Could Uber be banned in London?

The ride-hailing app Uber has lost its London operating licence because the capital's regulator said the company isn't "fit and proper" to operate in the city.
That's because Transport for London has concerns about public safety and "security implications". Uber said it wouild appeal and hit back instantly, saying the decision showed the world that "far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies". Some three-and-a-half million Londoners currently use the app, while there are around 40,000 Uber drivers in the capital.
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[@andrewhinds1449]

THE PUBLIC WANT CHEAP FARES YET UBER DRIVERS ARE PAID VERY LOW WAGES. ARE YOU PROUD LONDONERS.

[@karlwilliams8625]

Mate, send someone else to talk to the judge because she ripped you.

[@shahmalizadeh9393]

No one lose there job when uber lose there licence most of driver go back and work for local form . The only one lose is uber. The last 5y ripping every driver of and I hop every city in the world do the same

[@youcamehereforthetruth3824]

Shah Mohammad Alizadeh no fukin local firms charge 25 30 percent commision and you must work minimum 9 10 hours to make 120 140 pounds

[@Tbag989]

Uber did cause devaluation of the taxi industry

[@pup1008]

You get what you pay for. I'm an Essex base minicab driver & had a pickup to go to Heathrow which is about 50 miles from us whilst an Uber had been ordered by someone in the same party to go 6 miles down the road. On the way into the job I sensed, after 25 years of doing this, that there were major traffic problems building up in an area I knew very well so made the call to go via an alternate route. The people in the Uber didn't & hit the traffic. I actually got to Heathrow *FASTER* than the people going the 6 miles. Professionalism, FULL background checks, local knowledge & long UK driving experience is what you might pay an additional 10 -15% for!

[@dantaylor7344]

*Uber should be banned full stop!*

[@thomaspowell3739]

What will the demise of uber mean for London Less traffic Less awful dangerous drivers Less criminals been offered jobs which puts them in close proximity to vulnerable people Safer roads Taxi drivers that actually speak proper English Cleaner smelling taxis which haven't been slept in for days Properly licensed taxis which are not driven by the unlicensed members of the licensed drivers family

[@JBizzlenw1]

You talk no sense = nonsense

[@Early2000sPs2games]

Look at taxi.eu its europes version

[@greatleader2518]

Less criminals been offered jobs and they gets back to crime again and mugs you

[@spearfisherman308]

More like more expensive cabs and less money for people to pump into the economy 😂😂😂😂.

[@yung1252]

One trip on a black cost me 40 when uber said 9

[@Rambo-du6pu]

Yung 125 do you think uber is a just and fare price?

[@mrobin723]

Fair by whose standards? Yours...maybe not, someone with zero experience in the workforce trying to piece together a living, maybe it is fair. I'm sure the post office also thinks sending email's for free is an unjust and unfair price, but why should that stop us from using it?

[@MannyRiberaOriginal]

Yung 125 obviously black cabs rip people off

[@aspiknf]

I would still go with the Black Cab

[@twins78fcuk7]

my uncle took a black cab 2 months a go from Heathrow to Westminster and the driver charged him £90 !!!!! He was shocked!!!!

[@miguelchipres5091]

Most networks are not mentioning the mass amounts of sexual assaults by foreign drivers...why??

[@SierraRamblesALot]

Obviously more regulations should be put in place for safety but I don't believe the company should be kicked out completely, they should have stronger checks put in place before a person gets a job.

[@t814]

Sierra Rambles A Lot why would they put checks in place? Uber drivers are considered 'self-employed' which why they pay for everything including the car. If anything happens, they driver is solely held responsible because they are SELF EMPLOYED.

[@Tamasha1]

DONT WORRY UBER IS STILL RUNNING IN PAKISTAN 🇵🇰 LAHORE CITY 😀👍.

[@BeamingSplendor]

It's shameful that the British government isn't allowing the Free Market to take it's course on this one. No one wants to pay a Black Cab £20 to drive them across London. The Free Market has ways of dealing with abuse on it's own by inciting competition and that's the beauty of it.

[@t814]

BeamingSplendor Take the bus then.

[@middleman9183]

....or a mini cab.

