I wonder how people can get in a complete stranger's car without any sense of its mechanical condition, the driver's skills, physical condition or mental state. My life is worth more than the $5 I might save using uber.
13
The questions is for all of the errors and wrong doing that Uber has experienced, how many errors and wrong doings happen with the traditional taxi fleet in London? The would give a perspective with a yardstick to gauge all of this.
8
Uber is a company that wants to make all the profit by offloading all the liability and costs. In my neck of the US, what does Uber do to insure that the drivers are background checked, have them ID'd, verify that the vehicles are road worthy and that the drivers have insurance that is sufficient, i.e that covers a commercial vehicle as opposed to a personal one.
Because an app tells me that this Uber driver is kosher doesn't mean jack. The driver could be his brother in law. The taxicab medallion is so expensive for a reason, part of it being the certification and licensing requirements. Personally, I've never gotten into an Uber, or Lyft for that matter, and never will, anymore that I hitch-hike, because it just seems shady. Like trying to find the cost of a ride, you have to be on the platform before you can even get an estimate. Up front, you know what a cab costs per mile...
13
I visit London often and would never consider Uber. Taxi's in London are maybe the best in the world. Their knowledge of the city is secured in their passing of "the test" and with many streets without names and GPS a bit iffy - used by NYC cab drivers which is fine - I hear complaints of Uber drivers getting lost in London.
Uber definitely has a place in transportation, I know of few who don't use it. Just not in London.
5
The Beautiful People will have to catch trams, trains and buses now.
Oh, the horror!
6
Uber is much safer to use then taxi services in much of the world, and talking with the drivers they are all happy to be able to earn income when they want to work.
5
Ban Uber worldwide. They've proven time and time again what a horrible company they are.
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How is it that Uber is legal to begin with.
Plumbers, Air Line Pilots, Lawyers, Doctors, Barbers, all have to hold a professional license.
What caused us to suspend this basic requirement in this instance?
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@Nat X All bow to the gig economy (whatever that is).
3
I was hoping to hear news such as Lyft is coming to U.K. market but to my disheartenment, Uber May be Brexit too.
To stay factual, most people here can’t afford black cabs( look up their average income ) unless it emergency.
Uber is the only way to get home on miserable rainy nights after weekend outings ( and it rains almost every weekend here )
8
Two commenters that love Uber, a company that has done nothing but become a middle man like Airbnb and offers absolutely no responsibility when things go bad.
In London getting a taxi drivers license is quite difficult and it provided employment that could actually support a family. Uber drivers make less than the fries guy at McDonald’s.
In sparsely populated areas, Uber makes sense. In NYC they just clog up the streets but these two commenters don’t care, they want a convenient visit. If you find NYC public transport too difficult to navigate, stay home.
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The only “safety” issue here is the safety of cab driver revenue.
4
How municipalities can ever pretend to be able to extricate themselves from the mess that themselves had a hand in creating in the first place? First they were offered either the carrot or mostly the brass knuckle to turn a blind eye to chaos and lawlessness. Well after this situation had gotten out of control because of greed, they're now stepping in and stumbling all over the place seeking a resolution.
Normally massacre would persist until the ruling party became in possession of the of all the land grab, then and only then would they consider instituting a rule for justice, skewed to enable them to enjoy those possession.
1
Uber is a problem. Driving around Manhattan you can spot Uber cars. They are idling and double parking blocking traffic and creating a general nuisance.
Get rid of them all!
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So why does a taxi cab service like Uber think that they should be exempt from taxi cab regulations.
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In London, the Black Cabs are far superior to Uber....the drivers actually know there way around town (since they have to pass the Knowledge), as opposed to relying on GPS.
8
Can everyone afford to stay at 4 star hotels on vacations ? That would be great but not everyone can.
Most people here make so little income compare to our fellow Americans that black cab is a luxury.
Uber is for middle class people who needs a ride on rainy Saturdays after outings and most people here are middle class.
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@Jungyeon Cotter
Uber undercuts properly vetted and licensed taxi cab drivers by paying barely-minimum wage to their unlicensed drivers while endangering riders. The middle class in London could afford to but wouldn't pay for a black cab - they would rather use their money on flat whites, kale juice and micro-leaf salads. .
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@Jungyeon Cotter When I don't want to pay for a cab I take a bus. As to rain, it's called an umbrella.
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No fingerprinting? No, Uber!
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Is it irony, the disrupter is being disrupted? The sad reality is that cabbies earn a good living, Uber drivers a pittance. Seems the cabbies have won the day, the good life is once again secure. Well, at least for now Says volumes about today's society when losing a pittance is a major blow to so many. Income inequality at its worst.
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The paragraph about unions of current "London cabs" pressuring the government should have been up front.
