Uber crackdown could threaten the UK’s business brand October 2, 2015 As Transport for London (TfL) prepares to launch its proposed crackdown on Uber, injecting the criticism of its black-cab competitors into the capital’s most popular minicab-hailing app, it is crucial that UK business protects its reputation. Consumers have already had their say, with nearly 125,000 supporters signing up to Uber’s petition demanding that TfL [...]
Hailo sides with London cabbies in Uber dispute as it ditches private hire October 1, 2015 The battle between black cabs and taxi apps has just ramped up another notch. Hailo, a mobile app which lets users hail a black cab or private minicab, today announced it had resigned its private license and is returning to black cabs only in London. This comes as Transport for London is initiating a consultation on [...]
Crossrail 2: It’s not just your commute that will improve with the Hertfordshire to Surrey transport link October 1, 2015 As anyone who travels through Clapham Junction or Waterloo today will already know, much of the rail network is already operating at the limits of its capacity. Huge improvements are planned and being made – the modernisation of the Tube and the building of Crossrail for example. But they will only ease the crowding [...]
Travel disruption around Parliament Square as legal year is opened at Westminster Abbey October 1, 2015 Those driving towards Parliament Square are likely to face traffic today, and for once the disruption is not because of a protest. Millbank has been closed off in both directions because of a ceremony celebrating the official opening of the legal year at Westminster Abbey. Legal leaders from across the UK have joined the Bar [...]
VW emissions scandal: Will Volkswagen’s costly mistake put more alternative vehicles on London’s roads? October 1, 2015 With air quality pollution responsible for the deaths of 3,400 Londoners every year, action must be taken to clean up the capital’s roads by both policy makers and manufacturers. The emissions scandal has only heightened this crisis. Volkswagen has now revealed that nearly 1.2 million vehicles within the brand in the UK have been affected [...]
Victoria Station reopened after fire alert, which affected Circle, District and Victoria Tube lines October 1, 2015 Victoria Station has been reopened after a fire alert at the start of rush hour this morning. The station was evacuated after a fire alarm went off at around 7:15am and the Circle, District and Victoria Lines did not stop at the station for well over half an hour. People were also unable [...]
Uber protest: London’s Black Cab drivers must adapt to changing market forces – The City View September 30, 2015 It takes a lot of time and money to become a Black Cab driver. The Knowledge has been described as one of the hardest tests to pass in the world. It takes years to complete and at the end of it all the application and licensing process costs the thick end of £1,000. Then there’s [...]
London Black Cab protest to target Fleet Street and Aldwych today as Uber crackdown revealed September 30, 2015 Drivers, beware: Cabbies are planning a second street protest in a week today, targeting roads around Aldwych and Fleet Street. Roads in the area will be closed and motorists and cyclists are advised to avoid the area and make alternative arrangements. City of London and the Metropolitan Police said they had "an appropriate and proportionate [...]
Another boost for the Northern Powerhouse, as Government and Network Rail quietly restart “paused” TransPennine and Midland Mainline electrification programmes September 30, 2015 It was the "pause" that created uproar among northern commuters – but today the Department for Transport quietly announced it will begin work on the electrification programme of the TransPennine and Midland Mainline routes. Plans to pause the programme were announced by transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin back in June, when he admitted the programme was [...]
Uber at risk as Transport for London bows to pressure from taxi drivers and minicab firms September 30, 2015 Taxi drivers and rival minicab firms have been handed a boost after Transport for London (TfL) bowed to pressure and proposed a range of measures that would hammer much of Uber’s business model. A minimum waiting time of five minutes could become law – even if a car is immediately available – while sharing a [...]