[@Rambo-du6pu]

BeamingSplendor ..yeah we want a Morden day slave that has to work 14 hours a day 7 days a week and we don't TIP the slave driver too.

[@spearfisherman308]

@@Rambo-du6pu it was never meant to be a full time job.

[@chamdotenzin1]

Ur not gonna complain so much about paying a pound or two extra when you get into accident and learn that your black cab is fully insured and has passenger safety measures to lessen the injuries or that your black cab driver is a fully trained professional with no criminal record and not some creep with a car.

[@JBizzlenw1]

What a stupid comment

[@willford8475]

Poor interview by Ch4. If this reporter walks through one of the offices and gets her bottom slapped or nipped, for example - this would be a sexual assault, does she expect the Channel 4 management to go to the Police on her behalf? Of course Ch4 wouldn't and couldn't do this and if they did the Police wouldn't and couldn't accept the complaint.that is the law in this country. She would have to make a complaint herself to the Police. Time and again she insisted that Uber should make a report to the Police, ridiculous. Somebody ought to take this reporter aside and educate her on the subjects she will be dealing with. I do not have a dog in this fight one way or the other but I hate sloppy journalism.

[@NicoleTheAlchemist]

I think Uber is one of the most safest transport services in London because you get the drivers name, picture, license plate number AND you get to share trips with your friends. This is just another ploy for TFL to get more money out of us... leaving 40 THOUSAND people jobless and us Londoners paying more money just to get around an already expensive city.

[@oparasatauwaya]

It is a ploy. these cabbies earn between £35-£50k a year for driving a crusty black cab around for a few hours an evening in a very small part of greater london (usually only where the super-rich russian and saudi oligarchs live), and the irony with them is that they are usually racist pieces of shit. these cabbies will continue to keep biting the hands that feed their criminal lifestyles and they'll be rewarded for it. all the while we ordinary folk will continue to have our more affordable options curbed in lieu of the needs of the ultra-rich and wealthy who are taking over our city. the political left in london has now become as elitist as the right has been.

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

I can't wait to get one of these cheap Toyota Prius

[@timmy2310]

But data shows you're way more likely to be in an accident than a cab. Reason: drivers are staring at their screen and not the road. Uber drivers only see the road 28% of the time! Private hire and Cabs 75% of the time.

[@timmy2310]

Unless you inherit a lot of money, everyone works for someone. So then, we're all self-employed according to Uber.

[@ralphieboy4777]

People don’t get it that every time you take an Uber you are putting your hands in the drivers pockets and robbing him without a gun. Don’t you get it through your thick heads that the driver and his family has to also eat and he doesn’t like eating at mcdonalds either like you don’t ??? Who the hell is going to pay for his new tires and gasoline and insurance and his time ??? You are all just blindsided and don’t realize that the driver is human too. Uber robbing everybody and walking away laughing. Make some sense people and think about it.

[@paulvial01]

I deplore the news : i was over the moon when UBER arrived as it meant i would not have to use black cabs anymore ( overcharging , ungrateful ...how many times they have a yellow light on and when you tell them you need to go in the opposite direction to where they want to go the say : sorry mate i am not free ...why stopping in the first place you moron .. All my experiences with UBER have been excellent ..polite and friendly drivers , arriving promptly when summoned , all at a fraction of the price charged by black cabs .. another thing which is annoying with Black cabs is that you never quite know how much the bill is going to be ( can vary quite a lot for the same distance ) ...must be a nightmare for somebody with a tight budget and no alternative ) .. Good luck UBER !!

[@Rambo-du6pu]

jichan and have you ever gave a tip to your uber driver?

[@paulvial01]

yes i have ( one refused it !)

[@adams1688]

So basically stronger checks before becoming a driver and problem solved? they're good to go?

[@t814]

If you support Workers Rights, you would support this Uber ban.

[@spearfisherman308]

No Uber was not meant to be a full time job.

[@captainamerica9028]

Some of your black taxi drivers have been accused of sexual assaults too, so why isn't the black taxi company being shut down too. Just because a few employees of a company are accused or convicted of crimes, means the government can shut down the whole company???

[@andrewhinds1449]

IN 300YR CAB HISTORY ONLY 2 CAB DRIVERS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF RAPE.

