The Uber, London taxi, TfL standoff is far from over as Boris Johnson calls for congestion charge exemption to be lifted January 20, 2016 Thought the fight was over? No sooner has one row over Uber been settled than another arises. The long-running dispute over how the startup is regulated by Transport for London, which has left London's black cab drivers rather sore, was finally ruled upon today. The new regulations were announced and a controversial five-minute wait rule – which even taxi drivers admitted was not viable – has [...]
Transport for London’s road boss Garrett Emmerson: This is why we ditched the five-minute rule (and are proposing 13 other changes) January 20, 2016 London’s minicab trade has fundamentally changed in recent years, with welcome advances in technology giving customers greater choice and convenience. However, partly as a result of this, the number of ‘private hire’ (PHV) drivers has also boomed, rising from 59,000 in 2009/10 to more than 95,000 today. To keep up with this transformation we recently [...]
Why Transport for London’s Uber plan to ignore the five-minute rule changes on PHVs is wrong-minded January 20, 2016 Following today’s announcement that the private hire (PHV) regulations review has been published and its recommendations watered down significantly, myself and the United Cabbies Group are disappointed that TfL never stood by their recommendations. It was TfL who wrote this document yet allowed lobbyists to derail some important and significant steps to ensuring both public safety and ensuring a level [...]
TfL’s Uber proposals met with disgust from London’s Black Cab trade January 20, 2016 Transport for London's proposals for regulating private hire vehicles (PHV) have been slammed by Black Cab campaigners, who claim they allow companies like Uber to continue to "ply for hire". TfL today revealed plans for a shake-up of the sub-sector, which will include rules stipulating that drivers have a good command of English – but [...]
Uber rule changes: Transport for London to shake up private hire vehicle regulation – but it won’t insist on the five minute wait time January 20, 2016 Transport for London has revealed its plans to shake up private hire vehicles – including Uber – which would include formal English language requirements for drivers – but it won't insist on the controversial five-minute wait time. Other proposals include the introduction of guaranteed fare estimates for customers ahead of their journey, the provision of driver and vehicle details [...]
Tube strike 2016: Now TSSA union will join Aslef and RMT for January and February strike dates a day after Unite pulls out in light of TfL talks January 19, 2016 A third union will join Aslef and RMT in taking part in Tube strikes, the first of which is due to take place next week if an agreement can't be reached over pay and working conditions connected to the Night Tube. TSSA has said it will also walkout if talks between the unions and Transport [...]
This $2m report just killed calls for a limit on Uber driver numbers January 18, 2016 Uber has been delivered a boost in London after a new report concluded the taxi-hailing service has little effect on city congestion. The report, quietly published on a Friday before a public holiday, ended previous attempts by New York mayor Bill de Blasio and City Hall to cap for-hire vehicle numbers in the city. It comes amid similar calls by the London [...]
Tube strike 2016: Unite pulls out of scheduled dates for action as talks continue between Aslef, RMT and TfL January 18, 2016 Unite, one of three unions involved in Tube strikes which are due to begin next week, has pulled out of the industrial action as talks with Transport for London resume to try and avert the walkout. Latest: Now a new union will join the Tube strikes The union, representing 600 Tube engineers and maintenance staff, had joined [...]
Action for Cabbies turns to crowdfunding to launch a judicial review challenging Transport for London’s licensing of Uber January 17, 2016 A company founded by the wife of a black cab driver will today launch a crowdfunding campaign to try to force Transport for London (TfL) to curb Uber in the capital. Action for Cabbies will use crowdfunder.co.uk to try and raise £600,000 to fund the first phase of a judicial review, arguing that in 2012 TfL [...]
Piccadilly line delays: problems have continued all day due to a “temporary shortage of train operators” January 17, 2016 Forget leaves on the line, or the wrong kind of snow. Transport for London has a far more serious problem: there are severe delays on the Piccadilly line, thanks to a shortage of staff. Passengers have been advised to avoid using the line completely if at all possible. https://twitter.com/piccadillyline/status/688744543706025985 TfL said there was a "shortage [...]