Farewell to a decade of seismic change and existential anxiety December 2, 2019 You’d be forgiven for not having a moment to notice, but this is a decade that is fast running out of time. The 2010s began with the unease of the consequences of the financial crash. They end with another dose of unease, this time both political and economic. Theresa May tried to win an election [...]
The gig economy needs a creative touch to regulation, not a knee-jerk ban December 2, 2019 The gig economy is a central part of what makes London the vibrant, world-class city it is. From Deliveroo to TaskRabbit to Uber, technological innovation is enabling people to work in ways they never could before and serve the needs of customers. It should be no surprise that more than one in five of London’s [...]
Uber eyes Square Mile move despite London licence ban December 1, 2019 Uber is eyeing offices space in the Square Mile as it looks to expand in the capital despite Transport for London’s decision last week to not renew its licence. The ride-hailing app is reportedly looking for a bigger European headquarters after the lease on its Aldgate office expires, and is mulling options at 60 London [...]
Russia’s Sberbank moves into driverless cars with joint venture November 28, 2019 Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, is moving into driverless cars with a new investment in AI transport startup Cognitive Technologies. Read more: Uber partly to blame for driverless car death, says US watchdog The state-owned bank will take a 30 per cent stake in a new company, Cognitive Pilot, while Cognitive Technologies will take a 70 [...]
Anti-Conservative Tube ads to be referred to watchdog November 28, 2019 Transport for London (TfL) will be referred to the advertising watchdog for displaying anti-Tory advertising during the election period. Israeli tech startup Monday.com has paid for advertising on the Tube that makes fun of Boris Johnson’s background and his record as mayor of London and Prime Minister. Read more: TfL bans Uber for London after [...]
Uber rival Ola announces London launch November 26, 2019 Ride-hailing app Ola has fired the starting gun in the race to recruit Uber drivers and customers, announcing it will soon launch in London. The Indian ride-hailing app today announced it had begun on-boarding drivers in London and would launch in the coming weeks. Read more: TfL bans Uber from London after a ‘pattern of [...]
White House ‘on lockdown’ over unauthorised aircraft November 26, 2019 The White House was put on lockdown this afternoon after unauthorised aircraft reportedly entered Washington D.C. airspace. CNBC reported that fighter jets were scrambled. Read more: Uber ban: London business groups mourn ‘dark day’ The lockdown lasted 20 minutes, with the North Lawn of the White House being cleared, according to NBC News. Reporters were [...]
Uber rival Bolt set to secure $100m in new funding November 26, 2019 Uber competitor Bolt is on the verge of securing more than $100m (£78m) in new funding. The Estonian ride-hailing app is working with Goldman Sachs on the new round of funding, just four months after raising £50m from new and existing backers. Read more: TfL bans Uber from London after a ‘pattern of failures’ Bolt, [...]
Uber keeps giving its critics what they want November 26, 2019 The relationship between Uber and regulator Transport for London (TfL) has always appeared to be one of mutual distrust. From its earliest incarnation the ride-hailing app left plenty of feathers ruffled after breezing into London and disrupting a market that had been the preserve of black cabs and minicabs. Read more: Why did Uber lose [...]
DEBATE: Is Uber’s loss of its London licence evidence that we need more gig economy regulation? November 26, 2019 Is Uber’s loss of its London licence evidence that we need more gig economy regulation? John McCallion, chief executive officer of GroundScope, says YES. Transport for London has quite rightly decided not to grant Uber a licence to operate in London — just as many other cities around the world have done. Every city needs [...]