[@manifernandez6300]

32 rapes/sexual assaults for uber 2016 and up 50% in 2017 to 48. Russian roulette and risk the rest of your life hoping it wont happen to you. Dont have to use a black cab app... tberes plenty of apps out there. Get over what you dont know

[@jamiejosh96]

Why allow our money to go to a foreign owned company rather then the drivers

[@kidbuu8973]

Man wants That Aux cord still

[@-SUM1-]

Uber's shit.

[@Ayubdj7]

Doesn't pay anything close to the living wage; doesn't provide any of the rights and protections workers can claim from employers; doesn't pay any taxes. And the 40,000 drivers aren't being thrown on the scrapheap. There are other companies offering the same service, and there are still minicab companies. All of them will now be busier, and hiring. As for the passengers: I'd estimate that for every one of them who seems to have a valid claim to relying on Uber (but not its similar competitors?) there are 10 content to save money at someone else's palpable expense (they're there, in the front seat, making £5 an hour to drive you home). And 10 more who on some level actually relish the sociopathic thrill of participating in exploiting other people's powerlessness - more so when it's done in such a modern, cutting edge fashion.

[@spearfisherman308]

Uber was never meant to be a full time job it was meant to be a side gig for extra money.

[@thomaschad18]

That McNamara is an absolute clown. The reporter's points are bang on. Who are these people that they think they can decide what's good for people? If there are problems over safety, apply pressure on Uber to sort out their house - no business wants a bad reputation, or anything that might work to minimise their profits. And as for the Black Cab driver - boo hoo, that's life. We all face competition. Why should we pander to you just because your losing out to another service? That's business; that's the market at work, and that's life. Instead of lobbying to get the competition banned, you should compete! This is a backward move, and a refusal to accept change.

[@kaushikthaker9666]

A ) they should have offices in London where 24 hot lines should be set up B)make sure the drivers pay taxes on their income and have assistance to complete tax matching with the records on cumputer with full explanation of true expenses C) wear unform and have cctv on at all the times and every jobs send automatic picture of the driver and can stay customers phone for so they can to police station with photos If all this condition are met than Pay 40 million pounds for licence a year plus registration of company should be transferred to London stright away with company houses taxes affairs And not in Europe for tax purposes Than only their licence should be considered again on year to year base's

[@phern2389]

Is uber still banned in London ?

[@Kingsuper12]

That taxi driver earning gone down by £150 a week? Complete nonsense.

[@coolgadgetreviews]

Problem is someone could register for uber then let some one else driver uber taxi using there app. its dangerous

[@MrVidification]

and is where Transport for London (or a hired body for them) has failed, they need to do the checks as Uber don't claim to be a taxi company, just a mobile phone app

[@smarterthananatheist]

The “ we are iconic” argument does not wash either. Red telephone boxes were iconic too but with the advance of technology they had to be taken off the streets. Regarding the environment, all the Uber cars I have been in were hybrid, new and clean. Black cabs I have been in have been the old dirty diesel engines. I thought Sadiq Khan was hot on the environment and emissions? Regarding money, black cabs for years refused to take cards but thanks to Uber, they’ve realised they need to step up and embrace modern practices.

[@Steven-vi1ob]

missed the guys name how can he work for uber when he should be a self employed driver. then he should have his own CRB check done hie own PCO badge how is this possible

[@brianjones6297]

uber had its licence refused but they can go on working until this matter has be sorted so it wasnt a ban as such

[@torimahel5578]

Why fix taxi licences when un límited uberlicences more Than 40 thousands

[@ninosmoshi101]

That white guy is talking shit; HOW is it morally wrong for a driver to take someone to a destination and getting paid for it? Customer gets what they want which is a lift Uber gets a percentage Uber Driver makes a living. What exactly is morally wrong here?