This is a political power play - and on going election campaign issues plays into this decision.
I lived in London. - and if I had to take a taxi - i would Uber before I take a London black cab.
Sure,they are comfortable, clean etc - but it's their drivers I can't stand. Least friendly and will most likely take a much longer route than necessary.
Especially from Heathrow - take a London cab at risk of a wallet being emptied.
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@Neil
Could not agree with you more. I grew up and lived in London for a substantial part of my life - London taxi drivers are unfriendly and dare I say it, 'color-biased' (many personal experiences).
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@Transplant
Must have been some time ago that you last used a black cab. In my 20+ years of living in London, I have always used licensed black cabs and nothing else. Take them to/from Heathrow and anywhere else I need to go if I can't use the tube. Feel very safe with them and personally have never experienced being overcharged. Some of them are friendly and some of them are not, but most of them are totally professional. Knowing that the drivers can make a decent living is a big plus for me as well.
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In Milan, I needed a cab early morning from hotel to train station. Uber asked 12 Euro and had 20 min waiting. Taxi at the hotel entrance brought me to the station for 6 Euro...
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I am a fan of Uber - but not in big cities with well established Cab systems.
I was was particularly perturbed to learn that drivers make little money and that Uber itself was losing money. Isn't that dumping? They sure hurt established cab systems and their drivers and the value of their Medallions in NYC by pricing their product at a loss.
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It seems that Travis K built Uber very quickly, and broke a lot of things in the process. The new CEO has the uneviable job of trying to clean things up quickly and rehabilitate Uber's image (but no tears for him, he gets a few hundred million if he succeeds).
Ride sharing is a compelling service and seems here to stay in some form, but a few things have to be addressed:
• Rider safety
• Flooding urban core with too many drivers
• Precarious work life and low pay for drivers
• The inherent unprofitability of ride sharing companies (Uber and Lyft have never come close to profitable)
Will be interesting to see what comes from this painful late adolescence now that the wild west days are over.
9
When I visited London, taking one of their traditional black cabs was one of the joys of the visit. The drivers are knowledgeable and friendly, and at least for me, it’s worth the higher fare.
I haven’t trusted Uber or Lyft from the very beginning. And as an investor, I see no clear way for these companies to make money. While a great idea on paper, these new ride hailing services just don’t cut it.
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Good points but do you know what average Londoner makes ?
Most people can’t afford black cabs unless it’s emergency.
2
@Jungyeon Cotter And so there is a city wide bus and tube service. I've used all many times and choose depending on journey and time and budget.
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@Jungyeon Cotter
I am an average Londoner. I know what things cost here. It is not true that most Londoners can't afford black cabs.
As anywhere else, there will always be a socioeconomic class that will never be able to afford taxis. The majority of people who use Uber in London are middle class. They can surely afford licensed taxis but they won't pay for it.
They don't care that Uber are undercutting licensed taxi drivers and their livelihoods so long as they get rides dirt cheap. They don't care either that Uber drivers get pittance for their jobs.
9
No one is fooled for a moment . Government is just enforcing the taxi monopoly at the expense of the public .
As with all monopolies they tend to more expensive with poorer service .
Why is this ok ?
8
@Ben Because UBER prices their product at a loss, while not meeting the minimum safety requirements imposed on traditional cabs.
Consumers benefit short term, but that won't last - in NYC they are raising their prices - all after great damage was done.
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@Mark Marks
In the name of safety we don't block new gas station , restaurants .. crane operators from opening and have bureaucrats impose prices on the public .
Somehow every other industry manages to keep the public safe without auctioning off monopolies .
Regarding Uber raising prices in NYC . They can raise it at most to a modest amount above the cost of providing the service .
Should they ever attempt to raise it too much, Lyft and others would be happy to undercut them and get all of the business .
FYI Many riders would gladly pay and use Uber even if they priced equal to or even slightly more than cabs .
The chances of having a five star experience is infinitesimal more likely than with a cab.
3
@Ben all examples you cited must observe a bevy of regulations.
6
This is a bit childish on the part of local governments. If they have a problem with safety they should force Uber/Lyft to improve, not shut them down
I don’t believe governments are really concerned with safety, the main issue is governments are determined to protect the antiquated taxi system.
5
I've driven for both Uber and Lyft, and of the two, Uber is the only one that is concerned about safety. Uber has drivers take selfies before the app works, gives riders codes that the driver must enter into the phone, and they recently started a pop-up saying "Everything all right?" after a suspiciously long stop. So Uber is at least thinking about the problem and trying out various solutions.
Lyft is doing nothing. Zip. Nada.
7
I have always found Uber's predicament fascinating. They position themselves as a high tech "platform" offered for use by independent contractors, don't you know. But everybody keeps holding them responsible for the behaviors of those independent contractors.
