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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 22, 2017 15:52:01 GMT
Didnt see that coming!
I know theres been a lot of argey-bargey but I didn't think TFL would take the license off them. Terrible decision in my opinion, and looks very much like pandering to the black cab trade who will be cock-a-hoop at this news.
Perhaps depriving 40,000 licensed drivers of a job is what Sadiq Khan wants to be remembered for. It's probably his most noteworthy achivement so far, and not in a good way.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 22, 2017 16:04:57 GMT
I'm not saying Uber are perfect by any stretch. Yes they have barged their way into the market but the reason they're big is because people like the service. They've completely changed the game and upped the ante. People aren't prepared to accept snotty black cab drivers tutting about a short trip, or doing the "sorry I don't go south of the river" number. And bear in mind, if it wasn't for Uber raising the customers expectations you still wouldn't be able to pay a black cab fare with a credit card.
What TFL should be doing is relaxing the regulations around black cabs and letting them compete on an even footing.
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Post by theatremadness on Sept 22, 2017 16:05:33 GMT
I've never once used Uber in my life, in fact I hardly take any sort of cab anywhere, I'm very much a public transport man, so in my own little world it makes absolutely no difference to me. However, I was really surprised to see such a negative reaction to not renewing their licence from so many people on my social media who regularly complain about how sh*t and sometimes dangerous they are.
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 16:06:10 GMT
Seeing this thread I had to quickly check the news: terrible news personally! Uber is a fraction of the price of a black cab, when I'm working in town my subsistence used to just about cover their fares weekly. Now it'll have to be tubes and buses I suppose!
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 16:07:23 GMT
I'm not saying Uber are perfect by any stretch. Yes they have barged their way into the market but the reason they're big is because people like the service. They've completely changed the game and upped the ante. People aren't prepared to accept snotty black cab drivers tutting about a short trip, or doing the "sorry I don't go south of the river" number. And bear in mind, if it wasn't for Uber raising the customers expectations you still wouldn't be able to pay a black cab fare with a credit card. What TFL should be doing is relaxing the regulations around black cabs and letting them compete on an even footing. Remarkably I agree with every word, spot on. |
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Post by clair on Sept 22, 2017 16:08:35 GMT
Where I work we often have late guests waiting half an hour or more for an Uber - all other firms and black cabs find us easily enough yet everyone, staff and guests, are left standing and working for longer than expected due to Uber drivers. They are certainly not a company I would ever use after seeing this happen time and time again.
Agree with TM - black cab drivers have it tough, they are told when they will have meter fare changes with no choice about it and even have to pay for the upgrades themselves which can take weeks to get back at maybe 50p a trip!
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 22, 2017 16:13:51 GMT
As the parent of students, newly adventuring into Big Cities, I absolutely love Uber as it is peace of mind should they run out of money/get mugged or whatever. As long as you have an account you can call one and the fare comes out of your Paypal account. I hope they get their act together and continue on.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 22, 2017 16:24:07 GMT
Hmm yes, before we get carried away with the sex attack thing (as reprehensible as it is) let's not forget John Worboys, black cab driver who was jailed for 12 attacks on women a few years ago, and is thought to have assaulted more like 100 women.
One bad apple, etc.
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 22, 2017 16:26:32 GMT
@theatremonkey I am aware of this - I would have thought they would never let this happen again and get their act together to follow the rules? I would certainly hope so - isn't that part of the issue? The problem with the black cabs is they need money to use them and with Uber they don't. That was my point.
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 16:35:11 GMT
Monkey, the rules thing I get. This would need a systemic change which they wouldn't do unless forced. This change would undoubtedly lead to price rises and killing Uber's whole purpose.
Perhaps the rules need changing? Black Cabs are very expensive for a regular user when paying out of their own pocket. If I did a show in town and used black cabs after a post-midnight finish of long rehearsal day it wouldn't cover the the evening's work.
I think black cabs need to up their game (as a business model not the individuals driving the cabs)
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Post by alece10 on Sept 22, 2017 16:36:22 GMT
You try finding a black cab in East London. If you do spot one it's not for hire as the driver is heading home. They all seem to live in Essex for some reason. I need an uber, it's usually with me in a few minutes. Reliable and friendly drivers. A godsend when in Mile End at 3am and need a cab home. Not the nicest place to hang around at that time of night in the street.
