‘The blame for the loss of their licence lays exclusively with Uber’ says taxi action group

‘The blame for the loss of their licence lays exclusively with Uber’ says cabbie legal action group UTAG.

The United Trade Action Group (UTAG) supported the action against ride-hailing firm Uber who were rejected an operator's licence in London for the second time in two years.

Transport for London (TfL) said yesterday that whilst they recognised that Uber has made a number of positive changes and improvements, they had identified a ‘pattern of failures by the company including several breaches that placed passengers and their safety at risk’.

TfL added that they did not have confidence that similar issues will not reoccur in the future, which has led it to conclude that the company is not fit and proper at this time.

A UTAG spokesperson said in response: “Today we have learned that Uber London Limited ('Uber') shall not receive a new licence (“The Decision”) as Transport For London ("TfL") have found them, once again, not to be a 'Fit & Proper' company to hold a Private Hire Operators Licence.

“We are obviously delighted to learn this news; the travelling public and other road users shall be safer for this decision.

“Uber will attempt to make you believe that the decision is retrograde and has been made to stifle technology, protect a cartel, and dinosaurs that have failed to keep up with technology and other such spin. This couldn't be further from the truth.

“London taxis drivers (Black Cabs) have been at the forefront of technology dating back to dispatch radio. In 2011, prior to Uber being licensed in London, Black Cabs could be e-hailed via Apps. In 2019, there is a plethora of choices, including TaxiApp which is a taxi driver owned cooperative. Every London taxi has the ability to take electronic payments, including contactless, as well as Apple and Android pay, they are 100% wheelchair accessible and have regulated fares set by TfL as the industry regulator.

“Black Cabs operate in one of the greatest cities in the world, are an integral part of the cities heritage and have been voted time and time again the world's best taxi service. Today's decision has come following Uber’s inability to follow rules - rules designed to protect the public and their failure to comply with the conditions set as part of the ‘probationary’ licence.

“Uber has no one else to blame - the blame for the loss of their licence lays exclusively with Uber.

“London is a global city served by 23,000 taxi drivers and over 108,000 Private Hire drivers, licensed by TfL. It is incredibly unlikely that the numbers of Private Hire drivers will reduce dramatically with the removal of Uber, who had commercial relations with 40,000 of the 108,000 licensed drivers. There are approximately 2000 Private Hire Operators who would welcome your business, along with the Black Cab trade.

“Uber does not keep London moving, a myriad of companies do, as well as public transport including the world respected Black Cab service. The licensed taxi trade in London has been here for 365 years, we hope to serve you indefinitely.”