[@CraigPaardekooper13]

Only two allegations have been made against Uber - for a driver hugging a passenger, and for a driver who pointed an identifier spray at a passenger (but did not spray them) - presumably because the passenger was threatening the driver. It seems unfair that because one driver hugged a woman, that 40,000 people should loose their jobs. These incidents seem benign - and the penalty of Uber loosing their license seems vastly disproportionate and ridiculous in the extreme. It is difficult and extremely stressful being an Uber driver in London - contending with endless traffic jams, weaving motorcycles, continuously dangerous motorists - having to work very long hours and getting very tired - amidst all this stress, one man gives one woman a hug once, and 40,000 drivers are immediately consigned to the dust bin. Ubers best defence is - 1. 40,000 drivers will loose their jobs for the alleged offence of 1 driver. Collective punishment like this is wrong. 2. Making 40,000 people unemployed will place a massive burden on the DHSS. If every driver claims Universal credit and Housing benefit then that amounts to £170 per week per driver 170 x 40000 = £6.8 million per week out of the governments budget So the government should step in to stop this insanity. 3. Banning Uber means the removal of competition, which means that taxi prices will soar. A ride that previously cost £10, will now be doubled or tripled in price. 4. And all this because of an alleged offence of giving one woman a hug - with no evidence presented to even prove that the offence took place. 5. What about the several cases of assault committed by Black cab drivers or Addison Lee drivers - are these companies to be completely banned too?

[@KhanivoreQniba]

Uber is dodgy as F, but also quick and cheap so it will stay.

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

Protection Vs Freedom “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” The majority of conflict regarding regulations is usually the same. It is a fight for freedom of choice vs protection. It is not the role of government to decide what services are safe or offer quality or not. The question should not be are Uber are providing a good service or not but whether we have a choice to choose them or not. If you think Uber is less safe then BlackCabs then you can choose black cabs. If you want to take more risk then you can choose Uber. This is, of course, assuming that Uber is actually less safe, which is subjective. The majority of people will assume that Uber is a lot safer than cycling in London. But cycling will not be banned.

[@ninosmoshi101]

Okay, so why don’t TFL tell uber they need to change up some of their rules and regulations...? TFL’s statement is so broad

[@doseoflamide]

use Gett

[@stephenshiels7486]

who created uber and why was ride shareing created.

[@henryrussell3494]

Ban sat navs there as bad as looking at a text on your phone even if your not holding it

[@gamerclint81]

40K Uber drivers...wow Rest In Peace!

[@amarmma9856]

Start using A1 cars in new Malden (kt3)

[@shubhranandi9283]

What about the other taxi driver,who working in nearby london boroughs. There job taking by ubar cab .don't think they have family and their business.

[@dhongorom]

I don't understand the mind set of the drivers, if you wanna drive for living, do it professionally, drive Taxi, why drive for Uber, The company who is ripping both the passengers and the drivers off. Taxi companies charge little extra to the passengers, but they also pay a lot of money for license renewal and tax, to the city which comes back to the city inhabitants eventually.

[@pooltuna]

a classic example of kleptocracy... Clearly there is no public safety issue or demand would be zero. Congratulations to the black cab drivers... Hopefully your finances will be just fine considering that you're never ever going to get another tip again as long as you live live.

[@missgreeneyesx3512]

I live in London and I still will *not* use black cabs. RIP off. Black cabs over charge which is why people don't like using them. I will use regular cab firms or apps like Bolt. I really hope black taxis go out of business in London.

[@deletc4198]

Problem with Uber had just being said. Uber didn't do background check. Spot on

[@yidenekzewde1499]

Drivers never stand with uber to be robbed by uber.

[@t814]

All those people supporting Uber just because it's cheap - would you so publicly support the poor labour conditions of people that make your clothes just so that you can keep buying things for cheap? Uber drivers buy their own cars, pay for their own maintenance, pay for everything out of their own pocket only for Uber to take majority of the cut. This is the only reason it's cheap - that driver is paying for nearly everything and getting little out of it. That is the type of employment you are supporting.

[@Tbag989]

It’s all about the taxi industry loosing money. Public safety is the only avenue they have due to Uber’s not having security cameras...

[@smarterthananatheist]

If one of the key arguments against Uber is one of safety, frankly how is it safer for girls and vulnerable people to now contemplate walking the streets home after an evening out, because they cannot afford the black cab fare? With Uber they could safely afford a driver to take them home.

[@user-jm7ux9gd8f]

Don't you just love black cabbies. They talk at you rather than talk to you!