Rut roh. You mean that when I get a ride from an Uber driver, it may be no more secure than if I had stuck my thumb out to hitchhike?!
18
I have used Uber all over the world and, overall, it has been a much more pleasant experience than using local taxis. For starters I don’t have to find one, Uber finds me. Then, most importantly, Uber always accepts cards whereas I always have to argue with taxis.
But the main point of having someone else drive under a “friends” login credentials is not different from a “friend” driving someone’s actual taxi. How are the cabs, the actual cars, protected in London? Do they need a fingerprint to start?
11
@Sergio London cab rules are strict. I've never had a problem. I've also used Uber in other cities and yes, it has a place but not in London. Unless you're going to Buckingham Palace the odds are the driver will make some wrong turns. Tiny streets, no markings, good luck.
5
Global citizens need to unite in support of Uber. They may have made some missteps but they ultimately provide a valuable service. I wonder how many DUIs and accidents and deaths have been prevented since the advent of Uber. I teach yoga in jails and prisons and have met “regular” people who are headed off to maximum security prisons to serve sentences related to drunk driving. Drunk kids especially are not going to call a cab for two or three times the price not to mention you can’t call a cab w an app and all the other conveniences afforded by ride shares. Uber is also a wonderful benefit to elderly many of whom should also not be driving ! I wish the NY would get off their negative tangent about Uber and find ways to be supportive.
10
@Nancy Deville I wonder how many DUIs and accidents and deaths are directly attributable to uber?
5
@Nancy Deville
There are numerous other apps such as "taxi app", besides why call it "ride share" that is a misleading hoax. It's a cab service poorly monitored and regulated. But what the heck let's all get together and share a ride with a drunk.
5
@Nancy Deville Global citizens should know that the cabs in London are fantastic and that there is little or no need to even use Uber.
3
Good news. Uber drivers don't make much money when all costs are considered. Sadly most people can't figure out what is profitable. Uber crowds our streets, crowds the airports and takes parking spots and pays nothing to maintain the roads or build infrastructure.
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@Tibby Elgato
Are you also concerned whether your local landscaper, street vendor or snow plower can figure out whether they are making much money or not ?
Even if they don't realize it immediately sooner or later they figure it out .
Just maybe, they have figured it out and still feel it is a better option for them than their alternatives .
Who are you to tell them otherwise .
2
Apparently the " the fix " was in. Cabbies passed on sufficiently large envelopes to regulators authorities. Unfair to impinge upon government revenue producing monopolies.
4
@BD Maybe. But could you be clearer so the rest of us know what you're talking about?
3
For me, I have always been leery about using Uber, but my friends swear by it. Never, ever , as a single woman, would I use the service by myself, but if I were with someone I might, but that's even questionable. I, personally, have it in my head (true or not) as anybody off the street can get a sticker and now they are a qualified driver. I feel my safety is at risk using these services. The article indicated that someone requested (sorry, I forgot who) fingerprinting be instituted. How is this not part of their initial hiring process? This proves my point.
Now, London is not renewing their license, despite the changes that were made within the company the first time they were to not have their license renewed.
My question is, were the changes suggested months ago and the changes proposed now, implemented company wide, or just in London? I would hope the company as a whole, took these recommendations as a means to improve their safety guidlines.
I know this is an extremely popular and convenient service for hundreds of thousands of people around the world, but this girl isn't one of them.
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@Dags why do you feel safer in a " traditional" cab?
3
No mention of how bad it is for the drivers too. This company is not only bad for riders but they manipulate the system to take advantage of their drivers and constant reducing of driver pay.
50
Two nights ago I got into what I thought was a company taxi in Budapest, a city that allows independent freelance drivers to operate cars that look just like legitimate taxis.
Of course, like so many others before me I was a victim of a rip off. The meter was hard to see but based on the final fare it was clear the driver was running the meter while parked waiting for his next victim.
Worse the driver did the whole bill swapping scam. I gave him 10,000 florins for an overpriced 9,750 florin ride. About $30.
The driver dropped me off where it was dark and did the swap, saying I only gave him 1,000. So I had to pay this thief a second time.
I ended up paying $62 for a $16 ride with no recourse. The driver was required to have a large decal on his doors saying Freelance Driver. He had removed the decal.
Hungry under pressure from the cab drivers, outlawed Uber.
I’d much rather have Uber, even knowing they under pay their drivers and are still not profitable.
I have never been cheated by Uber. The cab lobby is way too powerful and Uber was good competition.
I hope they win their appeal.
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@Norm "I have never been cheated by Uber".
Of course you haven't. Uber focuses on cheating their own drivers and regulatory agencies.