Just signed a petition. Already over 200,000 signed so far
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 16:40:48 GMT
You try finding a black cab in East London. If you do spot one it's not for hire as the driver is heading home. They all seem to live in Essex for some reason. I need an uber, it's usually with me in a few minutes. Reliable and friendly drivers. A godsend when in Mile End at 3am and need a cab home. Not the nicest place to hang around at that time of night in the street. Just signed a petition. Already over 200,000 signed so far Link? |
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Post by alece10 on Sept 22, 2017 16:50:54 GMT
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Post by Jon on Sept 22, 2017 18:21:08 GMT
I wouldn’t be surprised if another private hire company like Lyft which uses this opportunity to launch in the UK taking the customers and drivers from Uber
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 18:33:55 GMT
A point from my friend who is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Black cabs simply don't stop for you. They are meant to - but they don't.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 22, 2017 18:36:44 GMT
And all that "I can do it off the meter for fifty quid guvnor"
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 18:37:11 GMT
I would have thought they would never let this happen again and get their act together to follow the rules? I would certainly hope so - isn't that part of the issue? The problem with the black cabs is they need money to use them and with Uber they don't. That was my point. The point is pretty simple: If you get into an Uber cab and something goes wrong, they won't co-operate to fix it. That's unlike any other Hackney or Private Hire service in London. That is why they lost their licence. There are other services that do the same as Uber out there, and that are properly operated. Use them instead. According to that newspaper, they are cheaper and quicker anyway. There is nothing wrong with "disruptor services" that abide by the rules that are there for the safety of all. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ To the above I will only add that everybody is entitled to a decent wage for a day's work, and decent treatment. That's all. In fairness, I had one issue with the years I've used Uber and they were pretty awful sorting it. After being on the lash for an aftershow party, their driver "couldn't find us", despite being in one of the major West End venues. We tracked him on the map and we made no effort to collect us. At the time, they were useless - I got a strike for not turning up. I called the (0870) number and they issued a full credit for the trip I paid for and a free trip to the same value so it was sorted happily in the end, but really poor on the night. |
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 18:38:17 GMT
And all that "I can do it off the meter for fifty quid guvnor" A mate of mine from Dewsbury encountered this exact scenario. Uber back cost £7.25. |
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Post by vdcni on Sept 22, 2017 18:38:18 GMT
They are a vile company. Good riddance.
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Post by alece10 on Sept 22, 2017 19:09:19 GMT
They are a vile company. Good riddance. Seems like 3.5 million rides last year prove otherwise. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2017 19:24:43 GMT
A point from my friend who is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Black cabs simply don't stop for you. They are meant to - but they don't. Similarly cabs are supposedly legally obliged to not turn down lone women at night; but I've had any number of black cabs refusing to take me sarf of the river after midnight and leaving me stuck. And I wasn't drunk and lairy, honest. I know you have to be wary with Uber but it's affordable and accessible. For me it's not Uber v black cab, its Uber v no cab. |
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Post by vdcni on Sept 22, 2017 19:24:55 GMT
It just proves that consumers don't pay attention to how companies operate or treat their employees.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2017 19:36:43 GMT
It just proves that consumers don't pay attention to how companies operate or treat their employees. My friend is an Uber driver. He does it because he can choose his hours and fit it around other insecure work to get extra money. Not great but Uber is a symptom of the problem not the problem itself. |
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Post by SageStageMgr on Sept 22, 2017 19:39:02 GMT
A point from my friend who is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Black cabs simply don't stop for you. They are meant to - but they don't. Similarly cabs are supposedly legally obliged to not turn down lone women at night; but I've had any number of black cabs refusing to take me sarf of the river after midnight and leaving me stuck. And I wasn't drunk and lairy, honest. I know you have to be wary with Uber but it's affordable and accessible. For me it's not Uber v black cab, its Uber v no cab. My friend is also female so I guess that goes double. |
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Post by vdcni on Sept 22, 2017 19:43:33 GMT
It just proves that consumers don't pay attention to how companies operate or treat their employees. My friend is an Uber driver. He does it because he can choose his hours and fit it around other insecure work to get extra money. Not great but Uber is a symptom of the problem not the problem itself. How are they a symptom of the problem when their employment policies are the problem? |
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