Competition works as cabbies up their game in the long-running battle with Uber April 6, 2016 The long-running battle between Uber and black cabs may be drawing to a civilised conclusion, and we can thank the beneficial forces of market competition for calming this mighty feud. Faced with the realisation that Uber isn’t going anywhere, the black cab industry has taken the sensible and welcome step of deciding to compete with [...]
Cab Wars: Research shows Uber is growing despite negative headlines April 6, 2016 As the London mayoral election approaches, it seems like a good time to consider Uber, a company that has divided opinion in the capital. The black cab industry has suffered since the emergence of Uber and its online app. Rows have arisen over regulation, metres and customer safety. City streets have seen several gridlock-causing protests. [...]
Card fees for paying for London taxis removed for all passengers April 5, 2016 Those using cards to pay for their London taxis will no longer have to pay a surcharge, in a move that will help keep the industry competitive against the likes of Uber. The move means passengers should never pay more than the amount shown on the meter due to the method of payment that is used. [...]
Barclays customers can now use Apple Pay… finally April 5, 2016 It's been a long old wait, but Barclays has finally jumped on board the Apple Pay bandwagon. Barclays is the last of the major banks to support Apple Pay in the UK, letting customers pay with just the swipe of their iPhone or Apple Watch. “Since we introduced contactless to the UK in 2007, it’s [...]
Why the future of London’s black cabs is green April 4, 2016 London stands out as a beacon for cities all over the world. It is a city built on the strength of the diversity of its peoples, businesses, architecture and infrastructure in a process of reinvention and renewal that almost uniquely, successfully melds the old and the new. With just over a month until voting day for London’s [...]
London black taxis vs Uber: This is cabbies’ big plan to save the industry – and they want the new Mayor of London on board April 4, 2016 London's black cab drivers want to offer superfast WiFi to passengers travelling across the capital and have taxi ranks outside every Night Tube stop as part of new efforts to keep the taxi industry competitive. Under increasing pressure from upstart Uber, a new group has been formed bringing together cab drivers, the company manufacturing black cabs – the London Taxi [...]
Here’s how we’re spending with contactless since the limit went up to £30 April 4, 2016 Millions of pounds have been spent by people simply swiping a card or mobile device after an increase to the limit on how much people can spend using contactless pay. There have been 36m cashless transactions worth nearly £900m since the limit went up from £20 to £30 in September last year. Transactions between £20 and £30 have grown at a rate of [...]
App develops next generation taxi payment allowing black cabs to accept chip and pin, contactless and Apple pay March 23, 2016 A new app that allows customers use chip and pin, contactless and Apple Pay when taking a black cab has launched. The app, aptly named cab:app, allows passengers to pay within 90 seconds in locations across the UK. While it will be mandatory for all black cabs in London to offer card and contactless payment from [...]
Google’s Android Pay is coming to the UK, letting you pay with mobile on the Tube and across the high street, including Pret, Starbucks, Waitrose and more March 23, 2016 Users of Android will soon be able to use their smartphone to pay for items and even travel to work, as Google prepares to launch Android Pay in the UK following hot on the heels of Apple Pay. Google said it will roll out "in the coming months" with the backing of Britain's biggest banks, but did not [...]
TfL’s travel advice for Piccadilly Line strike from Wednesday evening and all day Thursday, including buses, cycling, walking and driving March 23, 2016 The Night Tube might be resolved (sort of) but that doesn't mean Londoners get away scot-free. Unions are planning a strike that will take out the entire Piccadilly Line from 9pm tonight and all day tomorrow (23-24 March) – and Transport for London has just issued its latest travel advice for those affected. Helpfully, the [...]