10
London's cab drivers have a long a proud tradition. The "knowledge" they have to acquire before being granted a license is extensive and very detailed.
Small wonder that they are going to fight to protect their turf.
Besides, riding in a London cab is one of the joys of visiting the UK's historic capital.
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@Mike Edwards it isn't expensive compared to taking the tube if you are in a group. The cabbies are lovely, too. I see no reason to call an Uber in London, unlike Boston where the cabs were dirty, dangerous, aggressively driven and drivers would pull all sorts of stunts to avoid taking credit cards.
16
@Mike Edwards Riding in a cab once or twice may be "one of the joys of visiting" London, but for people who actually live in the city it's just a fact that ride-sharing is far better: it's cheaper, more reliable/accountable, more convenient, and easier payment system.
16
@Multimodalmama
“it isn't expensive compared to taking the tube if you are in a group.”
Now there’s a point. The London subway is fun too. As the trains pass through the stations, you get to see such great names as Tower Hill, Bond Street, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill Gate, Chancery Lane, Hampstead Heath, Golders Green etc – each with its own sense of history and/or purpose.
Uber is going to have to find a way of blending into all this.
7
Uber used to save people that use cabs a little bit of money (frankly people who take cabs can afford the extra $5 a ride) but the end result is drastically increased traffic congestion in urban areas worldwide, safety hazards and debt ridden drivers working for a subsistence wage, often making ittle or no profit, just trying to complete their indentured servitude to Uber and pay off their black car lease. And guess what, now the fares aren't much less than regular taxi fares, unless I share with car with strangers. Which is so undignified that walking or even the bus seems preferable. It's crazy that Uber surreptitiously normalized the shady practice of unlicensed cabs, and now has people ok with sharing cabs with strangers. I remember when both of those things were considered cheap and tacky enough that if either were suggested your date would probably just walk home
53
Hey, what’s wrong with going to the homeless encampment & trying to date someone? I do it all the time and I don’t even take a cab I make them spring for the ride, Ha!
Uber should be regulated and rates probably need to increase, but if fills an important role.
I travel all over the world. Before Uber, the process of finding a taxi was often difficult and fraught with the potential to be ripped off or taken advantage of (extortion, taking the “long route,” etc.).
Now, with Uber and Grab, I can get a taxi for a reasonable price almost anywhere. They follow the GPS route, I don’t need to fight or negotiate a rate, and they have always been courteous and safe.
Sure beats getting heckled when leaving the airport terminal or negotiating in a rural town with predatory taxi drivers.
37
@JL Hooray for predatory companies like uber!
3
I’ve always had a great experience with Uber in London. However, the last time I was getting off the train at Victoria I grabbed a black cab from the stand because it was convenient. The driver left the meter off for the first mile until I called him out on it. Never have to worry about that with Uber. I suspect this is more about politics and money than genuine passenger safety concerns.
20
@Indulgent Nonsense I get that an ex post negotiation where the taxi driver is awkward, but if he leaves the meter off does that mean you will definitely be able to get a cheap ride out of it? I mean I just offer him a couple pounds or the alternative of reporting him to the regulatory authority. Just don't be a push over. If he didn't turn the meter on or even genuinely forgot there's no reason the customer should get the benefit of the doubt and estimate the fare on the lower end
1
There is a reason that services like Uber and Lyft have thrived... they fill a desperately needed gap in transportation, esp. in large cities. I am much more comfortable being a tourist in big cities- esp. NYC- knowing that I have readily available transportation. Many years of dealing with over-priced and unavailable NYC cab service- with their own safety deficiencies and scams- are the only reminder I need that the rise of ride services is capitalism at work, filling a consumer need. There are certainly issues- so municipalities should work with these services to address them v bending to the corrupt taxi industry’s demands for a monopoly.
25
@Pat Bindrim NYC has plenty of readily available transportation. These are called subways and buses. Cabs in NYC work just fine, too. Perhaps a trip to London would set you straight on this is about in London?
22
@Multimodalmama - The cabs might work but the AC in the cab I was in was broken and that was during a heat wave.
Buses and subways can't give you door to door service which came in very handy when it began pouring rain.
It's nice to have options.
3
@Multimodalmama I've been to London... and a host of other cities. Cabs are absurdly expensive and NYC cabs were the worst in terms of service. I also use public transportation when I can. I have serious low-back problems and cannot always do the miles of walking between/among stations to get from one part of the city to another.
6
My son and his family moved to London three years ago and use Uber all the time. In our three visits since, we've used Uber whenever we needed "taxi" service. Not once has anyone in my family complained about our experiences. I use Uber all the time in the US without adverse consequences. Sure there are exceptions but most of the vitriol is fed by taxi drivers. I'll keep using Uber in spite of the negative press.
31