‘Uber will have its work cut out to win over black taxi drivers’ says Addison Lee boss

‘Uber will have its work cut out to win over black taxi drivers’, said the boss of Addison Lee after Uber's recent announcement stating that the ride-hailing giant plans to "partner" with London black cabs starting next year.

Addison Lee CEO, Liam Griffin, expressed his concern over Uber's arrival in London back in 2012, as he believes their operating practices and predatory pricing model have posed a threat to hard-working local black taxi and private hire drivers in the capital.

The CEO emphasised that drivers have always been the backbone of Addison Lee's business, stating that they are valued by receiving the best rates and that the company provides the best working practices in the industry. This he urged stood in contrast to Uber, whose poor safety record and lack of driver support have undermined the reputation of the industry and created a detrimental race to the bottom.

Griffin acknowledged the vocal opposition of London's black taxi drivers to Uber and expressed sympathy towards their scepticism regarding Uber's motives in partnering with black cabs. He believes that Uber, a company that has consistently demonstrated its aversion to healthy competition and fair prices in the sector, will face an uphill battle in winning over the trust of black taxi drivers.

Liam Griffin, Addison Lee CEO, said: “For nearly 50 years, Addison Lee has been providing London with quality, professional, safe transport. Following the acquisition of ComCab in 2021, we added iconic black taxis onto our platform, and today we offer customers a full range of quality options as the capital’s largest and most trusted private hire, taxi and same day courier business. Drivers are – and have always been – at the heart of our business, and we recognise their value by paying the best rates and providing the best working practices in the industry.

“On the other hand, since its arrival in London in 2012, Uber’s operating practices and predatory pricing model have threatened the livelihoods of hard-working local black taxi and private hire drivers in the capital. Its poor record on safety and driver support has undermined the reputation of the industry and created a race to the bottom that has damaged us all.

“London’s black taxi drivers have always been vocal in their opposition to Uber – and for good reason. The tech firm has time and time again proved itself to be the enemy of healthy competition and fair prices in the sector. Uber will have its work cut out to win over black taxi drivers who are rightly extremely sceptical of the motives behind today’s move.”