[@warren8287]

You have to investigate this case thoroughly, not all uber drivers are bad. Look there's certainly something fishy at play here with the city and the taxi company, there's definitely some kickbacks here.

[@Ainanleo]

Kick them out of country Uber is burden on our economy all the drivers claiming all kind of benefits

[@RobinKamalCTG]

Uber supporting drivers?? that's funny!!!!

[@captaingalaxy8009]

And why not, it's Berkely, the US answer to Stalingrad

[@angelabakloyvovtchaikovsky1609]

Londoner I get minimum wage here in california

[@RealistiC737]

Great news 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 I am Berliner Taxi Driver - I hate UBER about everything - very stupid drivers, they don´t want to learn (Roads note)

[@henryrussell3494]

Uber drivers do the knowledge sat navs in London are useless I've tried uber never again stuck in traffic jams for ages all to save a couple of bucks

[@donaldotrumpriguez2024]

This guys answers sound like everywhere else uber is circumventing laws that cost them profits

[@jota3732]

Cameron , Johnson, nuf said .

[@Jimmyredcab]

Two years on and the rapes and crashes still carry on.

[@Michelle_Schu-blacka]

I've never used uber and don't understand why people use cabs when you can get around London very easily by bike or public transport if you can't drive for whatever reason. I'd rather all taxis in London be black cabs as standard since it's kind of a symbol of Britain. That said, black cab drivers are probably the worst drivers on the road and cheat their taxes by offering cash only.

[@colinburnside8725]

Never ever get there hand dirty

[@stayhy118]

This is what happens when there is real progress they will try to ban it

[@garsm2290]

AirB&B next surely ..

[@middleman9183]

I hope so!

[@tiresombeast677]

Well at least we have GoCarz

[@shamimb1y]

Full load of BS.. Uber is not the only company thats tracks its drivers through GPS on journeys.. Alsmost all other companies do it

[@wesselerasmus9997]

Its basically politicians being sore losers! Black Cab had its own little Monopoly for years but failed to innovate! Its just shows you that businesses need to keep innovating or else suffer when new competition enters. And then they go and cry like little Kindergarten kids that they loosing business, but who’s fault is that really??? We having Uber attacks in South Africa by the others who also failed to innovate. So selfish of people in that way, why should you pay more for a service if there is a cheaper alternative...

[@angelabakloyvovtchaikovsky1609]

American workers laws is freedom

[@person8203]

Keep hearing this 40,000 drivers figure as if they're being made redundant. Uber doesn't recognise drivers as employees unless it suit's them. Every uber driver I know does it for a few hours a week to top up their normal salary. Not because they have to, because they can. Reform, follow the law, try not to hide sexual assaults and compete fairly, that's what's being asked of you.

[@RobLate]

"My earnings are down" - So what? So what if cab drivers train for years and have knowledge of the road and points of interest? Move the fuck over, we have GPS, no one cares about your knowledge - Self service tills destroyed thousands of jobs in supermarkets and 3D printers will one day put manual labourers out of work - get over it. Shit happens. Everyone gets put out of work, from cleaners to medical statisticians. What is the alternative? An inferior service just because a bunch of drivers are crying about it? Shocking development, yet another reason why London is falling so far behind and is turning into a shit hole.

[@matthewm3769]

they are crying at an organic development of technology and society that made driving cheaper and more efficient, and so they got it banned

[@PlotkaiTrollstorm]

Rob Earley. Well said, wait until Ai replaces you and has a mind of its own to post satire opinions.

[@maxdondada]

Well said Sir

[@1spitfirepilot]

Rob Earley race to the bottom then?

[@jubzxyz]

Rob Earley oh look here a black taxi cab talking shit about Uber . Fuck off rob just because Uber is cheaper and more reliable than these shitty black cabs

[@changazekhan9518]

No, Mayor needs to be dismissed He is not getting the brown envelope

[@papaszem44]

Uber is a scam

[@PLEASANTGIFFT]

papaszem44 I take a taxi once or twice a week paid by the company which I work for. I travel from central London to Hayes and I am charged £90 doing this journey with a black cab "god forbids" any traffic which will see that amount climb considerably higher. Whilst Uber £40 and I get a proper receipt not a compliment slip black cab drivers give you. Many other things I can praise about Uber's service, but in regards to value to be taken from A to B you can see it makes sense and in many ways

[@Early2000sPs2games]

Why does london uber drivers need licenses its silly because the whole point is your get a lift, get dropped off easy

[@martinmcdonald4207]

Just the little issue of standards and competence, public safety appropriate insurance. character check by police, will i go on?

