' story.
The private drivers who use this service will still have all the relevant insurance and have undergone crb checking (or whatever the new crb system is called). So how is this a safety issue?
Has anyone here used this app? From the customers pov it seems like quite a good idea.
The private drivers who use this service will still have all the relevant insurance and have undergone crb checking (or whatever the new crb system is called). So how is this a safety issue?
Has anyone here used this app? From the customers pov it seems like quite a good idea.
independant said:
Uber: London's black cabs plan 'severe chaos' for capital in protest against taxi app
London’s black cabs have promised to bring “chaos, congestion and confusion” to London as a protest against the growing presence of smartphone taxi service Uber.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) has said that the apps that Uber’s drivers use to find passengers and calculate their fares count as taximeters – devices that are illegal to be installed in private vehicles.
The LTDA has complained to Transport for London (TfL), but the government body has said that Uber’s vehicles are not “equipped” with taximeters since there was no “connection between the device and the vehicle”.
LTDA have rejected this evaluation and are threatening to seek a judicial review with Steve McNamara, the association’s general secretary, describing the situation as “dangerous for Londoners”.
Mr McNamara told the BBC that London’s black cab drivers were planning to gridlock in the city some time in early June.
"I anticipate that the demonstration against TfL's handling of Uber will attract many many thousands of cabs and cause severe chaos, congestion and confusion across the metropolis,” he said.
The dispute is only the latest internationally between Uber and taxi services worldwide. The Silicon Valley startup has been banned in Brussels; is currently facing a court battle in Berlin, and has been the subject of numerous protests in cities across the US and in Paris.
The San Francisco-based company describes itself only as a “pick-up” service that connects passengers with background-checked private drivers. Launched five years ago, the company now operates in more than 100 cities across 30 countries, launching in London in 2012 and in Manchester this week.
The company’s smartphone app allows users to order taxis, see who their driver will be, and track the arrival of their car - features that have been replicated by the likes of Hailo and Kabbee, who offer smartphone apps to connect passengers to black cabs and minicabs respectively
The LTDA have described Uber as “an American monster that has no qualms about breaching any and all laws in the pursuit of profit, most of which will never see a penny of tax paid in the UK.”
The smartphone app has received backing from the likes of Goldman Sachs and Google. The latter recently updated their Google Maps app (included as default in 80 per cent of smartphones worldwide) to offer Uber’s services where available.
Uber’s general manager in London, Jo Bertram, told the BBC that the company rejected the LTDA’s characterisation and that competition was “always good for the customers because it makes all of us up our game in terms of quality and service.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/londons-black-cabs-plan-severe-chaos-for-capital-in-protest-against-taxi-app-uber-9339404.htmlLondon’s black cabs have promised to bring “chaos, congestion and confusion” to London as a protest against the growing presence of smartphone taxi service Uber.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) has said that the apps that Uber’s drivers use to find passengers and calculate their fares count as taximeters – devices that are illegal to be installed in private vehicles.
The LTDA has complained to Transport for London (TfL), but the government body has said that Uber’s vehicles are not “equipped” with taximeters since there was no “connection between the device and the vehicle”.
LTDA have rejected this evaluation and are threatening to seek a judicial review with Steve McNamara, the association’s general secretary, describing the situation as “dangerous for Londoners”.
Mr McNamara told the BBC that London’s black cab drivers were planning to gridlock in the city some time in early June.
"I anticipate that the demonstration against TfL's handling of Uber will attract many many thousands of cabs and cause severe chaos, congestion and confusion across the metropolis,” he said.
The dispute is only the latest internationally between Uber and taxi services worldwide. The Silicon Valley startup has been banned in Brussels; is currently facing a court battle in Berlin, and has been the subject of numerous protests in cities across the US and in Paris.
The San Francisco-based company describes itself only as a “pick-up” service that connects passengers with background-checked private drivers. Launched five years ago, the company now operates in more than 100 cities across 30 countries, launching in London in 2012 and in Manchester this week.
The company’s smartphone app allows users to order taxis, see who their driver will be, and track the arrival of their car - features that have been replicated by the likes of Hailo and Kabbee, who offer smartphone apps to connect passengers to black cabs and minicabs respectively
The LTDA have described Uber as “an American monster that has no qualms about breaching any and all laws in the pursuit of profit, most of which will never see a penny of tax paid in the UK.”
The smartphone app has received backing from the likes of Goldman Sachs and Google. The latter recently updated their Google Maps app (included as default in 80 per cent of smartphones worldwide) to offer Uber’s services where available.
Uber’s general manager in London, Jo Bertram, told the BBC that the company rejected the LTDA’s characterisation and that competition was “always good for the customers because it makes all of us up our game in terms of quality and service.”
BBC said:
Uber app taxi row referred to London's High Court
London's transport authority has announced it does not believe Uber's car service is breaking the law by using an app to determine charges.
However, Transport for London added it would invite the High Court to give a binding ruling on the matter "given the level of concern among the trade".
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) has claimed the app equates to being a taximeter, which private vehicles are not allowed to use.
It plans a demonstration on 11 June.
The organisation announced the action earlier this month, saying it intended to cause "severe congestion and traffic chaos for large parts of central London".
It confirmed that TfL's announcement would not change its plans.
High Court ruling
The controversy centres on an app provided to Uber's drivers - which is separate from the one used by the public - that calculates the journey distance and time taken, and then relays this information to remote computer servers to determine the fee.
TfL's decision is based on the fact that Uber's kit does not require a physical connection between the device and the vehicle, as is the case with the equipment used by black cabs.
However, it added that "the rapid pace at which smartphone-based technology has been developing in recent years" meant the matter should be referred to a judge.
"We will be asking the High Court to provide a binding ruling," added Leon Daniels, TfL's managing director of surface transport.
