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 [...]
Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna slams train group service as a “complete and utter rip off” January 20, 2016 Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna got to his feet in the House of Commons last night to lament the cost of travelling on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), branding the service a "rip off". Speaking the MPs, Umunna said that the cost of travelling on the train to and from "my constituency on Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Green Party candidate Sian Berry defends plans to demolish London City Airport January 20, 2016 Sian Berry wants to multiply the number of Londoners walking, cycling and using public transportation – and she has no shortage of suggestions for how to make that happen. The Green Party candidate for mayor of London backs Crossrail, expanding Overground services, building more segregated cycle lanes and extending the so-called Mini-Holland town centre schemes [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith lays out “vision for London” January 19, 2016 Conservative candidate for Mayor of London Zac Goldsmith will today set out his vision for London if elected in May. The Richmond Park MP's plan aims to "build on the city's economic strength" under current mayor Boris Johnson, and will focus on four key areas: housing, transport, living environment and crime. "We can take London’s success and make [...]
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 [...]
UK house prices: Though it’s currently the economic golden child, Milton Keynes needs to shake off its brand image to become hot property January 19, 2016 Despite being one of the most confusing and maligned cities in the UK, Milton Keynes is managing to outpace London in terms of economic growth, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). With good transport links, a booming property market, and massive employers like Argos and Red Bull based there, on paper this makes sense. But, let’s [...]