London black taxis threaten gridlock over Uber
London black taxi drivers are threatening to cause gridlock in the capital on June 11 over the authorities’ refusal to prosecute Uber for what they regard as the app-enabled cab service’s violation of the operating regulations. Steve McNamara, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, accused Transport for London, which regulates the sector, of letting Uber operate as both a minicab and a taxi operator.
This is because even though the San Francisco-based company is classified as a minicab service, it charges passengers using calculations based on time taken as well as distance travelled and does not have to quote a price in advance or accept a destination address. This is unlike existing minicab operators and more like black taxis. Uber fares also rise at busier times. Uber, which was set up by Travis Kalanick in 2009 and now operates in almost 100 cities, has triggered many disputes around the world. Last month Brussels threatened Uber drivers with €10,000 fines for carrying private passengers, a decision branded “outrageous” by Neelie Kroes, the EU’s digital commissioner. Three days later a Berlin court sided with the local taxi association against Uber. Mr McNamara said: “We’re not asking Uber to be banned. They could operate with their app, they just need to change a few things. If everyone else is following the rules, why shouldn’t they?” Black cab operators have launched a judicial review against TfL for failing to prosecute Uber and have decided on a street protest – at a yet-to-be-determined location – because they believe TfL are procrastinating. “We do predict severe chaos, gridlock and perhaps mayhem,” Mr McNamara said. “TfL has become a regulator which won’t regulate – a type of chocolate teapot.” TfL, which is holding talks on the issue with all those involved, said it was investigating Uber but believes it is operating legally. “We have seen no evidence to suggest that Uber London Ltd are not fit and proper to hold a London private hire vehicle operator’s licence but no final decisions have been made while Uber’s operating model is still under investigation,” a spokesman said. TfL has said that bookings made via apps do not have to record the main destination or quote a fare. Furthermore, smartphones used by private hire drivers to relay journey information to a remote location so a fare can be calculated “do not constitute the equipping of a vehicle with a taxi meter”. Addison Lee, the country’s largest minicab company, accepted that technology always disrupted markets and that it had benefited from using disruptive technology. But Alistair Laycock, an Addison Lee spokesman, agreed that the black cab drivers had some justifiable grievances. “The problem is that the regulations are not being applied equally to everyone,” he said. “Uber is working between two models.” Mr Laycock said that if Uber was allowed to continue operating then Addison Lee “would assess that and adapt accordingly”.