This is the sensible approach, and we hope that London's taxi drivers and private hire drivers and operators will work with us to bring clarity on this issue."
However, LTDA is in no mood to co-operate, and highlights the fact that the handsets Uber provides to drivers are blocked from making calls.
"The taxi trade have no confidence in TfL and its legal team whatsoever and we will be issuing proceedings of our own," its general secretary Steve McNamara told the BBC.
"This attitude demonstrates why we are being forced to demonstrate. TfL is simply not fit for purpose."
However, Uber's London manager proved more receptive.
"We very much welcome TfL's announcement today bringing clarity and confirming that TfL and Uber fully share the vision that technology should be a key driver in changing the way people are moving around their city, improving the experience for both riders as well as drivers," said Jo Bertram.
Driverless Uber
San Francisco-based Uber describes itself as a "pick-up" service that connects those needing a ride with a background-checked private driver. It then takes a cut - typically 20% - of the fee.
It now operates in more than 100 cities across 30 countries. In the UK it covers London and Manchester, but has plans to expand to a further four or five cities over the next year.
The firm highlights both the safety features offered to customers - letting them see the name and photo of the driver before they arrive - as well as offering the drivers themselves the flexibility to set their own hours and the area where they want to work.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27617079London's transport authority has announced it does not believe Uber's car service is breaking the law by using an app to determine charges.
However, Transport for London added it would invite the High Court to give a binding ruling on the matter "given the level of concern among the trade".
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) has claimed the app equates to being a taximeter, which private vehicles are not allowed to use.
It plans a demonstration on 11 June.
The organisation announced the action earlier this month, saying it intended to cause "severe congestion and traffic chaos for large parts of central London".
It confirmed that TfL's announcement would not change its plans.
High Court ruling
The controversy centres on an app provided to Uber's drivers - which is separate from the one used by the public - that calculates the journey distance and time taken, and then relays this information to remote computer servers to determine the fee.
TfL's decision is based on the fact that Uber's kit does not require a physical connection between the device and the vehicle, as is the case with the equipment used by black cabs.
However, it added that "the rapid pace at which smartphone-based technology has been developing in recent years" meant the matter should be referred to a judge.
"We will be asking the High Court to provide a binding ruling," added Leon Daniels, TfL's managing director of surface transport.
This is the sensible approach, and we hope that London's taxi drivers and private hire drivers and operators will work with us to bring clarity on this issue."
However, LTDA is in no mood to co-operate, and highlights the fact that the handsets Uber provides to drivers are blocked from making calls.
"The taxi trade have no confidence in TfL and its legal team whatsoever and we will be issuing proceedings of our own," its general secretary Steve McNamara told the BBC.
"This attitude demonstrates why we are being forced to demonstrate. TfL is simply not fit for purpose."
However, Uber's London manager proved more receptive.
"We very much welcome TfL's announcement today bringing clarity and confirming that TfL and Uber fully share the vision that technology should be a key driver in changing the way people are moving around their city, improving the experience for both riders as well as drivers," said Jo Bertram.
Driverless Uber
San Francisco-based Uber describes itself as a "pick-up" service that connects those needing a ride with a background-checked private driver. It then takes a cut - typically 20% - of the fee.
It now operates in more than 100 cities across 30 countries. In the UK it covers London and Manchester, but has plans to expand to a further four or five cities over the next year.
The firm highlights both the safety features offered to customers - letting them see the name and photo of the driver before they arrive - as well as offering the drivers themselves the flexibility to set their own hours and the area where they want to work.
BlackLabel said:
It's understandable that the drivers union want to look out for the interests of their members but I love the way they are spinning this into a 'oh we're worried about the safety of the passengers' story.
You missed the bit where LTDA are concerned as to whether Uber will pay any tax in UK. 
Rovinghawk said:
BlackLabel said:
It's understandable that the drivers union want to look out for the interests of their members but I love the way they are spinning this into a 'oh we're worried about the safety of the passengers' story.
You missed the bit where LTDA are concerned as to whether Uber will pay any tax in UK. 
London424 said:
Rovinghawk said:
BlackLabel said:
It's understandable that the drivers union want to look out for the interests of their members but I love the way they are spinning this into a 'oh we're worried about the safety of the passengers' story.
You missed the bit where LTDA are concerned as to whether Uber will pay any tax in UK. The amount of cabs that have carrier bags over their card machines as they are "apparently not working" This translates to they don't want to take payments by card because the tax man will know what income they receive!! Not its coming back to bite them in the ass.
Competition is healthy, and given the costs of a black cab compared to cabs round the world, its about time it got cheaper
Competition is healthy, and given the costs of a black cab compared to cabs round the world, its about time it got cheaper
BlackLabel said:
Has anyone here used this app? From the customers pov it seems like quite a good idea.
Yep, use it regularly.Cheaper than a cab and usually quicker than flagging a Hackney Carriage at busy times, get sent name/number/picture of driver in advance, shown how far away they are, no need to piss around with cash etc as you just get charged automatically to your registered card.
Only negatives are rumours I've heard that drivers leave the meter running after you leave the car and so you end up getting charged a fortune - although never heard of this happening first hand to anyone and if the charge is challenged it would be pretty obvious from using the GPS software if a driver had done that.
Russ35 said:
Symbolica said:
A smarter organisation would be looking to setup a similar system for black cabs only, rather than trying to hold back the tide.
Maybe they should look at signing up with HAILO, which does use just TAXI/Hackney and not PHV cars/drivers.22s said:
Cabbies hate Hailo now as well, because they've just applied for a license that will allow private cars to use their service.
And they voiced the concerns in a legal, well considered manner (not) http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/23/hailo-london-hq...Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff