Mayor of London, , said
“I support the decision by TfL’s licensing officials today in
relation to Uber and completely understand why the decision was
taken. Keeping Londoners safe is my absolute number-one priority,
and TfL have identified a pattern of failure by Uber that has
directly put passengers’ safety at risk.
“There is undoubtedly a place for innovative companies in London
- in fact we are home to some of the best in the world. But it is
essential that companies play by the rules to keep their
customers safe.
“Only in the last few months it has been established that 14,000
Uber journeys have involved fraudulent drivers uploading their
photos to other driver accounts – with passengers’ safety
potentially put at risk getting into cars with unlicensed and
suspended drivers. At this stage TfL can’t be confident that Uber
has the robust processes in place to prevent another serious
safety breach in the future.
"I know this decision may be unpopular with Uber users, but their
safety is the paramount concern. Regulations are there to keep
Londoners safe, and fully complying with TfL’s strict standards
is essential if private hire operators want a licence to operate
in London.”
IEA: TfL's effective ban on Uber represents a "dark day"
for consumers and drivers
ommenting on Transport for London’s decision not to expand Uber’s
licence, Director of Trade and Competition at the Institute of
Economic Affairs Shanker Singham said:
“Transport for London’s effective ban on Uber in London
represents a dark day for competition and progress in the UK.
“Uber - and other platforms like it - give consumers real
alternatives to the monopoly enjoyed by London’s black cab
industry. As with any regulatory crackdown on new entrants, this
action will harm London’s consumers, particularly damaging the
least-well-off who cannot afford the high cost of black cabs.
“As well, this move will destroy working opportunities for
thousands of people, including many immigrants and ethnic
minorities. As well, safety aspects of the app – like being able
to track and share your ride and having the drivers details on
your phone – will be sorely missed by more vulnerable groups, who
might feel more at risk waiting on a dark kerb for a ride in the
middle of the night.
“The cab industry and ride-sharing apps operate in two different
regulatory models, which can sit alongside each other and serve
different needs. Black cabs should look at government regulations
that artificially increase their costs, instead of blocking much
needed competition in this sector.
"Unfortunately TfL has opted for the most protectionist approach
possible, banning a major mode of transport that has dramatically
improved many Londoners’ standard of living.”
Unite welcomes London Uber licence decision
Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union has welcomed the
decision of Transport for London (TfL) not to renew Uber’s
licence in the capital.
Jim Kelly, chair of Unite’s London and Eastern cab section, said:
“Unite welcomes the decision of TfL not to renew Uber’s licence
as there remains fundamental problems in the way the company
operates, particularly issues around passenger safety.
“All the taxi trade wants is a level playing field.
“Uber’s DNA is about driving down standards and creating a race
to the bottom which is not in the best interests of professional
drivers or customers.
“Uber has a history of undermining licencing regimes. In
particular there is growing concern about how Uber has also
allowed drivers to become licenced in one area and then operate
in areas where they are not licenced.
“In order to protect the public and to ensure standards are
maintained it is essential that TfL follows this decision with
stricter licencing of private hire operators and apps.
“This is the only way that public safety and confidence in the
service can be maintained and the pay and conditions of
professional drivers can be preserved.”
TfL has alleged that in the past year there could have been up to
14,000 potentially fraudulent Uber journey’s in London.