[@piciak]

Lol be ready for 1st of October when 40 000 unemployed drivers block whole central london. Anyway, I understand both sides of the argument and dodgy drivers are uber's problem worldwide but revoking a license of a major transport provider on a week's notice is just downright stupid.

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

15 years of schoolin has taught me how to spot dodgy things. O'hh they didn't. That's public education for you.

[@thelasttimelord7550]

Black cabs will be making 300 quid a day then lucky them

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

Lets not hope that their are diesel laws coming

[@kaushikthaker9666]

piciak who said the apeal will heard 7 days, it could take up to one year before out come is out Till than driver's can work as normally do ???

[@kaushikthaker9666]

THE LAST TIMELORD black cabs are history now with big out dated tank on the road

[@userengland8360]

I don't understand the problem, we have lyft ??!!

[@angelabakloyvovtchaikovsky1609]

Uber is in business. Uber is very popular in america

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

Is it immoral. I can't say. But it is more moral then providing no service at all. 7:17 If I think being an Uber driving is a good deal then it is immoral for the government to stop me.

[@ninosmoshi101]

Just perfect. There’s unemployment in the UK in its millions and more unemployed people, just great TFL. Nice one.

[@g.king.]

UK is really messed up, the whole world almost is using the app, let it be !!! there are people like me that we need it and other people that need to make money out of uber... so ridiculous.

[@arfankarim5149]

clearly uber's man have no right information to tackle TFL and worker's concern ... uber is not above the law

[@maxpower1337]

Uber banned in Ireland.

[@jonhmiller3060]

Oxted needs a trolley boy to do trolleys for work At MORRISONS?

[@woteverm1141]

I am an Uber driver I from my heart wish Uber to lose the case I have been forced to join Uber that’s because they fucked up the local Minicab companies they became deadly quite waiting ages for a job Uber is great for the riders and the company but not for the drivers Never sorted our issues nor clashes Totally I hate Uber I HATE ÜBER I HATE UBER I hate Uber I HATE ÜBER I HATE UBEr

[@wiilwaal4224]

Uber is the worst company for it's employers, an hour journey for a drive will be payed £10 , yet you are more worried for the costumer then the poor guy sitting in the front seat.

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

I am pissed !!!

[@JBizzlenw1]

Everyone is jumping the gun, they will appeal and win they bring ££££££ to london for example congestion charge, pcn's etc etc

[@bertraminc9412]

Or, free market is not allowed in england. Another reason to GTFO.

[@meriemetachfine4731]

Uber is important man

[@salfunnyvideos4591]

banned black taxis

[@timmy2310]

Nobody likes Uber. Good riddance

[@josephdorking2047]

LONDON BLACK CAB DRIVERS ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD. .JUMP IN A BLACK CAB. TELL THE DRIVER YOUR DESTINATION.HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE TO GO. NO SAT NAV NEEDED. I KNOW YOU CAN NOT KNOW EVERYTHING .BUT THERE KNOWLEDGE IS SO GOOD

[@nikolasnatt-lawson4409]

I have an idea 🙋, why don't the taxi drivers become uber drivers, problem solve. if they want more money, then start a businesses or get another job

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

Do you think it is right that I should sell you folding bike for £1000 and expect you to cycle from Croydon to Seven-Sisters and back again? Can you call up government and force me to provide you a better form of transport.

[@torimahel5578]

Yung125 you miss 5 when you 9

[@christopherreed2694]

You don't even know how bad uber is in the United States several wemon were attacked buy there uber driver they don't take responsibility for anything good job London 👍

[@rubenscott3972]

If they pay taxes it's ok let the drivers deal whit there Healy care and everything a real job will give you

[@lalohmeman3372]

Black cab sucks charge alot

[@caadilUK]

if you pay peanuts, you get UBER