An estimated 12,000 black cab drivers took to the streets of London last week in a go-slow protest against the mobile app, Uber.
What is Uber?
Uber has been in operation since 2009 and is available in 70 cities across the world. Smart phone users can download the free app which will track their location via GPS and locate the nearest taxi.
The app allows customers to book a taxi, track the vehicles whereabouts before arrival and pay for a fare via their mobile phone.
Uber’s UK and Ireland, General Manager, Jo Bertram, said: “We passed TfL’s most stringent and comprehensive audit of a Private Hire Vehicle operator to date, passing with flying colours.
“We’re proud to be to be in London, we are proud to serve London, and we are here to sta”
The Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA)
The LPHCA is in full support of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) decision to carry out a demonstration against what they say is an illegal operation.
The LPHCA believes that Uber is breaking the law for various reasons:
- Uber is engaging with passengers through an unlicensed Dutch entity, Uber B.V, for the purpose – they believe – of minimising its tax liability in the UK.
- Uber journey bookings are being accepted by drivers in their vehicles and not at a licensed operating centre.
- There is evidence to suggest that certain drivers engaged by ‘Uber’ have been transporting the travelling public without appropriate insurance or the consent of the vehicle owners.
Chairman of the LPHCA, Steve Wright, says: “London Taxis, Minicab, Chauffeur & Executive Industries have the reputation for being the best ‘fully regulated’ service providers in the world.
“All operators, no matter how big or small, must comply with the regulations, which are designed to protect public safety. Uber has a reputation for ignoring regulation elsewhere in the world and they must not be allowed to do the same here.”
The Protest
The demonstration started at Trafalgar Square at 2pm on the 11th of June and was attended by representatives from The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), The London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) and The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA).
London cabbies lined the streets, beeping their horns and holding placards mainly directed at Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
Ian Beetlestone of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union said: “We are not objecting to competition. We have had competition for years from minicabs but we haven’t caused gridlock over it. We have to jump through hoops to be regulated and we don’t feel people involved in these new apps are being subjected to the same regulations.”
Derrick Hoare of the LTDA wanted the protest to draw attention to the four to seven years training that London cabbies are currently put through before having their license approved.
Support of the protest stretched to other European cities affected by Uber including Paris, Madrid and Berlin.
Chairman of the Berlin Taxi Association, Richard Leipold, said: “You can’t have competition between someone who pays all their taxes and someone who doesn’t.”